engagement ring Archives | Olive Photography

Cupcakes, Blankets & Tea: Louisa & Ben’s Cozy Fall Engagement

October 28, 2014

Hugs, a big warm blanket, cupcakes and soothing hot tea – these are the yummy things that filled this simple but amazingly lovely engagement session.
Louisa and Ben are two ridiculously sweet folks whose smiles just beam. They’re so cute together and this session just unfolded so naturally – the result: cozy, natural, love-filled photos that showcase the wonderful bond these two share.

Read at the bottom of this post for their love story!

And now some words from our lovebirds!

Our love story began with some popcorn and ice cream. We met through a mutual friend and starting hanging out by making dinners and going for walks. She never really realized that they were dating until one day, we saw a movie together, Crazy, Stupid, Love. She was going to buy her own ticket but he happily returned from the cash with two tickets and a large bucket of popcorn! Somewhere in between the sweet and savory, we fell in love. There wasn’t a defining moment when we knew we were meant to be; rather, it was a series of small details we noticed about one another that made us sure. She noticed the way he held his grandma’s hand on the stairs, the amount of ice cream that arrived in her fridge and ‘have a great day!’ post-its that began to appear everywhere. He noticed that she picked up on all the small details that make up the important parts of others’ lives, how things started to look brighter (i.e. cleaner) when she was around, and that he had met his match in her determined spirit. The love we had became one of those certain things in life, one that was undoubted and went on to grow comfortably and confidently. We experienced life’s ups and downs together for the past few years and continue to celebrate the big and little things that come our way. We are so excited to be married and continue to build our life together!

Niveen and Rob’s Nature and Sunbeam-Filled Engagement

October 24, 2014

I had a blast photographing these two for their engagement session!

We got to frolic about amongst the gorgeous nature *just* before the leaves started falling off the trees. (Sidenote: It’s amazing how quickly that happens, isn’t it??)

These two are just so much fun and easy to get along with – we chatted, joked, and it even went for lunch while we waited for the ferry back. It felt like we were just hanging out – and we just happened to be snapping photos of their adorable looooove.

And, another awesome bonus to our time together was the unexpected visit of an adorable cat, who calmly strolled right into the middle of our shoot and showed himself off for the camera. Since all three of us have cats we of course had to take some time to properly say hello!

Thanks for a memorable, lovely time, guys!

Really looking forward to photographing your wedding this January 31st!

*Check out the bottom of this post for words from Niveen and Rob themselves about their love story!*

And now for some words from the lovebirds themselves:

A long long time ago…(more like 6 years ago) a boy with bright ginger hair walked into work for the first time. He was stopped by a nosey brunette who asked “Are you new?” He said “Yes”. She smiled and said “Welcome!”. Music, and tech geekery brought us together. Our lunch room at work provided Rockband for staff to play and unwind. One afternoon, while Niveen was rocking out on the drums, Rob came by and asked if he could join her on guitar, soon their band formed and was called “What’s for lunch?”. After numerous awkward group work outings, Rob asked Niveen out for dinner, and the rest was history!

Even though we are complete opposites – she’s reckless, he’s patient (Thankfully) – and come from very different backgrounds and walks of life, the relationship became a bridge. It bridged our families, our cultures and our lives. On a warm summer day, after both had taken the leap to buy a house, they had finally picked up the keys and were filled with anticipation. At the door step of their first home, Rob “fumbled” and dropped the key on the floor, he then remained on his knee, and asked Niveen to make a home of their new house, together. And it was the best decision she ever made!

Tappo Wedding in Distillery District – Ashley & Jay

June 23, 2014

Remember these two from their engagement session? They’re a super fun, super adorable and super in love couple — Ashley and Jalal are married! They had a beautiful Tappo wedding in the Distillery District.
It’s so sweet to see how magnetic their love is. Their attraction is so strong you can feel it just being around them! You can get a little glimpse of how fiery their love is by seeing how Jay looks at Ashley in some of these photos. And Ashley is just so smitten.
Love these two.
I had a fantastic time photographing this wedding – their friends and family were so friendly and man, do they know how to have fun! Music blasting in the limo, jokes and laughs the entire day, and such high energy and full-on happiness!
Ashley got ready at The Ivy at Verity hotel and we then headed to St. Peter’s Catholic Church for the ceremony, followed by The Distillery District for photos and Tappo Wine Bar & Restaurant therein for the reception; it’s a lovely rustic, intimate restaurant with such delicious food and a wonderful outdoor patio space where they set up a few hookahs! Super neat – love when couples incorporate cultural elements into their weddings.
Once we got to the Distillery District Ashley & Jay changed into their comfy Converse shoes – but not just any Converses — Jay wore sleek leather ones that he meticulously polished to look fab, and Ashley wore adorable white ones with a platform incorporated in them so her dress didn’t drag. She said her feet were sooo comfy, which is important when you’re on your feet all day! Even more so when you have to navigate uneven cobblestone streets. Cute idea, guys!
I’ll stop blabbing now and let y’all see some photos from this rad wedding!

