Livingface Blog

Last wedding of the year – and an excellent one to end on. The entire event took place at Queen’s Landing in Niagara-on-the-Lake – a really lovely venue that is perfect for winter weddings because if it’s too cold to spend too much – or any – time outside, there are many attractive options inside.  It was a day filled with sensitivity and respect, the latter being a hallmark of Korean culture.   While respect for your elders is a requirement it was abundantly clear the genuine love and respect both Jannelle and Chris have for both sets of parents – very moving indeed.  Once married there came the traditional Pyebeak Ceremony, the cornerstone of which is respect, though as you can tell from the pix there is plenty of fun to be had too (btw, it behooves Korean grooms to be in shape for their weddings because they are tasked with a number of physical activities, including being whacked with a stick on the soles of the feet, having to piggy-back both moms and the new wife around the Pyebeak setting – not to mention Chris having to piggy-back Jannelle during the reception and do quite a few squats (see pix)!!)  Meanwhile, what would a Korean wedding be without some singing.  It started with a surprise group performance by their friends at the ceremony to a number of solos at the reception.  And while Jannelle did a great job of hers, Chris stole the show with his stirring effort (see pix)!!  Enjoy the teaser pix.

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Recently, I started incorporating two songs into my slideshows instead of one – you really get a better sense of the wedding.  I think it works nicely, especially with Andrea Bocelli on the back end!  I just delivered the pictures to Nissrine and her Mom and we watched the slideshow together.  Alessandro is back home in Italy – hope you like it!

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Second week in a row with a pre-ceremony unveiling.  Some couples balk at the possibility of seeing each other before the ceremony but it can be made very special – and often it just works better with the schedule.  We did the pix at Dundurn Castle in Hamilton – first time I’d been there.  Wonderful location, especially with the fall leaves.  It was a bit chilly by the water but Carolyn and Michael were both troopers and we got some great shots.  Then we headed to The Atrium for the ceremony and reception.  One popular way to get the bride and groom to kiss is to have guests come up and sing  a love song – well, best wedding ever for that – there was some serious passion and quality on display (see picture) – as well as some awesome dancing.  Here are some highlight pix:

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A couple of times a year I get to do friends’ weddings – and that’s a treat.  Being a bit of a sap, I always feel the emotions that surface between the bride and groom during the ceremony, but doubly so when they are friends.  I started off with Alicia at the King Edward Hotel – third time there this year.  The lovely Alicia was unveiled to the dapper Mike before the ceremony at the historic Berkeley Church where we were for the rest of the proceedings.  They have created a wonderful outdoor space with lots of great textures and materials – as well as a tree fort!!  The dudes had a nice time hanging out there before the ceremony.  More good times in the bridal suite (see Lion).  And while it was a tad on the chilly side the ceremony was under a tent outside – the heaters made it quite comfortable.  No sit down dinner meant more party time.  Hope you guys are enjoying Buenos Aires!!

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Well, sometimes you have to put a wedding together pronto!!  (ie) when someone is pregnant.  And when that happens it can be tough to attend to all the details.  Fortunately for Jenny, she landed herself an uber useful man in Paul – and together they pulled off a fully realized wedding at the delightful Nestleton Waters Inn.  Meanwhile, I special ordered the most incredible Sunday weather in Thanksgiving weekend  history!  And, as if getting married is not emotionally overwhelming enough there was a wonderful surprise later on.  Only the cake-maker knew the gender of the bun in the oven – which Jenny and Paul – and everyone else – discovered when the cake was cut and the pink icing was revealed.  Amazing!  A perfect day really, though I can’t seem to get ‘fescue’ out of my head…

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The pictures really tell the story here for Jackie and Jamie’s excellent day.  Nothin’ but love, from top to bottom.  Huge family support from both sides.  And perfect weather to boot – despite the ominous weather report.  The ceremony and the reception were held at Deer Creek Golf and Banquet Facility in Ajax.  The day went off without a hitch – until the emcees forgot to introduce the bride and groom – oops.  And once the dancing began… well, as I already mentioned the pictures say it all (btw, the song that Jackie is doing her amazing performance to – with fantastic back-up performers in tow – is Tom Jones’s, Delilah).  Fabulous!

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I’m doing a lot of Maternity/Baby Packages these days – a wonderful way to commemorate a special time – before and after the arrival of the bundle of joy.  Here is a slideshow from a recent client.  Super cute lad!!

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After a transatlantic romance Shannon and Allan tied the knot in Toronto at the elegant Auberge du Pommier – a delightful venue for 50 or 60 guests.  The weather threatened throughout but held off until our pictures were done.  And once the ridiculously scrumptious dinner was completed the party was on – in case you didn’t know, the Irish know how to party!!  And I got to try out my new Sigma 85mm 1.4 – ecstatic with the results!!  Congratulations Shannon and Allan – you’re a lovely couple.  Enjoy some teaser pix:

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There are few things that can be so affected by Murphy’s Law as a wedding day – which is like a full-scale movie production.  There is a lot that can go wrong, and often a few minor things do.  Well, a major wrench was thrown into Rachel and Matt’s wedding schedule as the driver took a ridiculous wrong turn that left us in the limo, in traffic, for 90 minutes.  Our Lady of Peace Parish seemed an eternity away!!  Fortunately, Rachel, a cool customer, handled the delay beautifully and we got back on track, grateful for the extra time we had built into the schedule.  Even the rain came at the right time, ending just as we arrived at Osgoode Hall for the pictures.  Besides, as I always say, when you’re marrying the love of your life, it’s all good – especially when, as we heard repeatedly throughout the speeches, Rachel and Matt were meant for each other.  The reception was at the glamorous One King West.  Yummy dinner.  Moving speeches.  Awesome band – Laura Lynn Band.   Congratulations guys.  Here are some highlights:

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Recently had the pleasure of photographing Beth & Kevin’s wedding at Fantasy Farm, a great venue for doing everything in one place (including having the huge bridal suite with old-school red shag carpet!).  We did the couple and wedding party pix ahead of time – hence the unveiling shot – followed by the outdoor ceremony.  This being my second Fantasy Farm wedding, one of the highlights is the barbecue dinner, cooked up on the awesome outdoor grill – very tasty.  The bigger highlight was Beth & Kevin being introduced into the hall and doing an amazing dance number worthy of youtube posting – it looked like something out of ‘Dancing with the Stars”.  Good times!  Here are some pix:

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