Drew and Sacha had a great, easy going and loving wedding at their beautiful place.   I loved the small, intimate feel, the close, welcoming family and Sacha and Drew's wicked sense of humour!

. . . and a slideshow of some wedding images:

Luke and Vero are calmly self assured, just always comfortable being themselves.   Their wedding day was big – with so much to do – and it was amazing.

Why?    because all the details and execution were flawless?   and mother nature remade the forecast to suit us?

NO.   Because these two, and their friends and family were in the moment  – with genuine celebration, joy and love.   It could have rained; the dress could have ripped; the schedule could have been a train wreck  (none of these happened) – and Vero and Luke would still have had a great time with their heads and hearts in the right place.

It's your attitude that makes a remarkable wedding day and a remarkable marriage.   You two are so good together.

I was so pleased they chose a meadow picnic with their friends and family  -  who were up for a hike to the perfect spot!

. . .

and a slideshow video of the wedding day:

Srusht and Mariwan are having their ceremony in a few days.   We went out earlier this year for their engagement session.  I’ll admit I was a bit worried that Mariwan’s team (Holland) might not win the world cup – which was finishing 30 minutes before our session!   He was incredibly good humoured about it (Spain won).   There was no need for me to worry.   These two are not shy about being themselves.   Their care and love for each other is not hard to see  – OK,  it’s falling out of their pockets!

Mariwan and Shrust,  you’re both remarkable and I’m so glad I met you!

Srusht was joking about the extras from a Bollywood movie set that were waiting in the wings here to break out in spontaneous song and dance:

There’s a great and fun Chinese wedding day tradition where the groom (and his team) is put through a series of challenges to prove he is worthy of his bride.   From sorting skittles with skinny chopsticks to puzzles to spelling backwards and reciting poetry (not in English) – Mike performed outstandingly well under pressure.

I saw Som and Mike enjoying themselves all day long.  It was fun, meaningful and a celebration – surrounded by family and friends that are so happy to see these 2 together.

I mentioned in their engagement post that they are both Naturopathic doctors.   They are also the poster children for “healthy” in my mind (not true of many doctors and healers).   They have rich, close relationships with friends and family;  they’re open and authentic;  they live with purpose and meaning – and they take care of themselves.   Thank you so much for bringing me to capture you just being yourselves!

The ceremony was in the Royal Court in Burlington’s Royal Botanical Gardens.   Surrounded in gardens and all natural light!

Being in the moment:

. . . and a slideshow from their day:

I meet them separately in the morning and Andrew and Pam are both relaxed and friendly.   Even during the busy schedule of a full wedding day, I always have a sense from both of them that they are thinking of the people around them.  Caring for and serving others is just normal for them.

They had a beautiful, meaningful ceremony surrounded by sincere, good hearted friends and family at the Meeting House in Oakville.   They had the warm ambiance of a candle-lit ceremony and this great mood of friendliness and easy-going celebration.  I was not surprised in the least to experience this open, welcoming community of people that I first met at Jen and Jeff’s wedding.

A foot washing as part of their ceremony.  The same attitude of service to others and to each other that Jesus showed when he washed the feet of others:

Andrew spontaneously creating the helicopter dance with his mom –> this photo was saved by flash freezing the motion and camera shake from me laughing!  (she caught some serious air!!):

A slideshow video of the day:

I’ll add a few from Heather, my 2nd photographer in a few days!

What strikes me 1st is that they are both comfortable in their own skin.   . . . at ease being themselves with others.

Everyone should have a friend like Mike.   Someone who is open and honest and has your best interests at heart.  He’ll tell you what you need to hear, which is often different from what you want to hear.   . . . . and when you look back on it, you’re glad he did.   Som’s first experience of Mike was like that.   Those qualities that raised caution in her early on became the things she loved about him.   Truthful and open.  Caring.  Doing what’s right (vs what’s comfortable).

I watched Som greeting her patients one afternoon (Som and Mike are Naturapathic Doctors).   She radiated welcome, caring, friendliness and familiarity.   I’d seen all of that in our previous conversation but being an observer was like seeing her turned up 2 notches!

That’s the excitement of engagement and wedding photography for me.   2 people I admire joining and making each person better, stronger, healthier.   The power of mutual appreciation, support and inspiration.    . . .  and a soul mate epitomizes that power of relationships for all of us.

Som’s idea – silhouettes – I love it! :

The slideshow video of their session:

Andrew and Pam are friends with my 1st wedding couple, Jen and Jeff.

