My first tip-off was the fact that Keon refers to Sarah as "My Queen". This groom lives to make his bride happy.

Keon is a man who loves people - loves making them smile and laugh with words, poetry, song, music, movement. He makes the heart swoon and the hips groove... A classic romantic in modern times. Being the perfect match, Sarah beams her radiant smile, and is ready at a moment's notice for any - and all - surprises and delights...

Sarah and Keon got married at Revivaltime Tabernacle on this happy, rainy day in September. We headed to the Scarborough Bluffs for photos at the foot of Toronto's most beautiful natural wonders, and followed on to a night of celebration and partying at Bluffer's Park Restaurant.

This was a day filled with music and dancing, cheering and laughter, a few touching and teary-eyed speeches, several better-than-average raps and power-ballads, and then more laughing and dancing.

Joyful, soulful, modern romantics - I am so happy for you guys, and had a hoot at your awesome Scarborough Bluffs wedding!

Photographers: Kate O’Connor and Ally Chadwick

Thank you to the creative team!
Ceremony Location: Revivaltime Tabernacle
Décor: Sultana's Wedding Décor
DJ/Music: Billy Bambao
Event Planner: Candice Joseph
Flowers: Coriander Girl
Jewelry Design: Alastair Crombie, Alias Art Jewelry
Men’s Clothing: Harry Rosen
Officiant: Dr. Reverend Audley James
Reception Venue & Catering: Bluffer's Park Restaurant
Transportation: Toronto Limo Rentals

Click here to see Lisa & Rich's Scarborough Bluffs engagement photos,
And here to see (Jewelry designer above) Alastair & Rosemary's Camp Manitou wedding!

Are you interested in authentic photojournalistic coverage of your Awesome Wedding? Tell me about yourself, and find out if we’re a good match! hello@sweetheartempire.com

How honoured I am to be shooting the wedding of one of my favourite photographers, and my lovely friend! I remember the day Lelania came to work, saying she had "met an awesome guy on the bus". On the night bus, no less, on her way home from a night out with her sister. Before saying what I was thinking (something along the lines of, "nobody meets an awesome guy on the night bus, Lelania!"), I stole a glance at her and stopped in my tracks. The woman was bubbling with excitement. I said nothing.

Before long, we had all met Mike. Kind and funny, helpful, and a perfect match for our vibrant friend. The studio was a-buzz with gossip ("I think he's the one," "Oh, I always thought he was the one...").

And he was the one.

Lelania and Mike and I road-tripped to the Township of Tiny, to do their cottage country engagement photos.

In the dusky glow of summer, they walked in the woods near Mike's family cottage, making each other laugh, and holding hands like there was no one else in the world. Before dark, we went to the beach to soak in the summertime vibes of this small Ontario town. Gazing out at Georgian Bay, dipping their toes in the shore, and breathing in the feeling of the future.

How wonderful life is.

Memories of summer camp - the golden years - that nostalgic time of innocence, adventure, falling in love. Hope. Sunshine. Skinny dipping. You know, camp.

Well imagine all that, and add the day you stand in front of your best friends and beloved family, to make a commitment to yourself and a promise to your person. That's what Alastair and Rosemary did. They had an incredible summer camp wedding at Camp Manitou in Parry Sound.

It was an autumn wedding. Sunlight filtered through golden leaves and twinkled like diamonds, off the end-of-season lake. After the marriage ceremony we went to a quiet dock and I photographed the newlyweds, just the two of them. I put on my telescopic lens and hid off far away, so that Alastair could surprise Rosemary: he had taught himself to play the ukulele, and he wandered out of the woods, strumming and singing shyly at first. He sang to her and they both started to cry. Happy tears. The sun was low in the sky.

It was a good weekend. More than good. It was golden.

Photographers: Kate O’Connor and Jenny Blair

Thank you to the creative team! Décor & Flowers: Rosemary's amazing mom, Mary Gibson Dress: Jealous Bridesmaids Hair & Makeup: Teryl Crombie Invitations: Minted Jewelry Design: Alastair Crombie, Alias Art Jewelry Men's Clothing: Harry Rosen Officiant: Lori Matties Venue & Catering: Camp Manitou

Are you interested in authentic photojournalistic coverage of your Awesome Wedding? Tell me about yourself, and find out if we’re a good match! hello@sweetheartempire.com

Kindness. Being kind to each other and ourselves. I believe it's one of the most important human qualities.

And that's how I would describe Kaylha and Dan. They care for one another in a most remarkable way, and it's lovely. Then you meet their families and it's obvious where it comes from. True ladies and gentlemen, all.

I arrived in Kaylha's room at the Ritz Carlton and didn't know who to fall in love with first - or second, since I already had a googlie eyes for the bride. Mom, sister, and adorable baby niece, these ladies keep it real. Don't let their breathtaking beauty hide the fact that this was one of the most relaxed "bride-getting-ready" sessions I've walked into. Mostly laughs with a few happy tears when the boys arrived (many many boys - dad, brothers, brother in-law, nephews, adopted uncle and more!)...

The day was wonderful. Dan already exudes warmth and happiness on a regular day, so when he saw Kaylha coming up the aisle he was practically glowing with love.

The night was filled with epic speeches, delicious food, and joyful celebration. Kaylha's mom, it turns out, is a Toast Master! She brought the house down with a speech that was extremely moving and genuinely entertaining all at once. It was the best of times.

A perfect Berkeley Fieldhouse wedding. Thank you Dan and Kaylha for your kindness and friendship! I'm so happy for you and your families, and everything that's to come.

Photographers: Kate O’Connor and Lelania Little
Venue & Catering: Berkeley Fieldhouse

Are you interested in authentic photojournalistic coverage of your Awesome Wedding? Tell me about yourself, and find out if we’re a good match! hello@sweetheartempire.com

Family. It's the people who raised you, the people who raised them, the in-between folks who had opinions about the raising, and everyone else you fell in brotherly- and sisterly-love with along the way... Lorraine and Andrew had eighteen people in their wedding party. Never have I seen such a large group of friends that are so close, they really are family. The love was BIG.

The day was bright and crisp. But Canada-crisp so, like, -17°C. A spectacular day for this Whistle Bear winter wedding.

In the guy's hotel room: a dozen men in various states of undress - tattoos, beards, golf clubs, babies, pocket squares... A bowtie-tying ordeal crowned the occasion, with much You-Tubing of tutorials, and attempts by various groomsmen, sister, and dad to make it work. In the end a very skilled cousin stepped in and saved the day.

In the ladies' hotel room things were simpler for once: where to aim the champagne bottle when popping the cork? Okay, toward the ceiling, but everyone - especially Lorraine - take cover! Look away! Shield your eyes and faces! Protect your dress! Ready the vessels - er, flute glasses! And now we drink.

Andrew and Lorraine got married at Whistle Bear Golf Club in Cambridge, on a stunning February afternoon. Surrounded by their loved ones, they tied the knot and celebrated into the night. The day couldn't have been better.

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Photographers: Kate O’Connor and Lelania Little Venue & Catering: Whistle Bear Golf Club

Are you interested in authentic photojournalistic coverage of your Awesome Wedding? Tell me about yourself, and find out if we’re a good match! hello@sweetheartempire.com