Posts tagged Fall Colours

Vanessa & Mark's Toronto Beaches Engagement Photos

I am so happy to share Vanessa & Mark's Toronto Beaches engagement photos. I met this lovely couple when Vanessa was a bridesmaid in Kate & Ben's wedding, and was absolutely thrilled when I found out they were engaged. We decided to do engagement photos in their gorgeous neighbourhood, the Beach, in east Toronto. We started at Glen Stewart Park, near their house, and then went to take photos on the Beach of Ashbridges Bay.

It was autumn, and the fall colours were breathtaking... But what was more beautiful was the connection between Mark and Vanessa. I want to say more, but I think the images speak for themselves.

Vanessa & Mark walking through Glen Stewart Park, near their home in the Beach Neighbourhood.

Snuggling on the rocks of Lake Ontario...

Engagement photos are the perfect way to take time out and enjoy one another during wedding planning.

Vanessa & Mark strolling back to the boardwalk at the end of their Toronto Beach engagement session.

Congratulations, Vanessa and Mark! I'm so honoured share the photos from your beautiful wedding at the Oakville Golf Club, as well!

All Photography, Couples, LifestyleKate O'ConnorMay 25, 2015Beloved Collective, Couples Photography, Engagement Photos, Fall Colours, Fall Engagement photos, The Beaches

Alison & Allia's Brunch Engagement Photos - L'Ouvrier Kitchen Bar

This is the way to do it! Leisurely brunch engagement photos, champagne, and a walk to stretch the legs... We begin at L'Ouvrier Kitchen Bar. Allia & Alison are too awesome to describe. Funny, artistic and completely in love, rooms light up when these two women enter... (See what I did? I tried to describe them anyway.) They suggested we meet at L'Ouvrier Kitchen Bar, a stylish yet laid back joint near Bathurst and Dundas. Brunch arrived with an entire french press pot of coffee. Talking, and laughing, it was easy to see why these two are such a sublime match. Champagne followed a delicious breakfast (I told you this is the way to do it!), and then we headed out into the city.

Alison graduated from University of Toronto, so it only made sense to explore the beautiful Victoria College campus. In fall coats, the ladies kept each other warm, laughing, running, even flying. Playing among the gothic stone and ivy-covered walls, we were filled with energy - adventure - even magic.

L'ouvrier Kitchen Bar Canadian Gothic

All Photography, Couples, LifestyleKate O'ConnorApril 16, 2014brunch, Engagement, Engagement Ring, Fall Colours, L'Ouvrier Kitchen Bar, Same-sex marriage, University of Toronto, Victoria College Comments

Kate & Ben's Enoch Turner Schoolhouse Wedding

What an adventure it has been getting to know Kate and Ben! After their [second] engagement session, I tagged along to the Cloak & Dagger to see Ben's band playing bluegrass to a packed house. They. Are. Awesome. If you haven't heard of The Barrel Boys, do check them out and start fan-girling like me, stat!

Alongside our glasses of cider, the talent was overflowing and I suspected that theirs would be a wedding to remember…. I couldn't have been more right!

Ben and Kate had their wedding at the Enoch Turner Schoolhouse - a gorgeous place for light and acoustics. It was a happy, relaxed event and the entire day was filled with music. A high point for me was when the whole congregation sang Eight Days a Week - I am telling you - my heart swelled. Not only are Kate and Ben talented musicians themselves, but their guests blew us away too!

It was simply a magical day full of the laughter and love that surround Kate and Ben. I feel so incredibly privileged to have been there with every single one of their friends and family cheering them on…

Check out Ben and Kate's video testimonial here!

The groom jamming with his bandmates on the wedding day.

Personal details on the wedding day - everything has meaning when it's a life milestone.

I am so happy for Ben and Kate. I can't wait to share images from their reception - an incredible night of impromptu [uber-talented] singing, and a wild / hilarious / surprisingly successful live square-dancing lesson. Until then,,, check out their at-home engagement session here (with more music!) and their Christie Pits/Bickford Park engagement session here and their short-story video testimonial here!

Photographers: Kate O’Connor and Rudo Vacula

Thank you to the creative team!
Caterer: Herrera's Fine Dining and Catering
Dress: David's Bridal
Hair & Makeup: Do My Hair
Invitations: Paper Ideas
Favours & Gifts: Kelly's Candy Apples
Flowers: Beachwood Flower
Men’s Attire: Moores
Officiant: Michael Lafleur
Venue: Enoch Turner Schoolhouse

Tell me about your wedding and find out if we're a good match:

Email: hello@sweetheartempire.com

All Photography, WeddingsKate O'ConnorFebruary 27, 2014Abbey Road, Enoch Turner Schoolhouse, Fall Colours, Featured Wedding, Music, Musicians, Purple, The Beatles, The Grand Hotel, Toronto, Toronto Wedding Photographer, wedding, Yellow Comments

Sarah & Jason

Sarah and Jason took me on a tour of their old neighbourhood for their engagement photos. Davisville and Oriole Park on a sunny autumn afternoon. Best friends before they became a couple, the two went for sushi every week for three years, just for an excuse to spend time together. Then Jason would walk Sarah to the bus stop and wait with her, or Sarah would walk Jason to his nearby apartment where they would, no doubt, linger a little longer near the 1970s water fountain out front… Just a couple more minutes in each other's company.

This was a super meaningful session for Jason and Sarah - to take some time in the midst of wedding preparations, to remind each other about how it all began, and why they were doing this in the first place. Naturally shy in front of the camera, I used all my tricks to get them engaging together, and soon they were laughing, dancing, and being 150% themselves (including several fantastical discussions about kid-napping cute puppies from the park).

When I look at these images I feel like it was truly a photojournalistic experience. The personal nature of their locations and stories allowed real moments to happen that I was witness to (and now you are too). The three of us connected to create something authentic, and to me that is what's so inspiring about true love.

Sarah and Jason I feel privileged to have made these photojournalistic engagement photos with you, and I am simply thrilled for your upcoming wedding!

Lisanne & Adam's Apple Orchard Engagement

When Lisanne and Adam told me they had found an apple orchard for their engagement photo session, I was so excited! I am always looking for new locations to do photo shoots, and if a couple can suggest something unique - I'm in. I drove to Devins Orchards near Aurora, and was blown away by the "countryside" feel - hills, forest, wildflowers - so close to the city! The fall colours were incredible under the golden, autumn sun. We were also lucky because this magnificent orchard would soon be closing down for the winter and we had the entire place, in its harvest-season glory, to ourselves.

Wandering through the apple trees was peaceful and romantic, though the quiet conversation was interspersed with Lisanne's joking around. I looked at this awesome couple and could tell they were going to keep smiles on each others' faces for a lifetime to come.