Leanna and Dan’s intimate fall elopement just outside the Distillery District is one I’ve been looking forward to for well over a year now. One major reason is because the fall is the best time of year for wedding photos and its personally the time of year where my creativity blooms. The other major reason is that both Leanna and Dan are one of my favourite couples that I’ve ever gotten to work with in my career as a wedding photographer. About a year ago we had the opportunity to explore their then neighbourhood of Leslieville and Riverdale for their low-key engagement photos that I got to shoot on analog film. I really got to know them in that time and there was something about their energy that rung true with me, the really understood my mission and goal as a photographer and were able to really reveal themselves to me in the best way possible, pushing me to create some of my favourite images ever and giving me a beautiful experience in the process. Now, with their extremely intimate elopement I can confidently echo those sentiments ten fold.
Originally the bride and groom had planned for a very beautiful and very Toronto wedding at the Ocho Hotel on Queen Street West, but as the story goes for 2020 weddings, they had no choice but to postpone their plans. As the year progressed it became very clear to the couple that uncertainty lied ahead with the pandemic, but one thing that was certain in their minds was that they wanted to marry their best friend in life and figured there was no use in putting it off any longer. This realization pushed them to create a unique and intimate elopement experience for the two of them, to share their wedding day together and without being constrained to a timeline or obligations.
Now, I know the term “intimate wedding” is tossed around a lot in the wedding industry, but for the first time maybe ever, I can sincerely say this wedding and elopement experience was utterly intimate and beautifully lived. Undoubtably a tough decision to initially make, Leanna and Dan decided to do their own thing, just them, no family, no friends, no guests at all. Instead of creating disappointing compromise and risk to their circle, they opted to record their ceremony to share at a later date with those who matter most in their lives. The result was that both Ryanne and I were privileged to sign as witnesses to their love and commitment, something that humbled us and really for the first time in our careers immersed us and intertwined us in their wedding story in the most authentic way.
The calming nature of such intimate elopement experiences is that the bride and groom really get to live and experience every moment of the day without it getting by them unnoticed. Leanna got ready at the Broadview Hotel in a peaceful suite overlooking Queen Street East while Dan enjoyed some pints at the Aviary Brewery in the Canary District. They eventually met up half way at Corktown Commons Park where they had an endearing moment during their first look followed by an emotionally impactful ceremony. As both Leanna and Dad fought through tears during their wedding vows that were rich in nostalgia and appreciation for one another, every word, every breath, every pulse of their heartbeat resonated loudly as we all felt alone in the world for a fleeting second. Words can be powerful, they can create visual reminders that transport us beyond a moment and both Leanna and Dan made the most of the intimate setting and really allowed themselves to take in the experience for all that it was.
The elopement progress as they both explored the beauty of Corktown Commons Park amidst breathtaking fall colours and the setting October sun, providing a fiery and ethereal light for the bride and groom to enjoy a few quiet moments as newlyweds. We then made our way back to the Broadview Hotel and enjoyed the Blood Orange sunset, perfectly matching Leanna’s red hair and creating the perfect mood to end our time together before they ran off for a private dinner.
Ryanne and I are major advocates of the urban elopement experience as we’ve helped numerous couples create a beautiful and fulfilling elopement experience right here in Toronto but no other was quite like Leanna and Dan’s. It’s hard to live in Toronto and not have a bias or attachment to various parts of the city, it was obvious that the bride and groom felt right at home hanging around Queen Street East and its neighbouring areas. Ultimately the experience of eloping is meant to create an ideal environment for dynamic emotion as two people share their love for one another in a major way. Leanna and Dan did that and more, they heightened their experience by being somewhere they love, with the person they love, experiencing an unforgettable and beautiful moment to look back on together for years to come.
