Wedding Stories - Toronto Documentary Wedding Photographer

December 15, 2017

Mayan Riviera Wedding // Michelle & Eshan

Beautiful & Touching Playa del Carmen Wedding | Sandos Playacar Beach Resort

I can’t believe that Michelle and Eshan’s beautiful Mayan Riviera wedding was 6 months ago now! I joined them in sunny Mexico for 2 days to document their celebration and although it was short (and hot), it was also very sweet.

Some of the moments from their day still stay with me. For example, the way Eshan grinned from ear to ear upon seeing Michelle that just lit up the whole, well, ceremony space on the beach (not that it wasn’t already bright with the hot Mexican sun). And then there was Eshan’s mother and son dance with his mom, where not only Eshan teared up but it also made everyone else emotional. Not to mention their first dance, and the great speeches throughout dinner.

Thank you Michelle and Eshan for inviting me to share in the wonderful celebration of your wedding day and trusting me to document this day so that you can look back at all these moments and remember what it felt like.

Here’s the story of Michelle & Eshan’s sunny and beautiful wedding day.

November 7, 2017November 5, 2017

Spencer’s at the Waterfront Wedding // Shalini & Giancarlo

Intimate wedding at Burlington Lakefront

I was intrigued when Shalini and Giancarlo contacted me about photographing their intimate Spencer’s at the Waterfront wedding. I was familiar with the Burlington waterfront and had often seen this modern glass building at Spencer’s park but didn’t realize that they held weddings there.

The day of their wedding came and I was pleasantly surprised by the space! It’s actually perfect for more intimate weddings for anyone looking for smaller venues outside of Toronto. It’s also a great indoor option as the space is surrounded by glass and you have a great view of the lake. Because the space is simple and modern, there’s not much you need to do to decorate it. At the same time, it’s also a little like a blank canvas, so you can also do a lot if you wanted to.

Shalini, or as her friends & family call her, Shasha and Giancarlo are the babies of the family. They are also the first to have a formal wedding ceremony and reception so it was a big event for the families. Shasha had the biggest smile throughout their big day and her and Giancarlo both radiated happiness, something that was definitely infectious. They also had the funniest MC (who was a friend), who played the most unique version of the Shoelywed game, which I’m promptly going to suggest to all my couples now. :)

Thank you Shasha and Giancarlo for inviting me to document your special day! Here are my favourites from that day.

November 3, 2017

University Club of Toronto Wedding // Monique & Dave

July 13, 2017May 6, 2018

Toronto Canoe Restaurant Wedding // Tiff & Jon

Intimate & Beautiful Restaurant Wedding

Tiff and Jon’s Toronto Canoe restaurant wedding was definitely a favourite of mine from this past year. I know I’m not supposed to pick favourites, but this one, this one definitely has a special place in my heart.

Maybe because I’m a romantic at heart, I love stories of “chance” meetings. You know, the kind of meeting where if one small detail had changed, it might not have ever happened. Tiff and Jon’s meeting was one of those. Tiff and Jon met online through MSN, and at the time Tiff was chatting with Jon through her cousin’s account so Jon didn’t even realize who he was talking to at first. Their online chance meeting evolved into a friendship and it would be another 6 years before they would meet in person (as Jon is from Ohio). For a while time wasn’t on their side and they were each in relationships with other people. Then in 2015 the time was finally right and Jon confided in Tiff that he had wondered what would happen if they dated. And the rest was history.

I have always known that I’m a very emotional person, and I’m an INFP on the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. I’m that person who ugly cries at movies. Case in point was watching The Time Traveler’s Wife (the book is one of my favourite) in theatres with a few friends and afterwards, one of them said in disbelief “I can’t believe that was you!”. She was referring to the fact that I was making these awful noises you would make if you were crying very hard but trying not to make too much noise. Needless to say the lesson I learned was never watch sad movies in theatres again, and if I do, only watch them with Mike because he would not make fun of me (haha).

Growing up I always thought I was weird for having all these feelings, I didn’t understand the purpose of this trait. And then years later I became a photographer, and it slowly became clear to me that this sensitivity to emotions is my unique tool in what I do. I’m constantly tuned into them at weddings, and they help me capture all those moments that are so fleeting but represent so much of the story of a wedding day.

Tiff and Jon’s wedding was such a day and here’s the story of their wedding day.

Thank you Tiff & Jon for your easygoing nature and for inviting me to share in your celebration and trusting me to capture it all for you to relive the story.

April 17, 2017

Harbord Room Wedding // Kelsea & Dave

Small Wedding Venues Toronto | The Harbord Room Wedding

I don’t think there is a single “right way” to do a wedding, but a wedding is definitely not a one size fits all type of occasion. What I think is important is to celebrate it in the way that makes the most sense to you. Kelsea and Dave eloped in Hawaii and had a sunset ceremony on the beach, then they celebrated at home with a Harbord Room wedding reception with their closest family and friends.

We met at Osgoode Hall and took some simple portraits and family photos, then we headed over to the Harbord Room (which sadly, is no longer in operation) for a reception with dinner alfresco style in the warm August evening. It was a totally stress-free day. My favourite part of the day though was definitely the few speeches during dinner. Speeches is the part of the wedding day where you see the couple through the loving eyes of their friends and family, where stories are told and you come to learn the things that are loveable about them. And then suddenly, it’s clearer than ever, why you are there as a photographer.

Here are some of my favourites from my time with Kelsea & Dave. Thank you for having me document your celebration with your nearest and dearest!

February 27, 2017

Angéline’s Inn Wedding in Prince Edward County // Natalie & Matt

Angelines Inn Wedding Prince Edward County

I had the opportunity to photograph Natalie and Matt’s super intimate Angelines Inn wedding in Prince Edward County last summer. If you haven’t been to Prince Edward County, or better known as “the County” yet, you should go! And if you do go, don’t miss having a meal at The Hubb eatery at Angéline’s – the food there is simply delicious.

Natalie and Matt decided to keep their wedding day small – to family only. And sometimes, that’s really all you need. It doesn’t have to be such a long and complicated process. What did Leonardo Da Vinci said? Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.

Thank you Natalie and Matt for inviting me share in your intimate celebration and trusting me to document the day. Here are some of my favourites from their day!