The saga of Mike and Maryse’s Summer of Celebrations continues! Their super fun Gatineau Park engagement session marked the start of my season and their intimate Vincent Massey Park wedding ceremony came just about smack dab in the middle of my summer, before we re-joined them for their reception in late-August.
Because of the way we planned their coverage, their ceremony day had no prep photos. Instead, Kristin and I spent the day of their wedding reception following them through some of the most relaxed prep time I’ve ever seen before we headed to Ottawa’s Chinatown for some urban portraits.
I’ve commented before about how thoughtful these two are. Nothing furthered that sentiment more than being handed a birthday card when we arrived. I LOVE birthdays (any birthday, not just my own, which was three days before their reception), so this little gesture cemented their status as legends. We laughed and joked our way through preparations, drank sparkling wine, admired the custom cuff links that Mike made for his groomsmen and his dad, and got ready for what was always going to be an awesome day.
Our portrait time was so much fun! They’re big pho fans and love the graffiti that adorns so many of the buildings on the edge of Chinatown, so this was the perfect setting for them. It’s rare that we get to do urban portraits, so I was determined to make the most of it. We had fun finding ways to creatively incorporate light, graffiti, cement, street scenes, movement, and unexpected greenery into their portraits so that they had a truly diverse and colourful set of images.
Their reception included an unofficial do-over of their ceremony; some gorgeous charcuterie, carrot cake and doughnuts (Suzy Q, I’m addicted to your goods!); and plenty of dancing. Oh, and nipples – but that was only on the artwork. ;) I’m pretty sure that’s the only time that the word “nipples” will ever appear in my wedding blogs, but please feel free to take on changing that detail as a personal challenge.
The Orange Art Gallery makes for such a unique wedding reception venue. Because of all of the rooms, it was easy to set up a slideshow of their photos in one room, the photo booth in another room, the food and dancing in the large main room, a bar in another, and still have the deck for evening socialising and fresh air. We floated from space to space, watching guests as they mingled, took in the artwork on display, and spent the evening laughing and enjoying one another’s company.
Mike and Maryse, thank you for adding adventure to my summer! I’m so thankful for your presence in my life.
Here’s a little look back at their reception day shenanigans:
I’m Ang. I’m a Cornwall, Ontario-based photographer offering wedding and documentary family coverage locally and worldwide. Visual storytelling is what I do best. I’m an avid traveler and my passport is always up-to-date. I have dual citizenship with the UK and I’m ALWAYS ready for an adventure. Laughter is important in my life and in my work, meaning that I love working with couples who are emotionally present on their wedding day and who love spending time laughing with loved ones. Whether you’re looking for an at-home newborn session, coverage for an intimate Calabogie wedding, or photos that document your own Orange Art Gallery wedding reception, please explore more of Moment.us Photography‘s site to see more of my wedding and family photography.
