I recently had the honour of spending some time with Christiana and Taso – two really lovely people who decided to come our fair city of Stratford for the their engagement session. They will be getting married early next year and it was wonderful to get to know them a little better after corresponding via email for almost a year! They are two of the most patient people around… we’ve had to postpone our session several times due to inclement weather and as you can see in the slide show, Mother Nature was very kind to us during their session.
Christiana and Taso: It was wonderful to spend some time with you and I send you lots of love and happiness – I know your wedding will be a very joyous event and that you will enjoy it to its fullest. Congratulations on finding each other (gotta love Greek school!)
If Christiana and Taso have given you access to their online gallery, please visit our home page at www.roelphoto.com and click on “online gallery.”
For those of you who know fashion… or more specifically, wedding fashion, Vera Wang is known as one of the top, if not the best wedding dress designer around. Period.
Recently, one of our lovely brides (hi Vivian!) was invited to the Vera Wang bridal salon in Yorkville (Toronto) – she had her (lovely) gown created there and the staff were very kind in letting us capture some images of Vivian in their shop and on the property.
So, if you are looking for something different – and simply beautiful to wear as you walk down the aisle, check out Vera Wang’s Bridal Salon in Yorkville.
For you ladies who like to come to our fair city for a day of theatre and SHOPPING, I am really happy to announce the recent opening of Danna Nicole in downtown Stratford.
Danna (the owner) is a friend of ours who has redefined customer service (for the better) in retail, but most importantly, she has an amazing eye for fashion, colour and texture. If you are looking for the perfect outfit – for a prom, cocktail party, the theatre – or even for the bridesmaids in a wedding, you owe yourself a visit to Danna Nicole. I promise you that you won’t be disappointed.
Last week, Anne and I had the pleasure of heading to Sarnia, Ontario for Candice and Mark’s wedding. It was a bit of homecoming for the two of us as Anne was born and raised in Sarnia – and I spent the better part of my (long lost) youth there. So, photographing these two amazing people in our home town was really special for us.
Candice and Mark currently live in Vancouver, British Columbia, but decided to head to Sarnia (where Candice grew up) for their nuptuals. Mother Nature gave us the most unusual (and amazing) assortment of weather on their wedding day: sunshine, cloudy skies, rain, humidity, thunder, lightning, violent storms, pelting rain, high winds and calmness – several times over. Needless to say it made for some interesting moments and photography.
After Candice got ready at her parents’ home on Lake Huron, we ultimately met up with Mark at Our Lady of Mercy in downtown Sarnia. Just seeing the two of them smiling adoringly at each other during the entire service makes me realize how fortunate I am that I get to do what I do.
The families and bridal party then headed back to the lake… and after the family photos, we had exactly 11 minutes and 36 seconds to get the bridal party shots completed (on the beach) as a huge storm was rolling in (aside: holding a camera out in an electrical storm is not a good idea). The bridal party were really great sports about it and made the most of our short time outside … and I have to say it is the most fun I have ever had in under 12 minutes!
We finally ended up at the Sarnia Riding Club for a fantastic reception … and not to forget, one of the nicest sunsets I have seen in a long time.
Candice and Mark: You two were made for each other and we are truly honoured that you chose us to document your wedding day. You, your families and the bridal party were unbelievably kind to us and we really appreciated your hospitality. You are all wonderful people. Thank you again – we both send you lots of love and wish you much joy and happiness together. We know that you two already have an amazing life together and that it will only get better.
If Candice and Mark have given access to their online gallery, visit our home page at www.roelphoto.com and click on “online gallery.”
Anne and I along with guest photographer, Joel Robertston, witnessed an absolutely beautiful (and elegant) wedding day with Vivian and Vincent. A few short weeks ago, I also spent some time with them during their engagement session – they are a very playful (and fun!) couple so I was really looking forward to photographing their wedding.
Our day started early in both Scarborough and Richmond Hill where we had a few games (aside to Vincent: you are a really good sport) followed by two Chinese tea ceremonies at their parents’ homes.
After Vivian had a change of gowns, we went to St. Agnes Kouying Tsao Catholic Church in Markham for a really lovely service. Mother Nature decided to stop the rain we had in the morning and since we had lots of lovely sunshine, the bridal party headed out to The University of Toronto for a few photographs and a lot of fun.
On the way to the reception, we took a small detour… Vivian was invited to Vera Wang’s boutique in Yorkville. She had her dress created there and the staff were very kind in allowing us to showcase Vivian and her lovely gown in their shop.
At the fabulous Four Seasons Hotel in Yorkville/Toronto (where they had their reception), people mingled and simply enjoyed each other’s company. After a wonderful meal, Vivian and Vincent moved into the theatre for a few games… and judging from everyone’s laughter, they had more than a good time.
Vivian and Vincent: You are two of the kindest and most gracious people on the planet. We truly appreciated your hospitality and how well you and your families treated us. May you have an absolutely wonderful life together and we send you nothing but our best wishes.
If Vivian and Vincent have given you access to their online gallery, please visit our home page at www.roelphoto.com and click on “online gallery.”
Anne and I had the pleasure of photographing Ginger and Rafal’s wedding in Toronto. It was an elegant and theatrical affair held at the beautiful Old Mill in Toronto and organized by Silver Platter Events. You’re probably wondering: why did I use the word “theatrical” to describe their wedding? Well as it turns out, Rafal is a movie director and Ginger is an actress, so the entire wedding day had a wonderful theatrical feel to it.
