I met Natasia and James in early January, just a couple of weeks after they got engaged in Montreal. They had just started searching for a wedding venue. I could feel their excitement and energy in that first meeting, and I knew immediately that I wanted to be a part of their wedding. As a city couple, they wanted their wedding to be in downtown Toronto and to have great food, so choosing Canoe as their wedding venue was easy.
Natasia and James’s wedding day had a few small bouts of rain, but they didn’t let it dampen their mood. At the start of the day, we photographed their first look and bridal party photos at the Fairmont Royal York. Natasia loves balloons, so she brought a few along for the bride-and-groom photos.
Toronto Wedding at Canoe Restaurant
After photographing their portraits, we went to Canoe restaurant for the ceremony and reception. The ceremony space was decorated with a colourful peony-covered chuppah for a traditional Jewish ceremony, which was beautifully put together. Rabbi Eva Goldfinger created a ceremony that was touching and memorable. One of my favourite things about Jewish ceremonies are how the bride and groom’s families are a part of the ceremony. Afterwards, Natasia and James took a little break together (with me tagging along as the third wheel) to soak in their moment and have a glass of wine.
As wine connoisseurs, Natasia and James played a hand in the wine served at their wedding. The wine was from a vineyard they had visited with their family. The reception included heartfelt speeches and a kissing game where guests had to sing a song with the word “love” in the lyrics to get the couple to kiss.
Their Toronto wedding at Canoe Restaurant was also featured in Today’s Bride and Eventsource.
Toronto Wedding Vendors
Wedding Planner: Samantha of Extra Events
Venue: Canoe Restaurant
Make-up Artist: Karen Kim Beauty
Hair Artist: Tammy Cho
Florist: Mothers Garden Floral Design
Wedding Rings: Maison Goldberg
DJ: DJ Rich Sweet
Hotel: Fairmont Royal York
Wedding Dress: Jealous Bridesmaids
