Elizabeth In Love | Toronto Wedding Photographer

Kelsey + Jamie - Ancaster Old Mill Wedding

2012-02-17T19:50:27Z

Kelsey and Jamie had been waiting many years for this day. The day that they would become husband and wife and celebrate alongside their best friends and family. Not everyone loves the cold of winter but Kelsey and Jamie embraced it! Kelsey had always envisioned a winter wonderland for her special day at the Ancaster Old Mill, and to say it was perfect would be an understatement. With a snow storm that fell just a few days prior, the weather pulled through and was exactly what she was hoping for.

Personally, I don't think it's possible for a bride to be more excited than Kelsey was. See, Kelsey is my cousin. Being obsessed with weddings is in our blood ;) She beamed from ear to ear the entire day, even while she took in the snow in her open toed shoes. Now that, my friends, is my kind of woman! Jamie is such a sweetheart to Kelsey and was so incredibly relaxed - making sure his new wife had the most perfect day. Because that's just the kind of guy Jamie is. Sincere, honest, and instantly lovable.

Kelsey and Jamie, it was such a pleasure to have been your wedding photographer and to share in all the love and good memories that was your wedding day. I couldn't be happier that you two found one another and that Jamie is now officially part of our crazy family :)

And now some of my favourite photos from the day...

Kelsey had only her mom and sister help her get into her dress. She wanted to share that special moment with them and take it all in. It was such a beautiful moment. I loved this timeless shot of Kelsey.Father/daughter moments are always emotional. These two kept it together by making eachother laugh. Ty shot this photo of Jamie and his boys hanging out before the ceremony...and yes it was cold enough to see your breath!

The cutest little ring bearer - he did such a great job!

Personal: The What If Conference

2012-02-16T00:37:00Z

How much would your life change if you asked yourself the question, "what if?" I recently attended a conference in Cabo, Mexico that did just that. It was unlike anything I've ever been to, in a good way. And although I've never technically posted about my personal life, adventures, or heck, even about my dreams, I am making an exception for this. And perhaps starting a new trend over here on the blog. Treating it as more of a journal of my personal experiences and inspiration, not just a place where I show off my latest work.

Before Ty and I attended, we didn't know a lot about this "What If" conference. We received an invite from our two friends, Jenn and Dave Stark telling us we had to go. When we found out it was a conference in Mexico, in mid January and had a list of speakers we admired and wanted to see, it was an easy decision. I mean really, who would pass up a beautiful beach, warm sunshine, and an umbrella drink in the middle of our bitter Canadian winter? Not this girl! But what was it all about? Why was it even called that and what does the phrase "What If" even mean?

I expected to learn some things that would help me improve my photography and my business, but what I didn't expect was to experience so much more than that. I truly have no words to describe what went on that week. It was so far from your standard listen, take notes, admire your favourite photographers from a far, and go-home-and-forget-everything-you-learned-due-to-exhaustion type of conference. It was an opportunity. A chance to connect one on one with those that inspired me most in this wedding world and to meet new friends who are looking to challenge themselves in the same way that I am. "What If" was created for artist-preneurs. It was made to challenge attendees to ask the question, "what if....?" To dig deeper and to really push yourself to not only be better but to change the world. Artists have been responsible for so much change and after we all returned home, we too felt empowered to do so.

Not only were we given time to just relax and "dream" but we were also given daily assignments to hold us accountable to those dreams. Personally, "What If" made me focus on who I am and why I am unique in what I do. It forced me to dream audaciously. To try, potentially fail, and then to keep going. The group of people I met there were the best of the best. We formed a community and a bond like no other workshop or conference I've been to. I was able to have intimate conversations with photographers I admire over dinner and then again over drinks; something that has been difficult in larger conferences. One of my fondest memories has to have been the evening when we all brought our blankets down to the beach and were serenaded by the crashing of waves and Jesh De Rox's humble and sincere musical talent. I couldn't help but take it all in.

This experience taught me to never settle for anything and to take risks - especially the ones I'm most afraid to take. Because if I ignore my gut feeling, if I ignore my ideas, and if I don't follow my audacious dreams, then why am I doing this? You only live once - why not take a chance?

Thank you to Jen and Steve Bebb who's audacious dream was the "What If" conference. I can't wait for the next one and I'm grateful for the life changing week we all had.

