But We Will Stand Tall - Photo Art Show

On December 3rd, a young photographer held his first public art show in Hamilton at The Freeway Cafe & I had the privilege of working with him to set up and decorate the venue and to help him organize all the planning details.

Jason Matos (yup - he would be my son!)has been working on series of photos for a few months now. They are all photos of people who attend our church, Grindstone Valley Bible Church in Waterdown. What makes these photos unique is that they all tell a story about the person - depicting in photos a struggle or difficult time they went through in their life - and then photos depicting how they are now stronger and stand taller today because of how they grew and learned and matured through that hard situation.

Jason photographed 12 people - some with just one photo, others with two, a few with 3 or 4 photos - and each person wrote out their "story", which was printed and mounted by their photos.


The Freeway Cafe was set up with lots of candles on tables as people came in to enjoy a cup of free-trade coffee or tea or specialty beverage, some great snacks and then sat around small tables or on comfortable leather sofas and enjoyed the acoustic music of 4 different musical sets. And throughout the evening, people mingled around the photos, reading the stories and often being moved to tears.


About 180 people came through the Cafe during the 3 hour show - and it was a resounding success for Jason.
Congratulations Jason on an excellent photo art show!

Wedding Florists & Decorators

Last month, I took a course in Toronto offered by "The Wedding Decorators" (www.theweddingdecorators.ca). It was a very informative and educational experience. But the main thing I learned from it was that brides & grooms should only hire professionals for their florals & decorating needs!

The morning of this training was all about wedding florals - bouquets, boutineers, corsages, and centerpieces. The guest florist was Shelley from Wedding Wows (www.weddingwowstoronto.ca) and she created some beautiful arrangements for us. There's certainly a lot to know about dealing with fresh flowers - how to properly wrap & tie them, treat them to keep them fresh, and arrangements to WOW any wedding!!




After a quick lunch break, we learned all the techniques of draping a head table, a backdrop and an archway. There are some beautiful ways to simply but elegantly spruce up your reception hall. Nothing looks more elegant than a head table draped with boile or satin - adorned with florals or greenery - and lit from underneath with spotlights. Adding a backdrop of matching or coordinating fabrics is a wonderful way to complete the look - and works great to hide a plain, boring or even ugly wall!!

Thanks to Shelley & Sherisse & Ali for a great day of awesome ideas, useful tips and a simply fun experiences!

Colourful, Fun & Tasty "Goan" Wedding

Olivia & John got married on Sat. Oct. 17, 2009 in Hamilton - and enjoyed a great reception at Maplewood Hall in Ancaster. I had the privilege of being on-site at the hall to assist in preparing the hall for the reception. Olivia is from Goa, a state of India - and so there was a wonderful Indian flare to the reception.


Colourful is a great way to describe the guests, bridal party and florals for this wedding. Many guests were adorned in beautiful Sari's - as well as two of the girls in the bridal party. Each bridal party bouquet was unique in the colours of the flowers and the ribbons. A large fall-coloured floral display was set on the elaborate stone fireplace mantle. The table centerpieces were simple brown clay pots with purple cyclamens.



Fun is the best way to describe the attitude of the bride & groom - and the celebratory feel of the reception. The bride & groom were welcomed into the party with singing & clapping & a "ceremonial walk" through the room. They cut their wedding cake and then enjoyed a few minutes to savour Indian appetizers. Before the meal began, Olivia & John, followed by their bridal party & family & all of the guests were led in a traditional Goan "Bridal March", set to different songs, and accompanied by much laughter! The couple concluded the March with their first dance together and were then joined by their guests for about 20 minutes of dancing.

Tasty - well, that describes the traditional Indian buffet meal that was served to their guests. Rich flavours & unique spices filled the room with tempting aromas. And of course, the meal was accompanied by some great libations!

It was a great day for the happy couple....Congratulations to Olivia & John!

Rain Holds Off for Outdoor Wedding!

Alyson & Bill were determined to get married outdoors - regardless of threatening rain & grey clouds! Halton Regional Museum in Milton was set up ready for either an indoor or outdoor ceremony - and 15 minutes before the event, the decision was made to brave the elements! Guests were seated and the guys made their grand entrance to Star Wars theme song. Then the mothers, bridesmaids and 4 adorable flower girls entered, followed by the bride - escorted part way by her step-dad and the rest of the way by her dad. Part-way through the ceremony, a few drops of rain fell - but while signing the register, the sun actually peeked out!



Part-way through the photos & cocktail hour, guests were able to enjoy the museum as the heavens opened up and the rain came down, drenching the outdoor option! Silver Thyme caterers were amazing - setting up the reception site and working around visiting guests while at the same time serving great appetizers and drinks.


The Hearth Room was a beautiful venue for the reception - very rustic, with lots of great autumn decor. It was a gorgeous fall wedding, fulfilling the dreams of the bride & groom to enjoy the outdoor property and a rustic indoor setting.

