There's something about Hamilton.
Hamilton. A small, but also really big city in Southern Ontario. It has some really great eats, really great bars, some pretty rad people, and also, this really quaint venue tucked away downtown.
But let me take you back to where this all began.
When Emily & Brandon reached out to me back in 2022 to document their engagement and wedding, it was an instant connection between the three of us. Almost like three friends hanging out, running around, capturing these really intimate moments of the two of them. Now, when I tell you that these two are in love, I'm telling you, they're madly in love.
These two have been together for almost a decade. And to say they still show the energy of the "honeymoon" phase is an understatement.
When we first met in The Junction neighbourhood of Toronto for their engagement session it was apparent that I was working with two extremely charismatic, and extroverted friends. But more importantly, partners. And did this ever shine through in their gallery.
When Emily and I first started planning their engagement session she had made it clear they wanted a really cool urban vibe, and if we could somehow implement a rooftop, she'd be over the moon. Well, lucky for her I have just the spot... but I'm sorry, it's a secret location. I'm sorry, okay?
The most stunning afternoon led into an evening with the most perfect golden hour at the end of autumn. Not too hot, but also not too cold. Emily wore a perfect dress; Brandon in his suit looking like an absolute stud. It was clear to me that these two loved to look, and feel good.
The start of a Friendship.
After their engagement session, they were over the moon with their final gallery. It wasn't too long after that we found ourselves out in Hamilton at the iconic HAMBRGR grabbing drinks and dinner to catch up after the holidays. Sure, nothing like a freezing cold night in the dead of winter in Ontario but these two were definitely worth it. Laughs, some planning and discussion about their wedding, and an all around great time together led well into the evening.
As we narrowed in on September 10th, Emily, Brandon, and I, continued to keep in touch to ensure we were all set for their wedding day. When I say Emily was excited about their wedding day, that is truly no understatement. This girl wanted to put that ring on her finger and seal the deal with a kiss in front of their absolute closest friends and family. And she wanted it done yesterday.
A few phone and Zoom calls later, there we had it. I was waking up, getting ready to head out for the day and make my way into the beautiful city of Hamilton to document my now good friends, Emily and Brandon's wedding day. There's truly something so special about being able to build a friendship with the couples you work with. It will absolutely reflect in their gallery. Having a level of comfort when working together will always turn out better than showing up on the wedding day and meeting for the very first time!
The time had now come. It was time to walk the aisle.
All of the planning, all of the stress, all of the bookings, all of the vendors, the meetings, the venue, it was time for everything to come together.
Brandon in his elegant cream suit, and Emily in her absolutely one of a kind dress with the most lengthy, stunning veil. They were ready to make things official, finally.
So, remember those times back in the day?
Remember those times back in the day when you were at a high school party, or just out with your friends where you felt like there was nothing else going on in the world and you could stay in that moment forever? Take a second. Remember? Can you bring yourself back to that moment and how you would've felt?
That's exactly how Emily and Brandon's wedding day felt. Their friends, family, vendors, everything came together so well. As we made our way into the evening, we heard some touching (and also some hilarious) speeches from those closest to them. We saw some smiles, we saw some tears. We heard stories, we heard laughs. It was everything a wedding should be. You wonder if you'll ever get a chance to be back in the same room with every single one of the people there with you, right there in that moment. Think about it.
Thank you, Emily and Brandon. You truly showed me once again, why I do this, and why it means so much to me.
I leave you now with an array of images to finish off Emily and Brandon's wedding day. Like some say, images speak louder than words, and I truly hope you can get a sense of feeling from their day together. It was without a doubt one to remember.
