Photography Blog
Jade and Philip’s King Riding Golf Club Wedding
Tuesday, August 20, 2019King Riding Golf Club recommended me to Jade and Philip and I am so glad they did, because they are beautiful people both outside and in. Every time Jade and I talked before the wedding, we talked about all kinds of things like traveling, Harry Potter, Disney and dogs. They have dogs (of course), she works at two vet clinics and in the speeches there was talk of how when Philip was in high school, he saw a stray dog and pulled over to rescue it, managing to do so even though it was growling at him. Jade and Philip met through mutual friends in high school and everyone was waiting for this day to happen! My streak of only photographing couples in great weather continued for them as it poured rain before we went outside and was warm and beautiful for the rest of the day, thank goodness, because the ceremony was outdoors!
You know it is a true Canadian wedding when the geese are the first to arrive.
Groom and groomsmen making sure their hair is perfect.
Help with the tie.
Bride getting ready.
Both moms helping with the dress.
Outdoor wedding ceremony at King Riding Golf Club.
Groom walking mom down aisle.
Dad walking daughter down the aisle.
Ceremony starting.
Happy it is finally happening.
Ring exchange.
Ring exchange part two.
First kiss.
Jade making it official.
Philip signing the registry.
End of the ceremony.
Jade’s dad’s family.
Jade’s mom’s family.
Philip’s family.
Bridal party.
Bridal portrait on golf club.
Romantic photo at King Riding Golf Club.
Jade and Philip in the Golf Cart. Philip actually has his own golf cart!
How far will they get in this golf cart?
Peaceful moment.
Head table setting.
Time to party!
Bridal party reacting to speeches.
Cake Cutting.
Dance!
C
Joan and Rob’s Wedding at the Glenerin Inn
Thursday, August 8, 2019Joan and Rob’s wedding took place at the beautiful Glenerin Inn, in Mississauga and once again, we lucked out with perfect weather.
I had a great time photographing Joan and Rob for their engagement photos at James Gardens and I knew their wedding would be awesome too.
They included their nieces and nephews in the bridal party and their ceremony was extra special because Joan’s sister and her husband sang before it began. The keyboard player started working as an organist in the UK shortly after this event!
Rob and Joan both had huge smiles throughout the day and as you can see from the photos, they laughed at regular intervals.
During the speeches, we learned that Joan managed to keep her initial dates with Rob a secret, but that didn’t last too long. We also learned of Rob’s Google-like memory.
Every time I see these two, they are smiling at each other and they definitely bring out each other’s inner child. They even went to Disney World for their honeymoon!
Stephanie and John’s Wedding | The Albany Club
Thursday, May 23, 2019Stephanie and John had their wedding at The Albany Club in downtown Toronto.
Stephanie got ready in the bridal suite before the ceremony began and it mostly went off without incident, at least until she was pinning the boutonniere on her grandpa and we heard a “BEEEEEEP.” Nobody could figure out where the alarm was coming from and then finally, her grandpa said, “Oh, that’s my defibrillator.” I was worried Stephanie was going to have a heart attack when she worried about her grandpa, but they put it on the other side (it had a magnet) and all was well. Phew!
I went outside, where John’s brother was serenading all the guests and people on King St. with his bagpipes. He is 1/2 of 416 Pipes. They can often be seen outside Blue Jays games and play many songs that would not be considered traditional piping material (like the Flinstones theme song, for instance).|
Stephanie’s youngest sister walked her down the aisle, where she and John laughed and smiled throughout the ceremony and continued upstairs during the cocktail reception and when we went outside to the St. James Cathedral gardens for photos of the happy couple and bridal party.
There were many pigeons outside with us and you can spot them in a few of the outdoor photos, so have a close look!
At the reception, tenor Nathan Martin came to sing many songs for them, including a very heartfelt and lovely song Elizabeth (John’s mom) wrote to the tune of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah,” that was specifically about John and Stephanie.
After lunch, speeches and music, we went upstairs and took formal portraits of the whole family before everyone parted ways, delighted for Stephanie and John.
Stephanie getting ready at the Albany Club.
Bagpiping brother
Boutonniere incident
Sister walking Stephanie Down the Aisle
Getting married
First Kiss and Married!
