Airship 37 is an industrial wedding venue in downtown Toronto and considered one of the best and most versatile wedding venues in the entire city. This wedding had all the modern and industrial details you could dream of including a wedding ceremony surrounding by the stunning white brick walls followed by a cocktail reception on the spacious patio prior to dinner. Another advantage of Airship37 is just how close you are to the pier, so the bride and groom took advantage of that proximity to enjoy a few sunset photos on their wedding day.
Read MoreGary and Cheryl in Niagara on the Lake
Food is love. This simple thought completely encompasses my experience photographing Gary and Cheryl’s beautiful vintage wedding on Niagara on the Lake.
I’ll start by saying this - the food at this wedding was out of control, legitimately some of the best I’ve ever had, not just at a wedding, but ever. Leading up to the wedding both the bride and groom emphasized how the wedding was meant to be a beautiful celebration of their long-lasting love for one another, with the key ingredient being food, something both Gary and Cheryl value highly, and I’ll be the first to say, that the food did not disappoint. Outside of the wedding I’ve photographed at the Chase in downtown Toronto, I’ve never had a meal at a wedding stick with me in this way before.
Gary and Cheryl have been together for a long time, and the wedding was filled with highly personal touches and many avenues of nostalgia. To start, the entire wedding was held in Port Dalhousie, Cheryl’s hometown that has as much character and Canadiana as any place I’ve ever been to in Ontario. The groom got ready in a beautiful country home along with his two sons, providing beautiful candid moments between the three of them, offering a unique family experience and bonding moments as they anxiously prepared for the day ahead. The bride opted to get ready in her childhood home. A place filled with fragments of Cheryl’s youth, her family’s history, vintage old photographs, and of course, one of the coolest, most authentically retro basements I’ve ever had the privilege of stepping foot in. When I say this basement was retro and vintage, I genuinely mean that it was an actual time capsule back into the 1960’s. The furniture in perfect condition, seemingly modern at this point, red and orange lights create the ultimate mood for anyone hoping to relax and take a moment. The walls were covered with images of Cheryl, her parents, family members, trophies and vintage artwork. I was utterly obsessed with the space and was so excited that both the bride and groom (and the bride’s father) were so willing to let me capture portraits that were downright strange and thematic to something out of a Stanley Kubrick flick.
The personal touch of being in Cheryl’s parents vintage home didn’t go unnoticed, and it truly added to the depth and detail of the entire first part of the wedding day.
The backyard is home to a beautiful cherry tree, a monument within Cheryl’s family and their lives. The perfect place for a candid and emotional first look between the bride and groom.
The first part of the day was concluded with the bride and groom celebrating with their immediate family, toasting to the celebration ahead.
St. Catherine’s rowing club was the perfect venue to hold an intimate outdoor ceremony among trees, and the perfect vintage venue to hold all of the bride and groom’s friends and families for an incredible dining experience. With the help of a cartwheeling flower girl and a young ukulele musician and vocalist, the very excited and joyous bride made her way down the aisle, captivating the entire audience as her father escorted her to the groom.
As the night went on Gary and Cheryl decided to take in the beautiful pink sunset for some golden hour and blue hour portraits by the lake. The stunning scene and natural beauty of our surroundings made for the ultimate quiet moment for the bride and groom to cherish and enjoy together. To highlight the importance of the organic, locally sourced meal we were about to have, Cheryl made a small speech about the food we were about to eat and highlight the elevated level of work done by Treadwell, the restaurant who catered the event, which allowed everyone to have a deep understanding and appreciation for the complex and beautiful meal they were about to enjoy. The tomato water soup was unforgettable, the whitefish and beef short-rib were just as incredible. A complete dining experience that left people in awe and with their stomachs full.
While people took in the incredible meal both the bride and groom shared some beautiful speeches. The groom actually read an old letter he had written to the bride in the earlier stages of their relationship, providing a deep and heartfelt look into the intimate part of their relationship. The nostalgia wasn’t lost on anyone in the room, as nearly every single guest was forced to wipe tears from their eyes and the groom choked up reading back through his thick book of letters that kindly reminded him , and everyone in attendance, that their love for each other, and their love for their family, was present since the start.
The night progressed, wine was drank, Gary and Cheryl enjoyed a beautiful first dance both inside and outside the venue below the stars and string-light, friends and family mingled and laughed the night away. Dances were shared, moments were cherished, and I couldn’t help but smile when I caught the bride’s mother and father share in a deeply intimate moment as they shared the dance floor together. Love was definitely present that day, felt by all, highly contagious and unavoidable.
Food is love, and that night, nobody went home hungry.
Song of the day
Orange Sky - Alexi Murdoch
- 3B
VENDORS
Stylist: Picasso Salon
Wedding Dress: Valencienne
Bride’s Shoes: Jimmy Choo
Bridesmaid’s Dresses : Honey
Suit: Moore’s Suits
Florist: Fleurish
Venue/Catering: Clubhouse at Henley Island
Food : Treadwell
Planning : Jen at Fete Events
Second Shooter: Ryanne Hollies
Rajni and Aron in Port Perry
I’ve probably said this before, but it’s always worth mentioning, part of what I love about being a Toronto based wedding photographer is the ample opportunities I get to embrace different cultures, lifestyles and people from all walks of life. It’s rarely the same experience, regardless of where or what I’m shooting.
Rajni and Aron’s wedding days were the epitome of this perspective and new experiences for me as a wedding photographer.
Their wedding celebrations were a beautiful experience of culture and diversity. So much so, they couldn’t just hold a 1 day celebration, but they had a two-day wedding celebration to ensure that that both elements of their cultures and lives can be celebrated and experienced by all their friends and families.
To add to my immersion on the wedding day, I had the privilege of using analog film, both 35mm and 120 formats to capture the contrast and beauty of both wedding celebrations. Aron is an avid film photographer himself, and including my analog film package was a no-brainer for him. His excitement for the bridal portraits to be taken on medium format film had me looking forward to the wedding day as much as them both.
With my Hasselblad and Leica in hand, I felt like a true documentary photographer on the first wedding day. The Sikh and Indian traditions were unfamiliar to me and I was absolutely captivated by the influence of colours, the vibrancy of the traditional garments and accessories, but most of all, I was engrossed in the candid showcase of emotions and family values.
Seeing Aron being completely thrown into Rajni’s culture and tradition was in itself a showcase of love and beauty between the two families being bond together through a traditional wedding ceremony. Once the ceremony was done and everyone returned to Rajni’s parents home, I was unprepared for the level of emotion about to reveal itself. After we captured some beautiful portraits or Rajni in her traditional Indian bride dress and Aron in his sultan-esque garments, which I will add, were absolutely stunning and the colours were made to be photograph with analog film, the bride and groom return into the home for Rajni’s send off.
The tradition of sending off a bride was new to me and I wasn’t ready for how emotionally powerful it would be, especially since Rajni is the only girl in her immediate family, with four older brothers, there were many hugs and tears shared between her and the members of her family. An absolutely beautiful display of the love they had for one another. It was a cinematic and passionate ending to day 1.
