Shadi & Michael | Arta Gallery, Distillery District

Wedding Rings Being a Toronto Wedding Photographer, I am often surprised at how many different wedding venues there actually are in Toronto.  A popular site for engagement photography and wedding photography is the Distillery District.  Shadi & Michael’s wedding was held at the Arta Gallery  just inside the Distillery District.  Their wedding consisted of a traditional civil ceremony mixed with a Persian Wedding Ceremony complete with the  Sofreye Aghd (or spelled Sofreh Aghd). (For a glimpse at Shadi & Michael’s engagement session at McMaster University, click here) We started out at the King Edward Hotel in Downton Toronto.  What a beautiful spot, so regal and elegant.  Shadi’s room was gorgeous and had beautiful light streaming through the windows!  Perfect for getting-ready, wedding day photos. Toronto Wedding Bouquet wedding shoes Persian Wedding The bride was absolutely radiant, as she got ready for her wedding day… Toronto Wedding Photographer, Mississauga Wedding Photography, Woodbridge Wedding, Arta Gallery Wedding Photographs, Distillery District Engagement Session Distillery District Wedding, Arta Gallery Wedding photography, Toronto Wedding, Mississauga Wedding Photography Toronto wedding photographer, Mississauga wedding photography, Woodbridge Wedding, Arta Gallery, Distillery District Wedding Once the dress went on though, even more gorgeous! Shadi looked absolutely stunning! Bridal Portraits Arta Gallery Wedding Photography Wedding Photographer in Toronto Toronto Wedding Photography Wedding Dress Toronto Wedding Dress Shadi’s mom couldn’t take her eyes off her daughter…You could just see and feel the pride she has in her. Mother and daughter wedding photography Distillery District Wedding Photographer King Edward Hotel Lobby We hopped into the limo waiting outside to take us to the wedding ceremony… Wedding Limo Bridal wedding portrait Shadi’s beloved Michael was inside, hanging with the boys, looking calm and relaxed and trying to figure out how to tie his best man’s shoes no less! Arta Gallery Wedding Photography and once the shoes were figured out, he started helping the boys with their pocket hankies. Must be the engineering side to him, wanting to fix all the “difficult” problems his grooms men were having that day! Shadi & Michael were married, surrounded by loving family and friends. Persian Wedding Toronto Persian Wedding Ceremony Toronto Persian Wedding The Sofreh Aghd was a gorgeous spread decorated with pastries, fruits, nuts, honey, sugar and of course a gorgeous mirror and the Holy book… Sofreh Aghd Toronto Sofreh Aghd Mirror After the ceremony we wandered around the Distillery District, trying to keep warm.  I don’t think Shadi and Michael had a problem with this at all, rightfully so, they couldn’t keep their hands off of each other!   Winter Wedding Photography When we couldn’t take the cold anymore, we headed back to the Arta Gallery to get the reception started. To end the night a brother-brother dance off started and everyone got involved…I don’t judge the dance moves, I just photograph them 😉 Arta Gallery Wedding Reception Shadi & Michael, I can’t tell you what a pleasure it was to photograph your special day.  The love you two share is really inspiring.  Thank you for letting me be a part of it! Distillery District Wedding photographs

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  • Shahrzad

    Thank you Elaine,

    Once more you did a great job. Shadi and Michael, their love and their beautifulness are wonderful but you showed them very artistically too. I enjoyed a lot of pictures and reviewed them many many and many times. They saved every moment of wedding with all feelings on them very well and sustained them forever.

  • Great Wedding images. Love the mood and feelings that these images give to me, very sentimental and loving. Nice work.

Michael & Shadi | McMaster University, Hamilton Ontario | Engagement Session

 

I travelled to McMaster University in Hamilton on a cold, rainy Sunday.  It was the Sunday before Super Storm Sandy made her way to the East Coast.  We were all ready feeling her wrath although somewhat mildly.  I woke up to no rain, but the clouds were definitely looming and rain was definitely coming.  It wasn’t a question of “if” it was a question of “when”.  Sure enough as I hit Mississauga, the rain started pelting down on my car.  I was worried.  What kind of session could we have with the rain beating so hard.  I quickly called Michael and Shadi and asked them to grab someone who could hold an umbrella over my gear! 🙂 They graciously complied.

As luck (good fortune) would have it, the rain subsided to a mild drizzle when I finally arrived at the John Hodgins Engineering Building on campus.  Perched in front of this building is an Iron Ring, also known as the Steel Ring.  This ring is worn by many Canadian trained engineers and serves as a symbol to remind them of their obligation and ethics to their chosen profession.   The ring is given to each graduate in a ceremony known as “The Ritual of the Calling of an Engineer”.   Outside of the Engineering Building at McMaster, sits a statue with a metal ring prominently a top the cement slab, serving as a reminder to students what they are striving for.

Hamilton Wedding Photographer, McMaster University Engagement Photography Session, Iron Ring, Toronto Wedding Photographer

As much as this Iron Ring symbolizes a degree in engineering, I believe for Michael and Shadi it also symbolizes their love for each other.  As it was in this place, working towards this “Iron Ring” that Michael and Shadi first laid eyes on each other, and it is here where their love story began.  So in paying homage to their roots in love, they decided McMaster University on Campus would be the best place for their engagement shoot.  Starting right in front, where the Iron Ring resides.

Although I have been to McMaster University before to shoot, I was treated with a tour from Shadi’s brother who once attended there as well, as he told me all the “must-have” photo location ops!  The grounds of McMaster are beautiful.  They also do weddings there.  So if you live in Hamilton (even if you don’t) and are thinking about locations, consider Mac as an option.  It truly is gorgeous!

Meet Michael:

I asked him to GQ it out, and here’s what  I got…a valiant effort wouldn’t you say? 🙂

Meet Shadi:  (She didn’t need me to tell her to GQ it out, she just has a natural flare! Sorry Michael!!) LOL

Together they make Michael and Shadi, destined to meet and fall in love.  Destined to be wed this coming February.

Shadi & Michael, I had a blast, through the rain and cold, you two kept smiling and never once complained.  You are the epitome of true love.  Thank you for allowing me to be a part of it!

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  • Shahrzad

    They are the most beautiful things that I have ever seen. What can make a mother happier than watching those pictures with all love, happiness and honesty beneath them? Thank you Shadi and Michael Jon for all you gave me. Congratulations for your nice, wise and smart choice of place for your engagement pictures. Thank you Elaine for saving this happiness in such a nice way. Thank you Saman for helping Elaine.

  • Thank you so much for the kind words, it means so much! 🙂

  • Glenda Maduro Mansur

    ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL PICTURES…YOU PERFECTLY CAPTURED THE PRECIOUS MOMENTS] OF TWO YOUNG PEOPLE SO VERY MUCH IN LOVE.

  • Joe R Teimo

    You do great work!