Last night Tara & Ryan came by to pick up their album and wedding image archive. It made us so happy to watch them spend time looking at each photo, reflecting on memories of the day, the details, the dancing, the mishaps and the emotional moments. The best part of all is that even though the wedding is over, the memories are living on. I love what our albums represent, it is the best of both worlds, a respectful, elegant, and meaningful collection of moments and things.

Congratulation Tara & Ryan! Thank you for choosing us to photograph your Barrie Wedding.

Cheers

Erika & Ryan

Priests post it note to remember what couples name to say during the ceremony.

This is the chauffer, I really liked him, he was very knowledgable about weddings and very helpful on the day. He even came and sat in to watch Tara & Ryan get married. I thought that was very sweet. He drives for Barrie Executive Limo.

How beautiful is this Barrie sky?! It actually looked this good, actually it looked more intense with color a few minutes after these photographs were taken. Barrie’s Southshore Centre has one of the nicest views of the city.

Father Daughter Dance at Barrie’s Southshore Centre.

Finally the last couples wedding portraits of the night. in front of Barrie’s gorgeous lakeshore.

Barrie, Ontario Wedding of Tara & Ryan - © Rowell Photography - Wedding

“We didn’t have it in our budget for a professional videographer, but one thing we did make sure of, is to have a fantastic photographer. Long before we had booked Erika and Ryan; an experienced and dynamic duo, I had been looking at photographs of weddings in Muskoka. I have to say that it is their photos of Windermere House that first got us interested in that particular venue. In actual fact, it probably wouldn’t matter where or what Erika and Ryan are photographing; all the photo’s they have on their website have a beautiful and emotive quality to them. A lightness that I wanted for our wedding. From the start, the emails we received were disarmingly friendly yet professional – I imagine that they were trying to gauge what sort of couple we are, and what sort of photo’s we wanted. They were definately quick to respond to emails, and paid attention to even the smallest details. On the day of the wedding, there was quite a big storm brewing. our ceremony took place under the cover or some angry-looking clouds (luckily with some peeks of sunshine). Immediately after the ceremony and a few brief photo’s, the wind whipped up and rain came down so quickly and heavily. Always on the ball, Erika and Ryan were able to find a few places for us to take our group photo’s (so we actually had a good variety of backgrounds), and when the rain eased up, we went down to the docks to take more shots. While they suggested and photographed a few ‘staged’ poses for us, they also took photo’s of those joyful in-between moments, when my husband and I were just playing around, being ourselves. These, I’ll always treasure. I had been worried that with the lack of sunshine and blue skies, that our photo’s might end up a little ‘dull’. Those fears were quickly eased when we received our photo’s from Erika and Ryan, not long after the wedding. I was so happy to see that the lighting was perfect. The photo’s were beautiful, with a journalistic style that sets this pair apart from others.”
Linda & Stewart

Congratulations Linda & Stew! Your wedding will be one we talk about for years to come with our future couples.

Erika & Ryan

The first photo in this set is a difference of 5-10 mins. After the ceremony the storm whipped in over Lake Rosseau. Notice that the before shot has an island in the background and the 2nd shot is just a white wall of rain.

Having rain on your wedding day can bring along some unexpected creativity. How perfect are these reflections?! Opportunities for shots like this don’t come up everyday.

This is probably our favorite series of photos from the day. Stew trying to get Linda to dance with him on the shaky, slippery dock.

A true Scotsman showing off his Sgian Dubh!

Muskoka Windermere House Wedding of Linda & Stewart - © Rowell Photography - Wedding

We are so lucky to have so many amazing friends, and we really wanted to thank Luca (One of our company photographers) and owner of PicFoundry, who did all the printing for the panels of the booth, and also provided Ryan with the tools and garage to create the album drawer and the secret trap door in. Also Steve and Liz Johnston of Eventdecorator.com who did all the wood cutting for us. Truly the best friends we could ever ask for!

Thank you to everyone who helped build, assemble, print, inspire and to all who visited our booth at the show, it was an absolute pleasure.

Erika & Ryan

We wanted to create a number of promotional materials for couples to choose from. Giving them the chance to pick a postcard they liked, and therefore sending the message that we can cater to their individual unique personalities and style.

