Some times things start out as a business venture and then, out of the blue, you’re caught up in the magic of the moment. I had the pleasure of meeting Steve and Alana through the owner of Edgewater Manor in Stoney Creek.

 

Love Conquers All

Steve and Alana’s wedding is an example of love conquering all. They are a couple emphatically in love, but we met for pure business reasons only. The Trajkovski Family who owns and runs The Historic Edgewater Manor in Stoney Creek contacted me to capture the magic of their establishment for use in their marketing campaign both online and in print. The goal was to highlight the uniqueness of Edgewater Manor from a journalistic perspective. I was given free- range to photograph as much as I wanted and whatever I wanted during the wedding. Steve and Alana had their own photographer and while I was focusing on the restaurant, I couldn’t help but take photos of the beautiful couple as well. Their love is all encompassing and drew my attention.

Enjoying the Weather

Steve and Alana’s wedding was a beautiful affair held outdoors. Edgewater Manor overlooks Lake Ontario which means the grounds are a lush green and the water is an amazing backdrop for images. The weather cooperated all day and well into the night. The couple’s first dance was held outside on the stone walkway with the Toronto skyline in the background. It was a truly romantic first dance that started the party off. Once Steve and Alana’s guests were in full-on party mode, dancing and having fun in the reception hall, I stole the couple away for some photos in the gorgeous hallways of Edgewater Manor.

 

Making History

The uniqueness behind Edgewater Manor goes far beyond the landscape and the building itself. In 1920 the building was constructed but, the main sweeping marble staircase was rescued from the Toronto Dominion building and dates as far back as the 1800’s. The interior of the building had renovations to keep it clean and fresh, however the integrity of the historical aspects of the building have been brilliantly maintained. To top it off, if you hold your wedding at Edgewater, you can always brag that you were married at a place that Al Capone frequented!

 

Fine Dining

The food. What can I say? Edgewater Manor operates as a fine dining restaurant on a daily basis. Reservations are required and the dining experience is unparalleled in the area. Usually wedding dinners are catered by the venue or ordered in. Dinner options are limited to whatever choices the bride and groom have preselected. However, Edgewater is boldly different in this way. Dinner options are open to the choice of your guests. The venue operates as per usual and guests are able to order from a menu. This unique quality gives your guests an experience they will always remember.

Room to Room

Older architectural buildings like this former castle-turned fine dining restaurant are known for their many rooms. This building was constructed well before the “open concept” was popular and the owners of Edgewater Manor have used the rooms to their advantage. During Steve and Alana’s wedding, guests were escorted from room to room. The cake-cutting was held in one room, while the cocktail party was in another, and so on. Their guests didn’t have to see the staff clean-up after them or prep before they arrived. Everything was seamless and executed to perfection!

 

I had such a great time taking photojournalistic-type photos during Steve and Alana’s wedding and I loved getting to know them as a couple as well!

Photos taken by Dragi Andovski, published ©2015 DA Photography

Wedding Ceremony and Reception Location: EdgeWater Manor, Stoney Creek ON