Backyard Elopement in Guelph

It goes without saying that COVID-19 has changed the world we live in and as a wedding photographer I’ve seen how Corona Virus has directly effected the wedding industry and everyone who had a wedding planned for 2020. Although I naturally seem to work with couples having intimate weddings and elopements here in Toronto and Ontario, the current pandemic has definitely create a trend where more and more couples are looking for this style of wedding. Don’t get me wrong, I love shooting ALL types of weddings and don’t pick and choose intimate weddings and elopements over any other, but it seems my natural photojournalistic and fine art wedding photography style tends to lend well to these types of weddings and elopements because I can naturally integrate myself into the experience and feel more involved, resulting in more natural candid images and it’s easier to tap into the trust of the bride and groom to create editorial and fine art inspired portraits of them on the wedding day that balance beauty and honest emotion.

Helena & Antonio were supposed to get married in May at the Gladstone Hotel on Queen Street West in Toronto, but amid the current travel restrictions they decided to postpone their wedding to 2021 to ensure that their families travelling from the Ukraine and Portugal could all be there to celebrate this special moment together. Although their original wedding plans got changed, the bride and groom remained positive and instead of waiting until next year to make their commitment to each other, they decide to elope instead.

When they reached out to me about their idea to have a private elopement in a backyard I was 100% on-board and extremely excited for the opportunity to photograph a wedding during this historical time in humanity. Of course, we kept everyone safe by adhering to all social distancing measures and practices and with the intimate setting our minds were all put to ease. The idea was that they were going to be exchanging vows and legally marry while still hosting their wedding celebration in 2021 at the Gladstone Hotel with their friends and family as originally planned.

For the elopement, the bride and groom rented a beautiful vintage home out in the countryside of Guelph Ontario, allowing themselves access to stunning rooms and a massive outdoor backyard to host their intimate ceremony that they also broadcasted live on Facebook for their friends and family around the world to watch live and feel like they were part of this amazing experience with them. Although Helena’s family was in the Ukraine and Antonio’s in Portugal, they all stayed up late to FaceTime each other and give their well wishes before the ceremony. Although it was difficult to not have their parents present during the wedding, there was something impactful and sweet seeing their video conversations, showing their support and happiness despite not being able to be physically present. The bride even had one of her best friends chatting with her via FaceTime as she did her own makeup, it was special to see such powerful bonds maintained even though they were separated by distance of the Atlantic Ocean.

Aesthetically this elopement was a dream. The bride was stunning in her lace vintage wedding dress and the groom’s look matched her and the location perfectly. Along with their two best friends (who were also their witnesses) the entire elopement day experience was extremely intimate and very easy-going, with no timeline pressures or obligations besides living in the moment and embracing the entire elopement experience to its fullest.

From the first look to the ceremony, the wedding day was emotional and deeply passionate. I could tell the moment they first saw each other that a rush of emotions overcame them and they were ready to embark on this journey together knowing that they made the right choice to pursue this elopement. The ceremony was full of tears as Helena and Antonio wrote their own vows to each other proving once again that speaking from your heart and own experiences will always be a powerful way to express your love to someone. I fought back my own tears when the bride and groom simultaneously wiped tears off one another’s face during the ceremony, it was so cute I couldn’t help myself from smiling ear to ear. The bride and groom had a positive attitude and really let go on their wedding day, enjoying the experience to its maximum, allowing themselves to feel and express their true emotions in a natural way without the pressure of worrying about guests and the usual wedding details you’d have to think about in traditional circumstances.Even though it was mostly overcast that day, the sun peaked through the clouds once in a while and even created one of those golden hour sunsets that made the sky look like a Monet painting as Helena and Antonio shared a quiet moment together by the horses as the sun set in the distance. Following that ethereal experience, they decided to have a first dance on the front lawn by the garden as their 3 guests watched on with smiles and beating hearts before heading inside the vintage home to enjoy a champagne toast and some wedding cake.It goes without saying that this elopement proves that you CAN have a beautiful wedding day even if you elope and that elopements /  intimate weddings truly give you an opportunity to tap into the core of what a wedding day is all about and if you fully commit yourself to the experience as Helena and Antonio did, you’ll without a doubt create a magical and unforgettable experience that you will look back on for the rest of your lives and truly cherish.

I can’t wait until next year when I get to hangout with Helena and Antonio again during their 1 year anniversary as they have a vow renewal with their friends and family at the Gladstone Hotel, it’s going to be as memorable as their elopement and I’m lucky to have the chance to be part of another beautiful experience with two of the nicest people I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting and photographing. It’s an incredible honour being part of such intimate events and it’s something I won’t ever take for granted and Helena and Antonio reminded me, yet again, that I’m so lucky to work with such amazing human beings.