Our booth was 18 inches wide on each side and just under 6 feet tall. Each side with photos that blended to the corresponding color we chose, and faded from darker, bolder colours and images to lighter, softer tones.

Our favorite addition to the booth was a small drawer, big enough for a 10×10 inch wedding album. When couples lined up to see the albums they would simply slide out the drawer, and lay the book completely flat at the perfect viewing level.  While one couple would look at the albums, other couples would be looking at images on the iPad. The iPad’s on adjacent sides allowed for couples to swipe through images at their leisure. We prepared a gallery of images for each location we have photographed at in the last 2 years in the hopes that couples at the show would be looking to see images from their own wedding venues. There were 60 galleries to choose from.

We created a secret trap door on one side of the booth for us to keep all our promotional materials in and also the battery we powered the iPads from.

We chose to use some of the coloured squares to further our branding messages, testimonials from past couples, and quotes the represent the overal feeling of our photos and our style as a photography company.

More than anything, we wanted this mini booth to pack down fast. It takes us 10 minutes to pack the entire thing!

The top of our booth is a functioning light! We wanted our logo to be shining throughout the show. Ryan used a strip of LED lights along the inside of the booth, and then created an acrylic box for the top. We had our logo printed on clear vinyl by UCA Branding.

Each panel packs down flat, and the album drawer comes out. We strapped on some simple wheels, and bubble wrapped the printed sides of the panels to protect them as well dragged the booth to our car.

Our design in SketchUp diagram.

Our Wedding Trade Show Booth - © Rowell Photography - Wedding

We love to contrast shoots for the same couple in many ways. If your wedding is in the winter we love to do a summer or spring engagement shoot. If your wedding is in the summer we love to do a Fall or winter engagement shoot. This gives you variety that you wont get from just your wedding alone. Its nice to have different themes of photos hanging on the walls of your home, from your engagement to your honeymoon showing you together starting your married life.

In the hallway of our home, we have various canvases hanging on the walls from places we have traveled together. I often catch Ryan just looking at them for a few moments before going on his way again. I find myself reminiscing over them too. Thanks to the variety of photos we have so much more to look at around the home.

We are so happy with this collection of wedding photos taken in our hometown, its not often enough we get to shoot here and these photos make us feel happy when looking at them. Once the portrait session finished Erin and Derek were off to join friends and family for a very intimate wedding ceremony at one of Barrie’s new restaurants The North Restaurant.

Congratulations to Erin & Derek! Thank you for choosing us to photograph your wedding portraits, and braving the cold winter wind and snow for your Barrie wedding photos.

Cheers

Erika & Ryan

Erin & Derek enjoying the art at McLaren Art Centre in Barrie on their wedding day.

Barrie Wedding Photos at MacLaren Art Centre in the Winter - © Rowell Photography - Wedding

After the ceremony as we all hiked back to taking photos and taking in the scenery, it started to rain. We had limited options for bridal party photos. In Barrie we knew there was an empty parking garage that we could get some cover in for some photos, but would the bride and groom want photos taken in a parking garage? I was a bit nervous to ask, and just as I was about to Charlene piped up and suggested the parking garage. “You can be creative in there, right?” she asked. I am sure my eyes lit up a bit, because we really do love to shoot on this brand new parking garage, but have never shot a wedding there. “YES!” I said, and off we were. A lot of what you see on this blog is beautiful nature shots with couples in it, and thats because in Canada we really do nature best. But once in a while we like the challenge of a space like the Collier Street Parking garage in Barrie to get the creative juices in us flowing. We looooooove these photos! Since the place was pretty much empty we were able to set up lights and run this giant open space like a studio. It was a great time, and everyone stayed warm, dry and happy.

Later on that evening at The North Restaraunt in downtown Barrie Charlene & Jeremy did stand in the rain for us for just a few shots. The results were better than we expected. Thank you to Jeremy and Charlene for being troopers in the rain for photos, and being so easy going which lead us to taking some photos we are truly proud of.

Congratulations!

Erika & Ryan

Midhurst Wedding of Jeremy & Charlene - © Rowell Photography - Wedding

1. Its was held in Muskoka, on Lake Joseph, during the 150 year anniversary of the Seguin Steamships. So during the ceremony all these gorgeous old timey ships were passing by. The crowd loved it!

