Featured Archives - Page 2 of 3 - Toronto Wedding Photographer

November 4, 2014April 20, 2016

Loftraum Wedding // Jin & Frank

Jin & Frank’s vintage inspired DIY Loftraum wedding has been featured on Wedding Obsession!

When Jin and Frank told me they were having a Loftraum wedding, I was intrigued. It was a venue I hadn’t heard of before or photographed yet. When I first met Jin and Frank, we went for a visit and they showed me the space at Loftraum. It’s got exposed brick walls and is the perfect blank canvas for you to create just what you want. It’s basically a hidden gem version of the similar, but better known venues in the Distillery District such as the Fermenting Cellar.

They planned their wedding with lots of personal touches and brought a romantic rustic garden vibe to an urban setting. But first, let’s go back to the start and I’ll tell a bit about how they met. Like I mentioned from their engagement session, their story is straight out of a novel.

Jin and Frank met in a summer exchange program in Monterrey, Mexico. Even though they were in the same class, they didn’t start hanging out until they were put in the same group activity. Before you knew it, the summer went by while sparks flew and their connection grew. They had a bitter sweet parting at the end of that summer and flew back to their respective cities. Sometimes life happens and you get distracted. They didn’t meet again until 3 years later when Jin was teaching in Korea and Frank was nearing the end of his 9-month backpacking adventure in Asia. But the timing wasn’t right and they parted ways once again. This is where I believe that if it’s meant to be, it will be. Another 3 years passed, and they connected again in New York, in the lobby of the Penn hotel and rang in the new year together. The rest as they say, was history.

Their wedding was a beautiful and heartwarming celebration of love and two families coming together: Frank’s from Quebec and Jin’s from BC. I witnessed so much love, tears and laughter – it was an incredible day to be a part of. Here’s the story of Jin & Frank’s wedding day.

The space at Loftraum has exposed brick walls and is the perfect blank canvas.

Jin and Frank set up the space the week before the wedding and did everything themselves.

March 26, 2014April 20, 2016

Selma & Andri // Iceland Wedding Photography

Selma & Andri’s Icelandic anniversary session was featured on Mountainside Bride!

Even though I didn’t photograph Selma and Andri’s wedding (they got married last September), I did get to take some additional wedding portraits for them around Skorradalur and Lake Skorradalsvatn in Iceland, just an hour north of Reykjavik. This almost didn’t happen because of my schedule but when I got Selma’s email, I knew I had to make it happen. And I’m so very glad that I did.

We met early in the morning and drove north from Reykjavik to Skorradalur where both of their parents have summer houses. I love the story of how they met.

Both of their fathers work in the baking industry and had actually known each other, but Selma and Andri never met; Both of their families had summer houses on opposite sides of Lake Skorradalsvatn, and they never met. It wasn’t until their undergraduate years in university that they met. As it happened, Andri spotted this very interesting looking car in the parking lot one day and thought to himself, no guy would drive that car! A few weeks later, he ran into Selma as she was leaving her car and realized it really wasn’t a guy driving the car and just had to introduce himself. Selma at this point thought he was a bit strange. At the end of that semester, on the last day of school, Andri decided to ask Selma out. But he couldn’t find her anywhere at school that day. So, he “wrote” his phone number on her car (I think it was in need of a wash) and asked her to call him. When Selma got home, both her mom and brother-in-law (the car actually belongs to her brother-in-law) thought she should definitely call him. The rest, as they say, was history.

What a lovely morning I had with them. It was like a regular portrait session on a wedding day, except we had lots of time and it was all so relaxed. They were such adventurers as well, up for anything. And I had the best time getting to know them and just chatting about anything, from the things I love about Iceland to my attempt at telling an Icelandic joke (that I saw at Keflavik airport), to their studies in Scotland (where they currently live), to Icelanders’ love for sweets (me too! it was meant to be), to their love for their beautiful country. They said they just love coming home when they can and driving around the country. I would have to agree with that. I could stare out the window forever.

If you are looking for adventures, or would love to have a wedding or to elope somewhere with stunning landscape and nature, Iceland is the perfect destination. It would be an experience like no other.

Selma & Andri, thank you so much for this adventure together. I adore your spirits. xo

February 7, 2014July 4, 2023

Caribbean Destination Wedding // Sarah & Nate

Elegant Destination Wedding on the island of Nevis | As featured on Jet Fete

At the end of October I had the opportunity to photograph a destination wedding in the sunny Caribbean (my first!). Sarah and Nate tied the knot on the tiny island of Nevis in the Caribbean. When they decided to get married, they knew they wanted a destination wedding, but didn’t want the typical destination wedding places. So when they visited the island in January of last year, they knew that this unique and remote island was the place. Their ceremony was held at an old church in Charlestown, and the reception was held at a seaside restaurant venue of The Four Seasons Nevis.

