paula + chris | the waterfront centre, hamilton

Describing Chris and Paula as a beautifully sweet couple doesn’t do them justice.  They have something special going on.  Something more.  When I met with them back in our initial consultation, I was struck by the connectedness between the two of them.  This wasn’t just a wedding they were planning, their eyes were on the bigger picture.  I often ask couples what they have in mind for their wedding – what theme, colour scheme, etc. When I asked Paula, she looked at me and said simply, “the theme is love”.  She said it so sincerely and with such meaning, I may have gotten choked up.  Needless to say, I was smitten with these two immediately.  Beautiful, warm, appreciative, gracious, and adventurous – how lucky were we that they chose us to photograph their wedding?

The day started out with rain in the forecast, and it was unbelievably hot and humid, but luck shone down on us all day.  Paula and Chris started off getting ready at their good friends’ home in Dundas, which also functions as home base for their business The Healing House.  It was the perfect backdrop for bride’s prep, with a light, airy feel and personal vintage touches everywhere.  It did rain – but as it was raining at the ceremony location, we stayed dry taking photos at Hermitage Ruins.  The thunder rolled in just as we finished at Hermitage, but by the time we pulled up to The Waterfront Centre for their ceremony, the rain had stopped and the sunshine was beaming .  We were like kids in a candy store photographing Paula and Chris.  They were truly up for anything – Paula, in 14 layers of tule creeping out onto the ledge of a cliff, and lying down on the forest floor before she even walked down the aisle.  They were a dream to work with, and fully put their trust in us, which we truly appreciate (though may not have been the best idea – I was a bit nervous when Paula was on that cliff, I have to say).

Thank you, Paula and Chris, for punctuating our joy in what we do, and thank you for choosing us.

k  + m

October 27, 2011 - 9:04 pm

Dorothy Brown - Just stunning. I love the emotion in these images. I have many favorites, but will single out the one of the bride sitting on the bed putting on her ballet slipper. So romantic. The bride and groom must be thrilled. Beautiful work!

October 27, 2011 - 9:42 pm

Steve Boreham - Breathtaking and beautiful. I was moved to tears. The photographers caught the sincere deep love and passion expressed by Paula and Chris. Thank you Verve Photo for capturing these special moments of this very special couple.

October 28, 2011 - 6:47 am

Jacquie - These are so so goregeous. The ones in the forest look like they’re from a fairytale! Amazing!

October 28, 2011 - 7:35 am

Amy :) - These are a-mazing photos ladies!!! I keep looking at them over and over again…. xoxo

October 28, 2011 - 11:22 am

Paula Lemieux - Krista & Melanie, I just can’t seem to come up with the adequate language to express my deep gratitude and pure joy in seeing these photos. Chris and I are simply overwhelmed in the BEST possible way. We feel honoured that you were there to capture our day and us as a couple, which you did impeccably well. Not only did you “see” and “hear” us and our vision for our day, but you managed to expand on that vision beyond our wildest imaginings. You both have an amazing gift. Love & Gratitude to you both! P & C

October 28, 2011 - 11:26 am

Paula Lemieux - Also, seeing all these photos reminds me of the incredible heat we had that day!! I will NEVER forget the heat!! (38 degrees plus oppressive humidity!!!)

October 28, 2011 - 5:04 pm

Lynn Lemieux - Beautiful beyond words. So many gorgeous shots, but one caught my eye- Paula lying in the woods , her dress spread out around her on the leaves on the ground . That was taken before the flower girl, Catherine, my grand daughter, did almost the same thing during the ceremony. Twin spirits of the earth I think. I love that shot- and all the rest.
Thanks for the wonderful work you two did to make their day so perfect. You both respected and brought out the uniqueness of Chris and Paula and their love for one another., Your photographs honour them. Thank you!
Lynn Lemieux

October 29, 2011 - 7:03 am

Bev Skears - Krista and Melanie – Bravo! You did an amazing job of capturing Paula and Chris’ wedding day and their love for each other. They are all so wonderful, can’t wait to see the rest. Whata team. Thank you! P’s mom

