documentographer » life photographer

What can I say, except that it was so very worth it to fly to Rio De Janeiro to shoot Abigail + Gustavo’s second wedding.  As you may recall, they were married first in Toronto in June (see post here.)  This time they wed in a garden on a mountain, on a beautiful property called Casa de Santa Teresa. That space, along with the beautiful details the added with personalized truffles, flowers, candles and pillows, made it a wedding paradise.

The dancing bonanza was another highlight to the travel to Brazil, but that’s for another post…

Vanessa Farquharson and I go way back.  Not just with our unrelated Farquharson roots, but also with our photos.  I photographed her here, in 2008 for her book Green as a Thistle. Since then, we have become friends.  You can imagine how delighted I was to have the opportunity to shoot her wedding on Friday.

As I go through the photos, I keep giggling to myself about how Vanessa ridiculously mentioned all the other weddings on my blog, and how could hers possibly measure up?  How could it?  She only looked stunning, she and Jacob are so fabulously in love, they had all the decor beautifully thought through, and held the wedding at my new favourite venue, The Royal Conservatory of Music which is so amazing that I couldn’t get enough of it.  Feel sorry for me, it was impossibly hard to take any photos that equal the weddings I have done in the past.

Oh what’s this, you ask?  Only the groom busting it out with his trio.  Talk about a party starter!

Thank you so much fellow Farq for this opportunity to capture your day.  It was HARD, but, I managed.

*wink*

I’m slightly delayed on publishing this slideshow.  It’s not for lack of trying, but I haven’t been able to get through the images without tearing up, choking up, and cracking up.  It all started, when I started crying during Aly+Hugh’s ceremony, and cried my way through the recessional.  Then it just continued through the evening, and certainly through the speeches!  This is a work hazard, when you are photographing two of your dear friends’ nuptials.  But it’s also because this wedding was so incredible.  The love, and the magic, I am certain, will make anyone cry.  Whether you know them, or not.

Here’s the slideshow for you to find out for yourself :

(Press PLAY, then PAUSE.  Let the show load. Then press PLAY again.  This will prevent BUFFERING).

Oh, and whoever thought that the speeches portion of a wedding was boring, must never have been to a wedding like this one. Best speeches, ever.

Aly + Hugh, this really has been the biggest pleasure and honour for me.  No one should settle for a relationship less than what you have.  I love you guys!

ps — thank you for being so darn HOT.  You guys give me shivers.

Looking at the two pictures I just selected for this blog post teaser, I see that I am being mysterious.  It’s not intentional, per se.   I just can’t tell you more, yet, as I’m still recovering from the pure magic of this East Coast wedding this past weekend. I’m not prepared to show you just a single picture of their faces, or of their wedding, as it wouldn’t be enough.  It would do a disservice to the entire event, which I want you to see in completion.  So, for now, just settle for the feeling here.

I can still smell the salt in the air.

I know this might seem risky to say, but I can pretty much guarantee that you have never been to a wedding like this. I am willing to put it in writing. Right here on my blog.
I can’t even say more, as it’s been almost a month, and I am still blown away by Tiffany + Jeff’s nuptial nirvana. You just have to watch this slideshow below, and see with your own eyes.

Here’s what it includes (*warning: spoiler!*):
- a gorgeous couple totally in love (goes without saying)
- Vera Wang dress going to Kensington Market and Chinatown
- Bride as mannequin in Vera Wang store
- Bridesmaids and Groomsladies
- Ceremony + reception at the Royal Ontario Museum
- Bride + Groom MC’ing their own wedding
- All guests sitting at one long table
- Bride and Groom rotate seats for each course
- Steaks for dinner with ‘Tiffany & Jeff’ branded on
- A little visit to the ice cream truck outside

And so much more. Just watch it.
(Press Play, then Pause, let it load, and press play again to watch without buffering issues)

SLIDESHOW HERE:

I have a few other things to say about this day.  First of all, Bravo to the infamous Event Planner Machel Reeves, the mastermind behind this extravaganza.  There is nothing this woman can’t do.

As well, Tiffany’s exquisite hairdo was by Al Fortier from A List Beauty. And her make up by Miriam from Toronto’s coveted Gee Beauty. Oh, and the bouquets and stunning centrepieces, those were created by Fiori.

Lastly, this wedding was a special treat for me to shoot because my photographer friend Elizabeth Lloyd flew in from NYC to shoot with me for the occasion.  Thank you Beth, what a team we were!!!  Any my goodness, thank you for your beautiful shots.  Like this one :

Tiffany + Jeff, thank you for sharing this perfect perfect perfect day with me.  It was full of all things I relish — fun, imagination, supportive and loving family and friends, fabulous speeches, style, and a couple celebrating every second.

Did you hear the shaking up at the Weston Prince Hotel on June 27?  It was rocking, you might have heard it.  It wasn’t G20, it was Sari + Daniel’s wedding.  A celebration that was really like no other.  If you weren’t there, I’m sorry to say, you missed out.

I guess that kind of fun is what is bound to happen when you decide to have 15 groomsmen and 10 bridesmaids.  By the laws of the Universe, you have declared yourself a wicked wedding — no debate.

Can I just say how much fun this was to photograph?  Every where I turned, there was activity.  Enjoy the slideshow below — I bet you will find yourself bopping in your seat…

(To avoid buffering, press PLAY in the bottom left corner, then PAUSE.  Let it LOAD.  Then press PLAY again)

You can’t have a party like this without an amazing planner.  Standing ovation for Judy Stein of Judy Stein Consulting.

Beautiful flowers created by Wildflowers and Company.

And the band, this ferocious band, my new hands-down favourite band, Soular.

Abigail + Gustavo are international lovers.  They were married on June 26 in Toronto.  They will be married again in Rio on August 21.  With the Toronto version of their wedding being this much fun, I can’t wait to see how much fun the Rio version will be!

Stay tuned…

Enjoy this slideshow by pressing PLAY in the bottom left corner, then PAUSE immediately.  Let the show load, then press PLAY again.

Even though this day went seamlessly, it was an extra challenge with the G20 occurring just blocks from this party.  Jodie Katz of Social Butterfly orchestrated it all so well, you’d never know there was anything other than celebration happening in the city!

Hair + Makeup by none other than the amazing Ivy Lam.

I love all the goodies to be found a receptions.  It’s an evening of moments — in particular, romantic moments.  Here are just three from Alison + Matt’s reception at the Manor in Kettleby.

By the way, Alison did an amazing job putting together the details of the reception.  It was beautifully themed, decorated and co-ordinated — the likes of which I have only rarely seen without the help of a wedding planner.  Second career perhaps, Alison?

In two weekends, I had the pleasure of shooting three very different weddings.  I am excited to share the pictures, as each one was so unique to them.  I’m enjoying how different even these three portraits are.

Abigail, now married to Gustavo.

Sari, now married to Daniel.

Tiffany, now married to Jeff.Be sure to visit the blog often in the next two weeks.  These weddings will blow your mind.  You heard it here, first!

If your wedding is such an important experience, why only enjoy it on one day?  Indian weddings have it right.  More days, more outfits, more rituals, more memories.  Hitesh + Aliza even added more religions.  Everything you love about your wedding experience, doubled up!  Here is a slideshow selection of our epic wedding journey:

(To enjoy effectively without ‘buffering’ or skipping, press PLAY in the bottom left corner, and PAUSE immediately.  LET IT LOAD.  Then press PLAY again!)

Thank you for sharing those days with me, I don’t even know which part was my favourite. Thank you also to the fabulous Brandon Wong for coming out from California to second shoot for me.