Camilla and Tommy’s Paradise Banquet Hall wedding was a unique blend of picturesque locations, leading to their stunning wedding venue in Vaughan. Although I photographed this wedding a couple of years ago, I still remember the day vividly. Now I’m finally ready to share my take on this special celebration. The day was filled with unforgettable moments, and I kept putting this blog off because we captured so many amazing photos that it felt overwhelming to choose where to begin.

The Start of this Amazing Paradise Banquet Hall Wedding

I met Camilla, along with her mom and mother-in-law, at my last wedding show in Milton. It was long before the pandemic, and we connected instantly. All three of their eyes lit up when I showed them my sample albums from that location and how their Paradise Banquet Hall wedding could look if I photographed it.

From that moment on, Camilla and I stayed in touch and began planning for the big day. I didn’t meet Tommy until their engagement session, which I had the pleasure of photographing in my own town, the Royal City of Guelph. We had such a fun time together, and I couldn’t wait for their wedding to arrive.

Fast forward to the following year, when the pandemic forced so many couples to reschedule, postpone, or even cancel their plans. Camilla was one of the first to reach out. She asked to postpone the wedding, but the new date she chose wasn’t possible for me because I was already booked. I arranged for my associate photographer, Erika, to photograph their wedding instead, and everything seemed set for their updated plans.

But as the pandemic continued, Camilla reached out once more to request a change of date. This time, I was available. It was such a relief for all of them—and for me—that I would be the one photographing their wedding after all, just as they had hoped from the very beginning.

Getting Ready Photos in Milton

Since Camilla and Tommy decided to have a second photographer only for the church, I was responsible for photographing both locations during the getting-ready portion of the day. I began at Tommy’s house, where I captured candid photos of him getting ready in a quiet, intimate setting with just his family. Camilla had told me from the beginning that Tommy doesn’t love being in front of the camera, and that I would need to work quickly, with minimal posing, to avoid making anyone feel stiff or uncomfortable.

Keeping this in mind, I spent just enough time at his parents’ home to document his side of the morning in a way that stayed true to his personality and comfort level. When I arrived at Camilla’s parents’ house, I walked into a completely different scene. The entire space had been thoughtfully prepared with photos in mind, and her parents created a setting that felt like a photographer’s dream.

The day was sunny, and their open-concept home, with its light colours and bright spaces, offered a clean, beautiful backdrop. I didn’t waste any time—I moved quickly between rooms to take advantage of the different settings each space provided. In one room, I focused on photos of Camilla getting ready. Next, I photographed her accessories and captured moments with the bridesmaids. On the balcony, we set up the champagne toast, and in the front room, we documented the moment her mom helped her into her dress.

We ended the morning with first-look photos between Camilla and her father, followed by a bridesmaids’ reveal in the family room.

Church Wedding Ceremony for Their Paradise Banquet Hall Wedding

The number of amazing photos we had already captured completely blew me away as I drove toward the Polish church in Brampton, the St. Eugene de Mazenod Parish – Our Lady of Ludzmierz Shrine Church. On the way, I planned where to position Rosanna, my second photographer for the day. This would be her last wedding with me before she moved on to a new career, so I wanted everything to run smoothly.

I had photographed in this impressive church before and knew how beautiful the ceremony would be. I arrived on time, set up my equipment as planned, and the ceremony began soon after. This church offers stunning balcony views and incredible reflections from its shiny floors—features I take advantage of every time I photograph there.

As with every church wedding, I focused on capturing candid moments. Staying a step ahead is essential because anticipation and being in the right place at the right time are what make truly breathtaking documentary images. When it came time for the recessional, I photographed their walk from the aisle. At the same time, Rosanna covered a different angle from the second floor, ensuring we documented their Paradise Banquet Hall wedding from multiple perspectives.

After the ceremony, we took photos in front of the church. We continued capturing candid moments as they climbed into the limo, heading to our next location: the Humber College Arboretum.

The Photo Session at The Humber Arboretum

While working on their timeline, I suggested the Humber Arboretum because it was on the way to their Paradise Banquet Hall Wedding, and I had photographed there before. The location offers fantastic views and countless opportunities for beautiful photos. When we arrived, I began with family portraits so we could finish those first and send the parents ahead to Paradise Banquet Hall to make sure everything was ready for the couple’s entrance.

After the family photos, I worked with their large—but truly lovely—wedding party. Everyone cooperated perfectly, and I captured all the images with the bridesmaids and groomsmen, including individual shots with the couple, before letting the group relax in the limo.

Knowing that Tommy isn’t much of a “photo person,” I asked the two of them for just 15 minutes so I could bring them to my top five locations within the Arboretum. Tommy happily agreed with a big smile, and we headed to one of my favourite spots. He looked sharp in his tuxedo, and Camilla was absolutely radiant. With their natural beauty and elegant style, I was able to capture genuine, candid moments filled with joy and laughter—memories I knew they would treasure for a lifetime.

The Wedding Reception at Paradise Banquet Hall

As we arrived at Paradise Banquet Hall, Camilla had just one request: she wanted me to capture her dress in the lobby of the Queen Mary room. Instead of setting up my equipment first, I went straight to find the perfect angle before she walked in. I parked in front of the Queen Mary, ran inside, and prepared my camera just in time for Camilla’s entrance. I captured the shots she wanted, and then she headed to the bridal suite while I moved my car and brought in my lighting gear.

The Queen Mary room décor for their Paradise Banquet Hall wedding was absolutely beautiful. I quickly photographed all the stunning details before moving on to the cocktail hour. The reception began with the introductions of the wedding party and parents, followed by the grand entrance of my couple and their first dance. Everything unfolded quickly, but I was ready for each moment.

The evening buzzed with heartfelt speeches, emotional dances, and incredible music. I made sure to be present for all the important moments while also focusing on taking nighttime photos—some of my favourite images I’ve captured at a wedding in Paradise Banquet Hall.

The Signature Nighttime Paradise Banquet Hall Photos

Before asking Camilla and Tommy to come outside, I went to check the area first. The bridge was beautifully illuminated by the side lights, but the pillar wall at the outdoor ceremony space had no lighting at all. I went back inside and found out that the manager could turn those lights on or off as needed.

Once everything was lit, I brought the couple outside. Tommy had taken off his jacket and left his shirt unbuttoned, while Camilla had her dress bustled up, ready to move around comfortably. We photographed on the bridge from both angles, then by the pillars at the ceremony location, and finally at the white gazebo—the same spot I had photographed years ago on a winter day. Together, we created the perfect “cherry on top” for their story.

Thank you, Camilla and Tommy, for your trust and for allowing me to capture some of my favourite Paradise Banquet Hall wedding photos.

Here is another elegant and timeless celebration with church ceremony in the blog post Elegant Hotel X Wedding: Toronto most modern wedding venue.