October 29, 2011 - 6:08 pm

Debbie Sherwood - Krista and Melanie…
I am beyond shocked and moved with this photographs and your imagination is simply “endless”….
Your photographs are always fresh and exciting. The colours, content and the look of love in the bride and groom is so present in all those photos. The joy is also captured in the guests faces as well. The little “flower girl” is priceless as well! “(I love my dress….but can’t we go home yet Mommy???)”
It is like going to a beautiful wedding but we don’t have to dress up! Thanks for letting us peek at this special couple and their day….wonderful!

October 30, 2011 - 2:16 pm

Genevieve - Are these for real? What a gorgeous couple, and an incredible setting! One of the most beautiful shoots I’ve seen.

October 31, 2011 - 12:43 am

Elizabeth Kaye - incredible. I am blown away. xo

November 14, 2011 - 2:19 pm

melissa - Beautiful. The dress is just stunning.

November 26, 2011 - 5:55 pm

Willow Bond - Whenever i flipped through wedding magazine layouts I always think “how can these photo’s be real”…everything just looks to beautiful, too fairytale, only in the movies, only in a magazine. But here it is…real as can be. In every sense these photo’s are breathtaking, the bride in her glorious dress, her handsome groom so in love with his bride, and the settings in the forest…OH MY SOUL!!! These brought tears, their apparent joy, love and beauty in every single photo. Amazing…just amazing!

December 9, 2011 - 2:01 pm

Lisa Allain - These images bring a tear to my eye….so magical and truly romantic.
Beautiful work!
Lisa

December 18, 2011 - 10:36 pm

Joee - I absolutely loved every frame of this wedding. Just beautiful !

Baby Stella | Toronto Baby Photography

I met baby Stella when she was just 10 days new at her home surrounded by lots of loving family.  This beautiful little girl is named after her great grandmother, her mother Sophia told me as we talked and waited for little Stella to fall asleep.  There was a photo of Sophia as a baby with her grandmother on her bedside table, which I thought was really special and added to the loving ambiance of the room.  Baby Stella was reluctant to fall asleep and after running the shower for a few minutes she finally went down so we could complete the remainder of her photo shoot.  Sophia shared with me her birth story and experiences during her pregnancy, a part of newborn photo shoots that I love.  Every story is so unique and extraordinary and to be able to share these moments with a new mom is something really wonderful. A special thank you to Sophia for your patience throughout the shoot.  Your daughter is truly special and I can’t wait to share with you the remainder of the images.

M.

November 2, 2011 - 1:11 am

Marian - Anthoulla - Best wishes for my grand daughter, may she grows up in peace,health and love. May she always love and respect her wonderful parents and family.

A special thank you for the photographer. I thank you for being so kind and patient and for capturing Stella’s special moments. This is a forever memory and thus we are for ever grateful for you excellent work and beautiful comments on my family.

November 2, 2011 - 11:05 am

Freeda - Excellent pictures! Most incredible.. You captured great moments of a wonderful family.

Thanks for presenting this with honour to our grandmother. Including your truthful comments with facts and care made the pefect touch!

Grateful for the memories captured for a life time and more.

Bless the family and thank you again!

Freeda

November 2, 2011 - 2:48 pm

Melanie - Verve Photo Co. - Aww, thank you Marian and Freeda for your beautiful comments. You made my day! Enjoy every moment with baby Stella:)

November 2, 2011 - 6:20 pm

Michelle - Just beautiful! Baby looks so peaceful and sweet. These are photos to cherish forever.

November 10, 2011 - 4:23 pm

Sophia - Melanie. Thank you for your capturing these photos which we shall cherish always. I love the simplicity of them all. No props necessary here !! I cannot wait to have you capture her as she meets her special milestones and hope you can photograph her in six months time.

