Vanessa + Ethan

The Great Hall, Toronto, Wedding
A candid moment between the couple at The Great Hall.
A candid moment between the couple at The Great Hall.

A stylish, modern city wedding in a classic, elegant venue

Vanessa and Ethan's day was always going to look good. The Great Hall is one of those Toronto venues with serious bones, all high ceilings and big arched windows, and they brought a sharper, more modern thing to it that made the whole pairing work.

Dave and I split the morning. Ethan and his groomsmen were at home running a game of beer pong with a plate of pasta on the side, which is exactly the kind of pre-wedding chaos we like to walk into. Vanessa and her bridesmaids were across town in a bright apartment, big windows pulling in nice clean light. Her gown was off-the-shoulder and looked great on her. Ethan went with a green suit and Nike sneakers, which sounds like it shouldn't work and absolutely did.

We regrouped at the Great Hall for their first look. Empty room, soft light, Ethan visibly counting down the seconds. He turned around, saw her, and the rest of the room may as well have not existed.

From there we hit the streets. Toronto's never short on good walls, and the alleys near the venue did the texture work for us. Vanessa and Ethan were so easy out there, just walking, laughing, holding hands. Not much for us to do but keep up.

Ceremony was a quieter affair. Violinist playing, guests in their seats, Vanessa coming down the aisle with both her parents. The personal vows were the kind that have half the room laughing and the other half wiping their eyes, then everyone swapping over a minute later. They got pronounced and walked back out to a proper send-off.

The reception had been pulled together with serious care, drapery, florals, the whole space dressed up without overdoing it. Grand entrance landed with a lot of noise. Speeches were a real high point, that mix of the genuinely funny and the genuinely moving. First dance was theirs in the truest sense, just the two of them, parent dances after.

Whole day felt like Vanessa and Ethan from start to finish, which is what you hope for. Big love to you both.