Surrounded by their nearest & dearest and the beautiful scenery, it was a magical day. Thank you Sarah & Nate – it was amazing to be part of your day and document it all!

Before a first look with Nate, Sarah had a first look with her dad. It was really sweet.

January 29, 2014April 20, 2016

Floral Fantasy // A Styled Shoot

styled-shoot-ideas-mexico-inspired-janice-yi-photography

Mexico Inspired Styled Shoot as featured on Wedding Obsession

I don’t normally do styled shoots, until Tracey from Tracey M Events contacted me and told me about a Mexico inspired shoot she had in mind. She wanted to bring her love of Mexico into the shoot and since we couldn’t go to Mexico, we brought a little bit of Mexico to Toronto instead. Some fabulous vendors provided all the romantic and gorgeous details that went into the shoot: luxurious linens, an abundance of candles and flowers, gold flatware, laser cut invitations and table decor, Sarah’s beautiful gown and more. The end result was a romantic, dreamy, Mexico-infused, floral fantasy.

What really made the shoot for me was that our models were a real couple! Since so much of my work depend on the chemistry and connections between the people, it was a treat to photograph a pair of real life lovebirds. Sarah is one of those girls whose natural beauty just shines through from the inside out, and being with Matt brings that out even more.

Thank you Tracey for entrusting me to document it all and help bring the vision to life with photos!

The team that made this happen:

Vision, Styling & Planning: Tracey of Tracey M Events

Venue: Estates of Sunnybrook

Cutlery & Stemware: Chairman Mills

Gown: Maggie Sottero from She’s So Beautiful

Suit: Andrew’s Formals

Makeup & Hair: Stephanie from Blush Pretty

Mariachi Band: Jorge Lopez Entertainment

Linen, Chairs + Covers, Candles: Have a Seat

Florals: Celebrationz

Cake: Patricia’s Cake Creations

Stationery: Invitique

Photography: by yours truly of course :)

January 21, 2014November 24, 2016

Janine & Chris // Toronto Wedding Photography

Featured on La Bride | Restaurant Wedding in Toronto

Janine & Chris met in teacher’s college through mutual friends. And Chris just knew that she was the one for him. They seem to be opposites in a lot of ways, but I think they complement each other perfectly. They have been teaching overseas the past few years, from South Korea to Bangladesh, and traveling to many places while they taught. Now they are on their new adventure in Qatar. You know what they say, couples who travel together stay together. :)

So on a warm summer’s day at the end of July, Janine & Chris got married at the Earth Bloor West restaurant (sadly this location is now closed). It was nice and warm and the sky threatened to pour down on us all day, but it held off until after their wedding. Janine and her bridesmaids got ready at her parents’ house, then we went to the Evergreen Brickworks for her and Chris’ first look and some portraits before heading to Earth for their ceremony and reception.

Not only was it a day of happiness and love for the couple, it was also a reunion with friends & family alike. Thank you Janine & Chris, for inviting me into a small but significant chapter of your adventures together!

September 3, 2013November 24, 2016

Alton Mill Wedding: Sarah & Sean | Toronto Wedding Photography

Rustic Elegant Alton Mill wedding | Featured on The Wedding Co.

Sarah & Sean had a beautiful Alton Mill wedding in Caledon early last month (you can also check out their Woodbine beach engagement session). After a week of rainy and humid weather, the Saturday came and it was just right for an outdoor wedding: a little bit of sun, and a little bit of breeze.

Sarah was beautiful in a lace gown and Sean was dashing in a three-piece suit and bow tie. The lovely Laura and her team from Marvelle Events styled the wedding with rustic yet elegant touches.

Christiane from Ceremonies to Remember crafted a personalized ceremony with Sarah and Sean with tidbits about what it was that originally attracted them to each other, the obstacles that they have since overcome in their relationship, and the future that is to come. They exchanged vows as they exchanged rings. It was also here that I heard one of the most beautiful and moving readings of Pablo Neruda’s Sonnet XVII by a dear friend of theirs. For the icing on the cake, their adorable pooch Duke made a guest appearance during the ceremony.

And that was just the ceremony.

Here is the story of Sarah & Sean’s wedding day.