2. The commissioned Elizabeth and her team at Eventdecorator.com to design the event, and they are NOT afraid of color or thinking outside of the box. My Ryan and I say that if the companies Roots Canada and Ralph Lauren designed a wedding together, it would look like Tracy & Ryan’s. Elizabeth’s design was so unique, and so very Ryan and Tracy.

3. Their guests were some of the hottest dancers we’ve ever seen! Remember that scene from the movie Dirty Dancing, when Baby carries in the watermelon to the dance hall for the first time and see’s all those sexy dance moves, and she has this super shocked look on her face? Well that’s pretty much what I looked like during most of the reception, except I was carrying a camera not a watermelon. The energy levels were insane, people were having such a good time. It was definitely a night to remember.

Finally 4. They had blue Chinese fighting fish in the centrepieces just swimming around, and by the end of the night only 4 fish committed suicide,  but the other 50 or so found new homes with wedding guests. The fish at our table was the best, you can see a photo of him in this post below.

This wedding was so much fun! It was everything you could possibly want from a Muskoka wedding. An almost relaxing and candid setting for a ceremony and a wild party that is so good even your grandparents stay up late dancing past midnight.

We just want to thank Ryan & Tracy and their amazing families and their super fun bridal party who made this wedding one of our favorites of 2012.

Congratulations!!!!

Erika & Ryan

Ryan & Tracy’s Wedding Vendor Dream Team

Event Decor, floral, and planning by Eventdecorator.com

Cakes and mini cakes by: Cakes by Konstadin 

Wedding Dress, bridesmaid dresses and ties by: Valencienne

Sherwood Inn, Muskoka Wedding of Tracy & Ryan - © Rowell Photography - Wedding

I know its been snowy and rainy lately so we thought these images of this gorgeous day at Rockycrest Resort would brighten your day. Congratulations to the newlyweds Devin and Megan, we hope that each time you look at these images you feel over and over again the love and excitement of your wedding day.

Cheers

Erika & Ryan

Their dockside ceremony on Lake Joseph in the Muskoka’s, Canada. Rockycrest Resort.

After their wedding ceremony all Megan & Devin’s guests posed for a giant group photo.

Our favorite photo spot at Rockycrest Resort, Lake Armishaw. It is so calm and peaceful there.

Twins pic! Megan’s maid of honor was her twin sister, and Devin’s best man was his twin brother.

Devin & Megan’s wedding invitation featuring one of our favorite photos from their engagement session.

Meagan & Devin’s favours table also featuring some of our favourite photos taken at their engagement session. I love this idea, friends of theirs had their engagement photos printed on a thick paper stock and mounted onto cardboard and then carved out a birch tree log for the photo to sit in. A great use of their engagement photos.

The master of ceremonies brought the house down when he kissed, ever so passionately, one of Megan and Devin’s aunts. The crowd was bursting with laughter.

The Rockycrest Resort Wedding of Devin & Megan in Muskoka - © Rowell Photography - Wedding

The sun stuck around for hours and gave us all such a dreamy backdrop of portraits. As a wedding photographer, whenever it rains I panic a little inside, even with the best laid plans, a beautiful outdoor ceremony pushed indoors at the last minute poses challenges for space, light and timing. I worried a little about this wedding, the rain was torrential. These portraits of Rob and Adrienne on the dock are very Muskoka, which is what they really wanted. We couldn’t be happier having the opportunity to do this for them.

Hailing from Australia by way of South Africa and Canada, they wanted to give their guests a true Muskoka wedding experience, right down to the dockside wedding ceremony and the Muskoka brew on tap at the reception. Spending as much time up in Muskoka as we have over the years I would have to say that Adrienne and Rob’s guests got a true Muskoka wedding experience with a morning filled with sheets of rain, and a sunset that even Mother Nature would be jealous of.

Congratulations Adrienne & Rob! We hope your Touchstone on Lake Muskoka wedding was everything you wished for and more.

Cheers

Erika & Ryan

invitation by http://lulaandbella.com

Cake deliciousness by our very good friend Savera at Pretty Sweet Cakes or Toronto. You can catch Savera and her Cup Cake Truck around the streets of Toronto.