Day 2 followed Aron’s cultural traditions, with a church ceremony and reception in Hamilton Ontario. We got the opportunity to explore Dundurn Castle for a few portraits of the bride and groom along with their bridal party. What was particularly great detail about Rajni on day 2, was how she kept her Henna tattoos intact along with her jewelry from her previous wedding dress, an immediate and impactful display of cultures intertwining paving the path for their own traditions while still holding on to who they are.
The day continued with great food, emotional speeches, a slideshow of old analog film photos of the bride and groom as children and teens, an incredible recipe for a timeless gathering of friends and family.
We capped the day off with a quiet moment during blue hour at sunset, letting the wave of emotion of two wedding days sink in for one last time, giving me the perfect setting to finish my rolls of film and shared experience with the bride and groom on their wedding day. I look forward to hearing from Aron and Rajni in 20+ years when they stumble upon their negatives and slide, reminiscing over the now vintage film of their wedding day, something they can actually hold and show future generations.
Looking back on days like Rajni and Aron’s wedding(s) , I’m reminded that not all weddings need this obvious alternative twist to them, sometimes, holding on to your traditions and blending them with your own, is equally as beautiful and meaningful. This wedding had emotion, it was intimate, it was genuine, that is the real recipe to timeless weddings.
Song of the day
Saint - Blood Orange
- 3B
Day 2
VENDORS
Wedding Dress: David’s Bridal
Suit: Indochino
Florist: The Watering Can
Venue: Port Perry, ON and Hamilton, ON
Invitations: Stephita
Second Shooter Day 1: Ryanne Hollies
Second Shooter Day 2: Cole Burston
Chris and Andrea at Ward's Island Clubhouse
Since moving to Toronto nearly a decade ago my summers have always been highlighted by adventures to Toronto Island. The relaxing ferry ride across the lake provides a fleeting view of Toronto’s skyline, providing a rare and beautiful quiet moment within the chaos of the city.
This very mood was analogous to Chris and Andrea’s aura and personalities.
The Toronto Island Cafe was practically tailor made for their wedding day aspirations and inspirations. Authentic, unpretentious vintage ambiance and atmosphere, the vibrancy and sincerity found in these characteristics were echoed in the bride and groom’s wedding and all its details.
Their appreciation for vintage aesthetic and meaningful creation enforced their no-brainer decision to have us photograph their wedding on analog film. The bride and groom’s appreciate for cinema film pushed me to use a unique 35mm and 120 film created and based on Kodak's Vision 3 5219 motion picture cinema film, something I knew Chris ( who is a technician for ARRI Cinema cameras ) would find deeply meaningful and personal.
With my Leica in hand and some black and white film, I was mesmerized by my surroundings capturing the candid elements of the wedding day with my documentary photography approach. With some medium format cameras in hand with slide film and colour negative film, we captured Chris and Andrea’s true selves and all the intimate subtleties of their partnership. It’s always a deeply meaningful experience for me as a wedding photographer when I’m completely entrusted to capture timeless memories on analog film, and to do so for people who have such a deep understanding and appreciation for the cinematic flair found within art, is truly a privilege.
I’m not lying when I say I remember every single frame I shoot when I shoot a roll of 35mm or 120 film. I lose myself within the experience and process of photography, knowing that each individual frame will be held, touched and looked at for generations to come. These negatives will outlive me and the significance of that isn’t something I ever overlook.
Elegance in simplicity, the bride and groom’s timeless style was exceptionally fitting with every element and surrounding detail of the venue and mood of the wedding day. The combination of film and fleeting candid moments fostered an atmosphere of creative inspiration. Analog film brought out the palpable emotion in the seemingly unnoticed moments, creating scenes I can only compare to some of my favourite album art from bands and musicians I constantly listen to at home.
The Toronto Island Clubhouse allowed for both an intimate outdoor ceremony and a beautiful vintage clubhouse that oozed with character for their reception. The stage was set for a finger-licking good BBQ catered by the Island Cafe followed by emotional speeches full of laughs, tears and sincere gratitude. The whole day would not have been enjoyed without the company of their cute terrier, Otto, who witnessed everything from the ceremony to the first dance.
By the the time the sun began to set behind Toronto’s skyline, Andrea became the barefoot bride seemingly carefree and lost within the excitement and intimacy of the wedding day. The warm sunset light is every photographer’s dream, and sunset’s like the one we experienced was one any Toronto wedding photographer would hope for on a summer's night.
With the moonlight shining through the windows and the string lights above, the bride and groom joined their friends and family to dance the night away before catching the final ferry ride back to Toronto. A bitter-sweet return to our lives in the city as the glow of the Toronto Island Cafe’s clubhouse dims and we leave behind another delicate and deepening human experience.
You never know what you’re leaving behind until you leave behind.
I look forward to grabbing a beer with them again in their neighbourhood of Vegandale… I mean, Parkdale :) and reminiscing about the beautiful forgotten moments and deeply impactful subtleties of that summer's evening.
Song of the day
Leave Behind - Eddie the Wheel
- 3B
VENDORS
Stylist: Maya Goldenberg
Jewellery: Blair Nadeau , The Dark Side Studio , Andrea Bonelli
Florist: The Island Cafe
Venue/Catering: The Island Cafe
Cake: Bunner’s Bakeshop
Primary Shooter: Ryanne Hollies
Second Shooter: Cole Burston
Afsheen and Nikola at Pray Tell
Calm, cool, collected, that’s Afsheen and Nikola. Emphasis on the cool. I guess those are the characteristics you need to possess to pull-off a pop-up wedding in the middle of a Toronto Park, followed by signature cocktails and hors d’oeuvre on Pray Tell’s patio in the west-end.
To continue with the trend, Afsheen’s bridal fashion composed of a white jumpsuit with polka dot, blue suede heels and rayban sunglasses. Nikola’s groom style was the casual and classic look of a fitted blue suit, no tie and white sneakers.
The wedding day started at the U of T campus at the very location the bride and groom met, we strolled through the campus and even through the hallways where they formerly had classes. A trip through time where nostalgia fuelled their quiet moments together allowing them to relive the infancy of their love story.
The theme for their photos were based exactly on capturing that feeling. The next stop being Sneaky Dee’s bar that holds significance to their relationship followed by a walk through Kensington Market, another cool and telling location for this Toronto bride and groom. With the summer’s air fresh and the breeze cool, the bride and groom strolled through Kensington market where we made a couple of stops to take in the atmosphere along with all the character that Kensington market has to offer. The eclectic vibe contrasted beautifully with Afsheen and Nikola’s elegant downplay of the modern bride and groom.
Their wedding ceremony was literally a pop-up wedding in the middle of a Toronto City park, surrounded by trees, friends and family. They shared their vows to each other, a first kiss, and a family union through breaking and eating of blessed bread in the park. It was simple, genuine and quite frankly, beautiful.
Afsheen and Nikola are very down to earth people who never wanted to go the traditional route with their wedding, and Pray Tell’s atmosphere and aesthetic was the perfect restaurant wedding venue to hold their low-key party. Cocktails were flowing, people were laughing, hugs were shared, a perfect environment mixed with mingling and candid moments that made for great images. To make things even better, they had a literal CHEESE-CAKE, not cheesecake, but actual wheels of fine cheese stacked together in form of a wedding cake. Literally, a cake of cheese, a cheese-cake wedding cake, a cheese wedding cake. Whatever you want to call it, this should be a trend going forward for all weddings. I guess that’s what cool, modern, city brides and grooms do, set their own trends.
