Oh, if I could only just quote the speeches told about Ian and Shelby at their wedding. I'll use the words kind and quirky to sum them up, but that definitely doesn't do them justice. I met Shelby and Ian more than two years ago, just before Ian went to Italy for a year of studying abroad. We bonded at a local coffee shop over a quote by Captain Jean-Luc Picard on my then-price list. We talked one anothers' ears off about all sorts of things, but specifically food... and more specifically dessert. I remember later using the term "social butterflies" to describe them in an email.

Finally after a long long wait the amazing wedding day arrived this spring, and it was as joyous, fun, creative and touching as ever could be imagined.

After I got my happy shot on the left, the boys requested a more "traditional" Chinese pose, seen here on the right...

Classic bridesmaid-moment of last minute stitching. The girls were gorgeous in their silver dresses and Shelby an elegant, classic beauty.

Since Ian was picking Shelby up in a vintage BMW, we did a "first look" right there in the house. This is one of my favourite moments, and brides, I swear this is ALWAYS when the groom's emotions show themselves. Very special day.

Shelby and Ian did a traditional Chinese tea ceremony where they were presented with many happy wishes and beautiful jewelry from their relatives in Malaysia. These families never ceased to touch my heart with the love and support they all expressed so openly.

The weather couldn't have been more perfect for a trip to the Rosetta McClain Gardens for photos and laughs. The wedding party had brought colourful umbrellas in case of rain (always recommended), but we used them for fun shots instead of for shelter.

Bridesmaids flowers in Orange and Green

The ceremony took place at the Toronto Chinese Methodist Church. It was awesome. Worship included two vocalists, a pianist, an electric guitar, and a percussionist with both a drum kit and bongos. They projected lyrics in English and Cantonese, and basically everyone rocked out. It was so great!

Toronto Chinese Methodist Church Music

Bride and Grooms Parents

Ian and Shelby had breathtaking sunset-light on the grounds of the Columbus Event Centre. After a few more photos, now as husband and wife, we headed inside to eat, drink, and celebrate. As Reverend Chris mentioned while saying Grace, "We thank you for the partying that is about to happen." And so it did.

Shelby, Ian, what can I say? It's been so awesome getting to know such welcoming, warm, wonderful people. Thank you for having Rudo and me there, to document your wedding. We had a fantastic time and we wish you all the best in the years to come!

Check out Shelby & Ian's sweet "Up"-themed engagement photos!

Photographers: Kate O'Connor and Rudo Vacula

Thank you to the creative team!
Ceremony: Toronto Chinese Methodist Church, Rev. Chris Yu
DJ/Music: Music Unlimited, David Beal
Décor: The Wedding Decorators Inc., Sherisse Bhimani
Makeup: Lina Truong
Reception: Columbus Event Center, Agostino Chorine

Charlotte and Charles, AKA Charlie and Charlie, met in Thailand and fell in love. When they contacted me, Charles was living in the Dominican Republic on business, and Charlotte was in her home country of England. Throughout the coordination I got to know Charlotte as a funny, lighthearted soul who LOVES to laugh. Their beautiful garden party wedding took place at Charles' parents amazing property in Stouffville, Ontario.

This beautiful outdoor affair was made only more joyous when Charlie and Charlie announced that they were expecting a baby! Charlotte was glowing with happiness, and had already coined the term her "dancing pickled bean" for their on-the-way daughter Thalia!

At-home weddings are so personal, and having a tent in the garden is a great solution for the "what if it rains" question. The added bonus is the soft, flattering light inside the tent. 

Charles and Charlotte had an outdoor garden party wedding that was butterfly themed, with homemade bunting flags sent from the UK. During the reception a butterfly landed on Charlotte. I think it was attracted to her amazing energy - just like everyone else present at this special occasion.

It was so much fun spending the day with Charlie and Charlie and their loved ones! Please enjoy this slideshow for wedding photos of the rest of this happy day.

Photographer: Kate O'Connor

Thank you to the creative team!
Caterer: Chef Andrew Munro
DJ: Impact Entertainment
Dress: Jenny Packham
Event Planner: Laura Gatti at Signature Weddings
Flowers: Lindy's Floral Boutique, Stouffville
Headwear: Urban Bride
Jewelry: designed themselves!
Men's Clothing: Studio Suits
Marquis: Gervais Rentals

You can read Charlotte's Wedding photography testimonial here.

When Mary contacted me, she asked me if I'd ever photographed an "older couple". I said no, and she replied, "then we'll be your first!" Despite Mary's classification, I soon observed that this couple are more active and involved than most of us (I speak for myself)... and as in love as school kids. In fact, Mary and Phil actually dated in high school. Life separated them, and they both went on to have happy and fulfilling marriages for 20 and 30+ years. Then life brought them back together... As Mary, in a stunning one-of-a-kind Hugo Nicholson dress, came downstairs to meet Phil on their wedding day, I could see the excitement and love between them. Phil with his kind eyes, smiling from ear to ear, extended his hand to her.  There was something about that chivalrous motion that seemed so tender. So true. It was New Year's Eve day, and we arrived at York Mills Presbyterian Church to celebrate what Rev. Ferne Reeve called their lives as polished diamonds, as opposed to the raw material that young couples start out with. After the procession (which consisted of the cutest little granddaughters ever), I stood and photographed from the door of the chapel for the entire ceremony. I observed the family and community that had gathered to support this amazing, vibrant couple, and I listened to the thoughtful words and readings. I felt truly honoured to attend such an event. Mary and Phil love music. The ceremony was filled with a choir, a singer, a pianist, an organist. The reception took place at the Badminton and Racquet Club, where we were graced with a jazz duo, and later an incredible group of vocalists who opened up the party unannounced (flash-mob-style!) and serenaded us with pop tunes, old classics, and a final rendition of Auld Lang Syne. The energy in the room was uplifting, heartfelt and nostalgic, as everyone joined hands, singing together, celebrating this new beginning for the New Year. Mary and Phil, thank you for the privilege of documenting your wedding. It was a wonderful day and night!!

