The day started off with prep, hair, makeup, getting in the dress (gorgeous and simple), and Chinese games! I don’t know how the guys finished a wasabi/ketchup sandwich, I would be crying at first bite! And they weren’t too shabby with singing Brian McKnight – “Everything I do, I do it for you”. Love that song!

I want to thank you both for welcoming me into your lives and allowing me to photograph and document a big part of it.

**Click image for more images & to view the slideshow – scroll to the last image

To see more of Cathy and Chris’ wedding, feel free to CLICK HERE to view the Slideshow.

Thanks to Heidi for helping me shoot this wedding (even with a baby bump)! I couldn’t have done it without you .

This message definitely kept me awake the whole ride to Buffalo airport and the few hours flight to Orlando. And good thing I didn’t delete the app yet. I was debating if I should delete it – probably 2 weeks before.

So, I shot their engagement early in the morning! But they’re awesome for agreeing to do their engagement session early!

Rodalyn was telling me how Ron proposed to her. I love hearing proposal stories! They’re romantic, unique, or funny (in a good way – like romantic comedy good). It was during their hike in Niagara Falls. He created an album filled with photos of them together and in the end was a photo of the engagement ring in the box and by the time Rodalyn reached that page Ron was already kneeling.

She actually took a while to answer him, but not because she didn’t want to, but because she was happy, excited, and speechless! Ron had to remind her that he’s waiting for an answer, “So….?”. Of course she said “Yes!”. Tears of joy ran down her face and couldn’t wait to tell her family.

Pretty cool how Ron used photos. I love it when couples appreciates photos and images, it makes me want to do so much more for them!

Their wedding is set for next year! I’m excited! *Click image for more!*

You two are adorable! To give you an idea how early we got there, here is a series.

Enjoy! *Click image for more images*

After getting together with Jenn and Darrin for the 3rd time, I was sold on their personality. They are very down-to-earth . They also know about social media . I learned a few things about Twitter and how to make use of it more often.

Interesting facts about these two lovebirds: they met through basketball, they had a long distance relationship and they only saw each other once a month sometimes once every 2 months, they love trying out new things, and they are awesome!

Anyway, their Dam Hoi engagement (traditional Vietnamese engagement ceremony) took place in Brantford at Jenn’s parents’ house. It was a very intimate event with all their close friends and family. It was a casual type of event. But had its formalities. Gorgeous day for a gorgeous event.

Jenn wore a beautiful custom traditional Vietnamese dress. The lavender colour was perfect for her skin tone. Darrin looked dashing in his suit! The tea ceremony for this Dam Hoi engagement was unique. They poured Remy Martin into the tea pot instead of tea! Jenn says,

“We basically used liquor instead of tea because it signifies a celebration.  And what better way then to celebrate with some alcohol? haha.”

It was definitely suitable for the intimate event.

For their portraits, we went around her neighbourhood to the train tracks. For the second location, Jenn was determined to find the barn that her older sister went to take her engagement portraits a few years ago. The original barn we looked for was no longer there, however, we did see a better and gorgeous location with a barn . Jenn went in and asked the tenants if we would be able to take some photos in front and around their barn. They gladly agreed! The timing and the weather was just right. Then add in the 2 subjects in the photo, it was picture-perfect!

Check out my favourites! Click the photo to see more . Thanks to Andrew for shooting with me at this event!

Photographed by | Therese de Jesus | ARTIESE Photography
Vietnamese dress | Custom
Dress | French Connection
Shoes | Manolo Blahnik
Associate Photographer | Andrew Ho

Liberty Grand

FIRST! This couple is down-to-earth sweet! Joanna with her bright and kind personality and Terence with the shy guy character, but oh so sweet! Joanna’s personality is, just, addictive. In a good way! I can relate to her because we both love to giggle and laugh. .

It’s always a pleasure shooting with Joee. Here’s their engagement shoot from a while back. This gave me the opportunity to get to know them well.

Fast forward, wedding day. You know a 16 hour wedding will go by with an ah-mazing team and amazing couple, oh and a fun bridal party.

Did I mention I got to work with internationally acclaimed cinematographer Michael Wong? This wedding could not have been better!

Ming (Puzzle Creations) does the best hybrid wedding hair styles I’ve seen so far.

Ah yes. Liberty Grand. Lovely venue for any occasion. 

Gorgeous floral arrangements by Fuscia Designs.

A little sneak peek from today’s (technically yesterday but its 2am ) Dam Hoi engagement in Brantford with an amazing couple .

Alexandra and Chris have a long distance relationship and they made it work. They both went to University of Toronto – Chris and Alexandra studied Biology. Right now, Chris is in med school in Michigan. He comes to Toronto to visit once in a while. I actually first met him during this engagement shoot. Chris was in Toronto for a week starting the weekend I came back from Orlando. I had to take advantage of this time to shoot their engagement session. They are so kind and sweet. Adorable together!

Such a good-looking couple.

Can’t wait to shoot their wedding next year in May at The Eagle’s Nest Golf Club.

Hope everyone is having a great weekend!

I actually received the album just before I left for New York and Orlando, but I haven’t got the chance to blog it until now. Yes, the album is so special she needs her own blog post.

So last week, I tagged along to shoot Joanna and Terence’s engagement session in downtown Toronto, since I will be helping Joee shoot their wedding at Liberty Grand next month. I can’t wait! Because this will also be the first time I work with Michael Y Wong, well other than from this engagement session. They look so cute together! They’ve been together since high school, aww “high school sweethearts“.

It was a gorgeous afternoon when we started out at Humber Bay Bridge. We strolled through the mini park while the sky dipped colours into the horizon, from the pastel orange to cool blue. Joanna and Terence are too sweet and too kind for words. When I first met them during this engagement session I was immediately greeted with a big smile. They’re such a fun couple and I’m excited for their wedding!