November 11, 2011 - 4:45 pm

Kamelia Iacobelli - Simply beautiful pictures of baby Stella. Thank-you so much for taking the time to capture these photos in a way that only a patient and talented person can do. I love that you added our grandmothers picture. It was very touching for us all. Sophia has sent us the announcement photo and I just can’t stop looking it. Just love it, thank-you!

December 8, 2011 - 8:29 pm

Nazar Melconian - Melanie & team!!!!

So cute and so BEAUTIFULLY captured…… :))

I was lucky to film Stella on my super 8mm film camera…i love this family! They are the kindest souls i have ever been lucky to call clients and now friends.

Hope we work together soon.

NAZ

julie + sean | toronto maternity photography

 

I met with first-time parents to be Julie and Sean at their home outside of Toronto for their maternity shoot.  The weather was iffy to say the least and we were very close to rescheduling.  Lucky for us the rain held off and we were blessed with a beautiful overcast sky.  Julie was radiant with that mom-to-be glow and to her surprise her baby bump was looking a little tiny in the photos!  An added belt to her outfit popped her belly a little more and we were good to go.   Julie and Sean were great to work with and they were more then willing to bushwhack a little to get to the good spots!  I look forward to hearing about the arrival of their little one in November and am even more excited to meet and photograph their bundle of joy.

M.

October 26, 2011 - 7:56 pm

Kara - Love!

Jonathan + Dennis | Thompson Hotel Wedding Toronto

Thompson Hotel Toronto Wedding, Thompson Hotel Wedding, Thompson Hotel gay wedding

Thompson Hotel Toronto Wedding

Jonathan and Dennis, where to begin?  We had such an amazing time with you and your family and friends on your wedding day and we are so excited to share these photos with you.

We first met Dennis and Jonathan at Dennis’ brother’s wedding last summer.  We knew after meeting them and watching them in action on the dance floor that night that their own day was going to be full of incredible style and energy.  We were so right!  When we first walked into their penthouse suite at the Thompson Hotel, we were warmly welcomed by Jonathan and Dennis who were in a state of calm and contentment (something we rarely witness with our couples pre-ceremony).  We then totally swooned over the natural light flooding the contemporary decor, which was a photographer’s dream.  As we photographed their details, Jonathan and Dennis shared stories of their meeting and their engagement – their love and adoration for one another so plainly visible.  The easiest way to describe these two is that they share a chemistry and zest for life that is so infectious that you can’t help but want to be around them. To meet them is to fall in love with them.  And we fell.  Head over heels.

After heading out for some photographs with their wedding party around the hotel and in the streets of Toronto, we ventured back to the Thompson Hotel for their rooftop ceremony with the amazing cityscape as their backdrop.  Their ceremony was short and sweet and beautiful. Their reception then followed in the Wellington Ballroom of the hotel where craziness broke out in the photo booth.  (To see images from their photo booth, click here.)  After some heartfelt, tearful speeches, they danced and partied all night to the live music of “Soular” which was A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!!

Congratulations to J&D, the Bulldog and the Panda.  We SO enjoyed sharing in your special day.

M.

Thompson Hotel Toronto Wedding, Thompson Hotel Wedding, Thompson Hotel gay wedding

Thompson Hotel Toronto Wedding

Thompson Hotel Toronto Wedding, Thompson Hotel Wedding, Thompson Hotel gay wedding

Thompson Hotel Toronto Wedding

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Thompson Hotel Toronto Wedding

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Thompson Hotel Toronto Wedding

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Thompson Hotel Toronto Wedding

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Thompson Hotel Toronto Wedding

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Thompson Hotel Toronto Wedding

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Thompson Hotel Toronto Wedding

Thompson Hotel Toronto Wedding

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Thompson Hotel Toronto Wedding

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Thompson Hotel Toronto Wedding

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Thompson Hotel Toronto Wedding

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Thompson Hotel Toronto Wedding

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Thompson Hotel Toronto Wedding

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Thompson Hotel Toronto Wedding

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Thompson Hotel Toronto Wedding

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Thompson Hotel Toronto Wedding

Florist/Decorator: Teatro Verde.

