The Après la Pluie spring editorial was dreamed up as a response to the difficulties of the past few years. With this styled shoot, we wanted to turn away from the dark clouds and instead focus on the hope and optimism that comes after a storm. We used soft dusty blues to set the scene and infused pops of peaches, pinks, and yellows to recall the promise of new life and good cheer. The highlight of this editorial was the floral umbrella created by Sunny of Dawndust Florals. Not only was it an incredible feat of artistry and engineering, it was such an joy to photograph. It was also such a treat to have dress designer Aurélia Hoang on site during the shoot!

Delicate details, relaxed silhouettes, and dreamy textures rounded out this fine-art inspired shoot. And being able to photograph a newlywed couple for our models added such sincerity and sereneness to the day!

…the promise of new life and good cheer.

We absolutely loved working with all the vendors Behind the I Do recruited to be a part of this editorial, but especially so the ladies of Behind the I Do itself, Candy and Sally! They were kind enough to include us in some of the planning and design, and it gave us a deep appreciation for all the hard work they put in to make this spring editorial a success. Not only was this an incredible experience, but it was such a joy to see Après La Pluie featured here on Wedding Chicks!

We hope you enjoy some of our favourite moments from this editorial!

Creative Team:

Planning & Design: Behind the I Do
Photography: Into the Aisle
Venue: Harding Waterfront Estate
Floral Design: Dawndust Florals
Stationary: Papier June
Calligraphy Scroll & Linen: Olumis Calligraphy
Dresses: Aurélia Hoang
Cake: E-etc.
Hair & Makeup Artist: Beauty by Fiona Ip
Jewelry & Accessories: Veileria
Rings: Twain Design
Ring Box: Belle Box Boutique
Videography: SDE Weddings
Models: David & Patricia Platt
Rentals: Vintage Bash
Linens: Linen Closet
Tableware: Table Tales

The Après la Pluie spring editorial was dreamed up as a response to the difficulties of the past few years. With this styled shoot, we wanted to turn away from the dark clouds and instead focus on the hope and optimism that comes after a storm. We used soft dusty blues to set the scene and infused pops of peaches, pinks, and yellows to recall the promise of new life and good cheer. The highlight of this editorial was the floral umbrella created by Sunny of Dawndust Florals. Not only was it an incredible feat of artistry and engineering, it was such an joy to photograph. It was also such a treat to have dress designer Aurélia Hoang on site during the shoot!

Delicate details, relaxed silhouettes, and dreamy textures rounded out this fine-art inspired shoot. And being able to photograph a newlywed couple for our models added such sincerity and sereneness to the day!

…the promise of new life and good cheer.

We absolutely loved working with all the vendors Behind the I Do recruited to be a part of this editorial, but especially so the ladies of Behind the I Do itself, Candy and Sally! They were kind enough to include us in some of the planning and design, and it gave us a deep appreciation for all the hard work they put in to make this spring editorial a success. Not only was this an incredible experience, but it was such a joy to see Après La Pluie featured here on Wedding Chicks!

We hope you enjoy some of our favourite moments from this editorial!

Creative Team:

Planning & Design: Behind the I Do
Photography: Into the Aisle
Venue: Harding Waterfront Estate
Floral Design: Dawndust Florals
Stationary: Papier June
Calligraphy Scroll & Linen: Olumis Calligraphy
Dresses: Aurélia Hoang
Cake: E-etc.
Hair & Makeup Artist: Beauty by Fiona Ip
Jewelry & Accessories: Veileria
Rings: Twain Design
Ring Box: Belle Box Boutique
Videography: SDE Weddings
Models: David & Patricia Platt
Rentals: Vintage Bash
Linens: Linen Closet
Tableware: Table Tales

If there’s one thing more difficult than picking an outfit for yourself, it’s helping your man choose what to wear to an engagement session! One way to help our guys feel confident and ready to take photos is to make sure he looks and feels amazing! And while many of our grooms-to-be don’t want to steal the spotlight from their ladies, we want to ensure that our guys still look handsome, classic, and the perfect pair to our future brides!

Here are some of our top tips that will help ensure that your guy will come to the engagement session looking the best he possibly can!

1. Something Formal

A suit is one of the most flattering things a guy can wear! The structured shoulders emphasize the strength and broadness of your chest and the head to toe monochrome can make you look taller and leaner. It’s a classic and timeless way to look put-together that will never go out of style!

Novotel Hotel // Andrea & Michael

2. Something Neutral

Neutrals are universally flattering and timeless, and they ensure that everyone will look at how great you look and not at your outfit! You will be the star of the photos! Neutrals include black, white, grey, tan, navy, and every shade in between. There’s nothing as classic as a cool neutral!

Old Newmarket // Danielle & Rafi

3. Something Printed

Some of our grooms decide to show off their stylish side with a printed suit! They’re both fun and adventurous and we love getting insight into our groom’s personality. As long as the outfit doesn’t overwhelm you or your bride, we can’t wait to see what you come to the session with!

Financial District // Naomi & John

4. Something Layered

Layers are a great way to add interest and dimension to an outfit! Some people aren’t big on colour, but adding layers of textures can easily elevate your outfit and make you look like a million bucks!

R.C. Harris // Jen & Paul

5. Something Accessorized

We love seeing our grooms-to-be invested in their engagement session and in their outfit! A well-dressed man is so much fun to photograph! One of the ways our guys can show off their fashionable side is through incorporating high-end accessories. These can include watches, cufflinks, pocket squares, and even rings!

Toronto Islands // Jessica & Wesley

6. Something Matching

A study published in 2012, “Shoes as a source of first impressions“, claimed that one of the first things people notice about others is the shoes they wear. Shoes say a lot more than we expect! And what better message can they say than “We look great!” One rule to remember: while shoes and belts don’t have to match perfectly in tone, the same general colour is the best way to go. Brown with brown, and black with black!

Osgoode Hall // Danielle & Kevin

If there’s one thing more difficult than picking an outfit for yourself, it’s helping your man choose what to wear to an engagement session! One way to help our guys feel confident and ready to take photos is to make sure he looks and feels amazing! And while many of our grooms-to-be don’t want to steal the spotlight from their ladies, we want to ensure that our guys still look handsome, classic, and the perfect pair to our future brides!

Here are some of our top tips that will help ensure that your guy will come to the engagement session looking the best he possibly can!

1. Something Formal

A suit is one of the most flattering things a guy can wear! The structured shoulders emphasize the strength and broadness of your chest and the head to toe monochrome can make you look taller and leaner. It’s a classic and timeless way to look put-together that will never go out of style!

Novotel Hotel // Andrea & Michael

2. Something Neutral

Neutrals are universally flattering and timeless, and they ensure that everyone will look at how great you look and not at your outfit! You will be the star of the photos! Neutrals include black, white, grey, tan, navy, and every shade in between. There’s nothing as classic as a cool neutral!

Old Newmarket // Danielle & Rafi

3. Something Printed

Some of our grooms decide to show off their stylish side with a printed suit! They’re both fun and adventurous and we love getting insight into our groom’s personality. As long as the outfit doesn’t overwhelm you or your bride, we can’t wait to see what you come to the session with!