The exterior of the house where the groom got ready.
The exterior of the house where the groom got ready.
The groomsmen play a game of beer pong in the morning.
The groomsmen play a game of beer pong in the morning.
A groomsman and a father play a game of beer pong.
A groomsman and a father play a game of beer pong.
The groomsmen's suits and sneakers hang on a rack.
The groomsmen's suits and sneakers hang on a rack.
The groom's white Nike high-top sneakers.
The groom's white Nike high-top sneakers.
A groomsman prepares his shirt and tie.
A groomsman prepares his shirt and tie.
Ethan's father adjusts his tie in a gold-framed mirror.
Ethan's father adjusts his tie in a gold-framed mirror.
A father adjusts his son's tie and collar.
A father adjusts his son's tie and collar.
Ethan poses for a portrait on the balcony.
Ethan poses for a portrait on the balcony.
The groom buttons his jacket, showing off his watch.
The groom buttons his jacket, showing off his watch.
Ethan and the groomsmen share a toast before leaving.
Ethan and the groomsmen share a toast before leaving.
A view of the CN Tower from the getting ready location.
A view of the CN Tower from the getting ready location.
The exterior of the building where the bride got ready.
The exterior of the building where the bride got ready.
A close-up of the wedding invitation for Ethan and Vanessa.
A close-up of the wedding invitation for Ethan and Vanessa.
Vanessa's beautiful wedding dress hangs on a door.
Vanessa's beautiful wedding dress hangs on a door.
A detail shot of the bride's floral arm tattoos.
A detail shot of the bride's floral arm tattoos.
Vanessa has a joyful moment during hair and makeup.
Vanessa has a joyful moment during hair and makeup.
Vanessa poses playfully with her mother.
Vanessa poses playfully with her mother.
The city view from the balcony of the bridal suite.
The city view from the balcony of the bridal suite.
A creative close-up of the bride's socks.
A creative close-up of the bride's socks.
Champagne is poured into a glass for a toast.
Champagne is poured into a glass for a toast.
A celebratory toast with mimosas before the wedding.
A celebratory toast with mimosas before the wedding.
Vanessa puts on her pearl earrings in the mirror.
Vanessa puts on her pearl earrings in the mirror.
A joyful reveal of the bride's dress to her bridesmaids.
A joyful reveal of the bride's dress to her bridesmaids.
The bride's mother helps her into the car.
The bride's mother helps her into the car.
The exterior of the wedding venue, The Great Hall.
The exterior of the wedding venue, The Great Hall.
The groom waits in silhouette for his bride.
The groom waits in silhouette for his bride.
Ethan's joyful reaction seeing Vanessa for the first time.
Ethan's joyful reaction seeing Vanessa for the first time.
The bride shows off her dress to the groom in a mirror reflection.
The bride shows off her dress to the groom in a mirror reflection.
The couple's first look captured in a soft-focus mirror reflection.
The couple's first look captured in a soft-focus mirror reflection.
A detail of the couple's arms and tattoos as they embrace.
A detail of the couple's arms and tattoos as they embrace.
A romantic, artistic portrait of the couple.
A romantic, artistic portrait of the couple.
The wedding party crosses the street to The Great Hall.
The wedding party crosses the street to The Great Hall.
The couple greets a family member outside the venue.
The couple greets a family member outside the venue.
A fun group portrait of the wedding party.
A fun group portrait of the wedding party.
A romantic portrait of the couple against a green wall.
A romantic portrait of the couple against a green wall.
The couple walks down the sidewalk, smiling at each other.
The couple walks down the sidewalk, smiling at each other.
A candid portrait of the groom looking off to the side.
A candid portrait of the groom looking off to the side.
The wedding party walks toward the camera.
The wedding party walks toward the camera.
The couple holds hands in front of a mural.
The couple holds hands in front of a mural.
The bride laughs during her individual portraits.
The bride laughs during her individual portraits.
A romantic portrait of the couple.
A romantic portrait of the couple.
The couple shares a genuine, happy moment.
The couple shares a genuine, happy moment.
The couple walks hand-in-hand down an alley.
The couple walks hand-in-hand down an alley.
Vanessa shares a joyful laugh with Ethan in the alley.
Vanessa shares a joyful laugh with Ethan in the alley.
Ethan smiles for a portrait in an urban alleyway.
Ethan smiles for a portrait in an urban alleyway.
Vanessa and Ethan lead their wedding party across the street.
Vanessa and Ethan lead their wedding party across the street.
Vanessa and Ethan laugh at a wacky inflatable tube man.
Vanessa and Ethan laugh at a wacky inflatable tube man.
Vanessa laughs as Ethan adjusts her bouquet.
Vanessa laughs as Ethan adjusts her bouquet.
Ethan waits for Vanessa at the altar.
Ethan waits for Vanessa at the altar.
The couple listens to the officiant during the ceremony.
The couple listens to the officiant during the ceremony.
Vanessa wipes a tear during the vows.
Vanessa wipes a tear during the vows.
Vanessa and Ethan share their first kiss.
Vanessa and Ethan share their first kiss.
Vanessa and Ethan walk down the aisle as newlyweds.
Vanessa and Ethan walk down the aisle as newlyweds.
The reception setup at The Great Hall.
The reception setup at The Great Hall.
A wide view of the reception at The Great Hall.
A wide view of the reception at The Great Hall.
Vanessa and Ethan walk down a city street.
Vanessa and Ethan walk down a city street.
Ethan kisses his bride's forehead.
Ethan kisses his bride's forehead.
A detail shot of the couple's intertwined hands.
A detail shot of the couple's intertwined hands.
The couple dances into their reception.
The couple dances into their reception.
Ethan speaks while Vanessa looks on.
Ethan speaks while Vanessa looks on.
Vanessa gets emotional during the first dance.
Vanessa gets emotional during the first dance.
A creative shot of the couple dancing.
A creative shot of the couple dancing.
Ethan spins Vanessa during the first dance.
Ethan spins Vanessa during the first dance.
A romantic night portrait of the couple.
A romantic night portrait of the couple.
The couple smiles during their night portraits.
The couple smiles during their night portraits.