One thing I knew for sure going into Ali and Sarah’s wedding was that I could expect earnest emotions.
There’s always something particularly special about working with other people from different creative fields. Sarah with a background in theatre, and Ali with a background in music, I had an unconscious comfort in their presence from our mutual visions as artists and people living through the human experience. Both Ali and Sarah are highly thoughtful individuals with an in incredible energy, one that resonated immensely throughout the day.
Like many others that I’ve worked with that have a creative background, both Ali and Sarah expressed the importance in having something tangible and intentional as analog film be part of their wedding day experience. When we first grabbed coffee together we practically chatted about analog film and how I use it for weddings for a bulk of our conversation. They were enthusiastic about allowing an artist to use their creative tools and compass to create something powerful and personal for their future selves. Their appreciation for the nostalgic and tangible element of film photography had me looking forward to their wedding day for over a year.
The day began with an emotionally and spiritually driven first-look before heading off to Fat Pasha’s on Dupont Street in Toronto for the wedding ceremony and reception. Having eaten at Fat Pasha’s in the past, I was 100% looking forward to their incredible food and the ambiance and atmosphere that their space and patio create. You can have an intimate and beautiful experience within a large city like Toronto.
A summer wedding at Fat Pasha’s, with the Toronto Sun peeking through the cracks of wood panelling, was the ultimate scene setter for an incredible evening among friends and family to experience the fusing of two creative souls.
The bride and groom held a jewish wedding ceremony on Fat Pasha’s patio, beneath a beautifully crafted chuppah Ali and Sarah said their vows to one another. I was expecting beautifully written vows that dug deep, but even I couldn’t predict the authentic and candid beauty created from their mere words to one another.
Digging into the subterranean elements of complex human emotion and purpose, every single person in attendance was rapt in attention, most fighting back tears unsuccessfully. Ali and Sarah accomplished what they set out to do, to unite not only themselves in a life-long spiritual bond, but also create an ultimate shared human experience with their friends and family.
The evening went on with the breaking of the bread, amazing catered food by Fat Pasha’s, incredible cocktails, and a few blue hour portraits of Ali and Sarah to help them soak in the atmosphere of what they just went through together.
Most artists appreciate having personal elements of their lives involved in their weddings, often creating a platform for those closest to them to contribute uniquely to their wedding. Ali had his friends play music for the ceremony, numerous friends read a special blessing or reading during the ceremony itself, the speeches were held beneath the blue hour sky and stars, it just oozed mood and intimacy, highly representative of the Sarah and Ali I got to known personally.
For me, I leave behind 35mm and 120 negatives and positives from my experience and artistic contribution to their wedding day. These remnants of my experience, the analog film from their wedding day, is my tangible imprint for them to share amongst their friends and family for generations to come.
Song of the day
Subterraneans - Willie J Healey
- 3B