Financial District // Naomi & John

4. Something Layered

Layers are a great way to add interest and dimension to an outfit! Some people aren’t big on colour, but adding layers of textures can easily elevate your outfit and make you look like a million bucks!

R.C. Harris // Jen & Paul

5. Something Accessorized

We love seeing our grooms-to-be invested in their engagement session and in their outfit! A well-dressed man is so much fun to photograph! One of the ways our guys can show off their fashionable side is through incorporating high-end accessories. These can include watches, cufflinks, pocket squares, and even rings!

Toronto Islands // Jessica & Wesley

6. Something Matching

A study published in 2012, “Shoes as a source of first impressions“, claimed that one of the first things people notice about others is the shoes they wear. Shoes say a lot more than we expect! And what better message can they say than “We look great!” One rule to remember: while shoes and belts don’t have to match perfectly in tone, the same general colour is the best way to go. Brown with brown, and black with black!

Osgoode Hall // Danielle & Kevin

Today, Logan and I celebrate 3 years of marriage! In some ways it’s gone by so fast… in other ways, I can’t even remember what life was like beforehand. 

Marriage has been amazing. No more saying goodbye at the end of the day. A built-in travel buddy. Knowing someone is committed to the relationship for the rest of our lives.

Wedding Photos by Hannah Belvedere Photography

But even with very similar family backgrounds (does anyone else watch It’s a Wonderful Life on Christmas Eve?), Logan and I realized we can be pretty different. 

I’m an ultra-planner, even on our days off work. I can be extreme with my habits, working out like crazy and then not working out for months on end. I get really excited about random small things (I still get excited every time we buy chocolate at the grocery store).

Logan, on the other hand, is the most balanced person I’ve ever met. He has gone on a run almost every second day for over a decade. Logan rests by not having plans. He enjoys running, and surfing, and having good conversations, but doesn’t get crazy excited about them.

So we’re different. We had done premarital counselling, so when we got married we knew we had the same deep values on faith, family, friends, and finances.

---

How you apply your values can look very different

---

But how you apply the same values can look very different! What does it mean to value family? How much time do you spend with each other’s families? How often? For how long? Does it count if you go visit and a family member isn’t there? Is going for a meal enough? Or do you want to spend a whole weekend with them every month? Even if you have the same expectations, what happens when you go through a busy season, or one of you can’t commit to once a month?

Once you’re having a good, solid conversation about something you disagree on, at what point do you say that having someone else’s thoughts might be valuable? Doesn’t that make the situation feel so much more serious? 

One of the best pieces of marriage advice Logan and I received I want to pass on to you.  Here it is:

---

Don’t stop the counselling once you’re married.

---

Having a few counselling sessions already booked in for after your wedding normalizes the fact that you’ll want to talk through how you live out your values as a married couple! 

This way, if you’re having a heated conversation, instead of having to escalate the problem by introducing the idea of sharing the problem with a counsellor, you can instead say “this is clearly very important to the both of us; maybe we can talk about it at our next counselling session and see how we can resolve it in a better way.” 

Then you make a short list of things that have come up and discuss it at your next session! We had 3-4 sessions within our first year of marriage, and they were incredibly helpful. With time, we’ve had fewer sessions, but now if we’re having a hard time working through a problem, it’s so much easier to say “let’s bring this up next time we have a session.” 

Before you’re married, you’re talking about your backgrounds and how you think about values, but you haven’t yet had the opportunity to see how each other lives out your values.

A Few Photos from our Sister’s Backyard Wedding

---

Marriage Advice for Engaged Couples

---

If you haven’t planned for premarital counselling sessions, maybe ask yourself “why not?” It’s such a great way to bring up conversations, values, and habits that may may otherwise not come up!

I can say having a clean kitchen table is important to me… but what does that mean? Do I need to spend 15 minutes cleaning it each day? Or can I have stacks of books indefinitely on it as long as the stack is nice and organized? 

This may seem like a silly example, but we’re so used to our own habits that we often don’t even realize how they play into our values!

It’s so much easier to build in a habit of creating a predetermined space and time to talk through harder issues without having to make a big deal of the fact that we disagree.

Marriage Advice for Engaged Couples

Today, Logan and I celebrate 3 years of marriage! In some ways it’s gone by so fast… in other ways, I can’t even remember what life was like beforehand. 

Marriage has been amazing. No more saying goodbye at the end of the day. A built-in travel buddy. Knowing someone is committed to the relationship for the rest of our lives.

Wedding Photos by Hannah Belvedere Photography

But even with very similar family backgrounds (does anyone else watch It’s a Wonderful Life on Christmas Eve?), Logan and I realized we can be pretty different. 

I’m an ultra-planner, even on our days off work. I can be extreme with my habits, working out like crazy and then not working out for months on end. I get really excited about random small things (I still get excited every time we buy chocolate at the grocery store).

Logan, on the other hand, is the most balanced person I’ve ever met. He has gone on a run almost every second day for over a decade. Logan rests by not having plans. He enjoys running, and surfing, and having good conversations, but doesn’t get crazy excited about them.

So we’re different. We had done premarital counselling, so when we got married we knew we had the same deep values on faith, family, friends, and finances.

---

How you apply your values can look very different

---

But how you apply the same values can look very different! What does it mean to value family? How much time do you spend with each other’s families? How often? For how long? Does it count if you go visit and a family member isn’t there? Is going for a meal enough? Or do you want to spend a whole weekend with them every month? Even if you have the same expectations, what happens when you go through a busy season, or one of you can’t commit to once a month?

Once you’re having a good, solid conversation about something you disagree on, at what point do you say that having someone else’s thoughts might be valuable? Doesn’t that make the situation feel so much more serious? 

One of the best pieces of marriage advice Logan and I received I want to pass on to you.  Here it is:

---

Don’t stop the counselling once you’re married.

---

Having a few counselling sessions already booked in for after your wedding normalizes the fact that you’ll want to talk through how you live out your values as a married couple! 

This way, if you’re having a heated conversation, instead of having to escalate the problem by introducing the idea of sharing the problem with a counsellor, you can instead say “this is clearly very important to the both of us; maybe we can talk about it at our next counselling session and see how we can resolve it in a better way.” 

Then you make a short list of things that have come up and discuss it at your next session! We had 3-4 sessions within our first year of marriage, and they were incredibly helpful. With time, we’ve had fewer sessions, but now if we’re having a hard time working through a problem, it’s so much easier to say “let’s bring this up next time we have a session.” 

Before you’re married, you’re talking about your backgrounds and how you think about values, but you haven’t yet had the opportunity to see how each other lives out your values.

A Few Photos from our Sister’s Backyard Wedding

---

Marriage Advice for Engaged Couples

---

If you haven’t planned for premarital counselling sessions, maybe ask yourself “why not?” It’s such a great way to bring up conversations, values, and habits that may may otherwise not come up!

I can say having a clean kitchen table is important to me… but what does that mean? Do I need to spend 15 minutes cleaning it each day? Or can I have stacks of books indefinitely on it as long as the stack is nice and organized? 

