In the summer of 2018 I was contacted by a fellow Save Our Scruff volunteer/friend about documenting a corporate shoot for her full time employer, AMI. When I arrived to the shoot in Muskoka, I met this lovely, positive human named Elaina. Elaina and I instantly got along, had the same vibe and at the end of the two day shoot she asked if I was available for her wedding date as she hadn’t hired a photographer yet. I was over the moon as I knew if I loved her this much, I would only love her hubby the same amount AND her wedding day would be amazing.

Elaina and Andrews wedding was a day full of emotion, SO MUCH LAUGHTER, so much love and the most beautiful venue (St Georges Golf and Country Club) and florals by Rosehill Blooms. I asked Elaina a few questions for this post, and I have to say her answers are just what I would expect. Enjoy :)

tell us a little bit about your love story and how you two met

Like all incredible love stories, Andrew and I met at work. While we sort of knew of each other in passing, it wasn't until our Hamilton office was consolidated with our Toronto office that the romance really kicked off... While he was doing some training in Toronto I made a few extra unnecessary visits to his office and after a first date getting beer and then coffee (because, you can't have too many beverages) the rest became history. We couldn't be more different in terms of our likes and interests. While Andrew prefers to tinker with his 3D printer and play the guitar, you're more likely to find me playing pokemon in a park somewhere or at a hip-hop concert. That being said, our love language is food and we are fluent in home cooked dinners and traveling the world in search of flavour euphoria.

when it came to wedding planning, what made your choose your venue? Florist? Photographer?

Many moons ago I was a television producer. With that job came endless hours of research and chase producing. I took the task of planning our wedding with the same vigor. I am, by nature, an endless skeptic. If I am going to be a conspiracy theorist about anything, it's review websites. My preferred method of sourcing anything is word of mouth and spending lots of time pouring over examples of people's work. This research is what led me to the incredible place that is Rosehill Blooms. Sarah Levine's creations are garden inspired magic. Her palette is fully realized whimsy that includes blooms I've only seen in books. Did I mention she is also the nicest human on the planet? Everyone needs to see her work. Meeting our photographer Megan was a journey of chance and one I am so glad to have been taken on! Megan worked with a co-worker of mine on an incredible project for Save Our Scruff, a dog rescue in Toronto. She was booked for a corporate project that I was handed last minute and she was just the greatest joy to work with. On our shoot she put people at ease and had an effortless chill that made me and everyone around her give her immediate trust. I knew I needed her at my wedding. I told Andrew about her and he was sold by my description of her personality. Having someone who our friends and family would be comfortable with was so important to us. Her talent for composition and catching some of the most unique moments of our wedding was a sweet bonus on top of her incredible attitude.

looking back at your wedding day, would you do anything differently?

I can honestly say we have no regrets. There might have been a moment here or there that could have been tweaked, but then, what's the fun in perfection? ;) You need crazy moments or moments of uncertainty to really appreciate the beautiful ones. We couldn't have asked for more amazing people to witness our mega party of love! And the food? The food was over the top excellent.

any advice for future brides in the midst of planning?

I feel like a having wedding is a lot like going out for New Years Eve. You prep and you plan and you put a ton of effort into it but at the end of the day, it's a big party and all that really matters is who you're with. Pay attention to everyone around you, remember what their faces look like during all the moments that are special on your wedding day, because I promise that matters more than the colour of a napkin.