Another word one could use to describe this wedding was “international” … there were relatives and family from all over the world as their families are from Germany, Japan and Poland (not to forget, many guests came from other countries too). Combine that with wonderful ambiance, great food and exceptional entertainment and you have one amazing wedding celebration.
Ginger and Rafal did something a little different for their first dance… they performed the beautiful (and seductive) Argentine Tango. Not only can they direct a movie and act, they certainly know how to dance up a storm!
Thank you Ginger and Rafal (and your families) for your warm welcome and hospitality. You are all very gracious people and we certainly appreciated how well you treated us.
If Ginger and Rafal have given you access to their online gallery, go to our home page at www.roelphoto.com and click on “online gallery”.
As I mentioned in my last post, Aliyah and Nazeem’s wedding was a wonderful two day affair. On day number two, we spent some time with Aliyah at her home in Mississauga before Nazeem and the groomsmen came to pick her (and the bridesmaids) up in one of the biggest limousines I have ever seen.
We all headed down to the Distillery District in Toronto for an afternoon of photographs. There are always many people down there and it was fun to watch everyone trying to catch a glimpse of Aliyah and Nazeem.
Their reception was held at Atlantis in Ontario Place. I wrote about Atlantis last week… what an amazing place. Lots of great food, excellent company, some awesome dancing and a beautiful venue made for an incredible party.
Aliyah and Nazeem: you are both wonderful people and it was an honour to serve you and your families. Anne and I truly appreciated your kindness and hospitality and we wish you much love, joy and happiness together.
If Aliyah and Nazeem have given you access to their online gallery, visit our home page at www.roelphoto.com and click on “online gallery”.
Anne and I were treated an incredibly beautiful and colourful event earlier this month in the Toronto area … we photographed Aliyah and Nazeem’s Nikah which is an Islamic marriage ceremony. I had the pleasure of spending time with the two of them this spring at their engagement session at the Distillery District in Toronto where we had a great time.
We started out at Aliyah’s home in Mississauga and then headed out to Chandni Banquet Hall in Brampton for the Nikah followed by some family photos … and Aliyah, Nazeem and I managed to get away for a few minutes in order to capture their first photos as husband and wife. Did I mention before that I love the colours?
Tomorrow, I will post the second part of their two day wedding celebration… there were simply too many images to put into a single slideshow!
Earlier this year, I had the pleasure of meeting Joanna in London, Ontario at the London Bridal Expo held at the Western Fair Grounds (for those of you who are getting married in London, it is a wonderful show to attend for meeting wedding vendors and getting some great ideas). And a few days later, I was thrilled to have Joanna and Ryan ask us to photograph their wedding this fall.
We decided to spend some time at the University of Western Ontario, their Alma mater, which has a beautiful campus. Combine that with great weather, lots of fun and laughter – and you have great engagement session!
Joanna and Ryan: you two are an extremely playful and loving couple and a lot of fun to be with… I can hardly wait to photograph your wedding. Thank you again for a wonderful afternoon.
If Joanna and Ryan have given you access to their online gallery, please visit our home page at www.roelphoto.com and click on “online gallery.”
Anne and I recently had the pleasure of photographing a wedding reception at Atlantis in Toronto – located in the Ontario Place grounds. I will be posting that wedding next week when my clients return from their honeymoon I just wanted those of you in the GTA who are looking for a wedding reception venue to know what a beautiful place it is.
Atlantis (Ontario Place) is located on Lake Ontario and has a stunning panoramic view of the city skyline. It is tastefully appointed inside with its high ceilings, large windows and comfortable surroundings. You can even go on the roof top to take in the view of the city. And not to forget, the staff and their service is simply excellent.
So, if you are looking for something a little different and a touch of class for your wedding reception, check out Atlantis. And if you have already booked Atlantis for your function and are looking for a photographer, call me
Anne, Jeff and I recently spent a very hot and sunny Saturday with Erin and Andrew. Mother Nature made sure that wedding had an overabundance of sunshine on their wedding day!
They both live in London, Ontario and decided to have their wedding ceremony and reception at Bellamere Winery. It was a day filled with lots of emotion, laughter… and a lot of fun. But I don’t need to tell you that after you view the above slideshow. Not only was it great to see Erin and Andrew get married, it was wonderful to see the two of them with their friends/family having such a great time together.
Erin and Andrew: Thank you for letting us be a part of your wedding day. We had a lot of fun with the two of you and wish you lots of love, joy and happiness in your life together.
If Erin and Andrew have given you access to their online gallery, please visit our home page at www.roelphoto.com and click on “online gallery“.
As most of you know, I published a book in February 2007 called, AFRICA: Beginning a Journey. Thank you to all of you who purchased it and supported a great cause.
I have a few remaining copies and would like to donate them to schools or public libraries in Canada. If you are a teacher or a librarian and would like a free copy of the book for your institution, please fax your request on your letterhead to +1-888-737-5719
Feel free to send this post to a school or library and thank you to everyone who helped with the success of this book!
I just wanted those of you in the GTA who are looking for a wedding reception venue to know what a beautiful place it is.