This may seem like a silly example, but we’re so used to our own habits that we often don’t even realize how they play into our values!

It’s so much easier to build in a habit of creating a predetermined space and time to talk through harder issues without having to make a big deal of the fact that we disagree.

Marriage Advice for Engaged Couples

Ladies, picking what to wear to an engagement session is one of the most important decisions you’re going to make as you prepare for your photos! You want something that is both beautiful now, but will also stand the test of time. In twenty plus years, you want to be able to look back on these photos and still feel and look absolutely beautiful, relevant, and classic!

Though everyone’s style is different and unique (and we love seeing our couples’ personalities come out in their outfit choices!), we’ve learned a few tricks that will not only help guide your decision making but are also universally flattering and look amazing on camera! Here are some of our top tips of what to wear that will bring your engagement session outfit to the next level!

1. Something Full Length

Unfortunately, there aren’t too many occasions in life to wear a full-length gown, so we love it when our brides-to-be decide to do it! It’s elegant, flattering, and romantic. Full-length gowns have the power to make people stand up straighter, look taller, get right into that romantic mood!

Financial District // Naomi & John

2. Something Neutral

Neutrals are universally flattering and timeless, and they ensure that you are the star of the photos! Neutrals include black, white, grey, beige, navy, blush, and every shade in between. Plus, if you decide to go for cream or white, it will add a bridal touch that will look right at home on your wedding website or save the dates!

Novotel Hotel // Andrea & Michael

3. Something Flowy

Is there anything more romantic than a dress that flares out in a twirl and catches the sunlight? Not to mention, it’s probably the most comfortable thing to wear for a mid-summer session! It’s loose, cool, and looks insanely flattering as it helps accentuate your waist!

Toronto Islands // Jess & Wes

4. Something Taller

Heels. A girl’s worst enemy, but also her best friend. And no matter how comfortable or experienced you are wearing them, they are usually worth it for a couple hours during your engagement session. They have the power to make you look taller, your legs longer, your back straighter, and your outfit even more polished. 

Osgoode Hall // Marianne & Andrew

5. Something Professional

When you’re having professional photos taken, you want to look your absolute best! Most professional bridal hair and make-up artists have a ton of experience creating looks that look equally good in person and in photos. We highly recommend hiring a professional to do your hair and makeup for your engagement session. Plus it’s the perfect occasion to have your wedding trials!

R.C. Harris // Jenny & Derrick

6. Something Covered

Over our years capturing absolutely gorgeous dresses and outfits, we’ve learned about a magic ingredient: Sleeves. Cap sleeves, short sleeves, long sleeves, off-shoulder, etc…no matter the type, sleeves are easy to find and can even contribute to an outfit’s overall feel! They’re flattering, add style, and keep the focus on what we’re all here for: your faces! Sleeveless dresses tend to take extra work to ensure your outfit stays in place, so keep an eye out for a dress with sleeves you love!

Private Property // Sofia & Jérémie

Ladies, picking what to wear to an engagement session is one of the most important decisions you’re going to make as you prepare for your photos! You want something that is both beautiful now, but will also stand the test of time. In twenty plus years, you want to be able to look back on these photos and still feel and look absolutely beautiful, relevant, and classic!

Though everyone’s style is different and unique (and we love seeing our couples’ personalities come out in their outfit choices!), we’ve learned a few tricks that will not only help guide your decision making but are also universally flattering and look amazing on camera! Here are some of our top tips of what to wear that will bring your engagement session outfit to the next level!

1. Something Full Length

Unfortunately, there aren’t too many occasions in life to wear a full-length gown, so we love it when our brides-to-be decide to do it! It’s elegant, flattering, and romantic. Full-length gowns have the power to make people stand up straighter, look taller, get right into that romantic mood!

Financial District // Naomi & John

2. Something Neutral

Neutrals are universally flattering and timeless, and they ensure that you are the star of the photos! Neutrals include black, white, grey, beige, navy, blush, and every shade in between. Plus, if you decide to go for cream or white, it will add a bridal touch that will look right at home on your wedding website or save the dates!

Novotel Hotel // Andrea & Michael

3. Something Flowy

Is there anything more romantic than a dress that flares out in a twirl and catches the sunlight? Not to mention, it’s probably the most comfortable thing to wear for a mid-summer session! It’s loose, cool, and looks insanely flattering as it helps accentuate your waist!

Toronto Islands // Jess & Wes

4. Something Taller

Heels. A girl’s worst enemy, but also her best friend. And no matter how comfortable or experienced you are wearing them, they are usually worth it for a couple hours during your engagement session. They have the power to make you look taller, your legs longer, your back straighter, and your outfit even more polished. 

Osgoode Hall // Marianne & Andrew

5. Something Professional

When you’re having professional photos taken, you want to look your absolute best! Most professional bridal hair and make-up artists have a ton of experience creating looks that look equally good in person and in photos. We highly recommend hiring a professional to do your hair and makeup for your engagement session. Plus it’s the perfect occasion to have your wedding trials!

R.C. Harris // Jenny & Derrick

6. Something Covered

Over our years capturing absolutely gorgeous dresses and outfits, we’ve learned about a magic ingredient: Sleeves. Cap sleeves, short sleeves, long sleeves, off-shoulder, etc…no matter the type, sleeves are easy to find and can even contribute to an outfit’s overall feel! They’re flattering, add style, and keep the focus on what we’re all here for: your faces! Sleeveless dresses tend to take extra work to ensure your outfit stays in place, so keep an eye out for a dress with sleeves you love!

Private Property // Sofia & Jérémie

Finding the perfect spot among all the possible engagement session locations in Toronto can be overwhelming! There are so many incredible places in and around the city that are both beautiful and fun to visit! Your engagement location is probably the most important decision you will make for your upcoming session: where you choose to have your photos can determine the entire feel and mood your gallery will have! You want the space to be beautiful and romantic, and give you the most amazing photos ever! Toronto has so many buildings, views, and locations that would each tell a different version of your engagement story! We are here to help you choose a location that you love, are confident with, and are excited for!

Below you will find a list of some of our favourite places we’ve photographed in Toronto, and we would love to visit again! They all come highly recommended by us and our couples have all love them as well! We’re excited to help you find a location you adore now and for the years to come as you look back on your photos!

 

1. Osgoode Hall

Osgoode Hall is the perfect place to go if you can’t decide between romantic architecture and beautiful greenery. With creamy stonework, cobblestones, iron fencing and gates (that are landmarks themselves), and mature trees that protect you from the view of the city, Osgoode Hall will give your photos a classic elegance that will only add to your own romantic story as you retell it to your children and grandchildren. It’s a timeless backdrop that will accentuate your fairy-tale photos.

Fun Fact

Built in 1832 as a law school, it now houses the Great Library of the Law Society as well as a number of courts. The building shows its age beautifully and is a designated National Historic Site. Nestled deep downtown, it’s accessible but still offers a fresh view than what you’d expect in the city.

