The whole experience of this Hotel X wedding started when I met Sandra and Paul a couple of weeks before their wedding day. We met at the venue to work on their photography vision. However, this visit wasn’t my first experience with Hotel X weddings, so I knew what to expect. Previously, I had taken only getting-ready photos here for another wedding. For this wedding, I was excited to have access to many more photo opportunities. Seeing the lobby of this modern Toronto hotel, I already had millions of ideas about what and where to take photos.

How Unique It Was This Modern Hotel X Wedding

Sandra and Paul’s wedding ceremony was planned at one of the most picture-perfect churches I have ever worked in. The bride, who is of Croatian heritage, chose Kraljica Mira in Norval for her wedding ceremony.

Sandra was familiar with my work, as she had seen the photos at this location from one of my favourite past weddings – that of Ivana and Mike. She knew that I could deliver what she was asking for and capture some documentary imagery of their wedding day. She already had a plan for the photos in her head. All that was left was for me to make sure we captured the vision.

Although this wedding was quite large, I was booked very late, so we didn’t do an engagement photo session. This situation made me a bit apprehensive because Sandra wanted posed photos, while Paul preferred candid shots and didn’t want any posed images.

It was great having Erika as a second photographer. She was excellent at working with people who preferred more candid photos or didn’t want cameras in their faces. She met Paul, his family, and the groomsmen at the church while I was getting started at Sandra’s aunt’s house.

Getting Ready for This Hotel X Wedding

When I arrived at Sandra’s aunt’s house to take their getting-ready photos, I was pleased to see that I knew almost 50% of the people there. I recognized the boy who had been the ring bearer at Ivana and Mike’s wedding. He had grown up a bit and was ready to make me smile with some twist or attitude when needed. This made me so happy and was a great way to relieve a little of the pressure of capturing such an important event.

Because the bridesmaids were ready for photos, there was no lull in the timeline. Sandra’s makeup and hair were all set, and the only thing that was left was for me to start capturing some pictures of Sandra with her mom and the family.

I made sure to capture my vision during the dedicated time we had for the getting-ready photos before heading to the church for our bridesmaid photos. The weather was so lovely that it didn’t feel like September at all. After finishing the photos, the limo took the bridesmaids to the church while I stayed inside, preparing for the ceremony.

Wedding Ceremony at Kraljica Mira Croatian Catholic Church

While I was with the girls, Erika almost finished taking all the photos with the boys and Paul’s family. Then, swapping our roles with the bride and groom’s side of the wedding party, she met Sandra and worked with her while I was up at the altar, working with Paul and waiting for the ceremony to begin. Soaking in the church’s beauty, I remembered why it is one of my favourites when it comes to the lighting and overall workflow experience.

I positioned myself to capture all the angles of the fast-paced ceremony while also watching for Sandra’s arrival. The church is well-lit, and the long, spacious aisles allow me time to capture the walk of the bridal party as the bride enters with the person accompanying her.

Sandra’s mom walked her down the aisle. Erika followed them, capturing their arrival, while I covered their entrance and captured Paul’s and both families’ expressions. From then on, I barely remember where the time went. However, I knew we had taken some fantastic photos worth sharing for years.

After the ceremony, all the guests left the church while Sandra and Paul stayed behind so we could take some portraits. At this point, I realized how much Paul doesn’t like posed photos. So, I had to communicate with him to explain our approach and reassure him that minimal posing would be involved.

Multiple Locations for The Photo Sessions

After taking those photos, we went outside, where all the guests were preparing for a large group photo. As I mentioned, Sandra was of Croatian heritage, while Paul was from an Italian family. When you combine both, you end up with an extensive list of family portraits. We completed these portraits by the church entrance, using the shade to shelter them from the harsh sunshine.

The first location we planned for photos was the barn area right by the church. We had both videographers with us, which created extra pressure for Paul and me. I had to figure out how to share my photo time with the videographers while posing for Sandra and not for Paul. It was challenging, but my 25 years of experience doing this gave me the skills to handle this demand. Erika and I split the group and worked separately with the bridal party. Occasionally, I took the bride and groom to work with just the two of them.

For the second location for the photos, I chose Trillium Park in Toronto, which is located just across from Hotel X. I used the Toronto skyline as the background and made sure to plan for us to cross the street and take some photos at Hotel X. We had enough time allocated. Still, with a large bridal party, controlling and making everybody happy was hard. After finishing the last photo I wanted to take at Trillium Park, we headed toward Hotel X.

The Photo Session at Hotel X

I knew what I wanted to capture from the beginning of this wedding, and now I was trying to see the right time. The lobby view from above was unique, and placing my couple by one of the columns would be perfect. However, I needed to figure out how to convince Paul to do that. At the same time, this hotel’s rooftop had some amazing views, which I also wanted to capture.

I could sense the tension in the posed photos, so I suggested going to the rooftop, where Sandra wanted to take most of the pictures. We took all the images we wanted here and then followed the couple to the bridal suite.

The suite was breathtaking. Its two levels, overlooking the Toronto skyline, gave us many opportunities to be creative. After taking most of the photos here, I realized that we needed to give both of them some time to relax from all the photos and refresh themselves before the cocktail hour.

The Cocktail Hour at Hotel X

The cocktail reception, which took place on Marina Terrace 3rd floor, was perfectly organized. While I was setting up my lighting and taking detailed photos in the wedding reception dinner area, Erika covered the rooftop event. At this time, we met Emilie for the first time that day, although she had been working on all the other hotel logistics.

The atmosphere at the hotel was amazing. I secretly hoped that Sandra and Paul would be available for the sunset photos we had discussed when we met at Hotel X a couple of weeks before the wedding day. There was a perfect opportunity for some amazing sunset photos. But, as I constantly remind myself, it’s not just about the pictures. The entire wedding day is about the experience and the happiness of the wedding couple. I missed the perfect opportunity for the photos, but I quickly redirected my focus to other opportunities.

The Wedding Dinner Reception at Hotel X

The wedding dinner reception for this wedding was planned to be held in Victory Ballroom. The wedding party was on the rooftop with a DJ, photo booth, finger food, and great drinks. For weddings with more than 100 guests, capturing all the key moments as a single photographer is challenging, so Erika was with me until the end of the dinner.

While we were working on capturing the dances and speeches, I slowly repositioned my equipment on the rooftop and got all set up before all the other groups tried to reach the same area at once.
Working at multiple locations within the same venue allows for more creativity, but it’s also more challenging than working at one-stop shop venues. However, the advantage of this type of organization is that it allows for better planning and more control over the event.

The wedding after party at The Perch on 28th floor was wild! It had a club-like atmosphere, and I realized that a traditional wedding approach would be too slow for my couple, who were now in a party mood. Instead of feeling upset or frustrated, I embraced it and captured what was meaningful to them.

This Hotel X wedding was unlike any other. It was a celebration filled with beauty, stunning locations, and challenges that, if approached creatively, became opportunities for perfect photography coverage.

I am so happy to be part of this unforgettable moment and to give Sandra and Paul perfect photo memories for their wedding day.

Credits to below wedding professionals and locations that helped Sandra and Pual’s wedding to be one-of-a-kind.

Here is another modern city wedding, Erika and Andrew’s wedding at 1 Hotel in Toronto.