I met Vanessa & Mark shooting the wedding of their friends. When they contacted me I instantly remembered Vanessa's happy face from Kate & Ben's wedding video testimonial, and was super excited to get started. Mark & Vanessa are part of a great group of loving friends and it was really special to document their celebration. 

They planned a gorgeous wedding in Oakville, with their ceremony at the picturesque St. Andrew Church and an early summer reception at the Oakville Golf Club.

It was a windy day with mixes of sun and cloud. After their first look and a few photos with the wedding party, we headed to downtown Oakville... Just in time: The moment everyone entered the church the skies opened up and poured! And just as conveniently, as the ceremony finished up, so did the rain. 

The ceremony was beautiful, and both bride and groom welled up with emotion coming down the aisle, exchanging vows, enjoying the church hymns, and finally sharing their first kiss as husband and wife. 

Family and friends gathered in front of the church laughing and hugging with exclamations of congratulations for the happy couple. We walked down to Oakville's waterfront to where Vanessa & Mark had some time to themselves to soak it all in... They were married! The light and the sky after the storm had transformed the landscape into a lush green paradise, and the lake grew calm. The bride and groom walked hand in hand, looking at one another and bursting into laughter. 

If you've seen Vanessa & Mark's autumn inspired engagement photos, you already know they love Lake Ontario, only this day it was serene shades of blue - the calm after the storm. 

Arriving back for their Oakville Golf Club wedding, Vanessa & Mark were greeted by celebratory guests, and live bluegrass music. As the days grew longer the evening stretched out into night, with speeches, laughter, music, and stories. 

It was a happy, beautiful day. Congratulations, Mark & Vanessa. xo

Click here to see Vanessa & Mark's Beaches Neighbourhood engagement photos!

Check out these similar weddings...
Grace & Ervin's Wedding at the Bayview Golf & Country Club
Gacia & Alex's Wedding at Eagles Next Golf Club

Photographers: Kate O’Connor and Rudo Vacula

Thank you to the creative team!
Cake: Nancy Bridges
Catering: Oakville Golf Club
Ceremony Location: St. Andrew Roman Catholic Church, Oakville
DJ/Music: Barrel Boys
Flowers: Flower Centre
Hair & Make Up: Talio Salon
Men's Attire: Michael Kors
Officiant: Monsignor Edward D. Sheridan
Reception Venue: Oakville Golf Club

It is difficult for me to write how I truly feel about Jessie and Allan's wedding, without sounding completely over-emotional. Let me start by saying that, at one point during the speeches, I found myself crying so much it was actually embarrassing. Allan and I went to college together over ten years ago, and when he contacted me about shooting his wedding I was elated. Then, when I met Jessie and we created their downtown engagement photos, I basically fell in love. These people are wonderful. Smart, kind, artistic, and both hilarious... basically I can't keep describing them without making everyone involved feel a bit awkward.

So I'll do my best to summarize the day as follows: when we arrived at Jessie's family cottage in Georgina, it looked like rain. Everyone was smiling. The clouds opened up and it started to pour. Jessie and Allan's happy anticipation was contagious. They had their first look under umbrellas and nothing could have been more perfect. As we went inside for the Bedeken, the rain slowed. To many happy cries of Mazel Tov, the two signed the Ketubah and were married. And as we emerged from the cottage, the sun came out from behind the clouds.

What followed was the most gorgeous outdoor ceremony. Blue skies ~ summertime ~ cottage heaven. Guests danced and ate and drank and laughed and cried and danced some more. Under a white tent we all looked on at two people in love; two families as one; individuals who pulled together in challenging times - and times of great joy - with limitless strength and love.

My dear friends, I am honoured honoured to have been at your wedding witnessing every moment. Your love is inspiring.

Click here to see Allan & Jessie's Kensington Market / Chinatown engagement photos!

Photographers: Kate O'Connor and Rudo Vacula

Thank you to the creative team!
Caterer: Food Dudes, Jaimie Zuckerman
DJ: DJ Berny AKA Shawn Bernstein
Event Planner: Ricky Bessner
Hair: Sabrina Trimble