Wedding Vendors
Venue: The Eglinton Grand
Church: St Thomas Aquinas Parish Church
Officiant: Father Peter
Band: The Digs
A Glamorous Eglinton Grand Wedding in Toronto
Okay, let’s talk about Natalie and Stephen’s wedding at The Eglinton Grand — an absolute gem of a day and one of the most visually stunning venues I’ve had the chance to shoot in Toronto. As someone who’s a sucker for storytelling and dramatic backdrops, this venue? It’s a dream.
The moment you step into The Eglinton Grand, it’s like walking onto a movie set from the Golden Age of Hollywood. Originally built in 1937 as The Eglinton Theatre, it still holds onto all of that original art-deco charm — bold lighting, vintage detailing, and that iconic marquee out front that just begs for a night-time portrait.
This place was made for Natalie and Stephen. The elegance. The energy. The vibe. It all matched them perfectly.
I had Leemark second shooting with me that day — always brings the good energy and knows how to move through fast-paced moments like a pro. And trust me, this day had it all: traditional tea ceremonies, multiple outfit changes, emotional reveals, and one of the most packed dance floors we’ve seen. But we’ll get to that soon… 😎
Getting Ready, Door Games & First Look: A Wedding Morning Full of Emotion and Chaos (the good kind 😅)
When we arrived at Natalie’s parents’ home early that morning, the place was already buzzing. Hair and makeup were in full swing (shoutout to the Toronto Beauty Group for absolutely killing it), and the bridesmaids were running around hyped up on mimosas, adrenaline, and laughter. It was one of those mornings that reminds you why you love photographing weddings — so much energy, so many moving parts, and every emotion under the sun.
Natalie slipped into her traditional Chinese red dress — handmade, detailed, and so full of meaning — and headed upstairs just before Stephen and his groomspeople arrived to take on the Chinese door games. These games are always such a wild time to shoot. You’ve got loud laughter, challenges flying, and everyone cheering (or cringing 😂) as the groom tries to earn his way through the door. Natalie watched everything unfold from upstairs, phone in hand, grinning ear to ear as her brother stood beside her soaking it all in.
Then came the tea ceremony — quiet, heartfelt, and emotional. It’s one of those traditions that always hits me. You’re not just witnessing it, you’re feeling it. Red envelopes, tea, and deep, teary words of gratitude were passed between generations. Honestly, thank goodness for waterproof makeup.
After that, it was time for Natalie to change into her wedding gown — and man, when she walked down those stairs to reveal herself to her family, jaws dropped. And Stephen? He was waiting out in the backyard for their first look, completely unaware of what was coming. The second he turned around and saw her… yeah, that moment was gold. Pure emotion. Pure joy.
Wedding Ceremony at St. Thomas Aquinas Church
After all the morning magic, it was time for Natalie and Stephen to make things official. Their ceremony took place at St. Thomas Aquinas Parish Church, one of Toronto’s most charming and historic Catholic churches. The space is breathtaking — vaulted ceilings, Gothic-style arches, and a warm, timeless feel that makes it perfect for storytelling.
As soon as we walked in, we were greeted by the sound of a live choir echoing through the sanctuary, setting the perfect tone. You could feel the emotion building before Natalie even walked through the doors.
And wow — the moment she stepped in with her parents, time froze. Stephen was already wiping away tears, and honestly, so were a lot of guests. The connection between these two is so genuine, and the entire ceremony was full of those subtle glances, soft smiles, and deep breaths that say a thousand words.
The lighting inside was stunning — soft, dramatic, and filled with emotion. Everything about this church helped create the kind of cinematic, intimate vibe I love to capture.
Wedding Portraits at U of T – University College South
After the ceremony, we didn’t have to go far to find the perfect portrait spot. St. Thomas Aquinas Church is right around the corner from the University of Toronto, and Natalie and Stephen had already scouted out University College Southfor their portraits — and man, it did not disappoint.
This location is full of character. We’re talking ivy-covered stone walls, massive wooden doors, old iron gates — it’s basically Gothic meets romantic movie set. It matched the vibe of their ceremony perfectly and gave us the kind of dramatic, timeless backdrop that makes portraits feel like editorial spreads.
And then there’s that one little detail I love: the reflection of the CN Tower in the glass windows. Most people don’t even notice it until they get their gallery back, but when they do, it’s always one of those, “Ohhh that’s sick” moments. Toronto pride, but make it subtle.
Leemark and I split up to maximize coverage — he focused on the wedding party while I shot with Natalie and Stephen. The light was perfect, the energy was high, and these two were fully in their element. It was one of those moments where everything just clicked.
A Glamorous Reception at The Eglinton Grand
By the time we arrived at The Eglinton Grand for the reception, the energy was already next level. Guests were gathered upstairs in the mezzanine, sipping cocktails, laughing, and catching up — completely unaware of the surprise waiting behind the curtains.
Now, if you’ve never been to a wedding here before, the reveal is one of the best parts. As the curtains were pulled back, guests walked into this massive, cinematic ballroom — rich woods, marble columns, bold art-deco details everywhere. It felt like stepping straight into an old Hollywood film set. The space was moody in all the right ways, and the lighting was on point.
And there, right in the middle of the dance floor, stood Natalie and Stephen — lit like stars — having their first dance as husband and wife. It was pure elegance. The moment had that classic black-tie romance feel, but still so full of their personality.
The live band, The Digs, kept things smooth and soulful during dinner, and as the guests sat down at tables draped in deep, rich colours to match the decor, the vibes stayed immaculate. Family and friends took turns with speeches, and there were so many good stories — funny, emotional, heartfelt. You could tell these two are seriously loved.
Of course, before dessert hit, we snuck out for one more creative moment… but we’ll get to that next 👀
Marquee Lights & Dance Floor Madness
You didn’t think we were done, right? Of course not. Because when the sun sets at The Eglinton Grand, that iconic marquee sign lights up in golds, reds, and oranges — and it had to be part of Natalie and Stephen’s story.
We snuck out for a quick night portrait session under the glowing lights of the entrance. The whole vibe was straight out of a 1930s movie — dramatic staircase, lanterns glowing, and that grand sign overhead. Natalie and Stephen danced, twirled, and laughed like nobody was watching (except us, and probably a few curious drivers 😅). It was fun, fast, and so, so worth it.
Then it was time to head back inside… and straight into party mode.
Let me tell you something — photographing the dance floor at night is no joke. Most photographers avoid it because it’s dark, chaotic, and hard to shoot. But that’s exactly why I love it. You’ve got to know how to light it properly, anticipate the movement, and stay in the chaos without losing the story.
And this crowd? They went OFF. From the moment Yara and Andrew opened up the dance floor (yes, before dinner was even over), it was a full-on celebration. Lights flashing, hands in the air, nonstop smiles. It was the perfect way to wrap up an already unforgettable day.
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