Ironically, there’s something highly intimate and beautiful about restaurant weddings, especially those in the Downtown Toronto scene. To make things more incredible for me as a photographer, having photographed this entire wedding on 120 film was a dream. Afsheen was keen on having me use my Hasselblad for a majority of the portraits and the process of analog film added to the calm demeanour of the wedding day.
Pop-up weddings photographed on analog film, literal cheese wedding cake, Pray Tell’s food and cocktails, good people. This is why I love being a wedding photographer in Toronto
Song of the day
Hope - Blood Orange
- 3B
VENDORS
Stylist: Black & Co.
Wedding Dress: Loversland
Bride’s Shoes: Saks Fifth Avenue
Jewellery: Jennybird
Suit: Harry Rosen
Florist: Sweet Peas
Venue/Catering: Pray Tell
Real Cheese Cake: Nancy’s Cheese
Invitations: Timothy Horizon
Second Shooter: Ryanne Hollies
Melanie and Michael at the Brickworks
I spent an early morning with Melanie and Michael at the Evergreen Brickworks to soak in the morning light and sunrise.
I’ll admit, I’m not much of a morning person, but the moment I’m out there seeing the sun rise, I’m quickly reminded why I bother getting up crazy early in the summer for these sunrise engagement sessions.
Although I don’t get to photograph their wedding until next year, Melanie and Michael are giving me the opportunity to head out to Canmore Alberta to photograph their big day next summer.
Now living in Ottawa, the two of them decided to get their photos done here in Toronto, where they spent a bulk of their lives together and a place they still consider home. The Evergreen Brickworks provided the perfect scene with the slightly changing colours of the trees, the golden light of the sunrise and the taste of coffee fresh on our lips, it made for a great start to the day.
The golden light, combined with their style, made for a laid-back photoshoot with a hint of editorial flair, but mostly it was easy capturing their down to earth personalities and being (literally) the only people around, the mood was intimate which led to some beautiful quiet moments overlooking the Toronto skyline as the sun rose above the concrete jungle.
If you’re wondering if waking up for engagement photos at the Evergreen Brickworks during sunrise, the answer is, yes, it is. Very worth it.
Song of the Day - Something Here - Day Wave
-3B
Ali and Sarah at Fat Pasha
One thing I knew for sure going into Ali and Sarah’s wedding was that I could expect earnest emotions.
There’s always something particularly special about working with other people from different creative fields. Sarah with a background in theatre, and Ali with a background in music, I had an unconscious comfort in their presence from our mutual visions as artists and people living through the human experience. Both Ali and Sarah are highly thoughtful individuals with an in incredible energy, one that resonated immensely throughout the day.
Like many others that I’ve worked with that have a creative background, both Ali and Sarah expressed the importance in having something tangible and intentional as analog film be part of their wedding day experience. When we first grabbed coffee together we practically chatted about analog film and how I use it for weddings for a bulk of our conversation. They were enthusiastic about allowing an artist to use their creative tools and compass to create something powerful and personal for their future selves. Their appreciation for the nostalgic and tangible element of film photography had me looking forward to their wedding day for over a year.
The day began with an emotionally and spiritually driven first-look before heading off to Fat Pasha’s on Dupont Street in Toronto for the wedding ceremony and reception. Having eaten at Fat Pasha’s in the past, I was 100% looking forward to their incredible food and the ambiance and atmosphere that their space and patio create. You can have an intimate and beautiful experience within a large city like Toronto.
A summer wedding at Fat Pasha’s, with the Toronto Sun peeking through the cracks of wood panelling, was the ultimate scene setter for an incredible evening among friends and family to experience the fusing of two creative souls.
The bride and groom held a jewish wedding ceremony on Fat Pasha’s patio, beneath a beautifully crafted chuppah Ali and Sarah said their vows to one another. I was expecting beautifully written vows that dug deep, but even I couldn’t predict the authentic and candid beauty created from their mere words to one another.
Digging into the subterranean elements of complex human emotion and purpose, every single person in attendance was rapt in attention, most fighting back tears unsuccessfully. Ali and Sarah accomplished what they set out to do, to unite not only themselves in a life-long spiritual bond, but also create an ultimate shared human experience with their friends and family.
The evening went on with the breaking of the bread, amazing catered food by Fat Pasha’s, incredible cocktails, and a few blue hour portraits of Ali and Sarah to help them soak in the atmosphere of what they just went through together.
Most artists appreciate having personal elements of their lives involved in their weddings, often creating a platform for those closest to them to contribute uniquely to their wedding. Ali had his friends play music for the ceremony, numerous friends read a special blessing or reading during the ceremony itself, the speeches were held beneath the blue hour sky and stars, it just oozed mood and intimacy, highly representative of the Sarah and Ali I got to known personally.
For me, I leave behind 35mm and 120 negatives and positives from my experience and artistic contribution to their wedding day. These remnants of my experience, the analog film from their wedding day, is my tangible imprint for them to share amongst their friends and family for generations to come.
Song of the day
Subterraneans - Willie J Healey
- 3B
VENDORS
Stylist: Megan Fraser
Wedding Dress: Bespoke by Catherine Langlois
Bride’s Shoes: Michael Kors
Jewellery: Matriarchs
Suit: Suitsupply
Groom’s Shoes: Fluevog
Florist: Coriander Girl
Venue/Catering: Fat Pasha
Baklava: Sofra Istanbul
Ceremony Music: Arranged by Ali Bekok played by his friends
Second Shooter: Ryanne Hollies
Jenny and Deklon at Liberty Grand
When Jenny and Deklon first approached us to photograph their wedding it was clear to me what they had in mind for their special day. Deklon being an entertainer by nature and Jenny being the outgoing free-spirited person she is, I had no doubt that the wedding was going to be a real celebration, a legitimate party where they’d be surrounded by all their family and closest friends to bare witness to their expression of love to one another.
Something that strikes me when I’m documenting a larger wedding is the union between these two large families and collective of friends. An ever-lasting bond amongst them all for generations to come. There’s something captivating about that element of a wedding that I sometimes overlook but this day was a kind reminder of the importance of family.
The entire wedding was a beautifully orchestrated day of entertainment and joy for their friends and family. Caricature artists drew personal portraits for the guests during cocktail hour, a presentation of capoeira (a beautiful dancing art-form that combines element of martial arts and dance) was performed during the reception, not to mention a parody of the movie Mr and Ms. Smith featuring the bride and groom themselves as an introduction to their first dance together as husband and wife. An intimate ambiance amongst a sea of delicate and unpredictable moments like the Bride wiping tears away from her father during their dance together or the groom sharing funny and beautiful candid moments with his mother throughout the wedding day.
The vintage vibe of Liberty Grand’s authentic old-Toronto architecture and design was the ideal location for such a showcase of love and fun. To match, the Gladstone’s beautifully artistic interior and incredible bridal suite was the perfect atmosphere to capture the essence of Jenny and Deklon.
Song of the day
Hypnotize - The Notorious B.I.G.