Osgoode Hall // Marianne & Andrew

 

2. R.C. Harris Treatment Plant

The R.C. Harris Water Treatment Plant may seem like an unconventional location, but its beautiful cream stone and view of the lake makes it the perfect place if you want a clean but industrial backdrop to your photos. A fairly unknown location, your photos here will be unique, epic, and will contribute to the rich history the plant has! The stonework is pristine, and when reflecting the light of the setting sun can transform into the pearlescent blush you see below! If Art Deco is your thing, this is the place to have your engagement photos!

Fun Fact

Opened in 1941, the R.C. Harris Plant replaced a school and an amusement park that had once stood on the land. Known as the Palace of Purification, the plant provides approximately 30% of Toronto’s drinking water. It was intended to be both functional and an architectural marvel and was fashioned in the Art Deco style. The cathedral-like structure boasts marble entrances, unique teal trim, and an unparalleled view of Lake Ontario.

R.C. Harris // Jenny & Derrick

 

3. Toronto Islands

The third recommendation we have for engagement session locations in Toronto are the Toronto Islands! The Toronto Islands are well known for the summer crowds that wave in on ferries to make the most of the beaches, parks, and yacht clubs. And lesser known are beautiful and often bypassed sites that offer some of the most beautiful backdrops we’ve photographed. The islands are great for unexpected and fresh garden-inspired photos. Water features, stone bridges (that look like they once graced the cover of a Nicholas Sparks novel), and an incomparable view of the CN Tower all contribute to how amazing this location is.

Toronto Islands // Jessica & Wesley

 

4. Novotel Hotel

Nestled in Toronto’s downtown core, you’ll find the Novotel Hotel’s outdoor corridor on the south side of The Esplanade. The Chateau-style hotel is on a quieter street but faces popular restaurants and is still within walking district to Toronto’s theatre district.

Novotel’s most beautiful facade is its northern corridor which is a popular route for pedestrians on their morning and evening commutes. The corridor is a stunning ode to old-world grandeur and luxury, despite having only been built in 1979. The grey stone columns and arches create a clean and classic backdrop for your session, while the cast iron lanterns ground the photos and add a touch of romance.

Novotel Hotel // Andrea & Michael

 

5. Financial District

The financial district is one of the most underrated locations for engagement photos. The perfect location for a modern couple, the financial district has some of the most recognizable streets and buildings having been used as a replacement for New York City in many films and TV shows. At almost every corner there’s a whole new scene, made up of granite, metal, and glass. Clean lines and neutral tones communicate luxury, maturity, and an urbanity unique to Toronto. Its high-end meets street sense in the best way. It’s just really really cool.

Financial District // Naomi & John

 

6. Yorkville

Our final recommendation for engagement session locations in Toronto is Yorkville. Yorkville may be only steps away from the high-end shopping of Bloor Street, but it offers a quaint small-town feel with its historic buildings and niche shops. Warm and romantic, it’s a great place for engagement photos or a date, Hallmark-style!

Fun Fact

Yorkville has a incredibly varied and fascinating history, having been a breeding ground for authors like Margaret Atwood and musicians such as Neil Young and Joni Mitchell, who memorialized Yorkville Avenue in her song “Night in the City”. Now known for its Mink Mile (the 7th most expensive shopping street in the world), Yorkville is a hub of history, culture, shopping, and good food. It embodies the word “bustling” even on a mid-week evening and there’s always something beautiful to look at!

Yorkville // Carrie & Steve

 

Stay Tuned for More Engagement Session Resources!

 

Finding the perfect spot among all the possible engagement session locations in Toronto can be overwhelming! There are so many incredible places in and around the city that are both beautiful and fun to visit! Your engagement location is probably the most important decision you will make for your upcoming session: where you choose to have your photos can determine the entire feel and mood your gallery will have! You want the space to be beautiful and romantic, and give you the most amazing photos ever! Toronto has so many buildings, views, and locations that would each tell a different version of your engagement story! We are here to help you choose a location that you love, are confident with, and are excited for!

Below you will find a list of some of our favourite places we’ve photographed in Toronto, and we would love to visit again! They all come highly recommended by us and our couples have all love them as well! We’re excited to help you find a location you adore now and for the years to come as you look back on your photos!

 

1. Osgoode Hall

Osgoode Hall is the perfect place to go if you can’t decide between romantic architecture and beautiful greenery. With creamy stonework, cobblestones, iron fencing and gates (that are landmarks themselves), and mature trees that protect you from the view of the city, Osgoode Hall will give your photos a classic elegance that will only add to your own romantic story as you retell it to your children and grandchildren. It’s a timeless backdrop that will accentuate your fairy-tale photos.

Fun Fact

Built in 1832 as a law school, it now houses the Great Library of the Law Society as well as a number of courts. The building shows its age beautifully and is a designated National Historic Site. Nestled deep downtown, it’s accessible but still offers a fresh view than what you’d expect in the city.

Osgoode Hall // Marianne & Andrew

 

2. R.C. Harris Treatment Plant

The R.C. Harris Water Treatment Plant may seem like an unconventional location, but its beautiful cream stone and view of the lake makes it the perfect place if you want a clean but industrial backdrop to your photos. A fairly unknown location, your photos here will be unique, epic, and will contribute to the rich history the plant has! The stonework is pristine, and when reflecting the light of the setting sun can transform into the pearlescent blush you see below! If Art Deco is your thing, this is the place to have your engagement photos!

Fun Fact

Opened in 1941, the R.C. Harris Plant replaced a school and an amusement park that had once stood on the land. Known as the Palace of Purification, the plant provides approximately 30% of Toronto’s drinking water. It was intended to be both functional and an architectural marvel and was fashioned in the Art Deco style. The cathedral-like structure boasts marble entrances, unique teal trim, and an unparalleled view of Lake Ontario.

R.C. Harris // Jenny & Derrick

 

3. Toronto Islands

The third recommendation we have for engagement session locations in Toronto are the Toronto Islands! The Toronto Islands are well known for the summer crowds that wave in on ferries to make the most of the beaches, parks, and yacht clubs. And lesser known are beautiful and often bypassed sites that offer some of the most beautiful backdrops we’ve photographed. The islands are great for unexpected and fresh garden-inspired photos. Water features, stone bridges (that look like they once graced the cover of a Nicholas Sparks novel), and an incomparable view of the CN Tower all contribute to how amazing this location is.

Toronto Islands // Jessica & Wesley

 

4. Novotel Hotel

Nestled in Toronto’s downtown core, you’ll find the Novotel Hotel’s outdoor corridor on the south side of The Esplanade. The Chateau-style hotel is on a quieter street but faces popular restaurants and is still within walking district to Toronto’s theatre district.

Novotel’s most beautiful facade is its northern corridor which is a popular route for pedestrians on their morning and evening commutes. The corridor is a stunning ode to old-world grandeur and luxury, despite having only been built in 1979. The grey stone columns and arches create a clean and classic backdrop for your session, while the cast iron lanterns ground the photos and add a touch of romance.