Here's the trip documented through the eyes of my iPhone and I :)

And here are some photos I borrowed from my friends Lauren and Scarlet that I feel really sum up how amazing the week was!

This photo is of us spelling out "What If" and although I think we failed miserably, we had fun doing it :) That's all that matters, right?

Happy Valentine's Day!

2012-02-14T16:51:13Z

Happy Valentine's Day! May you spend the day with that special someone and hold them even tighter than you did yesterday. Whether it be with hugs or kisses, or both, I hope you take a moment to truly appreciate them. Oh, and eat as much chocolate as you want. Calories don't count on Valentine's Day :)

Highlights: Wedding Photos 2011

2012-02-01T06:03:34Z

Now I know that I am a liiiiiittle bit late on my wedding highlights post seeing as it's now February (oopsies!) - but I still wanted to make sure the images got shared. It was so much fun to look back and reminisce over the past year and to remember all of the beautiful moments that I was a part of. I am so blessed to shoot weddings, to document people on the happiest day of their lives, and to give them tangible memories that they can always look back on and enjoy in years to come. 2011 was an amazing year for me. A year filled with beautiful couples, modelicious brides (I'm too lucky, they really are all GORGEOUS!), loads and loads of love, laughs, tears, and some of the most fun I've had.

Thank you to everyone who has loved, encouraged, supported, and believed in me along this crazy journey. I can't wait to see what 2012 holds! Now onto some of my faves (in no particular order).....

Style Me Pretty Feature - Lynzie + Andrew's Wedding

2012-01-31T02:35:14Z

Hey guys! I just got back from Cabo and the incredible, amazing, and inspiring "What If" conference that was held there. I will be sure to share more about the trip and all of it's loveliness very shortly, but before I do that, I just want to share with you a recent feature that I had on Style Me Pretty. It is one of my favourite blogs and being featured on it is always an honour! The feature happened while I was away so I am a little late on blogging about it but I hope that you'll forgive me :)

As I am sure you'll remember, this past summer I posted some images from Lynzie and Andrew's gorgeous Canadian/Australian wedding that was held up North at their cottage. Their love story is so special and their wedding was a gorgeous and true expression of who they are and how they came together, from one side of the world to the other. Being their photographer was a treat and having these images shared on SMP definitely is the icing on the cake (no pun intended ha ha!). Anyways, I just wanted to be sure to share the post with you in case you missed it! Enjoy :)

Click here to view their wedding on Style Me Pretty.

Highlights: Engagement Photos 2011

2012-01-19T18:56:26Z

It's a new year which means new plans, new resolutions, new couples, and new weddings! But before I get all eager and excited about what's to come (and trust me, lots of fun things are on the way) I want to highlight my favourite engagement photos from 2011. I absolutely adore engagement sessions, and with my wedding packages, I offer them complimentary. I do this because I feel that it is the perfect time to get to know my brides and grooms before their big day. Sure, we've already had our first initial meeting, and sure we already love each other (my couples are the best!), but the engagement session is a step further. After the session, they know my approach, how crazy fun I am (ha ha!), I know how they photograph in front of my camera, and I can get to know more about their story and their love for one another. I want to feel like we are old friends when I show up on the wedding day and an engagement session helps to ensure this. It's also nice to put up some photos on display at the wedding. Everyone loves that.

I feel so incredibly blessed to have worked with such amazing people in 2011. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. You have made my year so very memorable! Now without further adieu, here are some of my favourites from this past year.....

*Stay tuned for the Highlights: Wedding Photos 2011 coming soon!*

Though this was an anniversary shoot, not an engagement, I couldn't leave them out! :)

Published: Wedluxe Magazine, Winter/Spring 2012 Issue - Andy Warhol

2012-01-11T00:38:54Z

I love making new years resolutions. I am the kind of person who isn't happy with average and am always trying to push myself to be better and to work harder in order to achieve my goals. I try my very best to follow my resolutions and can happily say that most of them from last year have come true. In 2011, one of my goals was to be featured in a magazine for the first time. It was a big dream, and I knew this, but I still wanted to give it my best shot. I didn't know how or when it would happen, but I knew it was something I wanted to strive for.