Song of the day - Without You - Tyler Burkhart

- 3B

VENDORS
Location: Airbnb outside of Guelph
Groom’s Suit: Tom’s Place
Bride’s Jewelry: Toronto Bridal Jewels
Florist: King West Flowers
Cake: Dufflet

Winter Elopement in Toronto

A few of the great things about planning a winter elopement here in Toronto is that we have mild winters and great indoor locations for weddings. Kristy & Jamie decided to elope here in Toronto before officially moving over to London England, they wanted to host an intimate celebration with their immediate families, keep things cool and casual but still have a wedding. Their low-key and easy-going attitudes made the entire wedding day experience an absolute pleasure for me and it really proved to me that winter elopements are not only possible, but absolutely beautiful too, taking full advantage of that orange sunset glow and festivities that are unique to the winter season.

Toronto City Hall was hosting it’s annual Winter Fair & Carnival on the day the bride and groom chose to elope, instead of seeing that as an annoyance, they actually loved the energy and livelihood it brought to the atmosphere, even taking full-advantage of the colourful Christmas lights and exploring the market on their way to their ceremony. The ceremony was short but extremely intimate, with both Kristy & Jamie saying their own personally written vows to one another. The emotional impact of reading / hearing your partner speak from the heart is always powerful and never fails to shed a few tears (and laughs) throughout the process, making for amazing candid photos for them to have to look back on.

Following the ceremony and a few family photos, the couple and their families made their way to the Four Seasons Hotel in Yorkville where they had a private area of the restaurant sectioned off for them to enjoy some cocktails and meals. The atmosphere was dark and moody, making it extremely romantic. The small size of the wedding made for the type of conversation you can only have when surrounded by your closest relatives and friends, another reason why micro weddings and elopements should be something you consider. Toronto has so many great restaurants and lounges that can be fantastic for an elopement or intimate wedding.

Although they might’ve been unintentionally ahead of the micro wedding and elopement trend, this bride and groom actually loved the idea of the intimacy and easy-going vibe and elopement creates for your wedding day. This was their plan A, not plan B (as some people like to label elopements). Weddings and elopements can truly be whatever you want them to be, as long as you’re with the right people and plan for a day that focuses on you and your love, you’re bound to have an unforgettable experience for your elopement and wedding day. Kristy & Jamie wanted something untraditional and they catered the wedding day to their own taste and the Bride even wore an amazing modern alternative dress that isn’t your typical wedding dress to prove it.

I’ll always have a special connection to the intimate weddings and elopements I photograph and they highlight the importance of having a great relationship with the people I work with, I truly felt like a member of the family during the day which allowed me to create photojournalistic and documentary style wedding photos, otherwise it would be impossible to capture what I did. It’s something I sincerely treasure as a wedding photographer and I’m lucky Toronto has so many like-minded people getting married that I can comfortably collaborate with to create timeless memories for everyone involved.

Song of the day - Blackbird - The Beatles

- 3B

VENDORS
Ceremony Location: Toronto City Hall
Dinner Location: Four Seasons

Eloping in Toronto: Location Guide

Toronto is undoubtably one of the most diverse and exciting cities in the world which also makes it one of the best places to elope. Having photographed intimate weddings and elopements in Toronto for the past 5 years, I’ve compiled a laundry list of some of my favourite locations around the city that suit every kind of vibe you might be going for on your wedding day. One of the most important and key elements you need to consider when learning how to plan an elopement in Toronto is the LOCATION, whether it be for ceremony, the getting ready or the portraits, choosing a location that reflects your personalities will ultimately be the winning ingredient in your overall elopement experience.

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OUTDOOR VENUES

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Toronto has so an incredible range of amazing outdoor locations where you can host your elopement. If you’re a dog owner outdoor elopements give you an opportunity to include your fur baby in your special day without worry. The city parks are open year round so you can pick a time of year and season that speaks more to your vibe without having to compromise feeling comfortable. If you’re into camping or hiking an outdoor adventure-elopement is a no-brainer and worth considering for your wedding day since it would provide a top to bottom experience for you and your partner.

Some of my favourite outdoor elopement locations in Toronto include:

• The Scarborough Bluffs

• High Park (Colborne Lodge)

• KEW Gardens

• Riverdale Park

• Toronto Island 

• Rouge River

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SMALL RESTAURANTS & BARS

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Another fantastic year-round option for your Toronto elopement is inside your favourite restaurant or bar. Most places in the city will book out their space or a private room for special events. A major bonus of restaurant weddings is that the food is one less thing to decide on so if you’re a foodie or appreciate intimate ambiance a restaurant elopement is the way to go and Toronto isn’t short on fantastic options.

Here are some of my favourite restaurant elopement locations in Toronto:

• Allen’s on the Danforth

• Ricarda’s in downtown Toronto

• Boxcar Social coffee shop & bar

• The Chase in the financial district

• Prey Tell Bar on College Street

• Fat Pasha’s in the Annex 

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BOUTIQUE HOTELS

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A more contemporary elopement location option in Toronto is at one of the many boutique hotels across the city.  There’s a lot of benefits to hosting your elopement at a boutique hotel and it would give your wedding day timeline a lot of breathing room and flexibility to add various experience elements to your day. A boutique hotel also gives you the option of getting ready together or separately without the burden of distance, so the option of an intimate first look can still happen with this option. All boutique hotels are also equipped with beautiful private lounges and rooftop patios, either would make stunning locations to exchange vows and have as your wedding ceremony location.  The boutique hotels in Toronto are all expertly located so venturing out for portraits or other activities is convenient and realistic with the added perk of being able to have your wedding dinner at the contemporary restaurant within the hotel upon your return from your elopement adventure.

Here are some of my favourite boutique hotel elopement locations in Toronto:

• The Drake Hotel on Queen West

• The Annex Hotel in the Annex

• The Gladstone Hotel on Queen West

• The Kimpton Saint George Hotel in the Annex

• The Broadview Hotel on Queen East

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VINTAGE VENUES

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An often overlooked option for eloping in Toronto is one of the many vintage historical sites around the city. Most of these locations offer hourly rates that are quite affordable and with manor like spaces, hosting your ceremony in an authentic vintage mansion is entirely possible. These locations are best suited for truly intimate elopements as their spaces are normally capped at smaller numbers. The option of utilizing one of these venues for your couples portraits is a great rainy-day backup plan. If you’re a history buff or simply want to be surrounded by opulent and vintage artworks you should absolutely consider eloping on the grounds of a beautiful historical site.

Here are some of my favourite vintage venues for eloping in Toronto:

• The Campbell House in downtown Toronto

• The Spadina House in the Annex

• Osgood Hall in Downtown Toronto

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INDUSTRIAL VENUES

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The industrial aesthetic is quintessential Toronto and you won’t be short on option if this is the vibe you're hoping your urban elopement will have.  The range of diversity for locations is immense. You can have a more elegant elopement location and utilize any of the museums or art galleries the city has to offer or you can keep things simple and book a modern loft somewhere in the Junction to celebrate your wedding. The industrial vibe can also be taken into a completely different direction and you can make the most of one of the many cool and amazing local breweries to have a ceremony location for your wedding. With so many great urban location options your elopement day can be spent walking the local neighbourhoods, stopping somewhere for coffee and a bite before making your way back to have a crisp cold locally crafted beer. An industrial elopement is perfect for anyone who wants an authentic Toronto experience during their urban elopement adventure.

Some of my favourite industrial venues for elopements in Toronto are:

• The AGO

• The Burroughs

• The Museum of Contemporary Art (MoCA)

• ARTA Gallery

• Any vintage Toronto loft you can find on AirBnB

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AT HOME / BACKYARD

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Hosting your elopement at home or in your (or a family’s) backyard is a guaranteed way to create a meaningful elopement experience. This option gives you more creative freedom with how you want to celebrate your wedding day and its the ultimate way to create the most flexible and fluid elopement experience.  A backyard elopement is a truly vintage approach to having your wedding and it creates a level of intimacy that is unmatched. Just because the majority of your elopement would happen at home doesn’t mean that the adventure stops there. The flexible timeline would allow the perfect opportunity for a short day trip or drive to a beautiful nearby location to enjoy yourself in and soak up the entire elopement experience… just with the added benefit of crashing into bed whenever you feel like it!

Some backyard elopement locations to consider: 

• Your own backyard

• Family member’s backyard

• Friend’s backyard

And if you don’t have backyard consider eloping: 

• at home

• In the living room

It’s also important to consider a few things before finalizing your ideal dream elopement location.

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The Scenery & Views
(The Vibe)

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Make sure you pick a vibe that’s undoubtably you, think about what sort of scenery and energy inspires you? Do you want to be secluded in nature or would you prefer to be in the the high energy of downtown? When saying your vows to each other would you rather be surrounded by trees or old architecture?  

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Weather

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Is there a specific season you want to get married in? If you prefer the warmer weather or can withstand the slight chill of the spring or fall, it’s important to pick a location that works well with the time of year you’re planning to elope.  It’s also important to ask yourself if you’re comfortable being caught in the rain or unexpected snowfall if you’re eloping somewhere within nature and outside.

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Accessibility

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When planning an elopement in Toronto it’s incredibly important to be mindful of a locations accessibility. Do we need to drive or take the ferry? Do you have guests attending will they be able to get to location with ease? If we’re hiking to a remote location ask yourself if you want to make it a full-day adventure or if you prefer somewhere that’s accessible by car but still has breathtaking views.

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Privacy

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Is it important for you to have the utmost seclusion and privacy when exchanging vows or are you comfortable with a few people walking by? If a place is normally chaotic you also have the option of waking up super early to have it all to yourselves or you could always go for the romantic vibe and opt for an evening option. Despite being Canada’s largest city, you CAN have privacy and intimacy on your elopement even if it’s the Urban Mecca of Toronto.

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Overall Experience

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When eloping you should also consider OTHER things you want to do on your wedding day besides exchanging vows. The wedding day starts from the moment you wake up and last until late into the evening when you crash in bed for the first time as a married couple. Think of all the things in-between that would make for an exciting and fun day together, there’s no formula for an elopement so make sure you add elements of your passions and inspirations throughout the day to make it truly memorable.

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Who’s Coming?

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Are you planning on keeping the elopement super intimate and just spending the day alone together or do you want a small group of friends and family coming to celebrate at some point also? How many friends and family would you want at the ceremony and celebration? Don’t forgot to take your guests into consideration when planning out your elopement so that you choose locations that create a stress-free timeline to ensure the ultimate wedding day experience.

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Locations that have MEANING

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One of the best rules of thumb on how to plan an elopement in Toronto is to pick locations that have authentic meaning to you and your relationship. Is there a particular pub or coffee shop you absolutely love? Make time to stop by and say hey to familiar faces and visit familiar places, doing so will create a comfortable and easy-going environment where you’ll both feel like yourselves. Having an emotional attachment to locations you choose is a sure-fire way to have an incredible elopement experience that you’ll look back on with fond memories.|


The location of your elopement is the backbone of the entire experience so make sure you think profoundly about it during your planning process. Ask yourselves what places are significant in your lives currently or historically, what values do you share, what experiences or activities have brought you closer together, if there was only one place you could spend an entire day together where would that be?  Elopements are meant to be fun and symbolic of your connection, be true to yourselves when choosing an eloping location in Toronto and that is ultimately how you’ll plan a beautiful elopement that will make you feel deeply and that you can look back fondly with emotional nostalgia.

IF YOU NEED SOME INSPIRATION, CHECK OUT THESE REAL ELOPEMENTS:

updated: Feb 2, 2021

5 Unique Elopements Ideas

To celebrate the growing interest in elopements I’ve decided to create a short guide to a few elopement ideas that I’ve experienced first hand as a wedding photographer. These ideas offer a spectrum of options that suit all tastes and personality types, the one thing they all have in common though is that they’re sure fire ways to create an intimate and unforgettable experience for you to share together on your wedding day.

THE URBAN ELOPEMENT

The Urban Elopement is a concept born from living in Toronto for a decade now and getting to know the ins and outs of what this great city has to offer. The landscape of Toronto is diverse so there’s something for everyone whether you prefer the vibe of a park or the idea of being on a rooftop overlooking the city skyline. If the idea of waking up in your own bed and getting ready together isn’t your thing, there’s incredible AirBnB options in both the West and East end of the city that offer plenty of character and natural light for you to start the wedding day off on the right foot. Another great option with so many boutique hotels in the city, you can easily do a one-stop elopement, from the getting ready, to the ceremony and portraits, can all take place in one beautiful location saving you time and stress.

What your Urban Elopement could look like:

• Sleep in

• Have brunch at your favourite place in the city

• Check into your airbnb/hotel + get ready

• First Look in the area

• Head to a cool urban location of your choice

• Say your vows

• Head to another awesome location for portraits (we can always bring along some drinks to celebrate)

• Arrive for your dinner reservations at one of your favourite Toronto restaurants

• Sneak out before your food arrives for a first dance in the middle of the street

• Get some late night eats if you celebrated a little too hard

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THE COTTAGE ELOPEMENT

They say spending time in nature reduces stress and anxiety by nearly 30%. If you love being outdoors among the trees and by a lake then you should know Ontario and Quebec have some of the best cottage options in the whole country. Whether you’re renting a quaint cottage via AirBnB or using the go-to family cottage, you’ll have the benefit of privacy and that cozy at-home feeling that’s synonymous with the cottage life. Spend the weekend together alone or with your families & friends in Muskoka or the Laurentians, an epic 2-day elopement that encompasses the importance of shared experiences as you enjoy a morning swim or watch the sunset from the dock.

Ideas for the perfect cottage elopement:

• Wake up and go kayaking or swimming together

• Have lunch and hang out on the dock

• Get ready (together or separately) - inside the cottage or in the forest nearby

• Do your first look or ceremony (this depends on if you are getting ready together or not)

• Portraits at sunset to soak in the golden light

• A privately catered dinner for just the two of you

• A first dance under the string lights and stars

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THE WATERFRONT ELOPEMENT

You can have a quaint cottage town wedding right here in Toronto. A short ferry ride from downtown brings you to Toronto Island, a unique and beautiful location for those who love the beach and sights of endless water. Whether you’re using one of the many local venue options on the Island or simply renting a country home through AirBnB, Toronto Island is one of the most unique and authentic elopement experiences you can have without leaving the city.

• Wake up and have a delicious brunch

• Get ready together or separately

• First look near your area

• Take the ferry to the island

• Set up for ceremony on the beach at sunset

• Celebrate with drinks at the Island Cafe

• Take the night ferry back to the city and maybe do your first dance on the ferry (we will provide the speaker, you just need to choose the song!)

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THE HIKING ELOPEMENT

Within two hours or less of Toronto, you can find yourself in the true wilderness that would satisfy the outdoors person in anyone. With many provincial parks providing stunning landscapes to explore, you can easily have an epic 2-day elopement experience by camping at Algonquin Park and portaging to a remote island to exchange vows. Alternatively, with a little help from your photography guides, you can pinpoint countless epic views as final destinations for your hike, bringing you to a breathtaking landscape to overlook as you exchange vows. (We’ll also share our expert advice to make sure you look your best when you finally arrive too).

• Have a chill morning together

• Get on the road

• Hike or kayak to our beautiful destination

• Stop for lunch

• Get ready (don’t worry, we have a pop up tent for you to change in)

• Find the perfect first look spot

• Stop at the waterfall to exchange vows

• Celebrate! (we will bring a little picnic and champagne)

• Hike out of the location stopping for a few portraits

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THE CITY HALL ELOPEMENT

Although this may seem like it’s not the most unique way to elope, it is a great way to keep things simple. Simple doesn’t have to mean little effort, or cheap, it just means putting no-stress on your wedding ceremony. The first wedding we ever photographed was a surprise elopement at city hall that had just the bride and groom and their parents. The small atmosphere that Toronto City Hall has to offer creates an intimate experience between everyone in attendance.

You can even incorporate aspects of the urban elopement into your city hall wedding. Before you head to the chambers we can plan for a first look near by at a hidden park or within the chaos of downtown Toronto. Another great element of eloping at City Hall is that the low-key ceremony opens up a lot of options for your timeline. If you wanted to venture out to a specific area for portraits and family photos, then a city hall elopement gives you the opportunity to do that without the stress of a busy timeline.

• Walk to your local flower shop to get bouquets or boutonnieres

• Get ready together or separately at home/a downtown AirBnB

• First Look in the area

• Ceremony at Toronto City Hall

• Portraits of the two of you and any family you brought along (before or after the ceremony)

• Go to a restaurant for a private dinner celebration

• Head home to Netflix and Chill

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The wedding industry is facing some changes and with the new era of physical distancing, many couples are now shifting to the idea of eloping. 

Despite the negative connotation sometimes associated with elopements, it’s important to realize that elopements aren’t a plan B, but instead, they offer couples a unique opportunity to create a wedding day centred around their true selves and allowing them to celebrate the things that really matter with their immediate circles. I can say with confidence, I’ve photographed many elopement as a wedding photographer and they are always deeply beautiful and extremely memorable. The atmosphere and emotions that come with a small elopement are undeniable, and for couples that value genuine and intimate experiences, elopements are the way to go.

With COVID-19 being our new reality for the time being, many couples are looking for alternatives for the wedding day. Although some are ditching their original wedding plans, many of the couples I’m lucky to work with are deciding to split their celebration in two; their private elopement to legally marry each other, and a party down the road with their entire social circles and families once we get back to normal.

Regardless of which path you choose when planning your wedding, it’s important to remember that elopements can truly be fun and deeply emotional events, because there’s less to plan and more attention to detail can be put onto the things that really matter to you and the entire experience.

LOCATIONS
Broadview Hotel, Osgood Hall, Sherwood Inn, Airbnb in Chelsea Quebec, Private Backyard, Ecolodge, Toronto City Hall / Nathan Phillips Square, and Caffino