Julie and Peter’s Royal Ambassador Wedding Photos showcase a stunning fall wedding in Canada at one of Caledon’s most picturesque wedding venues.

I first met Julie at the wedding of my past clients, Angela and Igor. Julie is Angela’s cousin and was part of the bridal party. At that time, I had no idea that I would eventually be photographing her own wedding. Angela’s wedding created unforgettable memories, and it was an amazing experience.

Fast forward a few years, and we were now planning Julie and Peter’s wedding. Peter, who has Greek heritage and Macedonian roots, wanted a photographer who understood his family’s customs and traditions. Julie had already seen my work firsthand at Angela’s wedding, and my knowledge of Macedonian traditions helped give them the confidence that I was the right choice to capture their special day.

The Engagement Connection for These Royal Ambassador Wedding Photos

Julie and Peter are naturally camera-shy, reserving their smiles for close friends and family with whom they feel most at ease. When I asked if they would consider a collection that included an engagement session, they decided against it, feeling it wasn’t necessary. They preferred candid, unposed imagery and found it difficult to imagine following detailed posing instructions or direction from anyone.

Understanding their hesitation, I suggested a practice session to help us connect and build rapport before the wedding day. This would allow them to see that working with me could be a relaxed and enjoyable experience while also creating meaningful memories.

We had a quick engagement session at their engagement party a couple of months before their wedding at the Royal Ambassador. It was a great choice, and it really set the tone for the beautiful photos we captured later on!

Through this experience, we developed excellent communication, and Julie and Peter felt much more comfortable with both the process and my photography style by the time their wedding day arrived.

Getting Ready on the Wedding Day With the Boys

When I spoke with Julie before the wedding, she emphasized how important it was for her and Peter to have someone at his parents’ house to capture photos with the boys. The top priority was documenting moments with Peter’s immediate and large extended family.

To meet their needs, we added a second photographer to their collection, and I was thrilled to have Erika join us for the day. Erika has a fantastic eye for finding great photo locations and has made excellent use of the beautiful outdoor property at Peter’s parents’ home.

While Erika was working with Peter, his family, and the boys, I spent the morning at Julie’s parents’ house. I already knew Julie’s parents from before, and it was wonderful to see Angela again—this time as a bridesmaid for her cousin’s wedding. The atmosphere was warm and lively, and the girls were already dressed and ready. I got to work capturing them in their stunning dresses while also enjoying some traditional Italian sandwiches that Julie’s family had prepared.

I made the most of the gorgeous interior staircase for some elegant shots and took a few outdoor photos in the shaded area in front of the house. Adding to the charm of the morning were Julie’s two young nephews, whose curiosity and spontaneity brought a playful energy to the getting-ready photos. I was able to capture some wonderful candid moments with them while photographing the grown-ups.

Church Ceremony at Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox

Julie and Peter’s ceremony took place at Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Toronto. It was my first time photographing at this location and being part of their ceremony was an exciting experience. In my experience, I have found that wedding ceremonies in Orthodox churches are way more relaxed and tailored towards the needs and experiences of the couples instead of the church or the priest itself. In comparison, Roman Catholic wedding ceremonies are more strict about obeying the rules and the priest, in a way, controls everything.

This relaxed atmosphere allowed me to capture some incredible documentary-style photos during the ceremony, highlighting the rich traditions and intimate moments. When the ceremony concluded, Julie and Peter made their grand exit from the church in true traditional style, greeted by all their guests waiting outside to cheer and celebrate their union.

After a large group photo with everyone, we headed straight to the venue to continue with their Royal Ambassador Wedding Photos.

The Royal Ambassador Wedding Photos

When we arrived at the venue, the first task was to complete the immediate family and group photos that Julie and Peter had planned. We used the terrace at the back of the Royal Ambassador as the perfect spot for these shots. While I focused on the posed images, Erika worked her magic, capturing candid, behind-the-scenes moments of the guests and the group I was photographing.

Knowing that Julie and Peter weren’t naturally comfortable in front of the camera, I reassured them that the process would be quick and as relaxed as possible. With that in mind, Erika and I took different positions as Julie and Peter walked to the area where we would take bridal party photos. Encouraging them to simply enjoy the moment without worrying about looking at the camera, we captured some truly incredible, authentic images.

The bridal party photos were lively and fun, even though the group’s large size created some delays. Once those were complete, we shifted focus to capturing the most intimate photos of Julie and Peter, showcasing their connection.

With all the formal photos done, Julie and Peter fully relaxed, giving Erika and me the chance to capture some of the sweetest moments of the day. Their trust in us and the effort we made to prioritize their comfort resulted in some of the most memorable images I’ve ever taken at this venue, making their Royal Ambassador Wedding Photos truly exceptional.

The Wedding Reception at The Embassy West Ballroom

After returning from the photo session, we had just enough time to capture all the activities happening at that moment. While I accompanied Julie and Peter to photograph their receiving line, Erika focused on documenting the beautifully decorated reception room.

Julie and Peter seamlessly blended their traditions to create a unique and memorable wedding reception. Julie’s Italian heritage was highlighted with an antipasto spread during the cocktail hour. Peter brought Macedonian traditions to life, including a roasted piglet, breaking the pogaca bread, and vibrant Greek dances and wedding party customs.

Knowing the order of these events upfront benefited me because I could anticipate the moment, capture the perfect photos, and freeze them in time. Once the dance floor opened, I was right in the middle of the action, photographing the traditional dances and “must-have” shots of the couple’s closest family members.

As the evening progressed and the atmosphere grew lively, I realized I had stayed half an hour beyond my planned time. However, I couldn’t leave without offering Julie and Peter my signature nighttime photos. I invited them outside for just a couple of minutes and guided them to the perfect spot with a stunning nighttime view. The final images we captured were the perfect way to wrap up their Royal Ambassador Wedding Photos—truly the cherry on top.

Thank you, Julie and Peter, for trusting us to be part of your special day and allowing us to capture incredible memories while celebrating your beautiful union.

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

Here is another celebration in Caledon at The Royal Ambassador, Katty and Rafael’s wedding.