dana + scott | urban Drake Commissary Wedding in Toronto

On one of the hottest days of the year, Dana + Scott said “I do” in the Toronto Music Gardens. They planned their whole day around Drake themed things because years ago, their first date was a Drake concert. From getting ready at the Drake Hotel, exploring the city for photos, having their cocktail hour at Henderson Brewery then throwing an amazing party at the Drake Commissary, this really was a dream wedding. Did I mention Dana wore Rue De Seine Dress?? or that they had a pinata for a wedding cake (made by the amazing Big Ass Pinata)?

Dana + Scott, spending the day with you and your friends was one of my favorite days and we all just clicked so well. Can’t wait to hang with you all again, and thank you so much for having me to document your freaking PERFECT day!!

  • Megan

Vendor love:

Florist: @thornfloral

Caterer: @drakecommissary

Hair + Make up : @lilyhobeauty

Dress Maker: @ruedeseinebridal

Venues: The Drake Hotel - @thedrake - The Drake Commissary - @drakecommissary

Band: The Test Icicles - www.thetesticicles.com - Olivia Borkosky (ukulele) - @livebork

Grooms suit: Surmesur - @surmesur

Invitations: Paper and poste - @paperandposte

Wedding cake pinata: Big ass Pinatas - @bigasspinata

The Candy Bar Toronto - @thecandybartoronto

Alex Rajak (officiant) - www.weddingheaven.ca

sean + patrick | provincial Os Agostos wedding in Portugal

elaina + andrew | sunny April wedding at St Georges Golf and Country Club

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.

lindsey + niall | intimate winter wedding in Durham

Lindsey and Niall unfortunately had a bit of a tough time when it came to planning their wedding. Sadly, someone very dear to them had become sick and for that reason, they pushed their wedding date forward in hopes that that person could be present.

They planned an intimate day which included those dearest to them as well as locations that meant something special. From the church Nialls family attends to photos in front of Nialls childhood home with the Lovers Lane street sign to a gazebo they love finished with a cozy dinner at KB Food in Whitby surrounded by everyone they love.

Such a special wedding in Durham region and so happy that Jennifer See Studios passed our name along to these two.

Thank you so much Lindsey and Niall xo

kayla + brandon | autumn wedding at Elora Mill

Elora Mill is a building that’s over 175 years old and is part of a quite a unique and picturesque community. In 2010 Pearle Events decided to purchase the building and convert the beautiful area into their next venue and spa, and am I ever glad they did!. Elora Mill has very quickly become almost every photographers favorite spot to photograph and now I really understand why.

Kayla + Brandon contacted me back in September 2017 about not only documenting their wedding, but some engagement photos at their home too. From then until the wedding, K + B were so amazing (and easy) to work with. Kayla was so organized and together they planned such a perfect day.

From the old buildings to the incredible florals by WR Designs - The Flower Co. to the hike down into the gorge (thank you again K + B for being troopers and doing that!!), the whole day was amazing.

Here is a small little peek at Kayla + Brandons day, thank you so much you two and cant wait to see you again soon!

Vendor information:

Second shot by: Tami Klein

Curated by: Tallie Garrey

Flowers by: WR Designs - The Flower Co

Hair + Make up : @bbbeautybtq

Dress Maker: @amandalinasoffical

cristina + derek | contemporary Toronto wedding at la maquette - berkeley events

Last year I photographed a beautiful wedding at Bark Lake Leadership Centre for an amazing couple, Andrea + Shane. A + S surrounded themselves with such kind and fun people and I was sat at a table with all of Andrea’s work friends, a group of nurses from Sick Kids Hospital. Well, within that group there were some amazing ladies and one of them being Cristina and about a year later she contacted me about her upcoming wedding.

Cristina + Derek had asked to meet downtown and talk wedding photography and as soon we sat down, I knew we would be a great match. They are kind, positive, laid back people who I am so happy and honoured to of met. Weeks later, they moved to my neighbourhood and we went on a sunrise adventure for their engagement photos, it was beautiful.

Cristina + Derek planned a pretty low-key day filled with so much laughter and time with their loved ones. La Maquette was the perfect venue for them and their group and it created such an intimate atmosphere even when the guest list was well over 100 ppl. We had the perfect day weather wise and were able to explore the area for photos and stopped at both Copetin + St James Cathedral . A highlight of the day and something that I think more people need to do, is all the time they planned relaxing and having a drink with their parents and bridal party. We all went to Copetin and were able to enjoy some time together before heading to the ceremony.

C + D, thank you so much for everything and I am so so happy to of met you both. Can’t wait to hang out again!

-Megan

vanessa + robert | intimate city hall wedding in Toronto

matt + monika | fun archeo toronto wedding

Monika and Matt found my photography through Instagram and contacted me about five months before their wedding and I am so darn happy I was still available. We scheduled a phone chat to make sure we were on the same page and we were laughing our butts off within seconds and I knew it was going to be a great day. 

Monika and Matt got ready at the Thompson Hotel and then had a outdoor ceremony and intimate reception at Archeo Trattoria. This was my first time photographing at the Archeo (I shot a wedding a week later here too!) and I was blown away by the beautiful decor and moody lighting and the outdoor space is perfect!

It was a day full of laughs, tears and romance. Monika and Matt were so fun to hang out with and so easy to photograph as their love is so natural and it translates through all the photos. 

Since their wedding, I submitted a photo from their wedding to a show at the Gladstone Hotel, The Love Actually Exhibition, and it was accepted. I am so happy to be sharing this milestone with such a rad couple.

The Love (Actually) Exhibition is a group photo-show showcasing the power of love & happiness in real moments during weddings. It’s returning for it’s second time and will be an annual show at the Gladstone Hotel. 

Curated by Toronto photographer Scarlet O’Neill, the diverse images of a variety of Toronto Wedding Photographers will be accompanied by a description of what made this moment meaningful along with a list of the wedding vendors who contributed to making the couples day special. This show shows a deeper view into the wedding world and the vast emotions that make weddings memorable days in people’s lives.

Opening Night Reception: February 8th at 7pm-10pm
At the Gladstone Hotel, third floor.
Cash Bar.

Show run: January 30th until Feb 25th. 
Open daily 12-5

Couple: Matt + Monika

Venue: Archeo

Dress: Davids Bridal

Monika Rings: Peoples

Matt’s Rings: His Grandfathers with more modern gold added by Meg Lizabet (@meglizabet, @bespokejewellery)

Hair: @savannamunro_  from @bobandpaigesalon

Makeup: Bride @monikadarling

ron & tiff | a stunning brooklands farm Muskoka wedding

Ron and I have known each other for quite some time now and when I met Tiffany, and they got engaged, I was secretly hoping they were going to ask me. I am so happy they did.  This is one of those wedding's where I want to show every single image because holy moly was it ever a perfect day. 

About 6 years ago I photographed another friends wedding at Brooklands Farm and still to this day, even though I was still figuring out photography, one of their images is still one of my favorites I have ever taken. Brooklands Farm has everything you could possibly want for a setting for your wedding: a waterfall, large ponds with docks, so many beautiful trees, a beautiful barn and the best tree tunnel driveway. I wish I could capture weddings on their driveway all day long haha.

R + T's day was filled with so much candid laughter, emotion and laughs. From the tearful first look with Tiff's mom, to the groomsmen surprising Tiff with Halloween costumes, to the best best man speech I have ever heard, the day was perfect. 

R + T, THANK YOU! I am so happy I not only got to be there but to capture your love was an honour. Enjoy reliving the day through my favorites xo