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December 8, 2010

CATHY & BOBBY’S WEDDING

Posted in WEDDINGS

Cathy and Bobby are a lovely couple that we got to hang out with during the two weeks they were back in the country in between various travels living and working abroad….and in that time we took their engagement photos on a windy grey day (have a look at them by clicking here), drank hot chocolates together, and oh right, they also had a wedding and got married somewhere in there too! It was the last wedding we had on the books for the year and it was the most gorgeous late November day, there was a warm and cozy inn to retreat from the cold, a lovely set of family and friends……. I really couldn’t have thought up a better way to finish our 2010 season.

The day started out at the lovely Glen Erin Inn, a little place tucked among the trees near where I grew up…. I may be a teeeeeny bit biased when I say it is lovely there because it is actually the place where Dave and I were married! Needless to say, it was pretty special being back, witnessing the start of another marriage while remembering the start of our own in the very same place just a few years ago. Cathy got ready with her two amazing bridesmaids and her sweet mum in one of the old-style rooms upstairs (and she wore these amazing red shoes which I loved!) while the groom and his family and groomsmen arrived and got last minute things organized downstairs. And then Bobby waited…waited to see his bride-to-be. I was so excited that they’d asked me if they could do a “first look” where they see each other before the ceremony, so we found an amazing spot for Bobby to wait underneath a tree out back and they were able to just enjoy seeing each other, away from everybody else, and soak in the fact that it was their wedding day. I love this. We roamed around the old stone buildings getting shots with Cathy and Bobby and their wedding party, who braved the freezing November cold for some outdoor photos (yeah!!), taking advantage of the daylight while we could, and then headed inside to warm up before the ceremony. They were married in front of an intimate crowd of just their closest family and friends, and after the ceremony everyone spilled out into the hall where drinks and appetizers were shared beside a fireplace and big comfy chairs. After a delicious dinner and heart warming speeches, Bobby stood up to say a few words that I think made believers out of the whole room about the idea of serendipity and if there was any doubt, convinced us all that him and Cathy were like two pieces of a puzzle that just fit exactly and perfectly together. By the end of the night, the air of celebration and joy just hung in the room like a happy fog. Dave and I left with the hugest smiles on our faces.

Cathy & Bobby, it’s been an absolute pleasure to document a piece of your love story and to get to know you both over this short amount of time…. your friends, wedding party and especially your families, were absolutely amazing and made us really feel a part of the day. And it was a truly great day to be a part of. Hope the happy memories stay with you forever and all the best in your new adventures down south!

- Jenn xx

Ceremony & Reception held at: THE GLENERIN INN Mississauga, Ontario | Photographers: Jenn & Dave Stark of JENN STARK PHOTOGRAPHERS Cathy’s Dress: Alfred Angelo

by JENN

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November 22, 2010

CATHY & BOBBY’S SNEAK PEEK

Posted in WEDDINGS

I really can’t believe how far we’ve come. This past Saturday was special for many many reasons. We got to photograph the most lovely wedding, Cathy and Bobby’s, and not only was it a gorgeous November day, there was also a lovely small guest list of about thirty other people that truly made it feel special to be a part of. It also marked the last wedding we have on the books for 2010; the last wedding of what we both really consider to be our first full summer of photographing weddings, which is a bit crazy to me. I can remember how it felt at the beginning of this year, looking at my calendar, and yet it feels like a lifetime ago considering how much I’ve done and what I’ve learned. Cathy and Bobby’s wedding also gave us the amazing opportunity to celebrate our four year, three month, and one day anniversary at the exact same gorgeous inn where we were married all that time ago! Being back there for the first time since our wedding day not only brought back tons of memories, but also made me think about how far we’ve come in that time. Together. Cathy and Bobby, I have a feeling that you too will travel far together, and this day only marks one step in the journey. We couldn’t be more happy to have been a part of it. Here’s a little sneak peek from their day, out in the cold air beside this stunning tree….. more to come soon.