Novotel Hotel // Andrea & Michael

 

5. Financial District

The financial district is one of the most underrated locations for engagement photos. The perfect location for a modern couple, the financial district has some of the most recognizable streets and buildings having been used as a replacement for New York City in many films and TV shows. At almost every corner there’s a whole new scene, made up of granite, metal, and glass. Clean lines and neutral tones communicate luxury, maturity, and an urbanity unique to Toronto. Its high-end meets street sense in the best way. It’s just really really cool.

Financial District // Naomi & John

 

6. Yorkville

Our final recommendation for engagement session locations in Toronto is Yorkville. Yorkville may be only steps away from the high-end shopping of Bloor Street, but it offers a quaint small-town feel with its historic buildings and niche shops. Warm and romantic, it’s a great place for engagement photos or a date, Hallmark-style!

Fun Fact

Yorkville has a incredibly varied and fascinating history, having been a breeding ground for authors like Margaret Atwood and musicians such as Neil Young and Joni Mitchell, who memorialized Yorkville Avenue in her song “Night in the City”. Now known for its Mink Mile (the 7th most expensive shopping street in the world), Yorkville is a hub of history, culture, shopping, and good food. It embodies the word “bustling” even on a mid-week evening and there’s always something beautiful to look at!

Yorkville // Carrie & Steve

 

Stay Tuned for More Engagement Session Resources!

 

As in countless areas of life, engagements and proposals go through their own seasonal changes.  Many couples get engaged between Christmas and Valentine’s Day and are looking to have their engagement session done in the spring. Another busy season occurs in the fall when couples often choose to book their wedding photographers. A lot of photographers have different preferences for the best season in which to take your engagement photos, and we are no exception. Here are some of our best tips for scheduling your seasonal engagement session to get beautifully romantic, light-driven, and classic photos that will be relevant and fresh for decades to come.

 

Your Seasonal Engagement Session

Spring Sessions

We love spring sessions. Leaves are growing back, beautiful blooms have sprung up everywhere, and we have sun again. We are lovers of sunlight, and if you can choose a season that is sun-heavy, you will make us very happy photographers. We also love spring sessions because our busier season hasn’t started yet, and we can get your engagement session images finished in record time. The sunset time changes drastically within the spring months, so we recommend looking up the sunset time for a specific day and subtracting 2 hours for your start time! Depending on when greenery comes out again, think about locations that have both beautiful architecture with nature nearby, so that no matter how the weather turns out, you have a beautiful backdrop!

Summer Sessions

Sessions in the summer are our favourites. They do however require flexibility since our weekends are mostly booked. We recommend weeknights or sunrise (sunrise sessions are especially great for busy locations!). In the summer, the sun is rising early and setting late, so it may be easier to schedule around work hours. We love greenery, but you’ll notice that more often than not, we try to keep our couples off the grass! This helps us consistently achieve our clean, romantic style!

Fall Sessions

Because fall sessions are so popular, we want to give extra tips to make it work! Since the weather is more unpredictable and it is cloudier, be prepared for a heavier, windier look! We recommend finding open and airy locations since forests and ravines will make your images darker, and you’re more likely to have a lot of orange and yellow colours bouncing onto your faces instead of beautiful, clean, natural light! We know the temptation is to include the gorgeous fall colours in your photos, but this is a great season to choose an urban setting over a “nature-heavy” one.

If you’re set on having those fall colours, look for open, wide areas where the foliage is more of a backdrop than a surrounding statement. We also suggest not wearing fall colours! This might seem counterintuitive, but wearing neutrals, pastels, or jewel tones will help the fall colours stand out more and prevent you from looking washed out!

As in spring, the sunset time changes drastically within these few months. Look up the sunset for a specific day and subtract 2 hours for your start time! The weather can also be quite dynamic. This makes it a great season to find locations that have both beautiful buildings and architecture with a park or trees nearby so you have lots of options!

Winter Sessions

Winter snow sessions can be magical. Just prepare yourselves for the experience itself to be a little more adventurous than the photos make it appear. With wind, it can be extremely cold. We recommend bringing hand warmers and keeping them in your pockets during the session. A colour palette with muted or jewel tones (instead of bright, bold colours) will photograph beautifully against the snow.

This is probably the only season we might suggest staying away from statement dresses and heels. We recommend leaning into the winter look, adding in a classy hat and scarf. A form-fitting peacoat could also be a flattering alternative to a dress.  If your session is before mid-March and the time change, don’t forget that the sun sets quite early! We’d be looking at starting your session mid-afternoon. Unless there’s a lot of snow on the ground, we recommend staying away from “green” areas, since the greenery will be mostly brown. Instead, make the most of the waterfront or beautiful buildings that offer unique backdrops!

Your Seasonal Engagement Session

We are prepared for anything on your wedding day, but we’re especially light-driven on your engagement session. You’ll notice that some tips stay the same across each season, such as staying away from seasonally-colourful areas. Remember that these are suggestions to give you an experience where you can be confident of the end result. If you love the look of our images, you’ll love the result that comes from following these tips. The final decision is up to you. We’re here to make your experience memorable in the best sense: to capture your relationship and love for each other. No matter the location, weather, and light, you are the focus of the images, and we’re so grateful to be a part of this season.

Your engagement season–no matter how long it is–is short when compared to how long life is. We want you to make the most of it and soak up every second. In the midst of hectic wedding planning, your engagement session is a way to freeze time and remember why you’re getting married. To slow down for an evening, take time for each other, get dressed up, and go on a date afterwards!

As in countless areas of life, engagements and proposals go through their own seasonal changes.  Many couples get engaged between Christmas and Valentine’s Day and are looking to have their engagement session done in the spring. Another busy season occurs in the fall when couples often choose to book their wedding photographers. A lot of photographers have different preferences for the best season in which to take your engagement photos, and we are no exception. Here are some of our best tips for scheduling your seasonal engagement session to get beautifully romantic, light-driven, and classic photos that will be relevant and fresh for decades to come.

 

Your Seasonal Engagement Session

Spring Sessions

We love spring sessions. Leaves are growing back, beautiful blooms have sprung up everywhere, and we have sun again. We are lovers of sunlight, and if you can choose a season that is sun-heavy, you will make us very happy photographers. We also love spring sessions because our busier season hasn’t started yet, and we can get your engagement session images finished in record time. The sunset time changes drastically within the spring months, so we recommend looking up the sunset time for a specific day and subtracting 2 hours for your start time! Depending on when greenery comes out again, think about locations that have both beautiful architecture with nature nearby, so that no matter how the weather turns out, you have a beautiful backdrop!

Summer Sessions

Sessions in the summer are our favourites. They do however require flexibility since our weekends are mostly booked. We recommend weeknights or sunrise (sunrise sessions are especially great for busy locations!). In the summer, the sun is rising early and setting late, so it may be easier to schedule around work hours. We love greenery, but you’ll notice that more often than not, we try to keep our couples off the grass! This helps us consistently achieve our clean, romantic style!