This past summer I met the amazing Crystal of Distinct Occasions. Crystal saw my passion and believed in me - probably even more than I believed in myself. She asked me to photograph her Andy Warhol inspired styled shoot that we would send to Wedluxe with hopes of being published in their winter/spring issue. It was definitely going to be a challenge but I was eager for it. We had an absolute blast shooting and when I got news that they had featured the shoot and given us 5 pages (!!!!!) I was ecstatic! What an amazing feeling! I absolutely adore Wedluxe and it was an honour to be featured inside their beautiful pages alongside so many talented Canadian wedding vendors.

This past weekend, Wedluxe had their first annual wedding show and words cannot describe how gorgeous it was. If you missed it, be sure to check out some of the photos here on the Toronto Wedding Society Blog.

Incase you didn't pick up the magazine yet, you can check out our spread here...

Cheers to a fabulous group of vendors who made this possible:
Planner and Stylist: Crystal Adair-Benning, Distinct Occasions
Photography: Elizabeth Kaye, Elizabeth In Love
Floral Designer, Decor, and Styling: Paras Mehta, Design2Decor Inc.
Stationary Designer: PALETTERA Custom Correspondences
Dress: Sarah Houston
Makeup and Hair: Sarah Smith
Location: Oliver and Bonacini's Malaparte

Style Me Pretty Canada Feature - Anniversary Love Shoot with Hey Gorgeous Events

2011-12-30T18:19:21Z

Today I woke up extremely excited to see that Style Me Pretty Canada had featured a shoot that Rhiannon of Hey Gorgeous Events and myself put together :) If you've read my blog this past year, I am sure the name Rhiannon is a familiar one to you. For those of you who don't know her (go check out her blog now!) - she is an outstanding event planner extraordinare located in Michigan who in one year, has created a name, a brand, and an amazing little business for herself. I can't help but notice how similar the two of us are and not just because we are young entrepreneurs either. Our love for soft, pastel colour palettes and everything girlie, has only made me love her more and realize we truly are kindred spirits :) She inspires me every day to dream bigger, smile often and to count all of life's many blessings.

Last year, Rhiannon married the love of her life, Andrew, on September 24, 2011. Though we didn't meet in time for me to photograph their wedding (I secretly cry about this all the time), documenting their wedding anniversary a year later was something I was truly looking forward to. On September 24, 2012, Rhiannon and Andrew came to visit and allowed me to come into their lives and photograph them as they celebrated their 365 days of love as husband and wife. They were no longer worrying about their wedding, planning it to be perfection (which it was!), or finding their dream home (which it is!), but rather looking forward to their life together. Just the two of them and their road ahead. What they have is beautiful. Something so special you would think they were actors in your favourite love story. I can't thank you enough Rhi for all you've done for me and for giving me the honour of capturing these photos for you. I also want to thank the sun for coming out :)

Again, thank you to Style Me Pretty for featuring us today!

Here are some of my favourites:

this one makes me smile. big.

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-24T18:03:38Z

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year for 2012. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing in this exciting journey with me. I can't wait to share what's in store for the new year and I am so incredibly blessed and thankful for all you who read this blog and enter into my life. Thank you! Enjoy this beautiful holiday season with your family and friends :)

Jessica + James - Hamilton Engagement

2011-12-08T01:17:27Z

Jessica and James are extremely adorable. The grab-each-cheek-and-squish-them kind of adorable. They met in high school - a story that never gets old for me. I can't imagine knowing the man I would marry in high school, but I secretly get a little jealous that they didn't go through as much heartache as the rest of us. Just kidding :) When you know, you know and that's exactly how Jessica and James felt. That is, when they finally worked up the nerve to admit their feelings. Jessica can recall seeing James talking to other girls, and even though they were just friends at the time, it hurt her deeply. She knew it must have been more than just a crush. James had a total thing for Jess too but neither of them were brave enough to say it. They ended up getting lead roles in a high school musical, (doesn't that just make you want to break out into song? just me?) and found themselves spending all their time together. Before practise, during practise, after practise, on weekends; it was getting out of hand and they loved every minute of it. There was one moment in particular where Jess remembers knowing that James was the one. They were under the stage hanging out during practise and they hugged for what felt like an hour. It just felt right.

On their recent trip to Italy, James proposed but only after asking for Jessica's fathers permission of course. Because well, James is just that sweet. They will be married at the Lakeview in Hamilton this summer and I am so excited and thrilled to be their wedding photographer! Until then, enjoy some of their adorable engagement photos!

Jess has the absolute BEST laugh. James brings it out of her.