Toronto & Niagara Wedding Photography | Erika Alvarenga Photography & Cinema
Vanessa & Jeff's Wedding Photography
This summer, I was privileged to photograph what I call the most beautiful intimate summer wedding. It was amazing how everything fell into place and was so perfect, full of elegance and joy. It’s worth mentioning that such a wedding was carefully planned, as all weddings are of course. But this wedding in particular, had to have more planning as the wedding list had to be cut down several times, to make it as intimate as possible due to Covid restrictions that were still in place during the summer.
Looking back at that glorious day, what comes to mind, is the most beautiful private poverty the wedding was held on. It was a lakeside property perfect for the number of guests invited. The ceremony took place overlooking the lake. The guests were treated to a captivating view of the waters and the blue sky as the bride and groom said their vows. As a photographer, I captured the beauty of nature which was a dazzling blend of light, water, and greenery all around us as well as the wedding couple and the wedding party.
Vanessa and Jeff's wedding will live in my memory for a long time as it was one of the most beautiful weddings that I have been so lucky to photograph. Such memories will be held in the couple's hearts and guests alike as they look through the photographs and remember what a wonderful and perfect day that was.. - Erika Alvarenga
Erika Alvarenga Photography & Cinema
Vendors
BRIDE & GROOM: Venessa & Jeff
VENUE: Family beach house, Port Maitland, ON
COLOUR: Blush and white
DÉCOR & FLORALS: Flower Frenzy (www.flowerfrenzyflorist.com) Hamilton, ON
PHOTOGRAPHY: Erika Alvarenga Photography (www.erikaealvarenga.com) Brampton, ON
COORDINATOR: Confetti & Co. (www.confettiand.co) Kitchener, ON
LIVE EVENT ARTIST: Olga Pankova (www.liveeventartist.ca) Toronto, ON
GOWN: Kleinfeld Canada (www.thebay.com/editorial/kleinfeld) Toronto, ON
TUX: Surmesur (www.surmesur.com) Toronto, ON
HAIR & MAKEUP: Makeup Worx (www.makeupworx.ca) Hamilton, ON
MUSICIAN: Bella Marie (@bellsmarie_)
DETAILS: “This wedding was originally set to be at another venue, but due to COVID was moved to the couples’ family summer home in Port Maitland, Ontario on Lake Erie. The bride wanted a romantic summer feel for her wedding with whites and pinks. Since the space that I had to work with was now a lot smaller, I made a few impactful floral pieces that could be moved around as backdrop pieces for the couple’s photos. The first one was the arch decorated with southern smilax and pink roses. They used the arch for their ceremony and again as a backdrop piece for their reception. The pampas grass arrangements lined the entrance of the aisle and were used for several of their wedding photos, including their beach scene stunners. Surrounded by close family and a few friends, the couple walked down the aisle to a live acoustic singer, Bella Marie, and a live wedding painter, Olga Pankova. Although small, it was truly a memorable day.” – Flower Frenzy
Their wedding planner- Kendra did such an amazing job turning the couples' summer family vacation home into the most charming spot to host the wedding. It was taken into account that such a place, although small, could offer two beautiful settings to host the perfect intimate wedding. One spot was the lakeside for the ceremony, as it was an outside ceremony there was enough space to accommodate all the chairs, gazebo, decorations, flowers, and all guests invited.
After the ceremony, the guests made their way to an outdoor dinner reception overlooking the lake again. Outside of the main house with a stunning look of the beach and the lake, the guests enjoyed a patio-like setting where tables and chairs and wedding decorations were arranged to maximize space again. The guests enjoyed the summer evening along with a delicious fine 5-course meal accompanied by a live singer. There was also a live painter capturing the very romantic essence of that day, as well as yours truly always and ever-ready to photograph all those special moments that memories are made of.
If you are thinking of having an intimate wedding, it’s worth finding a similar spot to this on your possible wedding venue list. It’s got charm and beauty and the lake offers an amazing background for your ceremony. One of the ways you can achieve an intimate wedding experience such as this lakeside wedding is by looking for venues that can offer different options for the wedding and reception all in one place.
Featured in the January 2021: Covid Edition issue of The Wedding Ring Magazine