Photographers: Kate O'Connor and Lelania Little

Thank you to the creative team!

Cake: Roxy Cakes Caterer: The Badminton & Racquet Club of Toronto Ceremony: York Mills Presbyterian Church Dress: Hugo Nicholson (one of a kind!) Flowers: Ginger Flower Studio Venue: The Badminton & Racquet Club of Toronto

Moving back to Canada, Lynsey and Ben asked to do their photos on the beach to remind them of their home of the past several years - Ben's native land of Australia. Though Cherry Beach in Toronto doesn't have "much" good surfing or reef... for wedding photos it is great! There are lots of sweet spots; it's romantic, laid back, and there's room to run around and have fun... elements that suited Lynsey and Ben perfectly.

We went to the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Toronto, where the wedding party was getting ready, and where the reception would be held later that day. The groom and groomsmen were relaxing and enjoying a few beers, instructing one another on the best way to tie a tie and how to "work it" for the camera... I could tell this was a laid back bunch of people.

True to my suspicions, we found the bride and her bridesmaids drinking champaign, eating fruit and listening to music in the bridal suite. Although everyone looked very ladylike, when it came time to tighten Lynsey's wedding dress I finally saw evidence of what I had been told ahead of time - that these girls are rugby players! The ladies practically lifted Lynsey off the ground to hike that dress up, and proceeded to pin her with their legs when they were synching the waist... Not exactly the way they do it at the bridal shops, but hey - it worked and Lynsey looked fantastic. Plus there was lots and lots of laughing in the process.

We arrived for some fun at Cherry Beach. Sure, the Australian contingent made fun of Lake Ontario's [non-existent] waves and stoney shore, but we also took advantage of the area's architecture, the gorgeous city skyline, and the hazy summertime light.

The best thing about the photo shoot was that, when this gang wasn't laughing their heads off and fooling around, Lynsey and Ben couldn't get enough of one another. They were right there in the moment together with their closest people, and their love was plain to see.

The ceremony took place at St. Patrick's Parish Church, where Father Fleming presided with a very touching and sometimes funny sermon. Lynsey and Ben have had a lot of adventures together on the other side of the world. It was plain to see in their body language that they were ready for this. Father Fleming could tell too, which is why he had a Kleenex box on hand when Ben started to get emotional.

Finally we went back to the Hyatt Regency and started to party. True personalities came out during the speeches. Ben sang Dionne Warwick's "I Say a Little Prayer" to Lynsey and drank out of a Rugby Shoe (some sort of Australian tradition? I don't know!)... Needless to say, the night continued as the day had begun: laughter, joking, reminiscing, celebrating, love. Just as it should be.

Thank you Lynsey & Ben and Congratulations on your little guy Liam!! I wish you a lifetime of happiness.

Photographers: Kate O'Connor and Johan Hallberg Campbell

Thank you to the creative team!
Cake: Olivia at I Do Wedding Cakes
Catering & Venue: Celly Kan-Holbrook at the Hyatt Regency Toronto
Ceremony Venue: St. Patrick's Parish Church, Toronto
Dress: Val's Bridal, Courtice
Hair & Makeup: Charlene Cordoba at The Mobile Stylist
Flowers: Anne Marie Voth at Linden Grove Flowers

Most brides tell me that they basically want two things on their wedding day - they want to look beautiful and they want to throw a kick-ass party. And hey - for one of the biggest milestones of your life, I don't think that's too much to ask! I photographed Sarah & Pierre's wedding at The Bata Shoe Museum in Toronto, and I can tell you right now that Sarah lived the dream of every bride. Both she and Pierre were total knockouts; their friends and family were awesome; the party was unforgettable.

Sarah looked absolutely stunning on her wedding day. Her hair was styled by Judy Marini, and her makeup by Noemi Lavoie; surrounded by the special women and girls in her life, she seemed to almost glow.

Both the ceremony and cocktail reception were held at the museum, against a backdrop of floor to ceiling windows and a candle-lined staircase. It was an unexpectedly romantic setting, and the perfect stage for this highly emotional and joyful ceremony. I loved Sarah's look of triumph as she and Pierre were proclaimed husband and wife, by their Humanist officiant Mary Beaty.

Before the cocktails, we roamed through the museum. We had the whole place to ourselves, and it felt like being in a playground! It was also a fashion- and vintage-lover's haven, with shoes from all over the world, throughout the ages.

After all the preparation, ritual, reflection, food and drink... what came next was a party of epic proportions, and these people like to get down.

Sarah and Pierre met and fell in love very quickly. They experienced life in all of its craziness, and their passion and commitment to one another has only grown. To hear the touching words of their friends and family on this joyous occasion, and to feel the gratitude in the atmosphere for being present on that day... actually it still puts a lump in my throat, and I feel pretty honoured to have witnessed it.

Thank you Sarah and Pierre for including us in your amazing day.

Photographers: Kate O'Connor and Rudo Vacula

Thank you to the creative team! Caterer: Encore Food with Elegance DJ: Andrew Graham Hussey Dress Designer: Allure Bridal Dress Shop: Becker's Bridal Invitations: Adam Patterson Favours & Gifts: Donation to Family Institute for Breast Cancer Research, Princess Margaret Hospital Flowers: Margo's Flowers Makeup: Noemi Lavoie Men's Attire: Freeman Formalwear Venue (Ceremony, Reception, Décor): Bata Shoe Museum, Victoria Pereira