- Jenn xx

by JENN

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November 18, 2010

SARAH & JEFF’S WEDDING

Posted in WEDDINGS

It was August 2008. I had a camera in hand and was shooting alongside another photographer for the first time at a wedding. That was the first time I met Sarah – a bridesmaid and Jeff – the best man. They also happened to be paired up to be the MCs at the reception later that evening. On a break during the day, I noticed them sitting together, Sarah with a pen and paper in hand, going over the itinerary, and I snapped a photo. Thought they’d make a cute couple. New Year’s Eve 2008. We show up to a party and both Jeff and Sarah happen to be there. Later that night as Jeff was on his way out, I’ll never forget him telling me that if he ever got engaged, I’d be the first person he’d call to come photograph it. A few weekends ago, I photographed it. And he just happened to marry Sarah.

Sarah & Jeff (you might remember them from their cute engagement photos here) started dating without really knowing that they were dating…Jeff kept trying to impress Sarah with his cooking skills, and Sarah being as kind as she is didn’t have the heart to tell him that she actually hated chili and that peas were not her favourite either. Finally though, after a lot of bets er, discussion amongst their friends about whether they were together or not, they admitted that despite all the failed cooking attempts that they still liked each other a lot and have really been quite inseparable since. I don’t really know if I can adequately describe how amazing it was to be a part of this day, because it really really was and I’m not *that* great of a writer to know that I can put it to words…..but I’m going to try. I was to meet up with Sarah and the girls at the hotel where they’d stayed overnight and first got a hug from Sarah’s mum (self-professed avid blog reader), a back brace packed in Sarah’s suitcase in case I needed it because of my recent injury (seriously! so thoughtful), and a lovely serenade by one of Sarah’s bridesmaids (ok, she was probably serenading Sarah…but I got to enjoy it too). When it was time to head out the door we had to first awkwardly pass by the line of striking union workers out front of the hotel, and Sarah, being a teacher and always with the feelings of others at the front of her mind, stopped to talk with them and give them her support (they really couldn’t believe it). No matter if I’ve known the couple for years or just met to photograph their wedding, weddings are always somewhat emotional for me. But I was really not prepared when Sarah came down the aisle to meet Jeff during the ceremony. Such a beautiful moment. Altogether it was a beautiful ceremony, and at one point everyone in the audience had a candle lit as Jeff and Sarah lit their unity candle together. The weather was a bit cold that day but that only made for lots of nice and snuggly photos outside the church and down near where Jeff works at the University at such a beautiful building (along with some surprise, er, guests…). The wind was so strong that at one point it actually blew me over, yes while actually taking a photo. Their reception was held at the single most gorgeous and unique space I’ve ever seen, the Arts and Letters Club in downtown Toronto. It had this warm and snugly feel to it with long, family-style tables, a stone fireplace, and candles burning on stands. The speeches were excellent, the food amazing, and the dancing could have probably gone on all night. Not sure that the old wood floor could have held up for much longer that it did though!

Sarah, Jeff, it was an honour to be included in such a special way in your wedding day and we couldn’t be any happier than we are for you both! Couldn’t have happened to two nicer people than you. Love you both loads.

- Jenn xx

Ceremony held at: SPRING GARDEN CHURCH Toronto, Ontario | Reception and Catering by: THE ARTS & LETTERS CLUB Toronto, Ontario | Photographers: Jenn & Dave Stark of JENN STARK PHOTOGRAPHERS

Big HUGE thanks also goes to Melissa for being such a big help coordinating on the day, and to Sean for videotaping it all!

Click here to see the photo I took in 2008.

by JENN

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November 10, 2010

DENISE & JON’S WEDDING

Posted in WEDDINGS

Growing up, Jon had told his mom that one day he was going to live in Japan. She must have shook her head and not thought much of it. Until the day when he actually did move to Japan! Jon actually lived there at three separate times in his life, but as his mom recalled during her speech on her son’s wedding day, it was third time lucky for Jon as the third trip was the one during which he met his future wife Denise. They actually both landed in Japan (Jon for his third time; Denise for her first) on the exact same day, not knowing that they would eventually meet and fall in love by the time their year of work was up. Their marriage was such a celebration. Since arriving back they’ve spent most of their relationship as a commuter couple between Toronto where Denise has been finishing up school and Chicago where Jon’s been working, and their wedding was a true reflection of the fusion between Denise’s Canadian family and Jon’s American family. I think at one point I had to explain that no, that wasn’t a golf course that we just passed on the side of the road, it was actually the toboggan hill where we went every winter as kids. Then I had to explain exactly what a toboggan hill was : ) I think it’s safe to say that Jon had truly been initiated into Canadian culture by the time the night was through!

