Olivia and Louis are a lot of fun. It has been simply effortless to capture them at their most relaxed and natural way of being. First we had a great engagement session at the Bluffs followed by their great fall wedding held at the quaint King Valley Golf and Country Club. Their day was fantastic: beautiful weather (a bit cool in the afternoon, but they were such good sports when it came down to modeling…), cocktails on the terrace, amazing food and of course, lots and lots of fun. Their friends came up with some of the most interesting game ideas which got the crowd going and the atmosphere turned exuberant. Not to mention the dancing! This bunch really loved to move! All in all, simply a great day!

Olivia and Louis, thank you for having us capture your great day, congratulations and keep on having fun together! Hugs, Manuela.

Kelley and Jordan are getting married next January. We all hope for some snow so we can get winter flavored photos. To add some contrast to their photographic memories they decided to do their engagement photos at Jordan’s parents’ farm close to Bancroft. I still can’t believe how that September day had turned out. On the way there I have driven in torrential rain, barely seeing ahead. The forecast was not very encouraging, yet there was a faint chance that there could be a little break in the gloomy weather in the afternoon. The moment I parked the car at the farm, I could feel only a few drops here and there and then not only it all stopped magically, but the sun came out to the point where it was quite hard to bare! Regardless, we had so much fun exploring the 100 something acres with tons to see and enjoy! It felt like a little trip within a trip A few kilometers into my drive back to the city the skies closed again, it got really dark and the rain started coming down in the same manner as early in morning. I smiled and I felt so grateful towards the bearded people up in the sky who have orchestrated everything to perfection

Kelley and Jordan, I look forward to having more fun together in the New Year! Hugs, Manuela.

A bit over a year ago, my dear friends Reyhaneh and Will were celebrating their union in marriage at the dreamy Riu Palace in Los Cabos. Not to mention the fantastic ‘trash the dress’ photo adventure that followed the next day in the midst of which our connection got cemented further. We have experienced so much together that even to this day we like to talk about it and recall such unbelievably fun times.

It was with much excitement and joy that I found out they were going to be parents. And that is happening very soon and I look forward to meeting their little addition. Meanwhile, we went for some belly photos and we had another share of nice moments together. Reyhaneh is simply stunning as a mama to be and I am super thrilled to have captured some of these memories for them.

R+W: I started the countdown and I am waiting for the big announcement. More visual stories to be written! Love, Manny.

I simply love the way Hanna and Matthew’s wedding photos stayed colourfully consistent with their engagement images we took downtown Toronto. I know how much they like vibrant tones and I am thrilled for the fact that their celebrations were such a representation of their vision. Despite the rain that decided to start just when we were on our way to Kleinburg for photos, everything ended up working out just smoothly. Umbrellas are always fun and such a romantic element that add a nice touch to the photographs.

The celebrations that followed were intensely joyous, with a lot of fun and even exotic dancers! Everybody thoroughly enjoyed each and every second.

Hanna and Matt, enjoy the years to come and make the best out of them, simply enjoying each other while walking on your new path together! Manuela

Needless to say that I always enjoy myself whenever I go back to photograph weddings at the quaint Inn on the Twenty in Jordan, Niagara. I was therefore super happy when Julie and Louis told me this was their choice of a wedding venue. I recall sitting down with them and connecting over topics like travel, finding the best place to live in, etc which made me feel like we almost knew each other prior…so interesting to have such moments happen. Even more reassuring for the shared experiences to follow. We had an amazing engagement photo session at the Beaches (I will post it soon, I am slightly behind with my blogging) and an even more beautiful wedding day together. Even though the sun was harsh and no clouds seemed to want to appear, we worked with it and ended up having fun around one of my most favorite spots: Cave Springs.
After that we continued on at the Inn with Julie and Louis amazing family members and friends.

Dear Julie and Louis, hope you will always recall the sunshine on your day and will hold it in your hearts forever! Best, Manuela.

I am running a bit behind with my blogs…this is the price I have to pay for traveling around

Lindsay and Jeff’s summer wedding was elegant, chique and fun. Here are some of their engagement photos from Toronto Island.
I chose a few of my wedding faves below, enjoy!