Cake Designer: Sweet Definition.

Invitations/Stationary: Mr. Boddington’s Studio.

Live Band: Soular.

Clothing Designer: Bottega Veneta.

Rings/Other jewelry: Cartier.

Shoes: Salvatore Ferragamo.

Bow Ties / Handkerchiefs: Tom Ford.

Ties: Hobb Apparel + Design.

Violinist: Praise Lam.

Jazz Quartet: Mike Tilka and group.

 

October 24, 2011 - 1:11 pm

Jessica - LOVE! What an adorable couple and fun looking wedding. Amazing job on the photos as always.

October 24, 2011 - 3:15 pm

Marie - That is one good looking couple! Loved the photobooth too. Thanks for sharing this super chic wedding.

October 24, 2011 - 9:05 pm

Mike - Really tastefully done Verve Photo Co. This wedding was really well documented.

October 24, 2011 - 10:36 pm

Debbie Sherwood - What great photos of this happy couple! Looks like everyone had a wonderful time… Again you have captured the magic of their love for each other and all the details that made it so special! Well done!

October 24, 2011 - 11:50 pm

Daniella - *SWOON* These photos could not be one bit more amazing! Wow. You seemed to capture the spirit of their day perfectly. And Dennis and Jonathan are gorgeous.

October 25, 2011 - 10:04 am

Mubashar - Wonderful pictures. Thank you for sharing your happy moments with all.

October 25, 2011 - 10:31 am

Michelle - I’m in love with this wedding. Love the couple, love their chemistry, and love the emotion and happiness shown in every picture. Thanks for sharing!

October 26, 2011 - 4:45 am

Amy - Wow amazing photographs, capturing true love and happiness! Jonathan and Dennis looking gorgeous as ever

October 31, 2011 - 8:37 pm

Helen and Del - Good on ya! Looks like we missed the best party yet. The photos are dynamic and intrinsic to say the least. You guys rock. Thanks for sharing your special day. Cheers!

November 11, 2011 - 5:47 pm

Shahdad & Hengameh - Loved the pictures, loved the decoration, fashion, people, place and most of all the lovely lovely couple. Jonathan and Dennis looked amazing and amazingly happy and we are so happy for them. Wish them endless smiles together….
Hengameh & Shahdad
and all of your friends at Parkviewdental

November 21, 2011 - 3:52 am

Richard - WOW, what great photo’s – memories to share together of two great guys. The day looked brilliant and so will your life be together. take care.

November 26, 2011 - 5:47 pm

Willow Bond - Super Chic to say the least. So elegent. And Joy….just look at all the joy. Verve, you gals capture the greatest of moments, detail and style….love these photo’s. And that wedding cake…wow….wow wee!

June 11, 2012 - 11:03 pm

angie - I absolutely love your photos, the lighting, the details, the moments…wow.
I am a budding professional photographer and I have my first gay wedding coming and I am delighted to have seen how your couple posed. They look so man and strong and yet so in love. I felt in love with them as well!

Thanks,

featured on www.weddingchicks.com – diana + adam’s vintage chic farm wedding

We are thrilled to say that the wedding of Diana + Adam has been selected for feature on www.weddingchicks.com!  The Wedding Chicks is a popular wedding inpiration blog based in the US, providing inspiration for couples world wide.  We love The Wedding Chicks – they select top-notch weddings and wedding-related shoots to highlight, and their layout is always graphically pleasing, which makes a difference to us as photographers – we want our work highlighted in the best possible light!  My very favourite things about The Wedding Chicks though (besides the eye candy and inspiration) are their DIY ideas and free downloads.  Ah-ma-zing!  They are definitely worth following.  If you would like to see the Wedding Chicks feature of Diana + Adam’s wedding, you can view it here.  Otherwise, scroll down for our own highlights from their day!

k + m

October 24, 2011 - 1:12 pm

Jessica - Congratulations! What a beautiful post.