Wedding at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel

January 01, 2012

I'm back in Ottawa. And although I miss the rotating sushi restaurants and the ubiquitous and monolith-esque pop-machines of Japan, it's good to be back.

I think it was only a couple of weeks after returning before I headed to Toronto for a wedding shoot. Being a photographer originally from Toronto, I find myself getting called back quite often.

Now, I've worked with Chris and Karin a couple of times (first shooting his sister's wedding, then Chris' wedding) and both were great experiences; I really grew fond of them. So when they asked me to shoot another family wedding between Christmas and New Year's, saying 'yes !' was easy. It also helped that the wedding was being held at The Fairmont Royal York Hotel—a gorgeous venue, with a rich history and surprisingly inviting atmosphere. I was first introduced to the venue when I shot Jason and Ruth's Royal York wedding last December, and I was definitely looking forward to returning.

The Library Room of the Hotel's Mezzanine was a perfect fit for Gwen and Dan's wedding party of about 90 guests. The posh setting suited the couple, who, although they aren't royalty (yet !), had come all the way from London (Dan is English) to celebrate with Gwen's Canadian family. Their wedding, however, was anything but reserved. The couple had some charming and unconventional ideas that made their wedding uniquely theirs.

 

Bride getting ready at hotel room in the Royal York

 

Ring exchange at Toronto wedding

 

Bride dancing during wedding ceremony

 

bride and groom on the mezzanine of the Fairmont Royal York

 

Wedding party milling around lobby

 

funny photo of bride and groom at Tim Horton

 

Mother crying after speech at Royal York Hotel wedding

 

Wedding couple exchange smile in the Library Room

 

wild dancing during reception

 

First dance between groom and bride in black and white

 

funny cake topper