Wedding Photography Fusion at The Byward Market in Ottawa, ON

Natalie + Francois | Wedding Photography at Sidedoor Restaurant

What a way to kick off the wedding season! Once (or sometimes twice) a year, we travel to Ottawa to capture a wedding for one of the holiday weekends. This year was no exception. We got the chance to spend Victoria Day 2014 weekend with our friends, Natalie + Francois, as they celebrated their #mariageGQ.

We met Natalie + Francois two years ago at the wedding of their good friends (and ours), Marie-Eve + JF. Fast forward to this gorgeous Saturday in May, when Natalie + Francois became husband and wife. This is their wedding story.



PREPARATION
We arrived at their home in Ottawa to meet Francois and all the other bow-tied boys. Francois suited up and stepped into the living room to receive a thoughtful present from their friends. The University of Ottawa contains a lot of history for this couple, so everyone got together and gave Natalie + Francois a personalized plaque blueprint of the campus. A perfect gift for an engineer.

We headed out the door to meet Natalie across the street at the home of their neighbors, Marie-Eve + JF. You could see Natalie’s elegant dress decorating the third floor window, as you approached the condo. Sidebar: Natalie’s dress was designed by a local bridal boutique, McCaffrey’s, which just so happened to be located in the same building as the vacation rental in the Byward Market we used for accommodations this time in Ottawa. Small world!

When we arrived, Claudia (the make-up artist) was with Natalie. While she finished, we inspected the stunning detail that Natalie’s mother, Julie, put into the beading and hand-crafting of Natalie’s evening shoes (Toms!) and garter. Julie did an exceptional job! The moms, bridesmaids and maids of honour sipped on mimosas and eagerly anticipated the donning of the bridal gown. Once Natalie slipped into her beautiful dress, you couldn’t help but stare in awe. She was a vision of beauty.













FIRST LOOK
We love first looks! We believe it helps to calm the nerves of a couple for the day and gives them a chance to connect prior to the wedding, so that they as they approach the altar they already feel like a team.

Their first look took place at the Minto Bridge, next to a lush park covered in weeping willows, on Union and Stanley. The bridge was under construction, which was ideal because there was no traffic. Natalie slowly approached Francois, as their friends and family looked on. She tapped him on the shoulder and they embraced. It was a touching moment for the couple and a great start for the creative session.







CREATIVE SESSION
We walked over to the green grass by the Rideau River for family portraits and got some shots of the bridal party on the bridge.

Natalie + Francois wanted to revisit a special spot for the two of them, a short drive away–the Rockeries at Rockcliffe. Briefly after their engagement, they took a photo on a smooth path at the Rockeries and they wanted to recreate that moment. Also, we thought it would be a good time for them to share an intimate moment together by reciting their vows to one another, just the two of them. With colourful tulips and stone structures as their backdrop, Natalie + Francois declared their love for one another in their beautifully written, heart-felt French vows.













SIDEDOOR RESTAURANT
The ceremony, cocktail hour and reception took place at the Sidedoor Restaurant in the Byward Market. When Natalie + Francois first told us that their wedding venue was a contemporary, hip, centralized spot in the coolest area in Ottawa, we were so excited! We are still amazed at the uniqueness of this idea!

The aisle of the ceremony were decorated with mason jars filled with lavender. The whole lavender theme (colour and flower) created a serene and calming atmosphere for their entire wedding. Natalie + Francois repeated their vows, as their loved ones watched with tears in their eyes. Natalie’s brother, Nick, and his girlfriend, Jess, provided the soundtrack, while all the guests waved bell wands in the air congratulating the couple, for the recessional.

Everyone headed outside for a group photo on tree-lined stone steps with Parliament in the background. Then, it was time for cocktail hour (with a few toasts) back at the restaurant and a photo session in the Byward Market.

A receiving line transitioned all the guests from cocktails to the dining room. Speeches, songs, laughter, and delicious scents from the kitchen filled the air. You could tell everyone was truly enjoying themselves as they ate, mingled, and played a fun, balloon popping kissing game.

After setting the party off with a cake cutting and first dance, Natalie + Francois headed out into the market with us for some nighttime shots. Then, it was back to the party to join their friends and continue in their celebration!













MERCI
Thank you Natalie + Francois for inviting us to Ottawa to capture such an amazing day with you and your beautiful family! Enjoy your dream honeymoon!

THE TEAM
Photography Fusion: Darlington Studios
Venue: Sidedoor Restaurant
Wedding Planner + Decor: Bride & Groom
Florist: Stoneblossom Floral
Wedding Cake: Serendipity Cakes
Hair Stylist: Synergy Spa (Lisa)
Make-Up: Claudia Ouellet
Gown: David McCaffrey, McCaffrey Haute Couture
Suit: Maison Waxman
DJ: Joel Lalonde
Music: “Hiding Place” and “Hiding Place (Instrumental) by Holley Maher, licensed by The Music Bed

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80 Comments

  1. Dear Melanie and Paul,

    You have crafted extraordinary photos and video to capture an extraordinary day!
    Thank you for your enthusiasm and your dedication!