Venue: Halton Regional Museum, Milton
Officiant: Robin Barlow
Caterers: Silver Thyme, Milton
DJ: Bob Peake
Photographer: Michael Fauvelle
Cake & Cupcakes: Heather's Bakery
Limo: D & D Limo Services
Flowers: Westdale Florist

Intimate Outdoor Wedding

It was a perfect day for an outdoor fall wedding on Sept.19th as Erica & James joined in marriage! The sky was clear blue, the sun was out and a gentle breeze kept it from being too hot. The ceremony site was decorated with 180 votive candles in red glass holders, all lined up over a bridge & along the grass, defining the 'aisle' at the park.


Fragrant rose petals marked the actual ceremony location and a harpist provided wonderful background and processional music. The wedding was witnessed by an intimate group of 34 friends & family, who gathered in a small and secluded park in Burlington. A nice touch was that each guest was given a red rose when they arrived. Then, when Erica - looking amazing in a red wedding gown - arrived, she went to each guest, greeted them with a hug and received the rose from them. At the end, two women wrapped the flower stems together with ribbons to create her bouquet. A very sentimental touch I thought! James' son and daughter stood up with them as their attendants and everyone looked amazing!

After taking photos at the park, the bride & groom & guests headed to "The Black Tree" restaurant in the Roseland Plaza in Burlington for a unique reception, all based on Alfred Hitchcock theme! It was not "a night of mystery & mayhem", but rather "a night of mystery & marriage"! Congratulations Erica & James!

Photographer: Stephen Dominick, Niagara
Florist: Blossom's, Burlington
Ceremony Venue: Hidden Valley Park, Burlington
Reception Venue: Black Tree Restaurant, Burlington
Tent for Reception: Pat's Party Rentals
Ceremony Harpist: Kristen Theriault

Despite the Traffic, the Wedding was a Success!

It was the long weekend. The CNE was on. The airshow was starting. A BlueJays game was playing. And all of this was happening right along the QEW highway just at the very time that the girls' limo had to drive by that way in order to get to the church! And then, on the grounds of the church (located at the University of Toronto) there were Frosh Week activities going on! These things certainly caused a few moments stress & noise and delays for the wedding! Brian Whittaker deserves a medal for being a very patient groom, as his bride and the girls' bridal party were delayed in all that traffic and arrived about an hour late!! However, despite the late start... it was a beautiful wedding! The bridal party were stunning in deep purple dresses with silver accents. The groomsmen were handsome as all get out!! After some photos on the U of T grounds, the party enjoyed the comforts of a limo-bus from downtown Toronto to the reception at Liuna Gardens in Stoney Creek. Guests were treated to a steel pan player during the cocktail hour and to a take-home gift of a piece of wonderful Caribbean Rum Cake made by both families.


After more photos taken on site in the gardens and by the lake, the bridal party enjoyed a wonderful reception with all their guests - many of whom came from long distances to share in this special day. It was truly a day that honoured family, friendships and faith!

Congratulations Kamara & Brian!

Photographer: Ambient Photography, Jason Hendricks, Toronto
Videographer: Michael Soo-Chan, Toronto
Florist: Debbie's Flowers, Stoney Creek
Decorator: The Wedding Depot, Hamilton
Cake Decorator: Andra Owen
DJ: Damien Mitchell
Limo: Dynasty Limo, Jordan
Church: St. Basils, Toronto
Officiants: Fr. Jim, Pastor Kevin
Church Musicians: Mark Yensen, Justine Owen, Paul Sanvidotti
Reception: Liuna Gardens, Stoney Creek
Steel Pan Player: Kayla Owen

Gillian & Michael Tie the Knot at the Old Mill Toronto!

For a summer of uncertainty when it comes to weather, the day was perfect for Gillian & Michael's outdoor wedding ceremony at the Old Mill on Aug. 7th. Not too hot, a few clouds, a gentle breeze - and NO rain!!

Michael's face when he saw Gillian was priceless - and the ceremony went off beautifully. After photos in various locations of the Old Mill's grounds, the couple and their bridal party joined their guests for a wonderful reception. The place was decorated beautifully and the food & service provided by the Old Mill was exceptional!


Congratulations Gill & Mike!

Ceremony Venue: Old Mill Toronto, Wedding Garden
Officiant: Judge Juliette Baldock
Ceremony & Cocktail Hour Musicians: The Alexsandre Ensemble
Photographer: Bassem Wahba, GK Photography
Photo Site: Old Mill, Toronto
Reception Venue: Old Mill, Toronto
Florist: Ital Florist, Toronto
Decorator: With All My Heart Wedding Decor, Oakville
DJ: Daryal Roberts, Party Productions
Limo: AC Limo Services