These 2 met years ago on the set of a church video production and photo session – where they couldn’t speak to each other – all quiet on the set.  A few years later, Pam was training Andrew to replace her in a position at the church.  .  .  . which led to a few dates.

Remember when you were 18, 20, 22 – staying up nights with friends,  solving the world’s problems,  talking about what really matters?     These 2 never stopped, I think.    They’re still learning, growing, thinking, striving to be more.

At 30, they are both going all-in to start anew and live by their convictions and ideals – living for meaning and caring for others.   They are at the same college, studying and training for ministry.

Pam – those eyes!!  . . . . . . I cannot wait to photograph you in your wedding dress! :

I had a small case of nerves before starting their engagement session.    . . . . Will I make some connection with them?   There’s a social ease that comes with knowing I am on the same page as my couple.   . . . . all of us knowing what’s most important to make their wedding experience great.    . . . . all of us knowing what’s most important for their photography.

We can’t be strangers or they would never trust me enough to be open, emotional and unselfconscious on their wedding day.

There was no need for me to worry.

Pam and Andrew have a dynamic together and I can picture it in the future with them working together as a team.   Andrew is joking and playing and genuinely funny, breaking the ice;  making you welcome and comfortable right away.   Pam is calm, almost meditative, very perceptive – a listener who is understanding.

Both are caring and personable in such different ways!  . . . . and they’re both very aware of those differences and they appreciate each other for them.    [that's not normal]

A slideshow of their session:

I’m not sure why I doubt – but at every wedding, when I meet the bride in the morning, I am filled with reassurance and so pleased.   It’s not because everything is on time and Mirette looks fabulous and her dress is outstanding.

It’s her attitude.  … and Kwan’s attitude, when we touched base the night before and again this morning.   The plan to have, “All You Need Is Love” sung right after their joining was not lip service or a theme.  That really is their attitude.   I love your values, your attitude and your priorities, Kwan and Mirette.

The ceremony was at the Timothy Eaton church in Toronto:

Genuine happiness – they are now together:

There was a theme at the wedding and it was colours, with people mixing it up in a rainbow of tones, reflecting the 2 different worlds – Chinese and Egyptian – coming together.

Recognize this place from Kwan and Mirette’s engagement photos?    ….. this was great, getting together with friends in the wedding at a favourite hangout, between the ceremony and reception!

Jess and Derek and Faika were there.  Jess and Derek’s wedding in October was where we met Mirette and Kwan. – so 2 of our wedding couples together – and right after Heather and I  arrived , who came back to greet us – but a 3rd couple from last summer – Deb and Grace!    …… that was cool!

The dancing was a riot – so much fun and celebration!

The slideshow video of some wedding images:

He’s from North York.   She’s from KW.   They met in Japan, where they both live.

Tracey’s dad was dying with cancer.  He knew he wouldn’t last many days.   So he made a suggestion.

Two weeks before their announced wedding date, Tracey and Mike were wed in a small, living room ceremony in a Southampton cottage  -  in front of her dad.

In the last days of his life, Lorne Shantz saw the daughter he was so close with,  married.

Two weeks later, on Dec 5th, I joined friends and family celebrating Mike and Tracey’s 2nd wedding in as many weeks.

With a mad, impossible schedule, not enough days – and through difficult times, Tracey and Mike remain friendly, relaxed, easy-going and funny.  Their great attitude was like a guarantee that this wedding would be a happy celebration.   No plans, details or scheduling hiccups could change that.

A Japanese Wish Tree:

SMOOOOOTH! :

… and the wedding slideshow video:

Kwan and Mirette met and became friends at UW’s co-op residence.  There seemed to be more interest than just friendship from both sides but then, it’s hard to read people’s minds.  Months passed, when Mirette had no idea how important she was to Kwan.  …… and when Kwan thought Mirette wasn’t interested (when he meant so much to her!).  At one point, Kwan was vaccinated and ready to travel to Africa for some perspective and time away.  He never made that trip.  Before it could happen, he learned that the love of his life loved him right back.

Mirette and Kwan are genuine, fun and thoughtful people – and they don’t want to lead a normal life.  Their ideas about success and happiness are inspired!   I really hope that bohemian tea shop/hangout/book place you two would love to have will be in my town!

I think they were levitating this terrier.   I told you they weren’t normal!  … even got a picture:

The session slideshow video: