It all started because of mutual friends – and because Rachael asked one of her friends who was a firefighter if they knew anyone single and turns out they did, another firefighter named Kyle. Once they met they immediately clicked and years later while on a trip to Scotland, Kyle proposed. Kyle is also the younger brother of a past client of mine! Heather and Michael threw a surprise wedding in 2015 that I had the honour of photographing. So knowing Kyle and his family ahead of time made this wedding extra special!

Their wedding was held at Hotel Ocho which has got to be one of my favourite venues in the city. It’s unique, simple, laid-back, rustic while also being modern, and it’s right in the heart of the city near Chinatown. And it’s no wonder Rachael and Kyle love it too because they are the perfect mix of easy-going, fun and elegant – all things they wanted their wedding to feel like. The day of their wedding started with the girls popping champagne and laughing together in matching pink robes. Everyone was relaxed, joking around and chill – it seriously felt very calm and relaxing! One of my favourite details from their day was the bottle of scotch that they had brought back from their trip to Scotland together – which is also the trip where they got engaged and had marked the occasion by buying a bottle of scotch from a distillery they visited.

Rachael and Kyle opted to see each other before their ceremony and because there was a little rain we kept everything indoors – and their ceremony spot was the perfect backdrop for this special moment because Kyle designed and built that wooden arch! The rest of the wedding party photos were taken around the hotel which has the most beautiful hidden gems all around it. When it was time for the ceremony you could sense how excited all of their guests were. Everyone was laughing and smiling which carried out through the ceremony and vows. Their officiant, Wade from Weddings By Wayde, was hilarious and had everyone in the room laughing. After the ceremony guests enjoyed cocktails while we took family and friends photos outside. And since it had stopped raining, we couldn’t pass up a few photos of Rachael and Kyle before the sun had set.

The romantic vibe that these two had hoped to create was carried throughout the reception space with tons of candles and string lights and Melanie from All Wrapped Up Events put everything together perfectly. During the reception hilarious and sentimental speeches were shared  that had everyone laughing – there was even reference to a support group for spouses of the Lewis family because, as they admit, they can be a bit much. They’re also extremely brave and opened up the mic for guests to share embarrassing stories of the two of them which was as funny as you could imagine. Once the dance floor opened everyone was ready to party! Needless to say, these guys threw an incredible celebration full of sentimental and hilarious moments all with their closest friends and family. I’m so incredibly honoured that I get to add another family member to my client list and who am I kidding, my friend list. Rachael and Kyle thank you for asking me to document your day and I wish you a lifetime of love… and lots of scotch too!

The greatest photobomb!

We took advantage of the hotel room and did our own Vanity Fair shoot.

Rachael also had a ‘first-look’ with her dad that was an emotional moment for everyone around.

I love how both Rachael and Kyle had all their high school friends there.

These are the two that started it all. Rachael and Kyle had to give a huge thanks and shout out to the two who set them up.

The amazing vendors who put together such an incredible day:

Planner: All Wrapped Up Events
Florist: Rosehill Blooms
Officiant: Wedding By Wayde
Venue: Hotel Ocho
Hair & Makeup: Glam Galz Inc
Bride’s Dress: Kleinfeld Canada
Bridesmaid Dresses: Heirlooms Bridal Shoppe
Groom & Groomsmen Attire: RW & CO.
Cake: Larkspur Cake + Design
DJ: Scottify Events
Photography: Laura Clarke Photography