    Your kind and gentle manner was most calming and made the day even more exceptional!

    Mary alias MOG / MIL

  2. This is beautiful! So amazing. I cried! You are such a gorgeous couple and wish you both all the happiness in the world. XO

  3. Dear Melanie and Paul, I have been reliving Natalie and Francois’ wedding every day since their ceremony, and you have made it real all over again! What an amazing day it was! Thank you so very much for being so attentive to all the details in your video. I will watch it over and over again! Your story of Natalie and Francois with their photos is also very touching. I feel like we have made new friends with you, as you were part of us for the day! Thank you so much and remember: we have three more to marry!!!!

  4. Absolutely amazing! We could not be more happy with our pictures and video. You captured our day perfectly and even managed to make it more beautiful for us 🙂 thank you so much!!! Xoxo

  5. Wow! Thank you so much Paul and Melanie! We are so happy to have had you capture our wedding day! You guys rock! Look forward to seeing you again!

  6. The video and the pictures are absolutely beautiful!!! You guys were awesome 🙂 Thanks for capturing the greatest moments of my sister’s and my new brother-in-law’s (woohoo!) wedding! xoxo

  7. Wow! Thank you Darlington for capturing this beautiful day. You are both amazing! I think I watched this video 10 times already.

  8. Darlington Studios – WELL DONE! Fabulous video and blog post of Francois and Natalie’s perfect day. What a romance! It was so nice to have you chronicle the event. I look forward to seeing the rest of the pictures! 🙂

  9. What a beautiful summary of a wonderful day! Excellent video and tribute to a wonderful new couple

  10. OMG! Such a nice video and photos! You two deserve the BEST! Congratulations Natalie and Francois! Love you both.

  11. Wow! The video is amazing and the pictures are absolutely beautiful! Félicitations Natalie et Francois! 🙂

  12. Beautiful bride. Handsome groom, Fairytale wedding. Excellent work to capture all the precious moments !

  13. Truly exquisite video and photos that beautifully tell the story of Natalie and François. Darlington Studios, you have stunningly captured this blissful moment in time for the happy couple. Félicitations Natalie et François!

  14. Absolutely beautiful! You can feel the emotions, the love and the magic of the day! The pictures and video tell a sweet and beautiful story!

  15. What a beautiful celebration! So artistically presented! All the best to Natalie
    and François…

  16. Looks like fairy tales do come true. Beautiful wedding, great job on the pictures and video. May you live happily ever after Natalie and Francois!

  17. What a beautiful video that not only is so artistic, but able to catch all the emotions of the day! I have watched it more than ten times,with pauses, to observe the beauty of the two lovebirds. I love the music that was chosen: it fits so well this incredible loving couple.
    Vous êtes magnifique et nous avons bien hâte de le revoir avec vous ainsi que les photos.
    Darlington Studio: once again you have outdone yourselves, and it was a pleasure to finally met you both.

  18. What a beautiful video. Once again I am in awe of your beautiful work! It was great seeing you at the wedding and all the best with the upcoming wedding season. Félicitations à François et Natalie, quel beau témoignage de votre amour xoxo

  19. Wow! What a beautiful day it was and so well captured!!! Once again, congrats to the beautiful bride and groom. Your special day was fantastic!

  20. Félicitations à vous deux. Quel plaisir d’avoir passé une si belle journée et soirée ensemble. Vous êtes deux beaux coeurs et je vous adores. Merci à Paul et Melanie pour un travail passioné. Nous pourrons revivre tous c’est beaux moments à volonté.

  21. I cannot believe that something like this is even possible…it was really one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen. Darlington Studios, your work is amazing.

  22. OMG! I cried from the moment the video started. Happy tears of course. Darlington Studios you have captured the essence of Natalie & Francois as well as their beautiful love story. Fabulous work! Congratulations Nat & Francois as you hold each other’s hand and share each other’s dream. Love you! xx

  23. This is the absolute love montage! I will watch it again and again! Great job on capturing every magical moment. The 3 Minto Bridges was such a perfect spot! Nathalie et Francois je vous souhaite de belles aventures xxx

  24. Amazing story and gorgeous pictures to match. I especially like the pic of the bride and groom at the bridge with the background faded out and also the close up of the bouquet. Congratulations Natalie and Francois!

  25. Absolutely stunning pictures and bride and groom! I love the video. Very well edited. Congratulations Natalie and Francois!