Touchstone on Lake Muskoka Resort Wedding – Adrienne & Rob - © Rowell Photography - Wedding

Now some might say, your wedding is what it is, things will go wrong and you just have to roll with it because you can’t control everything. They would have a very good point, but we like to live by the saying You only live once, and if your wedding is rained on so hard that you are stuck inside with limited options for photos, and photos really mean a lot to you, then why not invest in a photo shoot after the wedding. When it comes to preserving memories, making memories and doing things that feel right, money, pride, what people say and schedules should not stop you. Go for it!

Heather and Laura now have twice the photos, and memories to share with their friends and family and to enjoy for many years to come.

Congratulations Heather & Laura! We have had such a great time getting to know you both, and we are so stoked to see your album when its ready! We  couldn’t imagine your album without these stunning outdoors photos from the day after session.

Thank you for choosing us to photograph your engagement, wedding and day after photo session.

Cheers

Erika & Ryan

Bouquets by Barrie, Ontario Floral and Design company http://www.poshbeyond.com

Kate Spade wedding shoes

Tom Cooke Officiant, Horseshoe Resort Weddings

Our favorite photo from their Horseshoe Resort Wedding

Heather & Laura’s pink wedding photo booth!

Wedding floral and Decor by Posh Beyond Barrie, Ontario.

Cake by: Tier Delight

Dresses by: Enzoani from Promises and Lace

Veil by: Promises and Lace

Hair Accessories by: Bitter Sweet

Bridesmaids dresses by: Alfred Angelo

Stationary by: Heather & Laura (The couple)

Rings by: Tiffany & co.

Venue: Horseshoe Resort

Horseshoe Resort Wedding – Heather & Laura - © Rowell Photography - Wedding

Andrew & Amelia were married at Markland Wood Golf Club in Etobicoke, Ontario and their Tea Ceremony and reception were held at The Metropolitan Hotel in downtown Toronto. Now anyone who has driven in Toronto before knowns that there is a chance that a drive from Etobicoke to Toronto on any given day can take 15-30 mins. Amelia & Andrew with their impeccable scheduling planned for this. It also poured rain on their wedding day, we also planned for this at our 1 month walk through. Amelia had 3 outfit changes during the entire day, and a 10 course dinner, and a Traditional Chinese tea ceremony that would be attended by not only parents and grandparents but some extended family members as well. Their schedule was a great blend of photo time and the events of the day, it looked something like this.

Ceremony (30 mins)

Family Photos while brunch was served to guests (We even had time for it to pour rain, have friends and extended family jump in for a bunch of group shots, and the bride and groom as well as myself & Ryan even had time to eat brunch) 40-60 mins (non-consecutive)

While guests continued to eat and mingle the bridal party did 30-40 mins of wedding photos at Markland Wood Golf Club.

We didn’t hit any traffic and it only took us 15 mins to get to the hotel for the Tea Ceremony.

Amelia was ready in her 2nd dress and ready to go well before her family arrived for the Tea Ceremony so the 4 of us did a mini photos shoot of them in the hotel, and even went outside for 15 mins to get a few more photos.

Tea Ceremony (30 mins) Including group photos of family afterwards.

Amelia changed back into her wedding ceremony dress and while their guests were gathering for the reception in the ballroom of the hotel, we did another mini photo shoot in the hotel room (15 mins) plus we had time to eat hors d’oeuvres before we all went down to the reception.

If you notice there was never a time where we were taking photos for more than 40 mins, this made the day stress free for family and guests, but even more so it gave Amelia & Andrew more time to enjoy each part of the day as well as get a larger variety of photos. So our BIG ADVICE when planning your wedding is to just have Amelia & Andrew make your schedule.

Haha! Actually the advice is to break up the photo times throughout the day. Little photo sessions for 15 mins-30 mins really works, and we would love to see more couples do it.

Now without further adieu, Amelia & Andrew! Congratulations and thank you so much for having us as your photographers! We are so stoked to see your album when its all done!