** Scroll to the end of the photos to read some insights from our happy couple! **

And now, some words from the newlyweds!

What was your favourite wedding moment?
Bride: I have so many favourite moments, but I think my top faves are when I received a pre-wedding love note from the limo driver upon his arrival to pick the girls up. When I read (or attempted to) and my maid of honour, Faye, finished reading Jay’s love note to me I was literally in happy tears. I thought, wow I am so lucky, I am about to marry the sweetest man! My second favourite moment was when my mom walked me down the aisle. She is the most important person in my life and I love that she had that honour and moment! Not to mention, that was the moment I finally got to see Jay’s smile waiting for me at the end of that long aisle! Finally, my last favourite moment would have to be when “Sweet Carolina” came on during dinner (the Fab 8/Boy’s song on Jay’s side) and I got to see my husband in his prime with his closest and bestest friends; dancing and singing and hugging! They made me so happy to see what wonderful friends he has in his life, who travelled long and far to be with him for his day! He was so happy and that made me so happy!
Groom: Other than the usual… Seeing Ashley that first moment on the aisle, kissing her and calling her my wife, and our first dance, I have quite a few favourite moments as well. If I have to pick I would say that the moments Ashley and I shared at the alter while listening to the priest and guest speakers was so special. We were both so excited and nervous. Each time one of us was about to have a moment of tears or nerves, we would whisper something funny to each other. Everyone wondered what we were saying. No one will ever really know lol Looking at her, and sharing this moment with her was more than I could have ever imagined to be so special. We never realized how truly special signing that piece of paper, having that day and having the “husband” and “wife” title really is!

Any advice for engaged couples planning their wedding?
If you had asked us a few months ago, we would have said “Run away just the two of you and forget the big to-do!” It is so much stress! BUT it is SO WORTH IT! Don’t dwell on the little details, no one will notice. Have fun, and stop to take in the moments happening around you. Do it your way! But most importantly, spend the time, money and energy on finding an amazing photographer. Your photos are all you will have when that amazing day whips by and is over! We are less than two weeks over with it, and so happy we already have our beautiful photos to reminisce with!

Details:
– Dress designer: Moon Light Couture by Val Stefani from Mona Richie Bridal
– Suit: Jack Victor Exclusive Collection www.jackvictor.com
– DJ: Rob Gri AKA DJ Greedo @ Del Vinyl Entertainment www.delvinyl.com
– Centrepieces: DIY
– Cake: Merry Cakes (Merrycakes.ca and merrycakesdotca on instagram)
– Venues: The Ivy at Verity hotel, St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Tappo Wine Bar & Restaurant in The Distillery District
– Makeup: Shari at Sutherland Artistry
– Lashes: Jennifer Couto at Lasholiscious
– Hair: Daniel Palacio at Deberardinis Salon and Spa

Congratulations again, you two!! Had a blast, and feel so honoured to be your photographer!

—

Anastasia Giaouris

Photographer, Olive Photography
olivephotography.ca
OlivePhotographyTO.wordpress.com

Facebook.com/OlivePhotographyTO
@OlivePhotoTO

info@olivephotography.ca

Cherry Beach Engagement

April 27, 2014

There’s most certainly a spark between Ashley and Jay – one that sizzles, if ya know what I mean.

This pair is hot together, and it’s evident that they are super into each other. While I photographed them embracing one another I heard Jay complimenting Ashley – it made me gush just a bit.

We went to Toronto’s Polson Pier to photograph their engagement session since the view of the city from there is really pretty awesome. If you haven’t been, go check it out!

Unfortunately it was CRAZY windy, so much of the session involved Jay having to help Ashley move her beautifully done hair out of her face, and wiping the wind-induced tears from her eyes (messing with her also beautifully done makeup) – we joked about how him ‘fixing’ her was the theme of the session.
Despite the wind, however, we did have fun, and we managed to get some really sweet moments captured when the wind took a bit of a break. They even enjoyed playing a quick round of one of their favourite board games – how cute!

