Scarborough Bluffs Engagement | Amy + Fadi

Scarborough Bluffs was a popular location for engagement and wedding photos in east GTA. Despite its popularity and my general preference for unique, alternative locations, I quite enjoy shooting in the bluffs. On Amy and Fadi's wish list for their engagement photos, there're a beach, open view water front, nature and some green. The bluffs had it all. What I like the most was the rocky surface on its cliff that's not so easily found at a different location in the GTA. This engagement photo location went well with Amy and Fadi's quirkiness and edgy personalities. As we were watching the sunset on the beach, I told Amy and Fadi to do a slow dance, to talk into each other's ear, and to enjoy the moments. Romance is simple. Romance is the in-between moments. I look forward to Amy and Fadi's winter wedding.

xoxo,
Ally

99 Sudbury Wedding | Sharon + Colin

Sharon and Colin were keen on seeing each other the first time on their wedding day at the wedding ceremony. They did and neither of them could stop the smile on their face as Sharon's walking down the aisle with her dad. They were hoping for a sunset ceremony at 99 Sudbury. Though the day turned out to be slightly gloomier than expected, Sharon and Colin, no doubt, were in high spirit from the very beginning to the very end. 

It's often a couple's top priority to pick a wedding venue that reflects their vision of an ideal wedding and even better enables the making of beautiful wedding photos. Sudbury 99 was an unique wedding venue for intimate weddings. Sharon and Colin also loved the cityscape between 99 Sudbury and Gladstone Hotel which is 5, 10 mins walk away on Queen West. We were able to make some beautiful night time wedding photos during blue hour. Nighttime wedding portraits could be very rewarding with its unique touch of romance to the images. The touch of soft blue evening light in contrast with Gladstone's historic brick wall exterior was highlighted by the urban lights from automobile headlights and streetlights. It made unique wedding photos. We also made candid wedding photos of Sharon and Colin standing in front of Sudbury 99, kissing at street corners and crossing the street to name a few. I found these city wedding photos very intimate yet casual and natural. It almost looked like an elopement in the city.

99 Sudbury had a great indoor space for weddings. It's an industrial wedding venue with a vintage looking tinted glass wall. Yet, the space looked a little cyber in pictures with its high ceiling, open space and clean walls. An interesting blend of industrial, vintage and cyber look made it a unique space for small weddings. Toronto wedding photographers were lucky to have a diverse list of wedding venues to photograph at. The opportunity inspired a photographer. 

The night was deep and the party was just officially began with the dance floor opened. Sharon and Colin had a fun wedding party and a top-notch (party) guest list. Almost everyone was on the dance floor and stay on the dance floor through out the night. Threw them any tone, they'd dance to it. There's never a dull moment. It's the kind of wedding reception that Sharon and Colin anticipated to see - everybody's having a good time. High heels were off. New friends were made. Sharon and Colin were happily married.

xx, 

Ally

Estates of Sunnybrook Wedding | Claire + Chris

This's a beautiful Korean wedding lunch reception at the Estates of Sunnybrook I had the pleasure to shoot by the side of Steven at Glisten Photography. Sunnybrook Estates was quite a popular wedding venue for young couples. It had multiple rooms for weddings of different sizes. Yet Sunnybrook's more than a regular banquet hall. The three main areas at Sunnybrook, Vaughan Estate, The Couch House and McLean House, each was a separate building on its own and hence had their private space. Each house had their own characteristics. Sunnybrook also had more than one well maintained gardens for outdoor ceremony. It's a gorgeous space for summer weddings and fall weddings. Claire and Chris's intimate Korean wedding took place at the smaller McLean House. It's a simple ceremony followed by a laid-back lunch reception. I felt that Claire and Chris had picked a wedding venue and planned a day that's perfect for them. The wedding's casual and sweet. It's a minimalistic celebration with close friends and families. I really enjoyed documenting a day like this.

xx, Ally

Berkeley Church Wedding | Emily + Antonio

To see a more recent Berkeley Church Wedding, click here.

Emily and Antonio's wedding was my first wedding at Berkeyley Church. When they first reached out to me, they shared their excitement for securing this venue. During my first venue visit, I immediately fell in love with this unique wedding venue just like Emily and Antonio did. Berkeley Church was a historic building at the heart of downtown Toronto. It looked like a regular church on the outside at a quiet street corner. Admittedly, I almost missed it as I was driving by. The inside of it was full of characteristics. The interior was well maintained from 1871 when it's first built. Aged brick walls. High ceilings. Classical mezzanine with 17-feet high stained glass windows. Cozy, intimate basement. What a perfect alternative wedding venue for tasteful couples who were looking for something different. Coincidentally, before I published this Berkeley Church wedding of Emily and Antonio's, I booked two other weddings at this downtown Toronto venue. The other thing that made this day complete was that Emily and Antonio were actually a quiet couple with beautiful souls and a strong bond. I felt that this venue that's so ordinary on the outside and extraordinary on the inside was a perfect fit for the occasion. The entire day felt very personalized. It's not a wedding to show. It's not a night to entertain. It's lots of quiet moments and memory to keep. Emily and Antonio also made great choices in wedding vendors. I loved everything from their cool wedding DJ to Emily's bouquet from Toronto florist Bontany to her dress from Vancouver bridal dressmaker Truvelle to Antonio's suit by local menswear brand Noir Label. They consciously chose the greatest local wedding vendors that again reflected their values and subtle personalities.

I secretly look forward to cross paths with these two beautiful souls at another happy occasion soon and wish them the best of the best.

lots of love,

Ally

Wedding Vendors:

DJ: Dialed-in-DJs | Florist: Botany Floral Studio | Make-up and Hair: Rhia Amio | Wedding Dress: Truvelle |  Groom's Suit: Noir Label | Bridesmaids' Dresses: David's Bridal | Wedding Guitarist:  Jake Dudas | Officiant: Rev. Ray Cross | Venue: '1871' Berkeley Church Event Venue 

As featured on Berkeley Events Blog. 

Crescent School Intimate Wedding | Iva + Nermin

On this day, Iva and Nermin were surrounded by closest friends and family and celebrated their intimate wedding in a private school in Toronto. Crescent School was a hidden germ in the city for small weddings. It's located conveniently on Bayview at a private, beautiful spot. There's a high ceiling space for indoor reception and a gorgeous garden for outdoor ceremony and a little patio for outdoor dance floor. Moreover, it had great architectures for photos. It's all in all a unique all-in-one wedding venue. Iva and Nermin set up their own wedding in the morning and received their guests with a big smile in the afternoon as the ceremony's about to start. Iva and Nermin's down-to-earth vibe was contagious. After a quick and easy ceremony and taking some wedding portraits around the school, Iva quickly changed into a casual evening dress. Iva and Nermin skipped the grand entrance and quietly walked into the reception and mingled with friends. Iva and Nermin made funny faces during first dance and called this ritual cheesy. "We are not cheesy people" Iva commented. Together, they made their wedding a big party with lots of laughters and minimal rituals. It's a personalized, alternative wedding that focused on having a fun time with friends and family.

xoxo,
Ally