- 3B
VENDORS
Stylist: Fusion Hair Lounge
Ceremony: St. Anthony's Church
Photo Location: Gladstone Hotel
Reception Venue/Catering: Liberty Grand
Second Shooter: Ryanne Hollies
Laura and Sean at the Doctors House
"To be loved is special. But to be understood, is profound."
A beautiful, yet truly deep revelation that was expressed by Laura during her unscripted wedding speech to her new husband Sean.
A bare utterance that has since deeply stuck with me.
Love is a complex human emotion. Unknowingly melancholic, it's attractively unusual and subtle in nature. When I first spoke to Laura and Sean I immediately knew they understood these delicate nuances in life, and it became strikingly obvious in that fleeting moment during the Bride's speech.
I could sit here and talk about how low-key the bride and groom are, how quintessential Laura and Sean it was for their wedding to have a boho vintage flair, that the Bride's two-piece wedding dress and mustard toned shoes was an acclamation to her personality and ability to set whatever trends she pleases. Or perhaps the Bride's eloquent flower crown and bouquet's colour palette. The groom's incredibly stylish floral tie? Sure, I guess I could, but to be completely forthright and sincere, this wedding wasn't about those things at all.
I will admit however, the Doctor's House in Kleinberg (just outside Toronto) provided an atmosphere that was both quaint and fitting. An intimate and emotional first look beneath the summer’s sun covered by a backyard forest with a classic white picket fence in the near distance. The small vintage and authentic chapel housed the intimate ceremony, followed by an evening inside the Doctor's House reception area overlooking a pink and purple sunset through the bay windows and taking in the candid interaction between guests. The vintage and analog details of the country house / bridal suite brought together by the ambient lighting resembled candle light as the Bride and Groom shared a moment early in the evening just after taking some portraits in the colorful sunset.
Sometimes things are a little perfect, unintentionally cinematic and editorial by nature, but really, all it really is, was two people uninhibited, persuaded by their love and reminded of the perpetual changes they've experienced with one another over the course of their lives together. This is Laura and Sean.
All of these aesthetically pleasing details are what you would imagine most photographers would want to gravitate towards or truly focus on, but for me, I've always found a deep-seated interest in connecting with my work on a personal level. After spending some time in their home area of Liberty Village, walking around, grabbing drinks, I truly got to know both Sean and Laura for the humble and down to earth people that they both are. Both being at similar point in their lives, both having an understanding and appreciate for arts and culture, it wasn't difficult to find common ground with the two of them.
I was very much looking forward to the summer day I'd have to spend in Kleinberg at the Doctor's House surrounded by the bride and groom's friends and family.
While Sean played Bocce Ball at the Local and grabbed some drinks / grub before getting ready in their beautifully decorated apartment in Liberty Village, I had the pleasure of spending time with Laura and her closest in her childhood home in West Toronto. Walking into the classic European household atmosphere that I myself grew up with, I immediately felt at home, not that I wouldn't have otherwise, but this time it was all too familiar to me. The classic blown up wedding portrait of her parents, no different than the one of my parents I spent 21 years of my life seeing when heading upstairs to my bedroom. It was clear that Laura and her squad were close, the love was felt by everyone in the room and it was contagious. Their sincere happiness and emotion when Laura revealed her fashionable two-piece wedding dress to them and her father was an exhibition of true friendship and sincerely selfless happiness for their bride-to-be BFF.
Another highly poignant moment was during the simple, yet important, group photos between Laura and her friends. During an obscure and random moment while she and her friends were chatting and getting their photo taken, Laura began to be overwhelmed by emotion and nostalgia. She was reminded of her friend’s recent wedding and how she remembers being excited to have this moment at her own wedding, excited to create an opportunity of remembrance between her and her closest friends.
Sean, being the humble and extremely likeable guy that he is, had a large crew of friends arrive via party bus, and without hesitation, they brought the same enthusiasm and energy as Sean did for the wedding day. Dances were danced, beers and wine consumed, good times were had. Not a single person, Sean included, neglected their moment to create memories with one another.
The little things. It was incredible to see both Sean and Laura have the willingness to take in those seemingly ordinary occurrences in life we often overlook and instead completely embraced them as they happen.
Who knows, as an artist maybe I'm a product of my environment, maybe Toronto is just overrun by cool, trendy, low-key casual hipsters who are getting married. and being one of them, I'm naturally involved, but honestly, when people like Laura and Sean allow me to let in and live through the experience along their side it just gives me the opportunity to create something meaningful and timeless.
I've been extremely lucky that all the couples I've worked with basically commission me more so as a documentary photographer than a true wedding photographer. I'm often so entrenched in the experience that I become an active observer manifesting my experience into photographs. If only temporarily, I become close to those around me for an opportunity to capture their innermost self to be suspended in time and , hopefully, a vessel for them to return to that very moment in time. To my own surprise, wedding photography has brought me an unusual sense of fulfillment I never expected to find with this avenue of my photography, but people like Laura and Sean, their friends, their family, really remind me that there's something beautiful and intangible about sharing in such an intimate human experience together.
Once in a while, that entire process of wedding photography becomes downright effortless. Once in a while, I manage to cross paths with individuals who are seemingly in the very same place in life as myself, people who are the same wavelength and just simply understand my work and what I'm about. Because at the end of a day, to be understood, is profound.
Song of the day
Ivy - Ruby Haunt
- 3B
VENDORS
Stylist Salon Tucci
Wedding Dress: Bo & Luca - Isra Dress
Suit: Indochino
Bride's Shoes: Aldo
Groom's Shoes: Ted Baker
Florist: Hunt & Gather
Reception Venue/Catering: The Doctor's House
Second Shooter: Ryanne Hollies
Videographer: Dave Tebutt
Invitations: Creative Rock
Heather and Diptesh in Mono, Ontario
The main element of Heather and Diptesh’s country wedding wasn’t the beautiful authentic country vintage details, it wasn’t the incredible countryside views of rural Ontario, but it was the incredible unison of family and culture brought together by their love for one another.
This wasn’t their first go around as a bride and groom. With Diptesh’s family being in India, they hosted an incredible Indian wedding for Heather and Diptesh along with their families from the U.S. and Canada. After having such a large celebration back in India, they decided to host a second wedding ceremony in Mono Ontario, Heather’s hometown a short drive from Toronto and the GTA, to gather friends and family from all over North-America to come together and celebrate their union.
It was a truly incredible experience that brought together a beautiful sense of inclusiveness all the while honouring both Heather and Diptesh’s individual heritages. Heather’s understated vintage dress and look complimented her henna tattoos so eloquently Diptesh’s stylish cowboy boots was a great nod to their current lives in Houston, Texas.
The ceremony was done in Heather’s parents’ backyard beneath a large willow tree, a perfect setting to encompass Heather’s childhood and to announce their surprise pregnancy to their friends and family in attendance.
Not far off from the home, we ventured with their wedding party to an overlook that Heather and her sisters used to climb as young children. The sight of canola fields and beautiful pine trees surrounding us created an incredible moment of tranquility, where we all stood in silence admiring the beautiful summer day and taking in the subtle breeze.
The ceremony was followed by an intimate and casual reception at the Mono Cliffs Inn, a genuinely vintage country-town pub and restaurant setting the perfect atmosphere for friends and family to mingle and celebrate. The night was topped off with fantastic food and drinks, and of course, a few traditional Punjabi dances, included one from both the bride and groom.