Congratulations to another beautiful couple! Manuela

A few years ago I went on a lovely hike leading to a cedar making farm. On the way there, to my great surprise, we passed through the lovely grounds of Eaton Hall. At the time I did not know this little castle like property existed. Nor did I have any idea that, years later, I would get to photograph a lovely wedding right there. Needless to say how excited I was when Tiffany and Chris told me this was their chosen location for the wedding ceremony. Having done their engagement photo shoot back in May offered me the chance to knowing them better. Looking at the images we got I simply knew we were going to have some fun on their big day. I could have not asked for better weather, more picturesque surroundings and nicer subjects. The two of them have truly enjoyed themselves, along with all their close friends and lovely family members.

Tiffany and Chris, I hope this vibrant record of your day is something you will cherish for years to come and that you will both keep on recalling the lovely celebrations on a great August day! Best to you in your life together! Hugs, Manuela & Co.

Back in August I returned to the Old Mill in Ancaster, this time for Kristen and Frank’s wedding. It is interesting how each couple brings their own personality into a spot. Every wedding I have photographed there had a different flavor. The only thing I am thrilled to see as a constant is Reverend McNally’s beautiful ceremony. There is something so different about this gentleman, a certain passion and for sure, an ability to deliver the same love filled words to each couple. I have not quite seen anyone blessing the rings the same way he does. He is now retired but still loves doing his job and I have to say, he does it equally well each time. A joy to witness!

I loved the fresh colours this wedding has displayed. Starting with Kristen’s fantastic Poetic License shoes that had “I DO” crafted on their soles! And, even though it has rained during the ceremony (Kristen was very well prepared for that with cool umbrellas and funky rubber boots), the spirits have been up for the entire time. And maybe just because of this, the torrential rain has stopped right in time for some fun photos. How amazing is that??!

Kristen and Frank, thank you for having made us a part of your great celebrations, enjoy each other’s company for many many years to come and hope the rain on your day will only mean good luck and abundance. Big hug, Manuela

We were having dinner one night last year when Shaun and Patrick announced their intention to get married in 2011. They were still looking for a date and, as we were chatting, 9.10.11 came up as a nice combination. So they stuck to it and not only that, but I was even more excited when they asked me if I could capture their day. Very early into the planning they knew they would love to have a black and white, stylish party somewhere outside, ideally by the water. With the TIFF on during September and with many venues already booked, an amazing opportunity came up. Their good friends Nicolle and Dan offered to host the celebrations at their cottage, just outside of Bobcaygeon. What can I begin with? First of all, I arrived there the day before the wedding. I was able to witness all the preparations and I have to say, I was blown away by the way Nicolle and Dan had turned there already beautiful place into a festive, intimate, candle lit
lounge-like wedding spot. Simply amazing. Nicolle also made the cake for Shaun and Patrick and even ordered the topper all the way from London UK, as she could not find something similar around here. Fun!
Shaun and Patrick got ready at a cute little resort called MacArthurs (right across the lake) so Dan brought them in a little boat for the ceremony, to the surprise and delight of their guests impatiently waiting on top of the boat house. I have to say, that moment only was exhilarating.
The party was super vibrant, with fantastic home made food, great music and high spirited attendants. The night ended with Dan’s fireworks and a great bonfire.

Shaun and Patrick, may you always hug each other throughout your new life together with the same passion and love you did during your first dance. Congratulations, love you! Manuela

It is always challenging to narrow down hundreds of images to just a few that would best represent the feel of such intense and vibrant moments going on over two consecutive days.
Anita and Richard chose to first celebrate in an authentic Hindu style with a beautiful, symbolism infused ceremony the first day. What a joy to watch and partake! Anita looked like an Indian Goddess while Richard, even though Italian, was extremely handsome in his Indian attire when he made his grand entrance on Lightening, a gorgeous white horse. What joyous moments, the rythms of the drums were intoxicating, the dancing going around-extremely inviting. All in all, exhilarating! After being greeted by Anita’s mom, Richard proceeded for the Mandap where he waited for his stunning bride for their Hindu ceremony.
Next day they exchanged their vows in a downtown Toronto church and then we were all headed for some fun photos and of course, the reception later on.

The photos below coupled with the photo booth ones I already posted should easily give an idea of the amount of fun that went on reception night.
Anita and Richard just returned from a great honeymoon in Africa and I hope these images will help them relive some of their greatest moments marking a new, exciting journey together. Congratulations! Manuela