Tented Garden Wedding in Rigaud

Happy New Year!

I could not have predicted that 2021 would be the avalanche of weddings that it so became, that I have not had a moment to blog post ANY of the weddings I have had the privilege of photographing this summer. And so here we are, 2022!

Kass & Anthony had a different wedding planned for 2020 and as was the case for so many couples, they had to postpone, reschedule, and re-think their pre-pandemic ideas of what was essential to them on their wedding day.

The idea of adding a tent to the back of Cafe de L’Horloge was a stroke of genius and with Events by Cece at the helm to take care of all the beautiful details, including all of her floral arrangements and custom made ceramics, this wedding was nothing short of stunning. The ambience she created that made everyone feel ready to celebrate. And given the first half of 2021, everyone at this wedding was so so so ready to have fun. Including me!

I don’t know that I have mentioned it here before, but in 2019 I started taking improv lessons in Montreal — and what would that have to do with wedding photography and this wedding? Well, a few things: I connected with Kass as she’s a wonderfully creative (see her Wovenish shop) math teacher who is connected to the improv games.

I’m sure most of you have read about “Yes, And” but it’s so much more nuanced than this. Improv teaches me to be truly present and in the moment, to listen and observe, and to allow space for the ideas that pop in my mind and play. My point is that I feel like improv’s influence has really started to show itself in my work and when you get to the wedding party photographs, I think you will see just what “unposed wedding photography” can really be when we let go. Of course, posing still has it’s essential moments. But when we let go, that’s when the magical photos happen.

This beautiful tented wedding from July had all the kinds of summer light and I feel like it’s the perfect wedding to kick off the craziest wedding season I’ve ever had.

Thank you Kass & Anthony for all of it.

Vendors

VENUE Le Cafe de L’Horloge PLANNING & DESIGN Events by Cece DRESS DESIGNER Mariana Hardwick DRESS SHOP Union Bridal SUITING Indochino HMUA Beauty by Maryam BRIDESMAIDS Park & Fifth Co. RIBBON Maison Note FLORALS Events by Cece RINGS Ecksand DESSERT & CAKE Patisserie Montebello MUSIC Sabrina Cardi Music RENTALS Locations Chic

Katia & Adam || Ottawa Garden Wedding

This wedding was featured in Confetti Magazine

Katia and Adam’s wedding was the first wedding post-pandemic that I was honored to be a part of — originally they had planned a big cottage wedding up in Mont Ste Marie in mid-June of this year. Instead of full-out cancelling, they knew that no matter what they wanted to get married this year, so they delayed to August with fingers crossed that they would be able to invite more than five people. As we approached their wedding date, Ontario moved into a phase of the pandemic where more people were allowed to gather and so they were able to invite 40 of their closest family and friends.

If you’re familiar with my work, you will no doubt recognize many familiar faces from Kelci & Ben’s wedding last year at La Toundra. Getting invited back into this circle of friends for a second time was totally delightful because these people are a reallllly funny and a fun bunch of people — which I think reads in these photos from the start of their day at the Andaz Hotel in Ottawa’s Byward Market; to the wedding party photographs at the Rockliffe Rockeries; to getting married and celebrating in a family member’s private backyard… not to mention the timely fireworks that The City of Ottawa decided to launch that evening.

The aesthetics of the day were elegantly simple, a timeless look, grounded in earthy tones with highlights of peach. Katia’s bridal party impressed with their newfound skill set of taking on hair, make-up and decor! The things we didn’t know we could do pre-pandemic… Nothing felt complicated and with the heat of the day, everyone was in peak summer celebration mode.

And I won’t ever EVER forget Adam’s tribute to Katia with a dance to the winning Eurovision song from… I can’t remember which year. But the performance had everyone laughing and eventually taking part.

When I asked Katia & Adam about getting married, I loved this quote from Katia:

There are a few friends who knew we were going to get married from the first time they met us as a couple – we had no idea, but I’m happy everyone else could see it coming. I don’t think either of us expected to get married this young but now is as good of a time as any, and we received the advice from my mom that the only difference between being married and not is that you wonder whether or not you should get married.

And so without further rambling: Katia & Adam’s beautiful wedding.

Wedding Dress Park & Fifth Co. Bridesmaids Dresses Aritzia Groom’s Suiting Bentons Menswear Rings Mejuri + Magpie + Peoples Hair & Makeup The Bridesmaids :) Rentals Inspired Events Bridal Bouquet Maison Anthea Catering Family Friend/Contact