Weddings like this are an amazing reminder that working as a photographer here in Toronto allows me incredibly unique opportunities to meet and interact with people from very different walks of life than my own, and opportunity for me to both grow as a person and as a photographer through experience. I couldn’t have asked for more from this day - vintage aesthetic, beautiful country-town and country side scenery, kinda hearted genuine people, and a unique metamorphosis between two cultures. These are the moments and events that transcend time and place, and I’m always humbled to be so included in something so special and beautifully human.
Song of the day
Indonesia - Divorce Court
- 3B
VENDORS
Wedding Dress: Luxe Boutique
Suit: Q Clothier
Jewellery: Anice Jewellery
Ceremony: Private Residence
Reception Venue/Catering: Mono Cliffs Inn
Bouquets: DIY / Costco
Second Shooter: Ryanne Hollies
Lodging: Highview BnB
Rochelle and Jason at High Park
Spending your first wedding of the summer within the beautiful grounds of High Park is without a doubt a great experience. Despite being a huge urban city, Toronto has its fair share of fantastic outdoor venues. Being West-Enders who love the outdoors, Rochelle and Jason chose to hold the first part of their wedding day at Colborne Lodge, a beautiful rustic venue hidden within High Park. Another factor I’m sure that played a role in their decision was that the venue and grounds are dog friendly, so their beautiful rescue dog Betsy was allowed to be in attendance and escort the bride and groom down the aisle and watch over them throughout the entire ceremony. The beautiful pup provided more than a few amazing candid moments, outside of the stunning Bride, Betsy got her fair share of attention, hugs and kisses (and hot dog treats of course!).
It was a beautifully eclectic melange of old and new traditions. Upholding their traditional Chinese values, Rochelle and Jason started their wedding celebration with the traditional Chinese Tea Ceremony inside the rustic lodge, followed by a beautiful outdoor ceremony among the trees behind the Colborne Lodge Museum. The vintage elements and aesthetics were naturally at the forefront due to the Colborne Lodge’s authentic setting. The first half of the wedding day was intentionally private and intimate, with immediate family exclusively being present to witness Jason and Rochelle commit their love to one another. It was special to be part of such an exclusive and small wedding ceremony. To be among such important people (and animal) in the couple’s lives isn’t something lost on me and it’s something that’s always really sunk on for me within the moment.
To cap things off, they had their closest friends and family unite at the George Restaurant on Queen Street East in Downtown Toronto, a well kept secret in the heart of the city. The hidden and secluded outdoor back patio made for the perfect atmosphere for Jason and Rochelle to mingle with their friends and family prior to their outstanding dinner.
I really admired how both Jason and Rochelle structured their entire wedding day. It goes to show that you can get married in Toronto and still keep things intimate and modern without completely letting go and abandoning who you are and the culture you grew up with, sometime I can personally relate to coming from a European immigrant family myself. A small intimate wedding within High Park’s forest, what more is there to say?
Song of the day
Another Good Morning - Breakup Shoes
- 3B
VENDORS
Stylist: Karima Sumar, Bar None Beauty
Cake: Little Pebbles
Ceremony: Colborne Lodge
Reception Venue/Catering: George
Florist: Rosehill Blooms
Second Shooter: Ryanne Hollies
Clarissa and Peter at The Chase Downtown
It’s that time of year where warm weather is frustratingly close, but the longer days and frequent sunshine create this unwavering ability to help me see an intrinsic beauty in every day life. Spring is without a doubt my favourite time of year. The congruence of the death with new life, the plain brown colour palette of the world slowly transitioning to bright greens, it all brings together a larger picture while playing close attention to finer details that are otherwise overlooked.
As a creative individual, I’m always looking to creative industries outside of my own to learn something new and find creative inspiration I can use in my own new and unique ways. Meeting Clarissa and Peter was a gift since they are both incredible architects with a beautiful creative eye for modern, minimalist design. They designed and built their home together, and were kind enough to have me over to photograph them over the course of a morning and afternoon. (Check out the beautiful in-home session we did together here)
The entire wedding had a nearly methodical planning that directly and indirectly related to their lives as architects.
Their first look location at the Bay-Adelaide was an homage to Clarissa’s career in architecture. She worked for the firm responsible for the building’s design and watching her take the long walk from end of the building to the other was truly a special moment.
It goes without saying that their venues were in themselves a love story to the art of architecture. St. Michael’s Cathedral in downtown Toronto, followed by The Chase Restaurant in the Financial District showcased an extraordinary polarity between the classic and modern takes on architecture and design. Clarissa played on this dichotomy and had two wedding dresses for each venue. A traditional, modern and minimal gown for the church ceremony, and a more modern lace cocktail style wedding dress for the ceremony that elegantly harmonized with her urban surrounding.
A great bonus for me, outside of the most amazing food I’ve had at a wedding, was the opportunity to shoot some 120 and 35mm film. The Hasselblad 501 c/m and Leica M4-P were fed Kodak Tri-X and Portra generously throughout the day. It was the perfect opportunity for this since I got to share in the wedding day shooting experience with my very talented friend Erich Deleeuw. His approach to art and photography is one I truly respect. His approach to fine-art documentary photography is very similar to mine, so it was a natural partnership.
Classic, vintage, modern, fine art, minimalist and urban all mixed into one. Leave it to a pair of architects to flawlessly execute such a naturally eclectic combination with unexcelled results.
Downtown Toronto vibes written all over this one.
Song of the day
Kendrick Lamar - LOVE, Feat - Zacari
- 3B
VENDORS
Hair: Puzzle Creations
Makeup: Karen Kim
Wedding Dress: Martina Liana
Shoes: Malone Souliers
Suit: Armani
Reception Venue/Catering: The Chase
Florist: Bloom Plus
Second Shooter: Erich Deleeuw
Lodging: Shangri-la
Invitations: Silverplate Press
Alexx and Jason in Cabo San Lucas
Living in Canada, I welcome spending an entire week in the middle of January in 25 degree weather. It didn’t take much convincing on Alexx and Jason’s part to get us on board with the idea of taking off to sun-soaked days by the beach and west-coast light. Their wedding was a stark contrast to our last encounter, a low-key hike in Banff Alberta in the dead of winter.
I first met Jason back when photographing Tara and Devin’s beautiful wedding at Madsen’s Gardens. That wedding provided me with a great introduction to the tight-knit group that is more family than friends. Although I came from Toronto to shoot the wedding, it was the furthest thing from a destination wedding experience.
These two are cool. Like, spitting hip-hop lyrics on the dance floor flawlessly without skipping a beat kind of cool , so I wasn’t surprised when they told me they were having their wedding on the rooftop of a private Beach Club, away from the chaos of the resorts and cruise ships in the distant view.
Since we were in Cabo, we were a stone’s throw away from beautiful desert landscapes, we caught the sunset and golden light at just the right time and took full advantage of the beauty that inspired them to have their wedding here in the first place. The palm trees, cacti, stunning rolling mountain landscape, dripping light; everything went entirely hand in hand with Alexx and Jason’s vintage bohemian desert paradise look. A timeless aesthetic that was a dream for me to experience and capture simultaneously. The sunset painted the sky various hues or red, pink, purple and yellow, adding a heightened and almost romanticized emotional experience pulled out from every feel good set in the 80’s. It was like an editorial scene from Vice City in ’85 and it sucked me in.
