Intimate Toronto Elopement

I seriously love documenting intimate elopements! Especially Toronto Elopements! If you’ve read some of my other Blogs on Toronto Weddings and Engagements then you know how much I love the city.

I actually lived in Toronto 18 years ago right after college when I worked in the Film and Television industry! There are so many fond memories of my time there and relish any chance that I get to return.

I literally met Alex and Andrei for the first time on the day of their wedding. Since they were having a simple ceremony they weren’t interested in an engagement session and were comfortable booking everything with me over email. The said that their only concern is that they felt awkward in front of the camera. SPOILER ALERT- They were total naturals!

The first look in a historic park!

On the day of their Toronto Elopement, we met Andrei at Alexander Muir Memorial Gardens for the first look and bridal portraits. It was a gorgeous city park that had lush manicured gardens and a stunning stone staircase!

Alex called us when she arrived and my assistant Lauryn went to meet her to bring her for the first look reveal. We always coordinate these with our walkie talkies so that it goes seamlessly. I gave Lauryn one of my cameras so she could get the alternative angles and we documented the moment perfectly.

Dressed to the nines for their Toronto Elopement!

I was IN LOVE with Alex’s gown and shoes! As someone who eloped herself, this was definitely what i wish i had worn! It was a simple, white and elegant gown, short in the front, long in the back, with pockets! Plus a splash of flair in her blinged out Royal Blue heels! She looked stunning!

Andrei rocked his three piece custom embroidered suit. These two were looking like they came out of a magazine and I loved it! We had so much fun with their portraits, even in the sweltering July heat. They were absolute naturals in front of the camera and it took them literally no time to get comfortable with us.

A City Hall Ceremony

After portraits, we headed to Toronto City Hall for the ceremony! They had invited around 20 of their nearest and dearest to witness the union. Having never been to a Toronto Elopement at City hall before I had no idea of what to expect.

I had never actually captured a city hall wedding before. What I was expecting is only what I’ve seen on TV. Therefore I pictured an old stuffy building with lines of people waiting to get married in a very formal contract kind of way.

I was pleasantly surprised!

They tied the not at the City Hall North York Wedding Chamber. And to my pleasant surprise, the room was modernly decorated, it was really quite lovely. There was no lineup, the room was reserved for them and their ceremony was customized to include some of their family traditions. It was perfect! They even had their dog as the ring bearer! So adorbs!

After they said “I do”. we headed out into the City Hall Courtyard for family photos. The sun was beaming that day and it was the best spot for shade. It actually worked out really well for lighting and we got some gorgeous pictures at the reflective pond.

They held their reception in the party room of the bride’s mothers condo building. It was quite tight in there and definitely overcapacity but was so much fun. Thank you, Alex and Andrei, for having us document your intimate Toronto Elopement! It was one we’ll always remember!