Fall Sessions

Because fall sessions are so popular, we want to give extra tips to make it work! Since the weather is more unpredictable and it is cloudier, be prepared for a heavier, windier look! We recommend finding open and airy locations since forests and ravines will make your images darker, and you’re more likely to have a lot of orange and yellow colours bouncing onto your faces instead of beautiful, clean, natural light! We know the temptation is to include the gorgeous fall colours in your photos, but this is a great season to choose an urban setting over a “nature-heavy” one.

If you’re set on having those fall colours, look for open, wide areas where the foliage is more of a backdrop than a surrounding statement. We also suggest not wearing fall colours! This might seem counterintuitive, but wearing neutrals, pastels, or jewel tones will help the fall colours stand out more and prevent you from looking washed out!

As in spring, the sunset time changes drastically within these few months. Look up the sunset for a specific day and subtract 2 hours for your start time! The weather can also be quite dynamic. This makes it a great season to find locations that have both beautiful buildings and architecture with a park or trees nearby so you have lots of options!

Winter Sessions

Winter snow sessions can be magical. Just prepare yourselves for the experience itself to be a little more adventurous than the photos make it appear. With wind, it can be extremely cold. We recommend bringing hand warmers and keeping them in your pockets during the session. A colour palette with muted or jewel tones (instead of bright, bold colours) will photograph beautifully against the snow.

This is probably the only season we might suggest staying away from statement dresses and heels. We recommend leaning into the winter look, adding in a classy hat and scarf. A form-fitting peacoat could also be a flattering alternative to a dress.  If your session is before mid-March and the time change, don’t forget that the sun sets quite early! We’d be looking at starting your session mid-afternoon. Unless there’s a lot of snow on the ground, we recommend staying away from “green” areas, since the greenery will be mostly brown. Instead, make the most of the waterfront or beautiful buildings that offer unique backdrops!

Your Seasonal Engagement Session

We are prepared for anything on your wedding day, but we’re especially light-driven on your engagement session. You’ll notice that some tips stay the same across each season, such as staying away from seasonally-colourful areas. Remember that these are suggestions to give you an experience where you can be confident of the end result. If you love the look of our images, you’ll love the result that comes from following these tips. The final decision is up to you. We’re here to make your experience memorable in the best sense: to capture your relationship and love for each other. No matter the location, weather, and light, you are the focus of the images, and we’re so grateful to be a part of this season.

Your engagement season–no matter how long it is–is short when compared to how long life is. We want you to make the most of it and soak up every second. In the midst of hectic wedding planning, your engagement session is a way to freeze time and remember why you’re getting married. To slow down for an evening, take time for each other, get dressed up, and go on a date afterwards!

Back in November, Samantha and I had the chance to flip our wedding day roles from photographers to bridesmaids! Our brother John got married to our new sister-in-law, Naomi, and Sam and I were both in the wedding party. We’ve shot countless weddings, but this was only our second time being bridesmaids! We were able to photograph Naomi and John’s engagement during the summer, but on their big day, we got to spend approximately 15 hours by their side as part of their official entourage.

Being a part of the bridal party allowed us to experience a wedding day from a completely different perspective! Here are some wedding day tips that we finally experienced first-hand.

---

WEDDING DAY TIPS

---

 

1) Getting ready takes way longer than you think.

This is almost always the case when it comes to females getting ready for an event. But with weddings, it almost becomes a law of nature! Whether you go to a salon, have a professional come to your prep location, or do it yourself, getting your hair and makeup done seems to take at least three times as long as any other day! Especially if everyone is helping one another! This is why we always tell our couples to book in extra buffer time! Adding an extra 20-30 min for every activity during the day will help account for things that are hard to plan for like touch-ups, hair adjustments, and traffic!

Annet and Brad

 

2) Adrenaline will only take you so far when it comes to heels.

Heels are almost unquestionable when it comes to a wedding day, for brides and bridesmaids. But they aren’t the most comfortable shoe to spend the day in. As a bridesmaid, I found the most difficult part wasn’t walking around for photos, but standing at the front of the church. Putting pressure on the balls of your feet without rest for over half an hour is an unexpectedly painful activity.

The first of two things we found incredibly helpful was using Solemates! Not only did they help spread out some of the weight by creating a wider base, but they helped protect our heels from the dirt and mud at the portrait location, and helped us not sink into the grass!

Secondly, I brought an extra pair of flat shoes! Strutting around on 4″ heels while helping to clean up isn’t the most practical. So although we wore our heels for the ceremony and most of the reception, our slip-ons were perfect for packing-up and walking between locations! Not only did they give our feet a break, but we were able to be faster and more efficient in our work!

Jackie & David

 

3) There is no right size of bridal party.

Both normal-sized and large bridal parties have their advantages! And though I’ve only been in two wedding parties, I’ve experienced the vastly different realities of both!

Samantha and Logan had a fairly average bridal party size: 5 girls and 5 guys. It was a more intimate and cozy experience. Everyone had time to interact and talk with the bride and groom, and bridal party photos were quick and easy! Small parties make for a more intimate experience, where everyone gets to spend some time with the bride and groom.

Naomi and John, on the other hand, had a large wedding party: 17 in all! (Can you believe 12 of us were siblings?) It was a day-long party; there was a real sense of celebration! Plus, there were plenty of hands to help clean up and greet guests.

Truth: You should never pick your bridal party size based on how it will look in photos! There are only two factors you want to consider:

• How large the wedding is. A 20-person party can be hard to coordinate in a small wedding with a 50-person guest list.
• Who you want beside you on your wedding day! What relationships mean the most to you and will mean the most to you in 30, 40, 50 years.

Carrie & Steve

 

4) The bride doesn’t have to know about everything.

This part of our wedding day tips is all about teamwork. The bridal party is there to serve the bride and groom! And a lot of times, that means taking care of problems they will never even know about. No matter how much planning is done prior to the wedding day, something usually doesn’t go as expected! Maybe the florist sent over the wrong greenery, or the flower girl refuses to put on her dress, or a bridesmaid’s dress rips. We call these no-know problems: the bride doesn’t need to know about it before, during, or after the issue is solved!

This is where the bridal party, planner, and coordinator can step up and solve these problems! Photographers are also great people to ask! They’re there the whole day, and they’ve seen pretty much every problem that can come up. As photographers, we’ve always maintained that our aim is to be a source of information and reassurance during the planning period and on the wedding day!

Stacie & Alex

 

5) Photos aren’t everything.

Yes, we’re photographers, but we’re also human beings. The whole point of what we do as photographers is to help our couples remember the joy they carry into this new season of life and the love that will sustain the beautiful promises they are making to each other. Those vows are what are most important! Photos help you remember those promises; they point you to the purpose of your marriage. Sometimes, you’ll have to choose between relationships and photography…between being present in the moment and being able to relive the moment in the future by looking at your images.

You’ll want a photographer you can trust to capture these memories, while prioritizing your relationships on your wedding day. This isn’t us trying to convince you to hire us. We don’t want you to have Into the Aisle at your wedding if we’re not the right fit for you. But we do want you to have meaningful priorities! Sometimes beautiful photos will help you remember relational moments- and you’ll want to make sure you have those gorgeous images! Other times you’ll want to be present in the moment, creating the actual memories your images will help call to mind.