Proud and happy grandma
Wedding Party Downtown Toronto
Stephanie and John happily married and ready for their closeups!
Ode to mom
Crooner
Singing along
Stephanie and John listening intently
Laughing
Cosman Family
Hoyle Family
R and O’s Wedding | Royal York United Church
Friday, May 10, 2019I won’t use their full names to protect them, but R and O were sponsored by Royal York United Church to come over as refugees, because in Jamaica, it is still unfortunately very dangerous to love someone who is the same gender as you are. Just a couple of months after they came over, they were ready to get married and their wedding came together very quickly. This never could have happened in Jamaica, but in Canada, everyone was happy to help their wedding dream come true.
Here is O making sure his hair is perfect for the big day.
Hairspray
Wedding day! R made the veil for O. This is in their glorious backyard, right on the waterfront.
Heading to the church.
R and O asked my two eldest daughters to be the ringbearers!
C was instrumental in helping O and R come to Canada and has been like a second mother to them, so having her walk him down the aisle was an obvious choice.
Emotional moment during the wedding ceremony
Exchanging of the rings.
First kiss as a married couple!
Happily married!
The way they entered really showed off the lovely veil R made for O.
Emcee
I love the way their friend is looking on as they are hugging.
Love when the speeches bring out the emotions.
Their friend Gabriella is a drag queen and they had their first dance to one of her songs!
Portrait of the grooms
Grooms on a bench at City Hall
Kiss
Limo with friends
Easter Photo Sessions at the Rabbat Studio
Thursday, April 18, 2019A couple of weeks ago, I did a day of Easter photo sessions. This was my second time in 18 years of business, doing themed photo sessions and it went extremely well, so I think I will do it again! Is this something you would be interested in doing?
These kids were super adorable and amazingly, we didn’t need to do any retakes, even though each session was just 20 minutes long.
I loved seeing and photographing so many adorable kids in one day and I am happy their parents will be able to enjoy these photos of them forever, and of course, the kids will love them too. Are your kids favourite photos the ones of themselves? I remember flipping through my parents photo albums when I was little and I think all those memories are what prompted me to want to be a photographer.
I hope you have a fantastic Easter (or Passover if you are Jewish), weekend this year!
Rachel and Jay’s Wedding
Monday, January 7, 2019I first met Rachel over 15 years ago at a dance because she made a comment about my hair, which is the same colour and texture as hers. We became fast friends and she even introduced me to Janette, who was her Maid of Honour and my photography associate for many years. Rachel dated extensively, but it wasn’t until she met Jay that she was ready to make that final commitment.
She was single for awhile, and some friends joked with her that she should go downstairs to the barber shop (which she lived above) and meet a man there. That was how she met Jay.
We were all thrilled for Rachel when Jay proposed.
He is quiet most of the time, but when the party starts, he is in the middle of it. Rachel needs someone who can listen well and keep up with her and she found that in Jay.
Congratulations, Jay and Rachel!
Jane, Janette and Rachel were roommates a long time ago. Jane came to the wedding from BC.
Some emotional moments before the wedding.
Proud father.
Getting married.
Happily married.
First kiss.
Happy guests.
More happy guests.
Rachel and Jay’s families joined together.
Bridal party.
The moment before a kiss is always so romantic.
Romantic portraits.
More portraits of Rachel and Jay.
Cake cutting and First dance.
Dancing with dad.
Jay impressing everyone on the dance floor.
Party on the dance floor.
Celebrating with friends.
Engagement Photos at James Gardens
Tuesday, October 30, 2018Rob and Joan were hoping for fall colours for their engagement session at James Gardens. It was only 2 degrees celsius, but we definitely had fall colours. I made sure they cuddled lots for the photos to stay warm and of course, cuddling looks good in romantic photos. They took me to parts of James Gardens I hadn’t been to in awhile and the colours and their chemistry were incredible. I first went there over a decade ago and this was the first time I learned that it was sold to the city by the James family and that the house they lived in is still there and is now used as a recreational facility.
Thanks for choosing such a lovely spot and time of year for your photos, Rob and Joan!
Under the gazebo.
Hugs.