The only thing to trump the beauty of the landscape was the great candid moments between the group throughout the day. The sort of candid emotion that only really comes out when people are comfortable and at ease because they are surrounded by their closest friends and loved ones. The people who have been there through thick and thin and shared in those special moments in your life with you. From best friends making surprise appearances on the wedding day, to the emotional vows exchanged on the rooftop overlooking the infinite ocean, there were plenty of moments that incited tears of happiness and laughter.
That all being said, for being such a sentimental bunch, they sure party hard. The dance floor was slammed up until the very last second until they were asked (had to) leave. If not, I don’t doubt for a second that the party would’ve lasted for nearly another 12 hours. Instead, we opted for a house after-party followed by drinks and good conversation along the beach.
It’s always particularly special photographing a wedding that has layers of personal connections… and it doesn’t hurt when it’s in such a beautiful place like Cabo San Lucas, Baja California.
I came back with a tan and an abundance of memories that I’ll never forget.
Song(s) of the day
1) Drake - God’s Plan
2) Len - Steal My Sunshine (only because it played on the radio while I was there and it’s sooo bad it’s kinda good)
- 3B
VENDORS
Hair and Makeup: Studio 24
Wedding Dress: Rue De Seine - Loversland
Suit: Indochino
Bridesmaid Dresses: Show Me Your Mumu
Venue/Catering: Ventanas Private Residence
Second Shooter: Ryanne Hollies
Planner: Cabo Celebration
Karl and Emeiko's Engagement on Wards Island
A huge element… no, THE major element of my job as a photographer is being able to be “let in” by the subjects I’m photographing. Whether I’m shooting an assignment as a photojournalist / editorial-documentary photographer, a commercial shoot, and yes, even shooting a wedding, being able to connect with the people I’m photographing is crucial to the process. My experience working as a full-time photojournalist really helped me develop and understanding and appreciation for the short-term interactions I have with people. Hearing their stories, getting a glimpse into their lives, being allowed to photograph them and document an intentional sentiment or moment in time. These things are extremely rewarding perks of the job, and are equally felt when working with couples, if not more amplified due to the long-term relationship involved.
I’m sure other photographers can relate to this, that once in a while certain people you photograph just stick with you, people whom through their genuine and honest sincerity, allow you to create a real bond, a real trust that can only really be felt or experience with friendships that are decades old, or even a bond so strong that you feel like you’ve known each other for years. Karl and Emeiko were this people to me.
I met Karl & Emeiko at the Wedding Co. Market, and we probably chatted for a solid 45 minutes about them, their wedding, analog photography (Emeiko’s father was a wedding photographer), and the overall amazing details surrounding their wedding, which initially been planned to be on Ward’s Island in the late Summer.
As the spring and summer approached, Ward’s Island was devastated with severe floods, causing local businesses to close up shop for a majority of the summer, all planned events had also been cancelled, including Karl and Emeiko’s wedding.
To pay homage to their initial wedding day plans, we decided to take an adventure to Toronto Island, Ward’s specifically, to take some photos and reminisce of what could have been. Ward’s Island was in pretty rough shape but we lucked out with the weather as the rain held off but the storm clouds loomed in the near distance.
Their first date was an impromptu picnic by Karl, and to continue with the pay-homage-to theme, Karl and Emeiko set up a top-quality picnic, with amazing cheese, fruit, bread and wine to satisfy any palette. I thoroughly enjoyed this portion of the day myself, but what’s really engrained in my mind is actually our time on the ferry back to Toronto.
Being the only 4 people on the dimly lit boat, plowing our way through unusually large waves caused by the roaring wind, Karl and Emeiko holding onto each other staring out into the Toronto skyline, city lights shining bright, creating a silhouette of their intimate moment. It was oddly cinematic, an experience I had as a viewer and not so much as a photographer. It’s through fleeting moments like that in my life, as rare as they are, that truly inspire me and it creates a deep bond between myself and the work I create for others. When people are like old friends, it’s even easier to capture candid emotion and honest moments.
It’s always refreshing to have a real, tangible experience nowadays. To enhance this, I only shot film for the session. It was refreshing to not have to worry about taking an unbelievable amount of images, really helped me feel more involved with the people right in front of me.
Oh and don’t fret, they found a highly suitable replacement venue with the Burroughs on Queen West, so their story does have a happy ending. Images which I look forward to sharing very soon.
To Be Continued…
Song of the day - Mat Kerekes - Reach
-3B
Ashley and Carl - Muskoka Ontario
The term Love Celebration is absolutely perfect for this situation. Wanting to avoid being disingenuous, it was important for Ashley and Carl to label this as something that isn’t a wedding, because in the traditional sense of sense of the word, it wasn’t, and they didn’t want to feel like they were lying to themselves or their loved ones. This authentic approach to their day really stuck with me after our initial chat over Skype with them.
Currently residing in the U.K. , Ashley wanted to celebrate her love to Carl with her friends and family back home in Toronto and surrounding areas. Ultimately choosing to have their celebration in the Muskokas to showcase the beauty that Ontario has to offer to all of Carl’s family members and friends visiting from England.
Ashley was without a doubt a stunning, authentic, boho bride. Not because it was something in trend but because it was who she is. Ashley and Carl’s wedding day style and look were the ultimate tandem to go along with the beautiful vintage lake house aesthetic provided by the Sherwood Inn and the Muskokas. Her Rue De Seine dress from Loversland couldn’t have been more perfectly chosen to create an aura of consistent feeling everywhere the Bride went on the grounds. She was authentically effortless in her romantic bohemian style wedding dress. Something out of a scene from a movie at times.
Maybe I’ve been watching too many 80’s flicks and listening to synth heavy bands at that time, but it’ll be something burned into my mind’s eye now when I look back at these photos. There’s something special about shooting in Muskoka for me, being able to escape the chaos of downtown Toronto is welcomed once in a while. Breathing in fresh air, and enjoying the smaller details in life, like watching a sunset with someone important in your life and forgetting to check Instagram or whatever social media platform is taking over your life right now, is something everyone should experience. I'm lucky that my job provides me with incredible opportunities to live and understand my own life better and grow as an artist and person.
It was easy to feel the magic of the tone of the day’s atmosphere, clearly it stuck with me. Documenting something so palatable as the love felt and shared by everyone from far and wide was an experience that every photographer craves.
The sailboat, the lake house, the vibrant flowers, the sound of waves hitting the dock, the orange light seeping through the windows from the sun setting, the love… all of it, truly made for an unforgettable experience.
Album of the Day - Ruby Haunt - Hurt
- 3B
VENDORS
Hair and Makeup: Bride
Wedding Dress: Rue De Seine - Loversland
Venue/Catering: Sherwood Inn
Second Shooter: Ryanne Hollies
Kyle and Marisa at The Hart House
Marisa & Kyle’s wedding was an incredible and honest reflection of who they are.