We were so grateful to have this reminder as bridesmaids. We were thinking like photographers on the day of John and Naomi’s wedding – we can’t help it – but we also saw that it was the relational moments that made the whole day a celebration!

Tips from Previous Bridesmaids

We hope these wedding day tips are helpful as you plan for your big day! Remember that the goal is to savour your wedding day, enjoy each moment with your closest family and friends, and focus on each other!

Back in November, Samantha and I had the chance to flip our wedding day roles from photographers to bridesmaids! Our brother John got married to our new sister-in-law, Naomi, and Sam and I were both in the wedding party. We’ve shot countless weddings, but this was only our second time being bridesmaids! We were able to photograph Naomi and John’s engagement during the summer, but on their big day, we got to spend approximately 15 hours by their side as part of their official entourage.

Being a part of the bridal party allowed us to experience a wedding day from a completely different perspective! Here are some wedding day tips that we finally experienced first-hand.

---

WEDDING DAY TIPS

---

 

1) Getting ready takes way longer than you think.

This is almost always the case when it comes to females getting ready for an event. But with weddings, it almost becomes a law of nature! Whether you go to a salon, have a professional come to your prep location, or do it yourself, getting your hair and makeup done seems to take at least three times as long as any other day! Especially if everyone is helping one another! This is why we always tell our couples to book in extra buffer time! Adding an extra 20-30 min for every activity during the day will help account for things that are hard to plan for like touch-ups, hair adjustments, and traffic!

Annet and Brad

 

2) Adrenaline will only take you so far when it comes to heels.

Heels are almost unquestionable when it comes to a wedding day, for brides and bridesmaids. But they aren’t the most comfortable shoe to spend the day in. As a bridesmaid, I found the most difficult part wasn’t walking around for photos, but standing at the front of the church. Putting pressure on the balls of your feet without rest for over half an hour is an unexpectedly painful activity.

The first of two things we found incredibly helpful was using Solemates! Not only did they help spread out some of the weight by creating a wider base, but they helped protect our heels from the dirt and mud at the portrait location, and helped us not sink into the grass!

Secondly, I brought an extra pair of flat shoes! Strutting around on 4″ heels while helping to clean up isn’t the most practical. So although we wore our heels for the ceremony and most of the reception, our slip-ons were perfect for packing-up and walking between locations! Not only did they give our feet a break, but we were able to be faster and more efficient in our work!

Jackie & David

 

3) There is no right size of bridal party.

Both normal-sized and large bridal parties have their advantages! And though I’ve only been in two wedding parties, I’ve experienced the vastly different realities of both!

Samantha and Logan had a fairly average bridal party size: 5 girls and 5 guys. It was a more intimate and cozy experience. Everyone had time to interact and talk with the bride and groom, and bridal party photos were quick and easy! Small parties make for a more intimate experience, where everyone gets to spend some time with the bride and groom.

Naomi and John, on the other hand, had a large wedding party: 17 in all! (Can you believe 12 of us were siblings?) It was a day-long party; there was a real sense of celebration! Plus, there were plenty of hands to help clean up and greet guests.

Truth: You should never pick your bridal party size based on how it will look in photos! There are only two factors you want to consider:

• How large the wedding is. A 20-person party can be hard to coordinate in a small wedding with a 50-person guest list.
• Who you want beside you on your wedding day! What relationships mean the most to you and will mean the most to you in 30, 40, 50 years.

Carrie & Steve

 

4) The bride doesn’t have to know about everything.

This part of our wedding day tips is all about teamwork. The bridal party is there to serve the bride and groom! And a lot of times, that means taking care of problems they will never even know about. No matter how much planning is done prior to the wedding day, something usually doesn’t go as expected! Maybe the florist sent over the wrong greenery, or the flower girl refuses to put on her dress, or a bridesmaid’s dress rips. We call these no-know problems: the bride doesn’t need to know about it before, during, or after the issue is solved!

This is where the bridal party, planner, and coordinator can step up and solve these problems! Photographers are also great people to ask! They’re there the whole day, and they’ve seen pretty much every problem that can come up. As photographers, we’ve always maintained that our aim is to be a source of information and reassurance during the planning period and on the wedding day!

Stacie & Alex

 

5) Photos aren’t everything.

Yes, we’re photographers, but we’re also human beings. The whole point of what we do as photographers is to help our couples remember the joy they carry into this new season of life and the love that will sustain the beautiful promises they are making to each other. Those vows are what are most important! Photos help you remember those promises; they point you to the purpose of your marriage. Sometimes, you’ll have to choose between relationships and photography…between being present in the moment and being able to relive the moment in the future by looking at your images.

You’ll want a photographer you can trust to capture these memories, while prioritizing your relationships on your wedding day. This isn’t us trying to convince you to hire us. We don’t want you to have Into the Aisle at your wedding if we’re not the right fit for you. But we do want you to have meaningful priorities! Sometimes beautiful photos will help you remember relational moments- and you’ll want to make sure you have those gorgeous images! Other times you’ll want to be present in the moment, creating the actual memories your images will help call to mind.

We were so grateful to have this reminder as bridesmaids. We were thinking like photographers on the day of John and Naomi’s wedding – we can’t help it – but we also saw that it was the relational moments that made the whole day a celebration!

Tips from Previous Bridesmaids

We hope these wedding day tips are helpful as you plan for your big day! Remember that the goal is to savour your wedding day, enjoy each moment with your closest family and friends, and focus on each other!

If you’ve been following us for a while (or even if you haven’t!), you’ll know we are big proponents of the first look. Although first looks haven’t been around as long as other wedding traditions, we believe that they are here to stay for all the things they offer brides and grooms! First looks can play an integral part in a full and complete wedding day and can help make the day run more smoothly and be less stressful. Today we’re going to share 5 reasons why we love first looks as photographers and as a former bride (Samantha) and friends to brides, and why you should too!

Please know that we never want any of our couples to feel pressured to go with this option. A traditional wedding day timeline has its own convincing reasons! However, we do want to make sure that we share all of the amazing benefits of a first look because there is a reason most of our couples do this and LOVE it!

1) Your hair and makeup will be fresh for photos

In some ways, wedding days are the WORST days to have photos taken! People are hugging you all the time, kissing you, sometimes you cry (maybe a lot), you’re out in the sun, or it’s raining (or blizzarding!). Not even the best makeup can stay fresh for 12 hours! This is why a first look is such a great idea. First looks typically happen directly after prep, when your makeup and hair is fresh, and you’re looking absolutely perfect! These photos will show you looking your absolute best!

Plus, if you decide to have bridal party photos right after, your bridesmaids will thank you for this as well!

Emily & Kelston

 

2) A first look gives more time for portraits! AND more time with guests!

When a bride and groom decide to do a first look, there are two “add-ons” that they can choose.

First, they can do some portraits and bridal party photos before the ceremony. This will essentially give them TWO portrait sessions, with two different locations, and two different types of light!