We suspect somebody got married under this archway either the day we did the session or the day before because it still had fairly fresh flowers on it.
Look at how beautiful these fall colours are!
Enjoying each other’s company at James Gardens.
Romancing on a rock in the fall at James Gardens.
They stopped to smell the roses. These roses didn’t smell though.
We walked pretty far into James Gardens and found the birch trees we were seeking.
Love is in the air.
Blue Jay.
Chickadee.
Somebody left out lots of seeds and nuts and we stopped and watched the forest creatures for awhile. This red squirrel was super cute.
Downy Woodpecker.
Ashley and Marwen’s Wedding at Toronto City Hall
Friday, October 5, 2018Ashley and Marwen had their Toronto wedding on a beautiful late September day at City Hall. Their actual wedding is going to take place in Tunisia in January, which is where Marwen is from.
He is a pilot, but they met as passengers on an airplane en route to Nashville. Only their immediate family members were invited to the ceremony, but they celebrated with around 40 guests at their condo party room afterwards. Some of them are really looking forward to their Tunisia celebration, which is where they will exchange their rings.
Thanks so much for having me be part of the special Toronto celebration, Ashley and Marwen. Congratulations on your marriage! I can’t wait to see photos from Tunisia!Ashley’s dad walking her down the aisle.
Happy to be getting married.
Signing the register.
Romantic photos in front of old and new Toronto City Hall.
Family Photo in front of old City Hall in Toronto.
They were walking down the ramp when I noticed they were all in a cool position, so I asked them to turn around and we took this photo.
A moment alone together.
Loving each other.
Condo party room
Family Photo in condo party room
Greeting a guest
Father of the bride’s speech.
Reacting to speeches.
Katie and Christian’s Wedding at La Maquette
Tuesday, September 25, 2018Katie and Christian had an incredible wedding day at La Maquette restaurant, which is now a Berkeley events venue. My cheeks hurt from laughing for a week after photographing this awesome event!
I knew this was going to be a super fun wedding as soon as Katie arrived with a big smile and when Katie and her bridesmaids decided to loosen up with a mini dance party before they even put their outfits on.
Christian wrote his own vows and they were hilarious. As you can see from the photos of people reacting to the speeches, they were also filled with emotion and the guests went from laughter to tears and back again.
I wish you many more years of laughter together, Katie and Christian! Thank you so much for having me there to document your day.
Vendors:
Wedding Day Coordinator: Ange Kavanas from La Maquette
Officiant: Martin Frith
Hair and Make-up: Claudia Coellho Artistry
Jeweller for rings: Aret Oymakas
Donuts: Von Donuts
DJ and/or band: Evolved EntertainmentLa Maquette restaurant and event venue.
I knew it was going to be a fun wedding when the bride and bridesmaids warmed up with a dance!
We hung up the bridemaids dresses beside the bridal gown for this photo. Check out the custom hanger!
Bride and bridesmaids enjoying a drink before the ceremony.
I love how Jackie is admiring Katie over her shoulder in the reflection on the left. On the right, Christian is seeing Katie for the first time on their wedding day.
Katie’s dad walks her down the aisle.
Enjoying the vows.
Vanessa has known Katie since they were two years old. She did a lovely reading during their ceremony.
Enjoying a funny moment during the vows. There were many moments like this one.
Just married!
Family Photo
Enjoying a quiet moment together after the ceremony.
Having another shared laugh.
Bridal party at La Maquette
Katie said she has one cheesy request for a wedding party photo. I think it’s cute, don’t you?
Ultimate photobomber on the bike.
Downtown Toronto wedding photos.
We paused for a quick photo when we saw the Toronto streetcar.
Fun with the bridal veil!
Doesn’t Christian have the coolest vest?
Enjoying a kiss.
These two are always great for a laugh!
Nose to nose.
Happy couple.
Reception at La Maquette.
Millenial portrait.
Laughing at the speeches.
Guests enjoying the speeches.
Laughing so hard she’s crying.
I love it when grooms really feel the moment too.
He laughed and cried so loudly everyone else started laughing!
Emotional moment during the speeches.
Another funny moment.
Donut buffet.
Father daughter dance.
Mother son dance.
Fun at the reception.
Fun with dresses!