Wedding At The Grand Victorian Convention Centre | Kathryn and Dan

Now that the wedding season for 2015 have drawn to a close, I finally have the time to start writing more blog posts again and  featuring weddings and sessions I had the honour to photograph this past year. I had been looking forward to share Kathryn and Dan’s wedding at the Grand Victorian Convention Centre this April as I remembered their day to be one filled with tears and laughter, topped of with a great dance party at  the end of the night.

My coverage  started with Dan and his groomsmen at the Radisson Plaza Hotel where the Grand Victorian Convention  Centre  was also located. Dan’s groomsmen consist of family and close friends of his who all know each other well. Which made my  job easier asI didn’t have to think of ways to make them laugh. They did that on their own by teasing each other.

After Dan’s coverage, I headed over Novotel Hotel in Hurontario and Burnhamthorpe where  Kathryn and her bridesmaids got ready. Kathryn was one of the most relaxed bride I’ve ever worked with. There was never a frame that I took that day where she was frowning or looked like she was not enjoying her day. She was always smiling and  just…happy.

Once  Kathryn’s entourage was ready, they all got into the limo and drove to St Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Mississauga for their wedding ceremony.  Kathryn is the only girl among her three other siblings, which made this wedding particularly special for her parents. Her father did a great job holding  his tears back until he gave her away at the altar.

What I also love about  St Francis Xavier Church is how relaxed the priests were with the rules  they impose on wedding photographers. The only rule they have is to not step on the sanctuary at  any  time, which is reasonable enough. Plus there’s plenty of light at the church that your photographer won’t need to crank up the ISO to get good photos  of your wedding ceremony.

As for their wedding reception, having a wedding at the Grand Victorian Convention Centre means that you and your guests will eat great food and will be served well by  one of the most attentive staff I’ve ever encountered.  Seriously, I was impressed! As with its  name, the decor itself is, well, grand. Done tastefully, mind you. The space itself is not big but the ceilings are quite tall that it feels spacious yet cozy at the same time. A heads up though for fellow photographers. You won’t be able to  bounce your flash here without depleting your batteries really quick so I highly recommend you use off camera flash  here.

The most memorable parts  of the evening for me was when Dan recalled the first time he met Kathryn. They met at a friend’s wedding. Kathryn sat across from him. Aside for the fact that she’s beautiful, he noticed how she got teary at the emotional parts of the speeches, and how much she laughed at the funny ones. She wore her heart on her sleeve and it intrigued him.

The other part of the evening that I remember so fondly is the dance party. Some weddings, it takes time to get the dance floor going. But not at Kathryn and Dan’s wedding. Everyone was ready to party and once the DJ  opened the dance floor, they all  let loose! I draw energy from those I photograph so documenting their guests having a great time was awesome!

Here are a few moments from their wedding at the Grand Victorian Convention Centre in Mississauga!