Winter weddings are a rarity with how harsh Canadian winters can get, especially in January, but Kyle & Marisa really couldn’t imagine getting married at any other time of year. The ambiance and atmosphere of early winter evenings was the ideal setting for all of their friends and family to feel cozy and at home inside of the Gallery Grill at the Hart House - University of Toronto.
The old historical building that the intimate wedding ceremony and reception were held in had an incredible presence. The gothic architecture and fine art oil paintings were brought to life thanks to the candlelight and understated vintage decor. I don’t watch Game of Thrones otherwise I’m sure I could make some sort of reference here… I’m more of a movie guy so I could only compare the environment to a mix of Dracula and Eyes Wide Shut. I’m sure to some that this would seem off-putting, but there is truly something deeply beautiful from the dark and moody settings of those films, and their wedding was no different.
Most people (or photographers) tend to think that shooting in dark, sombre places for weddings is a “bad” situation, but I welcomed the change and appreciated the timelessness created by this unique atmosphere. I naturally gravitate towards interesting dichotomies, so a wedding with a dark, gothic and almost medieval like setting was a beautiful experience for me as a photographer.
Marisa very much appreciates and enjoys this sort of aesthetic as her dark lipstick and black suede shawl showcased. The cool climate isn’t unfamiliar to her either as she has spent (and is currently spending) time in St. Petersburg, where she is expanding her knowledge and research.
Kyle is currently visiting her there and they were kind enough to send me this message for the blog post :
"This photo illustrates the feeling I remember from our wedding during the night of January 14th. The wedding was small, and we were happy. For us, it was a night in the middle of winter to laugh and toast with our friends and families.
Из России с любовью
(from Russian with love),
mkf. "
The reception wasn’t short on good conversation or good people. They both met during their post-grad studies in Chicago,Illinois, and eventually moved back to Toronto. This detail wasn’t forgotten and we took the opportunity to take a few portraits near the Chicago Emblem inside the Great Hall at the Hart House. Being alone with them inside a beautiful and almost haunting staircase was an incredible moment to cap-off the evening, it felt like we had an entire old gothic castle to ourselves, it really gave me goosebumps at one point.
Evening weddings in the winter should become more of a thing.
Album of the day - Cloudkicker - Let Yourself Be Huge
From Canada with love,
-3B
VENDORS
Second Shooter: Ryanne Hollies
Hair Stylist: Lebel & Crowe
Wedding Dress: Lowon Pope
Jewelry: Yuliya Chorna
Florist: Sweetpea's
Venue / Catering: Gallery Grill
Angela and David at Arta Gallery
I first met Angela back during our studies at Ryerson’s School of Journalism. Like me, she was doing her second go-around at post-secondary and we both had pretty specific goals and expectations from our time in the program. We actually had the pleasure of working together on a few assignments and projects and even back then I knew Angela was going places with her career. She was always one of the strongest writers and journalists in the program. There was little surprise on my end when she told me about her job working for the CBC as a producer for documentaries and television programs, a place that many of our colleagues back in University wish they could have I’m sure.
Anyway, I was really taken aback when Angela and David approached me regarding photography for their wedding. It’s always flattering and humbling when someone who knows you on a more personal level trusts you with this sort of responsibility, and as a photographer, there’s nothing I enjoy more than creating meaningful photographs for people who have been part of my life in some way, shape or form.
Like me, David and Angela have an alternative, indie-edge to them, so when we met for coffee I wasn’t surprised when they went over the details of their wedding. An important element they wanted us to capture was their newly renovated loft apartment (in an old newspaper printing factory of all places!) in the heart of downtown Toronto in a very understated neighbourhood. David took on most of the renovation project on his own and the effort and love put into the final result were both stunning and obvious. It was an almost studio-like place for us to capture Angela’s getting ready photos, the cute and quaint neighbourhood street they live on made for a telling location for some portraits of the Bride. Of course, Angela's Bridal fur coat and the retro 1970’s RV Van made for a nice touch too. The urban-city lifestyle that is so prominent in Toronto is very much part of their day-to-day life, and I was happy for the opportunity to capture that on the wedding day.
What really got me though, on a personal level, was visiting David in his parent's suburban home. Seeing him get dressed in his childhood bedroom, seemingly untouched by time, really echoed some level of nostalgia within myself and my creative mind. Plastered all over his bedroom was posters of iconic bands and musicians from the grunge era. Nirvana, David Bowie, Metallica, Stone Temple Pilots, Smashing Pumpkins, etc. all of these bands were cornerstones for me in my youth. People like Kurt Cobain were direct influencers into my first creative endeavor, music, and to this day music continues to influence my photography and creative vision. It was amazing to be able to connect with David on this level, if not only subconsciously.
Since the world of art plays a heavy role in their lives on some level, it was only natural for them to hold their intimate and private wedding ceremony at the beautiful ARTA Gallery in the historic Distillery District in downtown Toronto. Being surrounded by their close family and stunning works of art, set the table for a beautiful ceremony that lead to candid emotions and pure happiness. It was special for me to see an old friend get married but also be able to be the one to capture that happening, a rare opportunity.
They followed the ceremony by exploring the Distillery District’s Christmas Market for some couple’s portraits. Having their wedding in November resulted in the perfect formula; the natural beauty of the fall season and the dramatic change of life’s cycle, coupled with the exuberant atmosphere of the Christmas market lead to cinematic and impact scenes for us to capture.
The reception was held at Tappo Restaurant, just down the street from Arta Gallery in the Distillery District, and we were treated to some of the best authentic Italian food I’ve had the pleasure of chowing down in the Toronto area. The restaurant created such a rustic and chic environment, especially being candle lid throughout, it really felt like we were in a little corner of Italy enjoying a family-style wedding dinner celebration, and since David’s family is Italian, it seemed quite fitting.
This was probably the best way I could’ve ended my 2016 wedding season.
-3B
Album of the Day - The Smashing Pumpkins- Siamese Dream
Aimee and Nuno Evergreen Brickworks
This past weekend I got to photograph Aimee & Nuno’s family fuelled, urban themed wedding, but for now, I’m taking it back to this past fall when I first got to hangout with the two of them for an afternoon.
Our time together started at one of my favourite local coffee / beer spots, Boxcar Social Riverside, where we had some incredible coffee tasters and Aimee had some wine along with Ryanne. Aimee’s family runs a successful winery here in Toronto called Macedo Winery, so she definitely knew a thing or two about the selection on hand and gave us a quick glimpse of her incredible knowledge of wine.
From there, we made our way over to the Evergreen Brickworks to explore the urban meets nature vibe the place has going on. Both Nuno & Aimee grew up in the city and they very much feel that the atmosphere and aesthetic of urban landscape is very much part of who they are and where they come from. So of naturally, the Brickworks was a fantastic location for us to spend our afternoon and evening lifestyle session to enjoy the scenic sunset overlooking the CN Tower and the rest of the downtown Toronto skyline.
Since it was fall, the season brought us some interesting and diverse landscape to work with including minor pops of colour to contrast with urban decay and oddly beautiful gloom of plants reaching their final cycle. Combined, it created a beautiful and honest environment for Nuno & Aimee to be themselves and enjoy the final moments ahead of the winter season.
It was the first time I worked with a Portuguese couple (I am Portuguese for reference) , and it was insane how crazy comfortable we all were around each other, it’s like we’ve known each other our whole lives, like distant cousins you see during the big holidays scattered throughout the year.