Cheers

Erika & Ryan

Metropolitan Hotel Toronto Wedding of Amelia & Andrew - © Rowell Photography - Wedding

Between the 4 of us, Ryan, Rebecca, Chuck and I, who know Barrie and area pretty well, most of us also grew up here we managed to get lost in Midhurst twice! We decided to take the giant limo bus they had for the day with just the 4 of us down the tiny small town streets of Midhurst. The drivers was truly a master, spinning that bus around every time we led him in the wrong direction, or missed a turn. Its amazing that we got lost because we even went on the one month walk through and visited the location. Either way we laughed the whole time and managed to find the location and got some really great photographs.

Weddings are not perfect, neither are wedding photos. There is always something that doesn’t go as planned, its just the truth. Things happen. But how you deal with it and react to it, will shape your memories of this very special day. Take the issues on your wedding day, before and after wards with a grain of salt. You will be happier because of it, and have better stories to tell. I am sure perfect weddings are boring (we have yet to attend one). I can’t imagine Chuck and Rebecca’s wedding without remembering her bridal party running from the Barrie lakeshore to the bus because it started to rain just as we finished taking some group shots, or the time the 4 of us got lost trying to find their couples photo location in Midhurst, or Ryan teaching Chuck, late in the night, after a few drinks, how to use the settings on his camera and the self timer mode so he could take pics of his new wife on their honeymoon.

Rebecca & Chuck were awesome on their wedding day, but the truth is that they are pretty awesome any day of the week. It has been an absolute pleasure getting to know you guys and having the chance to photograph your Barrie Country Club wedding and Toronto engagement, both days were quite the adventure!. We hope you enjoy and keep the memories these photos bring and the ones in between.

Congratulations!!!

Erika & Ryan

The beautiful sunset at the Barrie Country Club

A romantic finish to this Barrie Country Club Wedding.

The Barrie Country Club Wedding of Rebecca & Chuck - © Rowell Photography - Wedding

We had so many photo favorites from this wedding that we have decided to post them all. So a BIG Congratulatoins to Nick and Caitlin! You both look amazing in these photos and it was such an honor to be apart of your elegant wedding.

Cheers

Erika & Ryan

So If you are overwhelmed by all the fantastically diverse Toronto location options for your engagement or wedding portraits, look no further, we have a Top 10 list for you!

Rowell Photography’s Top 10 Toronto Photo shoot locations list. (Not in any order)

Polsen Pier – As seen in the Toronto skyline wedding portraits above, this in our opinions is the best place to see the stunning city of Toronto by land. If jaw-dropping cityscapes are what you crave then Polsen pier is a great choice.

Liberty Village – Liberty Village is a relatively new area in Toronto, previously called the Carpet factory. It is red brick industrial buildings, and green wooden doors, and mostly a working office area. But its Pièce de résistance is the giant, vibrant wall mural of a carpet. Check out photos of Liberty Village & the carpet factory area here.

The Historic Distillery District – This is a very popular spot for engagement and wedding photos, and every photographer has been here, but the reason they keep going back is because it is so easy to find something new here. I don’t think we have photographed the same thing, the same way twice here. The forever versatile distillery, check out more images here.

Cherry Beach – Just around the Lakeshore in the East end of Toronto, Cherry beach is a little gem. usually quite quiet, with a small wooded area that the evening sunset beautifully passes through and a little beach house.

Toronto Island Ferry – While this is more of a journey rather than a destination, for 15 mins and a few bucks you can get a round trip to Toronto Island, and the best views of the city! While the crowds onboard do get big, the quickly disperse once they reach their destination giving you a few moments to take advantage of an empty ferry and a great view.

Union Station – Often used as a back up plan for our Toronto wedding photos incase of bad weather, Union Station has a lot to offer rain or shine. Stunning architecture, wide open spaces and in also the rush of hundreds of Torontonians.A permit from the city of Toronto is required for photos, and worth the $150-$200 price tag.

The Fairmont Royal York Hotel – Our favorite place! Not just because we were married there, but because in our opinion it is the most beautiful building in the city of Toronto. It’s opulent, spacious, and has loads of character due to its huge Canadian history. They even offer the chance to have photos taken on the roof! An option given to us on our wedding day that we often regret not doing. Oh well there is always our 1 year anniversary. A photo permit is needed, and provided by the Fairmont Royal York. If you are getting marrie there the photo permit is included.