  26. What absolutely wonderful pictures and time stamp with the video.

    A treasure for the years to come.

  27. Wow!!! This video is beautiful. You two do amazing work. Such great memories for Natalie & Francois. The bouquets were beautiful. Linette did a great job on those. Congrats again, Natalie & Francois. Wishing you many years of happiness!! xo

  28. Very touching and moving video. Congratulations to the both of you. I wish you a lifetime of love and happiness xxx

  29. Gorgeous!!! What a beautiful wedding!! Enjoy the beginning of the rest of your lives 🙂 félicitations!

  30. Absolutely beautiful! Congrats again to you both…wishing you many many loving years.

  31. Amazing pictures of such a beautiful couple…Julie,you don’t know me but I heard lots from you…all good…I’m Ashley Wallis’ aunt….congrats on your wedding and best of luck in your new adventure…..

  32. Congratulations to Natalie and Francois! Wishing you many happy years to come. Your wedding was beautiful, down to the last detail, and was so wonderfully captured.

  33. Gorgeous video! Even though we were unable to attend such a beautiful day, we are able to get a small glimpse of the wedding bliss! Well done and congratulations to the newlyweds! Xoxo

  34. Des photos extraordinaires,un couple extraordinaire;quels beaux moments vous nous avez fait vivre.Soyez heureux et que le bonheur ne vous quitte jamais.
    Bravo for the magic photos by the Darlington Studios.

  35. Such a romantic, breath-taking and fairytale story! The video captured such beautiful memories that will be treasured and shared for years to come. Wishing Natalie and Francois a life filled with many more memorable moments.

  36. Congrats Nat and Francois. I’m sure you will cherish these beautifully captured memories forever!

  37. At Guertin Lawyers, we have witnessed the creation of this beautiful wedding day, with Natalie working as a lawyer in our Firm. We are all in awe of this amazing video, story and photos, which portray the true love between two wonderful people, Natalie and Francois. Congratulations to the newlyweds and enjoy your honeymoon! Thank you Darlington Studios, you are amazing at what you do!

  38. What a beautiful pictures And video of Natalie François And all the family ! Such a wonderful job ! God bless you both ! Hasta la vista amigos ! 🙂

  39. Wow! What a beautiful video! Natalie et François,nous vous adressons toutes nos félicitations pour ce merveilleux jour.Que ce grand jour marque le début d’une grande et belle aventure pour vous deux. 🙂 Natalie tu es resplendissante. 🙂 xox

  40. Wow… I could not agree more with my love’s (Monique) heartfelt comments. It’s truly a work of art from Darlington Studios team to capture so eloquently Natalie and Francois’ special day through the magic lenses of an inspirational video and flawless pictures.

    Their new “life” beginnings creatively and forever shared and engraved in our hearts!

    Félicitations Natalie et François!

  41. The pictures of this young couple’s wedding are beautiful. It’s lovely how the photographs captures their love for one another. And, you can sense their joy and excitement of their future together. Very beautiful!!

  42. What a good looking couple. I wish you both all the happiness in the world and a great future together.

  43. “Partager sa joie c’est un bonheur en soi.”

    Ce moment que vous attendiez si impatiemment est bel et bien arrivé maintenant et je vous souhaite du bonheur en quantité et de l’amour de qualité.

    Félicitations!

    Merci Natalie et Francois et Darlington Studios de partager ces belles images et vidéo avec nous.

  44. “Partager sa joie c’est un bonheur en soi.”

    Ce moment que vous attendiez si impatiemment est bel et bien arrivé maintenant et je vous souhaite du bonheur en quantité et de l’amour de qualité.

    Félicitations!

    Merci Natalie et Francois de partager vos photos et vidéo avec nous.
    Merci Darlington Studios pour la belle presentation. Magnifique!

  45. Wow, what a beautiful set of photos. So original and well thought out. I would not hesitate to recommend your services, you create beautiful memories,

  46. Beautiful bride and groom. So happy to have shared with you your beautiful day. Awesome video too.

  47. Your photos and video are so extraordinary, they capture the essence of the day with true beauty.
    The entire wedding was magical and breathtaking. But to be able to look back and re-capture it over and over again, is a true gift .

  48. Beautiful pictures! And that video, my my! You have created wonderful memories for the gorgeous couple, their family and friends. Awesome work. Nat & Frank, je vous souhaites tout le bonheur du monde! 🙂

  49. Wish I could have been there to celebrate with you… Congratulations!
    Stunning pictures they completely captured the love, beauty and fun of the day.

  50. Wow merci a tous pour vos beaux commentaires!!! Thank you everyone for your beautiful comments!!! Xoxoxo

  51. Wow merci a tous pour vos beaux commentaires!!! Thank you everyone for your beautiful comments!!! Xoxo

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