Looking forward to sharing their urban themed wedding in the coming weeks.
Album of the Day - Fugees - The Score
-3B
Kip and Zoe At Allen's Danforth
If I had to piece together the most multifarious urban, city, downtown, vintage, indie, Toronto inspired wedding, I still probably wouldn't come up with anything as authentically beautiful and honest as Zoe & Kipling's downtown Toronto, modern-vintage wedding.
After meeting Zoe & Kip, we discovered that Kipling is an old schoolmate or Ruby, who’s wedding we shot last January, a cool coincidence!
They mentioned to us in our initial meeting that their wedding was going to be held at Allen’s bar, a historic irish pub on The Danforth in Toronto, was going to have hints of their favourite movie franchise, Star Wars, custom designed invitations and coasters themed after their favourite beer (Guinness of course) and that the wedding menu was going to be a series of their all-time favourite pub food from Allen’s. If I had to invite myself to a wedding, it would be one that featured all those incredible things.
Of course, this would be too easy wouldn’t it? I was of course booked for another event that same day, and was only going to get back into the city sometime in the early evening. Luckily, Ryanne was available and willing to step-in and handle the wedding. We felt like old-friends when meeting Zoe & Kipling for the first time so they were really excited that either of us was available at all. I made sure to get back downtown as quickly as I could and managed to make it to the reception portion of the wedding. Photographing those two dancing to live Irish Folk music, belly-dancing, Irish jigs and so on, was both funny, poignant and sentimental all at the same time.
I was quite jealous of Ryanne for being able to hangout with these two for an entire day, and capture some their honest presence throughout the wedding. Since she had the front row seat for this one, I asked her to share her POV from the wedding :
"Kip and Zoe are two wonderful and unique people; they had their wedding in a bar, drank Guinness instead of champagne, and had burgers as their main course. To honour Kip's Irish roots they held a traditional ribbon tying ceremony right in front of the bar (I don't think it gets more Irish than that) and had Kip's mom hosted the traditional Irish dancing at the end of the night.
Zoe made the wedding cake herself and had her belly dancing friends accompany them for their grand entrance into the reception. I have never seen a grandmother belly dance before, but Zoe's grandma was killing it.
On top of all this there were custom coaster designed by their friend, a storm troopers helmet, and a Holga at the guestbook table. It was eclectic and it was beautiful, but most importantly it was so them.
Even after mentioning all these special moments from their day, I haven't even touched on my favourite part, the first look. It was all Kipling's idea, from him riding his bike to having Zoe wait for him at the mural that they love. It's hard to put into words, but seeing their love and connection in those first few moments was so real and emotional. I am grateful that Zoe and Kip brought me along for the ride, and I hope you enjoy the photos as much as I do."
Ryanne’s photo of Zoe & Kip biting into their main-course meal burgers is without a doubt, one of my favourite wedding photos of all-time. Not to mention, it got featured in the “Love Actually” photo exhibition held at the Gladstone Hotel on King Street, Toronto, throughout the month of February. A well-deserved honoured, couldn’t be more proud of her. It was a special moment for us to attend the opening with Zoe & Kipling themselves, seeing that image printed and hung on display was a unique opportunity for us to share in a collective moment of happiness directly with the couple we worked with. We owe them a huge thank you for trusting us and letting us capture their authentic vintage vibe on their most special day.
This wedding has to be seen to be believed.
Album of the day - The Cranberries- Everyone Else Is Doing It, So Why Can’t We?
- 3B
A Photographer's Experience: A Wedding in Rural Ontario
Part of what makes me continually enjoy the work that I do, no matter the subject or client, is that as a photographer I get real opportunities to connect with people in a real and temporary way.
When I was working full-time for large newsrooms in Toronto and tasked with creating photojournalism on a daily basis, I was fortunate if I had 30-45 minutes with the subjects I was photographing. I quickly learned that bridging gaps and finding common ground with people was a great way to help them reveal their true selves, to me and my lens. If I wasn't working with someone directly and was instead tasked with capturing an environment or still life object, I would dig deep into my mind's eye and create personal meaning to my surroundings. I can’t help but draw from my own life’s experiences. I try to incorporate a similar mindset and approach with couples that hire me to photograph their weddings. Sure, it may seem selfish to say that I'm photographing other people or things for my own incorporeal being, but as a creative I'm always seeking to somehow materialize my life's experiences through imagery regardless of what I’m capturing.
This wedding, however, required no searching or digging. All the moments, the impalpable, and sometimes palpable, feelings of personal association, was happening right before me.
Outside of immediate family, Ryanne and I were the only two other people in attendance. Part of the reason this was so special for me was that I wasn't just chosen to shoot pictures, but I was also there as someone living an experience in honour of my friend's present and future happiness. People camped overnight in RVs and tents, but not before enjoy a beautiful sight of the starry night's sky while sitting next to an incredible bonfire. The ultimate and most beautiful way to end an intimate wedding on your childhood farm.
The groom is an old friend of mine from my hometown of Ottawa. Over the years, and once I moved to Toronto, I lost touch with a lot of people I was once close to or who played a large role in my life. That’s life I guess. Anyway, like me and most people that I've been friends with, this guy (and his wife) are very low-key and understated. When he reached out to me regarding photographing his intimate wedding on the Bride's childhood farm, I was both extremely humbled and also quite surprised. Since most of my current and former friends aren't involved in the photography scene I usually assume most of them dismiss my work or don't follow my career too closely, so it was pretty cool to see someone like him appreciate my process and give me the unique opportunity to capture such a huge and personal moment in their lives.
The only request the groom and bride had for me was not to reveal their identities when posting about their wedding online, they didn't want to be the centre of focus of the wedding story I was going to tell on my blog. I was completely cool with that since it offered me a unique opportunity to create something truly different for my wedding photography blog post. Throughout the wedding day I made sure I got some creative compositions and captured as many details as I possibly could. These images are a beautiful study in how conveying feelings or emotions doesn’t strictly begin and end with people’s physical facial expressions.
My Yashica T5 point-and-shoot film camera was mostly in the grooms hands all night, and although I won't be sharing those images from the rolls, it was nice to break through the generational synthetic that most 20-somethings and early 30-somethings seem to suffer through. It’s nice to have real, genuine memories of my own that I don’t feel the need to broadcast or share with the virtual world. (Another reason why analog photography is an important element to my wedding photography process).
In that spirit, instead of showing you a typical blog post of a couple's wedding story and day, this will be a blog post that encompasses my experience travelling back to my hometown to capture this extremely important moment in time for two people I truly care about. I know, it seems selfish for me to admit that I create images, regardless of subject, for myself, but in this case I don't regret it at all. The result of my selfishness has now allowed me to share a my tangible feelings and memories with someone truly close to me. I can say without hesitation that sharing in this intimate experience with my once distant friend, has create an ever-lasting bond of friendship. I look forward to reliving this experience with him (them) through these images for decades to come.
It’s pretty fucking incredible how the process of life works, I couldn’t be more grateful that I have the opportunity to travel back in time through the collection of images I’ve created over the years.
Love you, my friends.
-3B
Song of the day - Beach Fossils - This Year
