Here it is! The first blog post of 2019. We have been so fortunate to work with so many amazing couples last year, and Kristin and Stephen’s beautiful Casa Loma wedding was one of the highs of that summer! Both very kind, passionate, loving and caring, they make one of the sweetest couples we’ve met.
Kristin and Stephen met each other at church. Stephen was the pastor, and Kristin was looking to get more involved in the church’s community after spending some time abroad. She approached Stephen to sign up for the small group gathering that Stephen had been organising, and the two exchanged numbers. Although Kristin was travelling and unable to attend the meeting, they kept in touch. When she returned from the trip and came back to the church, Stephen didn’t hesitate and asked her on a date.
After a year of dating, Stephen knew she was “the one” and started planning an elaborate proposal. One morning he surprised her with a romantic one day trip to the island of Nantucket. As they were strolling through the cobblestone streets, a vintage car appeared from around the corner, and a friendly driver asked the two if they wanted a ride. Stephen quickly accepted – Kristin didn’t know that the entire encounter had been planned! The driver dropped them off by the oceanside, and Kristin and Stephen decided to walk up to the lighthouse they saw standing in the distance. About halfway to the shore, Stephen dropped to his knee and proposed! Shocked and on cloud nine, Kristin replied: “Yes!” and the rest is history.
Photographing a romantic Casa Loma wedding full of flowers is a task we would take up any day of the week. Standing tall in Toronto’s midtown, Casa Loma makes all your childhood dreams of getting married in a castle come true. Luckily, you don’t even have to travel far and can find a gorgeous castle right here at home! Aside from being extremely photogenic, I especially love photographing at Casa Loma because it’s so versatile. From romantic gardens to narrow cobblestone pathways, there are so many backdrops to choose from. No matter how many time we’ve shot a Casa Loma wedding, there are always new angles to amazing take wedding photos that are uniquely yours.
We started Kristin’s morning at the Casa Loma’s bridal suite, which is one of my favourite places to be in. With antique windows and picture-perfect chandeliers, it basks in the morning sun letting the abundance of natural light in. That is why it’s so perfect for taking bright and airy bridal portraits to cherish for years to come. After the bride’s reveal to the bridesmaids, we proceeded to family photos and bridal party pictures in the garden. Once all must-have family group photos were crossed off of the list, we got excited for their wedding ceremony by the gazebo.
Their Casa Loma wedding ceremony took place in the garden, utterly transformed by the team at Rachel A. Clingen Wedding & Event Design. Designed to look natural, overgrown and reminiscent of the wild rose bushes found in Nantucket, the ceremony gazebo was covered with blush and cream flowers and greenery. Here’s how Kristin remembers their ceremony arch: “We will always remember the strong fragrance from all the flowers, just as if you were in the town of Sconset, Nantucket. It was special because even though more than 100 of our closest friends and family were present, it felt like it was just the two of us at that moment.” During their communion, Grammy-award winning artist Israel Houghton performed a special rendition of “O Come To The Altar” at the grand piano. “What a perfect song at the perfect time at the perfect place – it felt like time stood still and we felt such a deep sense of peace and love for each other”, says Kristin.
The venue’s Glass Pavilion had been turned into a Nantucket-inspired secret garden for their Casa Loma wedding reception. Roses upon roses mixed with rows of life-size trees created an unforgettable setup. Coordinated by Melissa Baum, Kristen and Stephen’s magical day was indeed a fairytale come true.
Kristen and Stephen, thank you so much for letting us be a part of your celebration. It was so great to get to know you throughout the whole process, and we wish you nothing but love and happiness!
As Seen In WedLuxe
PLANNING• Melissa Baum Events
DECOR AND FLORAL DESIGN • Rachel A. Clingen Wedding & Event Design
VENUE AND CATERING • Casa Loma
STATIONERY AND DANCE FLOOR DESIGN • Paper & Poste
GOWNS • Ines Di Santo
HAIR AND MAKEUP • Fancy Face Inc.
BRIDESMAID DRESSES • Sherri Hill Chiffon
FORMALWEAR • Garrison Bespoke
FURNITURE RENTALS • Contemporary Furniture Rentals Inc. and Detailz Couture Event Rentals
TABLEWARE • Plate Occasions
DRAPING • Eventure Custom Environments & Event Draping
CAKE DESIGN • Fine Cakes by Zehra
DANCE FLOOR PRODUCTION • Event Graffiti
TRANSPORTATION • Allure Limo & Services