York University (Glendon Hall Campus) - Over overlooked, Glendon Hall is located on Bayview Avenue, just alongside the Estates of Sunnybrook. It has beautifully manicured gardens and a stunning front entrance.

University of Toronto (Hart House Campus area) - A very popular spot for photos over the years has been University of Toronto and for many reasons. A lot of our clients actually attended school there and met their significant other during that time which makes it extra special. U of T and the Hart House area are just gorgeous, my favourite part is the giant limestone arches with all the war vetrans names carved into it. A permit is required to take photos here, Hart House can provide one for you.

The Boiler House Wedding of Caitlin & Nick, Toronto - © Rowell Photography - Wedding

I can just imagine Ed being played by Shahrukh Khan and Rishvinder played by Kajol for this photo. Rishvinder is actually Malaysian, and during the reception all the women in her family did a traditional Indian wedding dance. Everyone woman joined in, actually even Ed showed off a few moves. This year, nearly all the grooms we have photographed have been pretty good dancers. It has made for some of the most fun receptions this summer.

Congratulations to Ed & Rishvinder! Thank you for choosing us as your photographers for you Estates of Sunnybrook wedding, we were truly honoured to meet your families and experience this amazing day with you.

Cheers

Erika & Ryan

this photo was taken in the gardens behind the Estates of Sunnybrook’s McLean House

Erika & Ryan’s list of Bollywood favorites.

Om Shanti Om

Dilwale Dulhanian Le Jayenge

Rab Ne Bana Jodi - This is my all time favorite.

My Name is Khan – This is one of the best movies I have ever seen. No joke, it pulls you in and leaves you thinking about this story and these characters for days afterwards.

Veer-Zaara

Band Baaja-Baaraat - This one means “The wedding planners” Its funny and cute and so colourful.

Ed & Rishvinder’s Estates of Sunnybrook Vaughan House Wedding - © Rowell Photography - Wedding

Lindsay’s family took everyone out for a brief ride in their classic boat for photos before it broke down and her brothers (the groomsmen) had to literally paddle them back. See photos below. Lindsay & Marcio’s wedding took place on the back lawn of Windermere House over looking the gorgeous Lake Rosseau.

This wedding was so fun to be apart of, we had wonderful weather and captured some memorable moments. Thank you to Lindsay & Marcio for choosing us to photograph your Windermere House wedding. We hope you enjoy these photographs for many years to come.

Cheers

Erika & Ryan

Marcio & Lindsay – Windermere House Wedding - © Rowell Photography - Wedding

We have a HUGE announcement. After 8 years of Ryan and I photographing and editing weddings and family portraits together we have decided to expand our team. So please welcome LUCA to the Rowell Photography team. Yeahhhhhhh, wooo wooo ohhhh yeahhhh!!!!!!!

Luca has trained under us and both Ryan and I are so confident in his skills. We are so honoured to have Luca to work alongside us. He officially will start in 2013 but we couldn’t help but squeeze him in for a few weddings this summer. Check out this gorgeous Windermere House wedding he photographed just a few weeks ago. Luca has been photographing weddings for 5 years, he has a beautiful family, a giant Newfoundlander dog named Ozzy, and a successful printing business. In fact, all of our printed photographs, and canvas come from Luca’s company PicFoundry.

We chose Luca to be part of our team because he truly cares about the work he creates. His wedding work is colourful, and scenic. He is not afraid to get in there and capture the moments as they are happening or create a dramatic, beautiful scene for his couples. Luca is located in Barrie, ON and hopes to start taking on wedding commissions this summer and booking for 2013. This is great news for the couple who has always wanted to have Rowell Photography photograph their wedding but found it to exceed their budget.  Contact us to schedule a time to talk about your wedding details and to set up a time to meet Luca.

A huge Congratulations to Trisha & James! Here is what they had to say about Luca and their wedding photography experience.

“Our wedding at Windermere was amazing. The weather was spectacular and Luca was great!

My guests and I found him to be very relaxed and easy going with a pleasant professional air about him.”

Enjoy these beautiful images by Luca for Rowell Photography.

Cheers Erika & Ryan

The view of Lake Rosseau from the second floor of Windermere House

Trisha & James – Their Windermere House Wedding Ceremony - © Rowell Photography - Wedding