There’s a kind of October light in Toronto that doesn’t last very long. Golden, low, a little hazy, it catches on everything and makes even the quiet moments feel cinematic. At The Manor Toronto this past fall, it showed up exactly when it needed to.
William and Michelle’s wedding felt like that: warm, easy, and fully present.
This day wasn’t about performing or getting everything “perfect.” It was about two people who just wanted to be together. Fully present. Actually feeling their day as it was happening.
I photographed this day on both 35mm film and digital, letting each medium hold the moments a little differently.
Getting Ready
They got ready separately, each surrounded by their closest friends.
The morning felt calm, easy, and full of small moments, laughter, music in the background, people stepping in and out of the room. Nothing rushed. Just a slow build into the day.
Before the ceremony, the bride shared a first look with her dad.
It was quiet and emotional in a way that didn’t need much from anyone else. Just the two of them, taking a second to be in it together before everything began.
The First Look
They chose to do a first look in the morning, and it set the tone for everything that followed.
Couples who choose a first look are usually choosing more time — more time with each other, more space to actually take things in. When he turned around, it felt quiet, private, and completely theirs.
We moved into portraits right after, while the light was still soft and the grounds were calm before everything started. Nothing forced, nothing over-directed. Just them, as they are.
The Jewish Ceremony Under the Chuppah
The ceremony was held outside under an open sky, the chuppah anchored by their closest friends: the people who’ve been there through everything. No walls, no ceiling, just light and the people who matter most.
Four people holding something meaningful, while William and Michelle stood underneath and chose each other.
The guests gathered close on all sides, everyone fully present in it.
The ketubah signing happened quietly before the ceremony. The bedeken carried this stillness to it — the kind where everything slows down for a second.
And then the Breaking of the Glass. A pause, and then everything shifted. Mazel tov.
Portraits at Sunset
Later in the evening, William and Michelle stepped outside for a bit.
The Manor’s field in October at golden hour is something else. The sun dropped behind the trees and everything turned warm and soft. A bit of gentle direction to start, then I stepped back and let them walk together, dance a little, and take in the sunset.
We shot both 35mm film and digital here: film holding onto the warmth and softness, while digital kept everything moving naturally alongside it.
This is where everything slows down a little.
The Hora
If you’ve never experienced a hora, it’s chaos, joy, and pure energy all at once.
The music kicks in and the dance floor fills instantly. Before you even have time to take it in, William and Michelle are lifted into the air. Laughter, cheering, hands reaching in to steady the chairs, circles forming around them.
It’s fast, loud, a little unpredictable — in the best way. I was getting a little dizzy trying to keep up with it all, capturing the energy as everything spun around them.
Friends pulling each other in, parents right there with them, the whole room moving together.
A Note on Shooting Film
Film holds onto a feeling in a quieter way.
It picks up the softness in the light, the warmth of the season, and the in-between moments you didn’t notice at the time.
Digital for the fast, unpredictable moments, and film for the quieter, more intentional ones. The two work together so nothing gets missed, but nothing feels overdone.
About The Manor Toronto
The Manor Toronto is located in King City, about 45 minutes from downtown, which makes it convenient for couples based in Vaughan, Richmond Hill, or Markham. The venue has both an outdoor ceremony space and an indoor reception area, all in one location. This makes planning simpler since you do not need to coordinate transportation between venues, and your timeline can stay relaxed. Guests can stay in one place and be part of the full day without interruptions.
Working with ILO STUDIO
We’re a Toronto-based wedding photography and videography studio.
When you book with us, you know exactly who you’re getting. It’s always Brad and Clarise. We’re not a large studio with rotating associates.
Our approach is simple. We document things as they happen. Nothing overly posed, nothing that pulls you out of the moment. Just honest, intentional coverage of your day and the people in it.
We photograph Jewish weddings, Chinese tea ceremonies, and multicultural celebrations. We understand how these moments flow and when to step in or step back.
If you’re planning a wedding at The Manor Toronto, or a Jewish wedding anywhere in the city, we’d love to hear what you’re envisioning.
Get in touch here.
