"Kate was amazing. More than a photographer, she was our logistical and emotional wedding guide. Our early meetings and engagement shoot gave us a chance to reflect on our relationship, get comfortable being photographed, and sort out our vision of the wedding. On the wedding day, Kate was fun and kind, and a master at herding our scattered relatives into photos. The photos themselves are just dreamy. They're beautiful and meaningful. Thank you, Kate!"

– Rebecca & Nico

Click here to read more reviews!
Here for Jessie & Allan's cottage wedding,
And here for Lelania & Mike's Lake Huron cottage country engagement photos!

Caterer: Jeff Stewart, Pressed, Ottawa
Ceremony: Family Cottage, Gatineau Quebec
Dress: Boutique 1861, Montreal
Furniture/tableware: Rebel Tents
Hair & Makeup: Jessica Panetta
Rings: Anouk Jewelry, Heist Jewellry
Reception Venue: Zibi Presentation Centre

How gorgeous was Saturday?! Elise & Sean got married at District 28 and had a rocking party to boot! Congratulations you lovely wonderful happy sweethearts!!!

Here they are, right after their first look. Every time they looked at each other they'd smile so hard they just burst out laughing.

It was a happy day.

Many congratulations to you, Sean & Elise!

Click here to see Elise & Sean's Leslieville engagement photos!

To check out similar weddings, click here...
Sneak Peak of Mclean House Wedding, Estates of Sunnybrook
Amanda & Kirk's Island Wedding Sneak Peek

Thank you to the creative team:

Venue: District 28
Hair: Lone & Co
Makeup: Beauty of Makeup
Flowers: Roadside Florist
Jewelry: Look at the Moon

"It was really important to my husband and I that the pictures from our wedding captured not just the look of the big day, but the feeling. I wanted keepsakes that I could look back on to remember every happy moment with friends and family. Kate gave us exactly what we hoped for, and so much more. 

From the first meeting with Kate, we knew she was the right fit for us. Not only is she a brilliant photographer, but she is a wonderful person. The kind of person you want around on your wedding day.

We were both nervous about feeling awkward posing and smiling for pictures. At the engagement shoot Kate had all sorts of tips and tricks to help us relax and capture pictures that really felt like us. By the time the wedding rolled around, we weren't even a little nervous, because we knew Kate would work her magic again. 

On our wedding day Kate was calm and organized and incredibly accommodating. The pictures and memories Kate gave us from that day are so special.

Besides saying, "yes" to my husband when he proposed, Kate was the best wedding decision I made."

– Jacquelin & David

Click here to read more reviews,
And here to see Kate & Ben's Enoch Turner Schoolhouse wedding!

Hair & Makeup: Toronto Beauty Group
Hotel: King Edward Hotel
Planner: Fidan Ismayilova, Designed Dream
Photo Session: Saint James Park
Venue: Enoch Turner Schoolhouse
Wedding Dress: Lea-Ann Belter Bridal

In the past 7 years of shooting weddings, I’ve seen a few near-disaster photography moments. Here are some questions you might not know about an unplugged wedding. 

If you’re asking yourself, “should I have an unplugged ceremony?” the answer is YES. Here are two reasons why:

1.    You want awesome wedding photos – not just good enough.
2.    You want your guests to be emotionally present for your ceremony – the most meaningful & important part of the wedding day.

the best wedding photos possible: 

I once heard someone say, “a good professional photographer should be able to work around guests with phones”. Sure, of course we can. But is that good enough? Do you want a photographer who 'did their very best... in mediocre circumstances'?

Of course not! You want them to cry, “it was magical – everyone was in the moment – it was the most touching ceremony I’ve ever seen!!” 

Yes, it is possible to move around and re-compose an image, when there’s time and opportunity. I can creatively crop out guests and cameras, block them behind furniture, avoid the phone-lookers altogether, or throw them out of focus... But let’s be real; the photos won't be as wonderful as they could have been. Seeing a happy, teary-eyed best friend beaming at the bride, as she walks down the aisle, just isn’t the same when she's surrounded by phones and iPads.

“Seeing a happy, teary-eyed best friend beaming at the bride, as she walks down the aisle, just isn’t the same when she’s surrounded by phones and iPads.”

Now, I do my fair share of diving and dashing in order to "get the shot" – it’s my job. But I don’t want to distract, block, or disturb anyone, as you stand up there and say your vows. I don’t want to run hither-and-tither through your guests, because an eager uncle has suddenly popped up in front of me, or someone’s phone randomly jabs into my line of view... I move as quietly as possible – often only when others are moving (i.e. guests going from sitting to standing). This is something that photo-enthusiast guests do not consider. Weddings are inherently intimate, no matter the size. So discretion and respect are also part of my job, and something that distinguishes a professional wedding photographer from an amateur. 

“Weddings are inherently intimate, no matter the size, so discretion and respect are also part of my job.”

Also, there are moments when there just isn’t time or space for extra maneuvers. The ceremony is the one part of the day you can’t do-over. If a guest unthinkingly moves into my field of view at the last second, then it’s possible to miss an important moment. Photographers are given rules by the officiant about where they’re allowed to go, and where not, and they obey as much as possible. But guests aren’t given this information. There might be a tight spot where it’s the only angle I can capture your facial expression, and in the background is a person holding up a huge camera (or just staring at their phone in their lap).

Noooo! Don't even picture it! 

Breathe. It doesn't have to happen to you. 

Being emotionally present for your wedding ceremony:

The second reason for an unplugged wedding is much more simple. You've invited a select group of people to witness your wedding ceremony. As much as we think we can multi-task, brains just aren’t wired that way. Let your people put down their devices, and be there with you. When you look out at the crowd, see their eyes shining up at you, and feel the love – the hope and excitement and possibility and romance, and the feeling of family and friends, and hearts overflowing. It’s only 30 minutes, but what a gift.

In the future, when your guests actually remember that moment, and they have beautiful, candid images of themselves (that the professional photographers captured) they will be happy and grateful, and so will you.

Click here to see:

Reviews – Weddings

Or click below to connect with me & let's have a chat.  

It is SO much fun when the sibling of a past couple contacts me to shoot their wedding, which is why I was thrilled to hear from Sean & Elise! I first met Sean photographing his sister's gorgeous Berkeley Church wedding, and couldn't be happier to spend more time with this awesome family. Then, to top it off, I was completely charmed by the hilarious Elise, who rightly suggested wine at most of our meetings (or was it I who suggested the wine? – ah well). 

Anyhoo, the three of us walked around Elise & Sean's neighbourhood, checking out the alleyways and industrial lofts of Leslieville, where many photo and film shoots take place. The sun was setting, and I grabbed shots of them laughing and amusing one another as we wandered. 

Click here to see Elise & Sean's District 28 Wedding Sneak Peek!