Toronto Elopement’s can look like 1 out of 1000 ways, for Lisa & William, passionate outdoors people and hikers, their original elopement plan was to hike and camp through Algonquin Park, finding a beautiful location at sunset to exchange their vows and enjoy the beautiful outdoors that has meant so much to them and their relationship.
As the story goes throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and weddings, these two had no choice but to shift their elopement plans, but that didn’t stop them from creating a beautiful adventure elopement that evoked the original essence and sentiment that their wedding day was meant to have all along.
Toronto being such a diverse landscape, blending the urban city with the natural elements, it wasn’t too hard for the bride and groom to end up selecting Humber Bay Park as their wedding backdrop. Having taken many walks and hikes through the various trails (both accessible and inaccessible) throughout their time together, Lisa & William mapped out a “mini hike” to arrive to their final elopement location overlooking the Toronto skyline before privately exchanging vows in a hidden section of Humber Bay Park as the sun set and the full moon bloomed behind them during a dramatic cotton candy sky. Sure, it might not have been Algonquin Park, but the intimacy and dramatic scenery of the moment was arguably unlike any other scenario they could’ve drawn up in their minds. It was the perfect reward for the couple who had to suffer through trials and tribulations during their elopement planning process.
This elopement was low-key and unforgettable. William & Lisa grabbed their hiking gear , I grabbed my camera and a couple rolls of 35mm film and off we went, exploring the ins and outs of Humber Bay Park together, taking in the beautiful sights and creating an beautiful adventure elopement experience that was true to who they are and what their love represented to one another. They traveled through various unbeaten paths not unlike they would’ve done at Algonquin Park, backpacks slung over their shoulders, high heels in hand for barefoot exploration, it was quintessential adventure elopement vibes that rectified the couple’s initial lost wedding plans.
Once we arrived at the final location for their vow exchange we were met with a surrealist dream, a beautiful moment during blue hour as the moon shined brighter than I had ever seen, the sky was a pastel toned blend of purple & pink hues that ultimately enhanced the emotional exchange of words between the bride and groom. As the sun set completely and the moonlight took over during blue hour, Lisa & William made their way back to the urban forest of buildings that seems to define Toronto as a city, but for a small moment we were lost in a different place altogether, lost in a moment in time, fully immersed in the experience.
Subtle, minimal and authentic, a perfect blend to any elopement in Toronto, especially a hiking elopement. Lisa & William proved that you don’t always need to overthink your wedding or elopement plans, sometimes it’s enough to just be flexible and remember that at the core of it all, it’s about the love, bond and commitment between two individuals. THAT is what makes elopement truly worth the experience.
Several rolls of film later, we’re left with these images that encompass the mood and feeling of a fleeting moment in time.
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