DENISE & JON (click to see their engagement photos) were married at the church where Denise grew up (and also just down the road from where I grew up!) and it was such a beautiful ceremony that was quite emotional with both a few tears and lots of laughter. Everything about their day was stunning, from Denise’s dress, shoes and gorgeous white flower hairpiece to the actual day itself, a warm and sunny October day with barely a cloud in the sky that made for really really yummy photos down by the lake (Dave and I were in photographer heaven). I went to high school with Denise but had lost touch until I photographed her best friend’s wedding and it was just so nice to catch up and it always is lovely watching someone you’ve grown up with get married! Their reception was held at a gorgeous inn with pure Canadian maple syrup as their wedding favours and painstakingly folded paper cranes (by Denise I believe as a nod to the Japanese culture that originally brought them together) as their name cards. We enjoyed a gorgeous meal, hilarious and heartfelt speeches, an array of “minute to win it” games in between courses (Denise’s favourite), and the biggest dance party I’ve ever seen that went well into the night. Dave and I were even caught busting a move….I know! Denise and Jon got to spend some time together on their honeymoon after the wedding and they’re now back to being long distance for the time being while Denise waits to join Jon in Chicago once their paperwork comes through (couldn’t be soon enough!).

Jon & Denise, thank you so much for letting us capture your beautiful day. It was such a joy to see you guys so happy and we absolutely loved every minute and every single one of your family and friends. We hope you love these photos as much as we loved taking them for you! Hope that a card that is the colour green comes in the mail reeaaaal soon!

- Jenn xx

Ceremony held at: ST CHRISTOPHER’S CATHOLIC CHURCH, Mississauga, Ontario | Reception held at: THE WATERSIDE INN Mississauga, Ontario | Photographers: Jenn & Dave Stark of JENN STARK PHOTOGRAPHERS | Denise’s Dress: Mikaella from Saratina Bridal | Florals: PETAL PRODUCTIONS | Cake: Simply the best | DJ: Impact Entertainment

by JENN

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November 3, 2010

MEAGHAN & VINCE

Posted in ENGAGEMENTS

Meaghan and Vince are another one of our 2011 couples that we are just so happy to be able to call “ours”! I knew I liked them right from the first email Meaghan sent me. We met up with them to do their engagement photos at a lovely spot in our neck of the woods and I was so happy that fall decided to spread itself out over the entire month of October to give us some gorgeous spots to wander around, and Meaghan wore this fabulous dress and cute shoes and they were both really excited and sat in piles of leaves in a gravel parking lot for us……did I say yet that I love these two? Meaghan has the most amazing smile that is just so big that she said her cheeks always start to hurt after a while of smiling…. It’s one of those smiles that just makes you have to smile back, which I think we need more of in this world. She told me that one time a photographer taking her graduation photo asked if she could tone down the smile a little bit and she just couldn’t, which works for me because I just loved it! Vince is equally as amazing as his counterpart, and is one of the nicest, easy-going, laid back guys ever who happens to have graduated with a degree in ancient history (so him and Dave had loads to talk about while Meaghan and I rolled our eyes at each other) and together they are just amazing and so fun to hang out with.

They also happen to have a particularly cute proposal story that happened at the intermission of a play they went to see together……and the way Meaghan described it to us was hilarious. She said that she noticed Vince staring at her and when she finally asked him “what?” all he said was “I love you”. She said “….okay….but what are you looking at me like that for?!” He kept on telling her that he loved her until finally she said “I love you too now what is your problem?!!!” and that’s when he pulled the ring out and proposed to her at their seats. I believe at this point everyone around started cheering and they even delayed the start of the second half of the play. Vince said he was planning on doing it later in the evening but just couldn’t wait to call Meaghan his fiancee. On their way out an older lady who had watched the events unfold asked for them to stop so she could take their photograph because she was so touched and wanted to remember the time she went to the play and that young couple got engaged – so sweet. Meaghan and Vince, we absolutely adore you both and loved the time we spent together taking these photos…they make me smile so much and hope they make you smile so big your cheeks hurt : )

- Jenn xx