We also munched on some really yummy fries and poutine from a nearby food truck whose scent was wafting onto the beach, tempting us to wrap up and eat! Haha. Of course, that lent itself to a fun impromptu photo-op as well.
… Great, now I want french fries again… 😛

Here are some photos from our time together, as well as some words from the bride and groom-to-be at the end!

And now, some words from the happy couple:

THEIR FIRST DATE
“It was the night of the Grey Cup Event… After meeting at a local pub for some cocktails after a long day’s work, the two couldn’t wait to kick back and get to know one another over good conversation and some drinks. A local “regular” couldn’t help himself from visiting the table frequently and striking up conversation with the cute couple. J’s amazing sense of humour and ability to kindly tolerate the poor lonely man was admirable. However, his firmness and fearlessness in finally telling the guy to bug off and “allow him some time alone with his pretty lady”, really won Ashley over! From that night on, they were basically inseperable, enjoying any and every minute they could together…”

THE PROPOSAL
When it happened: Sunday, August 25, 2013
How it happened:
“What a better way to start the evening then a night at the Canadian National Exibition! After an evening of fun and entertainment with close friends, Jay was adamant about getting home by midnight. Wondering if they were going to turn into pumpkins, Ashley was reluctant and curious as to why it was so important to be home early on a Saturday night. After heading to the Danforth for a night cap with their friends, the two finally headed home to retire for the evening… or so she thought.

When Ashley got home, she immediately headed upstairs to bed. Jay came up insisting she wait, and come downstairs with him. After she agreed, he took her by the hand and guided her downstairs into her family’s dining room. As she asked “what are we doing?!”, she walked into the room lit with candles, and dressed with flowers. Jay presented her with champagne, sweets and… a small jewelery box! Jay asked, Ashley said yes, and so the story continues…”

Makeup: Shari at Sutherland Artistry
Lashes: Jennifer Couto at Lasholiscious
Hair: Daniel Palacio at Deberardinis Salon and Spa

—

Anastasia Giaouris

Photographer, Olive Photography
olivephotography.ca
OlivePhotographyTO.wordpress.com

Facebook.com/OlivePhotographyTO
@OlivePhotoTO

info@olivephotography.ca

Stephanie & Brian – Engaged!

October 13, 2013

Note: *Totally* romantic, movie-worthy proposal story after the photos!

Stephanie and Brian wanted to do their engagement photos at a place that was significant to them (which I love to do!), so they chose the neighbourhood where they first met, in downtown Toronto where they had gone to college together before their undergrads.
We strolled around, weaving through the streets on what was an unbelievably beautiful, warm Fall day. I admired Stephanie’s ability to strut totally comfortably in her gorgeous plum heels as though they were sneakers.
It was totally cute hearing the two of them talk about the different buildings they had classes in, discussing memories, and pointing out the ways the neighbourhood had changed since they moved on from their former stomping ground.
Stephanie noticed the new Starbucks and joked about how she would have definitely been there all the time if it had been there back in the day. (You might be able to tell from some of the photos that she’s kind of a Starbucks fan.)
I learned that Brian doesn’t drink coffee (*gasp!* – kidding), but he does enjoy tea. I’m enjoying a nice hot cup of tea as I write this post – so this one’s to you, Brian!

We had a lot of fun frolicking about the city, and I love that these photos celebrate both their past and their future.

And now, Stephanie’s account of how Brian so romantically proposed to her (with photos provided by them). Guys, I can’t. It’s so good.

“Brian told me that he was going to Boston for work and that I should go down on the Friday to meet him and stay for the weekend. The Friday that I was supposed to leave was the day in February that we had a really big snow storm so all flights out were canceled on that Friday and on the Saturday too. So I was never able to fly out to meet Brian in Boston. Also, at the same time, Boston had an even bigger storm and Brian was snowed in the hotel the whole time he was there. Brian ended up proposing the following Friday in our kitchen. I came home from work that Friday and there was a mailed letter on the kitchen table addressed to me. I opened the letter and it said the following….

Behind the letter was the following picture…

This was Brian proposing in the hotel in Boston where he was planning to propose all along! I found out though this that he never went there for work and he had only gone to Boston to propose! Poor guy was stuck in the hotel and snowed in for 5 days! I have yet to visit Boston!”
—-
How cute is that??
*Sigh* Ah, love.Can’t wait to photograph your wedding on April 12th, guys!