Liz & Joe's Chic Rooftop Wedding at The Thompson Hotel

Liz & Joe have known each other since high school.. first they were just part of a mutual group of friends, then a few years down the road they started dating. When they got engaged, they celebrated with champagne and pizza, which - as it turns out - is a perfect representation of the two of them: very classy, and at the same time very casual and lots of fun :) They were up for anything at their Christmastime engagement session, and we knew that their wedding day would be fantastic! The perfect combination of great families, a close group of friends, and a stunning location all played a big part, but in the end it was the sweetness of Liz & Joe as a couple who made the day so perfect :) Here are some of my favourite images and moments from their gorgeous wedding..

Maids of Honour Christine & Shey, and close friend (and fabulous event planner) Kristina all took turns with the one million little white buttons on Liz's stunning gown..

Wow. We couldn't stop saying it that day, and I can't stop thinking it looking at the pictures - Liz looked nothing short of fabulously amazing :) I especially love her romantic side-swept curls!

 Joe looked sharp in his charcoal three-piece suit!

 and with his excellent team of Best Men: Greg & Adam

 I loved the rooftop bar at The Thompson Hotel for many reasons, and it made a great location for one of my favourite parts of the day - The First Look :)

We went back down to the main floor lounge for some great graphic backgrounds - this bridal party was so much fun that we had trouble catching them in between laughs ;)

 And now for the main event - a beautiful ceremony up on the rooftop :)

 I'm in love with this picture of Liz & her dad, with their reflections in the glass..

 Joe's sister and Liz's brother each did a reading :)

 I love this image on the right (below) - I love how you can actually see the hands squeezing on (as the officiant said) Toronto's newest happily married couple :)

Time to get the party started! Cocktails were served upstairs while the finishing touches went on to the decor in the Wellington Room downstairs..

 First dance, a toast, and a final relaxed moment in the screening room down the hall :)

Liz & Joe: you two are a fantastic couple, and I'm so happy that you had such a perfect day! It was a pleasure being part of your wedding, and we can't wait to show you the rest of the pictures!! All the best for many years of love and laughter together and among family and good friends :)

xo Jessica + Norman

Venue: The Thompson Hotel
Event Planner: Kristina Chau, Not Your Average Party
Hair: The Joint Salon
Make up: Isabel from Earthy Vixen
Gown: Dina Alonzi
Florist: Roxy at Art of Celebrations
Cupcakes: Bake Sale
Live Music: The Digs
Photography: Jessica + Norman, Jessica Lin Photography

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Julia & Al's Awesome Doctor Who Wedding: Through All of Time and Space :)

Julia & Al first met when they were in high school, when they both attended Forest Hill Collegiate Institute (where we went for their super-fun engagement session at the end of the summer). In the years since then, they've added a few adorable cats to their family, and have supported and encouraged each other as they blossomed into the amazing and lovely people they are today. They're the kind of couple where you can see that each one makes the other a stronger and better person, which is such an amazing and beautiful thing :)
Not only did we immediately like Julia & Al as people, but they had one of the greatest wedding themes imaginable - at least to those of us who are Doctor Who fans! Starting with a TARDIS ring box at their proposal, through to entering their reception to the theme music from Doctor Who, there were so many whimsical and romantic details that gave a nod to the show. They had a playful and perfect day, and also had the perfect venue: The Doctor's House in Kleinburg ;)
Join me on the adventure of re-living this great day..

Bow ties - YES! 

Julia & Al had written letters to each other, and asked me if they could read them as part of their First Look.. it made for a very touching and sweet start to their time together on their big day :)

Did I mention they had a life-sized TARDIS? Because they did, and it was fantastic!

 All of the romance of the day was balanced nicely by the couple's sense of humour ;)

 Kissing under a portrait of Queen Victoria.. who may or may not be a werewolf ;)

The big picture windows at the back of The Doctor's House were a beautiful backdrop for photos :)

 And then we moved upstairs for the ceremony - the fire added a lovely touch to the cozy atmosphere!

{I love this epic first kiss shot! Thanks Julia for suggesting it :D} 

Julia & Al signed the registry using this sonic screwdriver pen, and guests were assigned a key to walk through the TARDIS into the reception hall :) The sunflower centerpieces were a nod to the "VanGogh" episode (which was a fantastic one and brought tears to my eyes!), and check out that awesome cake-topper!

Making a grand entrance through the TARDIS, and then lots of fun with the traditional Hora and Greek dancing to honour both of their family backgrounds

It's much bigger inside than it looks from the outside ;)

 A special treat: Al's brother Christopher really got the party started with his awesome djembe skills!

 Bridal Party TARDIS photobooth!

 A few last shots of the happy couple at the end of their very happy day :)

Julia & Al: you guys are great and your wedding day was magic :) May your futures be a romantic adventure through time and space together!

xo

Jessica + Norman

Sarah & Jonathan - Gorgeous Wedding at the Pillar and Post, Niagara-on-the-Lake

We first met Sarah & Jonathan in October, at Sarah's sister's wedding. What none of us knew that sunny day in Muskoka was that Sarah & Jonathan had a secret - they were newly engaged :) When they contacted us about photographing their own wedding at the Pillar and Post in Niagara-on-the-Lake we were thrilled and couldn't wait for their big day!

Norman and I drove down the afternoon before and met up with Sarah & Jonathan to scout all our photo locations for the following day. They were both super-relaxed and excited, and the venue almost had too many possible locations - perfect. I have to admit that even though I loved both the Secord Room where the ceremony was to be held and the Old Library where Sarah & Jonathan would be having their brunch reception with their intimate group of guests, I was still sort of in awe with how beautifully the day turned out. This is a prime example - one of my all-time favourite images EVER:

But let's start at the beginning..

We spotted this horse and buggy cruising past while we were scouting the evening before

I loved Sarah's dress - it reminded me so much of what one of Jane Austen's leading ladies would wear to get married :)

I'm a fan of lists, so I totally understood why Jonathan carried this little notebook with him everywhere to keep track of plans and ideas..

This was fantastic - when the boutonnieres arrived we found out that Jonathan's Mum had also had orchids for her wedding day, which neither Sarah or Jonathan realized when they picked them for their own wedding!

For someone with a reputation of not smiling in pictures, Sarah's Dad sure smiled a lot :)

This wedding had a lot of two of my favourite things: laughing and kissing :) 

(the kissing part is coming up..)

I thought it was lovely how both sets of parent held hands throughout the ceremony..

telling secrets during the signing of the registry..

:)

Jonathan and his new Father-in-law discussing that "new wedding ring" feeling..

"Looking Forward"

Sarah's Mom made the cake (I love that!) and the pink orchids were grown by another family member

LOVE :)

 

Norman and I went out for Chinese the night before, and this was my fortune :) It seemed so perfect to be able to give it to Sarah & Jonathan on their wedding day!

watching people listen to speeches is always one of my favourite parts of a wedding..

I loved the story Jonathan told in his speech - about how they knew it was Meant To Be when his key openned the door to her apartment :)

touching up make-up before heading out for photos :)

brothers :)

sisters :)

Next, we headed into town to capture the quaintness of Niagara-on-the-Lake - which must be one of the most picturesque places on earth!

We had such a fantastic time photographing Sarah & Jonathan celebrating their marriage with their close family members! Everyone was really lovely.. you guys have great families and you were all such a joy to spend time with :) We wish you all the happiness in the world :)

xo

Jessica + Norman

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