Toronto Wedding Photographer – Mel & Nick

Toronto Wedding Photographer – Mel & Nick

Mel and Nick got married in Ottawa at the Canadian Nature Museum followed by a reception at Sidedoor. Their wedding was so meaningful with gut wrenching speeches, toasts and laughs and tears to go with it.

As you will see below this Downtown Ottawa wedding feels effortlessly like a European city with spring blooms, parks, old stone buildings and a modern restaurant to finish the party off. I only work in Ottawa 1-2 times per year since moving to Hamilton and I wanted to share some of my favourite venues in the Toronto and GTA area that are similar to the venues you’ll see here!

1. Hart House. An absolute stunning venue that makes you feel like you’re in a castle! Check out this wedding I did here in 2019!
2. ByMark Restaurant. Right in the heart of downtown this restaurant is an amazing option! It’s got some incredible spots around for photos and is such a fun and cool venue. It has very similar vibes to Sidedoor. Here is a wedding gallery from 2022 at Bymark.
3. Ancaster Mill. This venue is stunning and has so much old stone work that will feel like a little magical escape. Elora Mill is also similar for the same reason! Both are stunning. Blog of Elora Mill. Gallery of Ancaster Mill.

I’m a Toronto and GTA Wedding Photographer and I work all over Ontario and North America, so inquire for your 2024 wedding here!

Now let’s dive into Mel & Nick’s wedding!

Mel & Nick First Look;

The first look between the bride and groom was a mix of laughter, nerves, and anticipation. Their emotions were palpable – there were tears and trembling hands as they saw each other for the first time. After capturing these candid moments, we moved on to bridal party and couple portraits. Unfortunately, rain interrupted our plans, cutting the session short. However, this setback only fueled their determination. When the ceremony was done and the weather cleared, we resumed the portrait session, capturing what we missed and more. Going into your wedding day with an adaptable attitude is so critical. Because things can come up and sh** can go awry, for example; rain, therefore it’s important to remember that it will all work out with a couple plan b’s and a bit of flexibility!

Without further details here are the photos from the first look!

First Look

These two opted for a first look that was one of the most epic first looks to shoot because of how much excitement there was between the two of them. The energy around them just before was so insane! First looks can be great for many reasons; they allow you to do more photos early on, which relaxes the later part of your wedding day, they are fun and the anticipation is so exciting for you and creates stunning images! Keeping your wedding classic and opting for no first look also has pro’s, and you get to pick! This is a great example of a first look!

Ceremony

Mel and Nick’s wedding was so meaningful with gut-wrenching speeches, toasts, and laughs and tears to go with it. They had a beautiful ceremony officiated by Nick’s cousin. Their vows were so beautiful and there really wasn’t a dry eye in the house! They also had a unique element to their wedding ceremony. They had two speeches during their ceremony instead of the evening! It meant that there were fewer speeches during dinner but also that we got to hear from their maid of honor and best man during a very important part of their day!

I honestly cannot recommend this enough. I’ve seen this in the past and it really should be more popular so here is your sign to put a couple of speeches in your ceremony!

Enjoy the ceremony photos!

Reception;

Mel and Nick’s reception was a poignant and heartwarming affair, brimming with genuine emotions and cherished memories. The highlight of the evening was the speech given by Mel’s brother, a heartfelt tribute that effortlessly wove together stories of their shared childhood, paying homage to their late father whose presence was felt in every heartfelt word.

Soon after the sun started to set the couple and I ventured into The Market in Ottawa for some urban sunset photos. With a spirit of adventure, they embraced every creative idea, resulting in photographs that captured not just their love, but their willingness to explore the extraordinary. Just as the speeches during their ceremony gave a unique touch to their wedding, their willingness to let me play and stage their photos ensured that their day was full of unforgettable moments.

Last but not least here are the reception and couple sunset portraits.

In summary these two had a fabulous wedding day and I’m so grateful to be their photographer! When planning your wedding follow suit by keeping everything intentional and meaningful because the rest matters so much less! Happy planning!

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