A second option is to do all bride/groom and bridal party portraits directly after the first look (excluding, of course, husband/wife photos during sunset!). This will allow for more flexibility and freedom after the ceremony to mingle with guests, enjoy cocktail hour, or move directly into the reception.

Eirwen & Stuart

 

3) You’ll calm your nerves, while still maintaining your excitement

Saving your “first look” for when you’re walking down the aisle is stressful! Not only are you seeing them for the first time that day, but you also have hundreds of eyes watching your every move. The mixture of nerves and excitement can be so overwhelming, you aren’t able to enjoy the moment. We’ve seen brides physically shaking with nervousness!

A first look can mitigate some of this. It releases tension while maintaining excitement. A first look allows you to divide the stress of the scenario. You can see each other for the first time in circumstances that are more private. It feels less like a show or performance. But then you get to walk down the aisle and enjoy the full magnitude of what is happening (YOU are WALKING down the AISLE!). We’ve been told time and time again by couples who opt for a first look that it only made the “aisle moment” better as it was filled with exclusively positive emotions!

Annet & Brad

 

4) There’s a greater chance that someone might cry

Let’s be honest, what all brides want when their groom sees them for the first time is a REACTION.

Grooms are usually nervous on wedding days, no matter how cool and collected they seem. The whole day is focused on them. They need to look their best, they need to be on time, he has no idea what side the boutonniere is supposed to go on… The tension grows. And this tension only stifles his reaction.

---

A first look can help ease tension and create emotional space

---

Firstly, first looks are done in privacy and seclusion. No on-lookers, no distractions. The bride, the love of his life, comes up behind the groom and touches him on his shoulder. He turns around to see her for the first time. He finally gets his first look at his beautiful bride. Not only see her, but embrace her, kiss her, enjoy that moment with her for as long as they want! And as she shows him her dress, twirling a few times and asking what he thinks, his nerves melt away. After all, SHE’S the one who makes him the most comfortable.

Secondly, after the first look, all the tension is released. By the time the ceremony comes around, the groom is no longer a nervous wreck! He had just spent the last hour or so with his bride–his best friend–and maybe their entire bridal party! When the bride finally walks down the aisle, the groom isn’t distracted by the emotional expectations of the 80-300 guests watching his reaction. The pressure is off and he can focus his entire attention on his bride! Often, this leads to a second bout of emotion (don’t forget to pack tissues!)

Carrie & Steve

 

5) A first look can help showcase who you are

You have so much freedom with first looks: where, with who, and how it’s done! Some couples choose to include their bridal party or family, watching in the background. Grooms can be turned around or blindfolded. Brides can come up behind the groom, or walk downstairs, or come out of double doors. It’s really up to you! Depending on who you are as a couple, first looks allow you to add more of what you love to your special day, whether that’s time with family or friends, complete privacy, or an extra surprise.

Tiffany & Albert

If you’ve been following us for a while (or even if you haven’t!), you’ll know we are big proponents of the first look. Although first looks haven’t been around as long as other wedding traditions, we believe that they are here to stay for all the things they offer brides and grooms! First looks can play an integral part in a full and complete wedding day and can help make the day run more smoothly and be less stressful. Today we’re going to share 5 reasons why we love first looks as photographers and as a former bride (Samantha) and friends to brides, and why you should too!

Please know that we never want any of our couples to feel pressured to go with this option. A traditional wedding day timeline has its own convincing reasons! However, we do want to make sure that we share all of the amazing benefits of a first look because there is a reason most of our couples do this and LOVE it!

1) Your hair and makeup will be fresh for photos

In some ways, wedding days are the WORST days to have photos taken! People are hugging you all the time, kissing you, sometimes you cry (maybe a lot), you’re out in the sun, or it’s raining (or blizzarding!). Not even the best makeup can stay fresh for 12 hours! This is why a first look is such a great idea. First looks typically happen directly after prep, when your makeup and hair is fresh, and you’re looking absolutely perfect! These photos will show you looking your absolute best!

Plus, if you decide to have bridal party photos right after, your bridesmaids will thank you for this as well!

Emily & Kelston

 

2) A first look gives more time for portraits! AND more time with guests!

When a bride and groom decide to do a first look, there are two “add-ons” that they can choose.

First, they can do some portraits and bridal party photos before the ceremony. This will essentially give them TWO portrait sessions, with two different locations, and two different types of light!

A second option is to do all bride/groom and bridal party portraits directly after the first look (excluding, of course, husband/wife photos during sunset!). This will allow for more flexibility and freedom after the ceremony to mingle with guests, enjoy cocktail hour, or move directly into the reception.

Eirwen & Stuart

 

3) You’ll calm your nerves, while still maintaining your excitement

Saving your “first look” for when you’re walking down the aisle is stressful! Not only are you seeing them for the first time that day, but you also have hundreds of eyes watching your every move. The mixture of nerves and excitement can be so overwhelming, you aren’t able to enjoy the moment. We’ve seen brides physically shaking with nervousness!

A first look can mitigate some of this. It releases tension while maintaining excitement. A first look allows you to divide the stress of the scenario. You can see each other for the first time in circumstances that are more private. It feels less like a show or performance. But then you get to walk down the aisle and enjoy the full magnitude of what is happening (YOU are WALKING down the AISLE!). We’ve been told time and time again by couples who opt for a first look that it only made the “aisle moment” better as it was filled with exclusively positive emotions!

Annet & Brad

 

4) There’s a greater chance that someone might cry

Let’s be honest, what all brides want when their groom sees them for the first time is a REACTION.

Grooms are usually nervous on wedding days, no matter how cool and collected they seem. The whole day is focused on them. They need to look their best, they need to be on time, he has no idea what side the boutonniere is supposed to go on… The tension grows. And this tension only stifles his reaction.

---

A first look can help ease tension and create emotional space

---

Firstly, first looks are done in privacy and seclusion. No on-lookers, no distractions. The bride, the love of his life, comes up behind the groom and touches him on his shoulder. He turns around to see her for the first time. He finally gets his first look at his beautiful bride. Not only see her, but embrace her, kiss her, enjoy that moment with her for as long as they want! And as she shows him her dress, twirling a few times and asking what he thinks, his nerves melt away. After all, SHE’S the one who makes him the most comfortable.

Secondly, after the first look, all the tension is released. By the time the ceremony comes around, the groom is no longer a nervous wreck! He had just spent the last hour or so with his bride–his best friend–and maybe their entire bridal party! When the bride finally walks down the aisle, the groom isn’t distracted by the emotional expectations of the 80-300 guests watching his reaction. The pressure is off and he can focus his entire attention on his bride! Often, this leads to a second bout of emotion (don’t forget to pack tissues!)

Carrie & Steve

 

5) A first look can help showcase who you are

You have so much freedom with first looks: where, with who, and how it’s done! Some couples choose to include their bridal party or family, watching in the background. Grooms can be turned around or blindfolded. Brides can come up behind the groom, or walk downstairs, or come out of double doors. It’s really up to you! Depending on who you are as a couple, first looks allow you to add more of what you love to your special day, whether that’s time with family or friends, complete privacy, or an extra surprise.

Tiffany & Albert