Urban Oasis Wedding at Airship37

I first met Ali and Alex over drinks at The Drake Commissary back in May.  After spending a couple of hours talking and laughing over drinks I knew these people were my kind of people. They decided to say their vows at Airship37 on a very warm day in July. Airship37 is located on the outer edge of the Distillery District and is a modern, urban oasis. With a few DIY touches courtesy of Ali's mom, the ceremony space became uniquely theirs. 

During their ceremony, Ali and Alex performed a rose giving ceremony with their mom's as well as a lighting of a unity candle with each other. All the thought and meaning they put into the small details of their ceremony really made it a personal and memorable experience. Alex's mother, Grandmother and a couple of other close relatives flew in from Italy to be there to witness their vows. Ali's side was also a very close knit family which includes two little nieces, one even being the miniature version of Ali with the same hairdo and flowers to match. Seeing the strong bonds between each and every family member, on both sides, was really heartwarming and inspiring.

We spent the rest of the evening celebrating the love between Ali and Alex and soaking the the gorgeous sunset that lit up the sky. After a secluded slow dance under the string lights, Ali and Alex partied hard into the night, but no without a couple of very sweet dances between Alex and his Grandmother.  Ali and Alex put together a intimate and simple wedding day where they were able to share a very meaningful day with their closest.

VENDORS
Second Shooter - Brian B. Bettencourt of 3B Photography
Makeup Artist - Angela Xuereb
Hairstylist - Ashley Shantz Bridal
Wedding Dress - Madison James
Bridesmaid Dresses - Vera Wang Collection
Groom's Suit - Freeman Floral
Florist - Quince Flowers
Coordinator - Derek Drapala
Venue / Catering - Airship37 (Berkeley Events)
 

Intimate Toronto City Hall Wedding

I met Anjo and Cam through a mutual friend as they were planning their city hall elopement. In a few short weeks they pulled together an intimate, beautiful, and emotional family gathering. Cam's traditional Scottish roots lead to the inclusion of bag pipes, kilts, and a few sgian dubh's (knives that you put in your sock) and Anjo's family travelled across the country from B.C (arriving the day before) for the wedding. They had their ceremony at Toronto City Hall followed by a quick photo stop at Osgoode Hall and finally, The Broadview Hotel, where they stayed the night and hosted their family for dinner.

Despite the short turnaround from wedding planning to the actual wedding, there was still a lot of anticipation for the day. Anjo and Cam's parents had never met, and when they did there was instantly so much love and kindness professed by both sides. This celebration was really an accurate reflection of Anjo and Cam and the love they shared with each other and their families. You could tell that this marriage wasn't just uniting two people, but uniting two families. It was special to be included in a such a deeply personal and intimate moment in their lives. It's a true gift as a photographer to be in the presence of such sincerity and love, elements of life like those are what I love capturing and remind me that photography is the gift of memory, and through the images, we can relive fleeting moments in our lives.

VENDORS
Second Shooter - Brian B. Bettencourt of 3B Photography
Venue / Catering - The Broadview Hotel
 

Lakeside Family Wedding in Haliburton

This wedding is one near and dear to my heart. Being close friends with the bride's sister, Lauren, I was lucky enough to spend the weekend with their wonderful family and be a part of this intimate and beautiful celebration. Christine and Tommy first met several years ago in the month of May.  Tommy's parents played matchmaker in getting them to go on their first date together, so it was only fitting that they said their vows on a rainy May weekend in front of their closest family and friends up at the very same cottages where their love story first began. Christine is one of the most positive, fun, upbeat people that you will ever meet. I absolutely loved how you couldn't catch her without a grin on her face throughout the entire day. Her first look with her Dad was an emotional moment for the whole family, and when Christine found out she was going to get her outdoor ceremony after a bit of a weather scare, the tears of happiness didn't stop. Although the weather wasn't perfect, Christine was still elated to be marrying the love of her life in a place that was so important to her, and to their union.

It was amazing to see all the hard work that the families put it to make it all come together. The couple said their vows at Tommy's family cottage and the reception was held at Christine's family cottage. Christine's close family and friends DIY'ed the bouquets, the boutonnières, as well as the centrepieces, and the entire reception space. Lauren and her handy husband (who own their own woodworking shop Mountain Ridge Farms) made the floor (yes, the floor) of the reception as well as the "Mrs & Mr" signs. I even caught Lauren's husband fixing the stairs in the cottage at one point during the reception.

These two fun-loving families came together and put on a beautiful celebration for these two deserving people. It was a joyous and emotional day and I am so grateful I was there to witness it. A big thank you to the Ebenhardt's for being such gracious hosts and to the Wylie's as well for the amazing work they put into the day.  

Intimate Wedding at Bru Oakville

Although February weddings aren't that common, for Alexis and Manuel it was a no brainer because the date fell on their anniversary. Everything finally lined up for these high school sweethearts to say their vows. After a casual and fun engagement session at U of T (check it out here), Alexis and Manuel said their I do's at Mississauga City Hall.

I am always so excited to work with a couple that decides to do their wedding their own way, without conforming to traditional norms. Alexis and Manuel are are two super cool and unique people who had a wonderful, intimate, and alternative wedding. We started at an AirBnB in downtown Mississauga where they got ready together (taking some of my favourite shots of the day) with the highlight being Alexis' stunning Needle & Thread wedding dress, it's beauty and uniqueness truly reflected that of her own. We then walked across the street to Mississauga City Hall for a short but sweet ceremony.

After the intimate ceremony, Alexis and Manuel braved the cold for some portraits outside the Living Arts Centre, and then we headed to Bru for delicious food, beers, and some hilarious dance moves. 

I hope you enjoy the story of their day as much as I did.

VENDORS
Second Shooter - Brian Batista Bettencourt (3B Photography)
Stylist - ArrowBow Beauty
Wedding Dress - Needle & Thread
Groom's Suit - Indochino
Florist - Flower Deco
Wedding Cake - Dufflet
Venue - Bru
Invitations - Vistaprint