Paris, France has a lot of meaning to both of us. My husband, Joseph, was born and raised just in a suburb outside of Paris and spent a lot of his adulthood living in Paris. After a little over a year together, this is the city where I first met his extended family, that he is so close to, on our first trip together. Right after getting back from our trip to "La Ville-Lumière" or the City of Lights, I started Bisous Events, inspired by the colours and ambiance of the romantic city and the charming surrounding countryside.
So when we got engaged, we wanted to find a locale that reminded us of France. We found out there was a town of Paris, Ontario just a short drive outside of Toronto so even before I saw any images of the town, we knew we had to take the drive out. We had our photographer, Ally from Evolyally Photography, drive out with us for a fun day of engagement photos.
We wanted a casual vibe so Joseph wore linen pants, a button up with a vest (no jacket) and I wore a flowy, off-the-shoulder dress. Unfortunately, the weather was surprisingly chilly in comparison to the days prior. Regardless, we had such a fun time wandering the quaint main street and driving the country roads up to the town. Since we're not professional models and a little awkward, I wanted to have something pretty to carry so I didn't have to worry about what to do with my hands which is why I asked the oh-so-talented Coyote Flowers to create me a neutral palette bouquet... it was absolutely stunning! On the way there, I had to make a pit stop and ended up at the only place I could find... a retro diner. As a lover of movies, Joseph adored the diner since it reminded him of all the old American movies he watched growing up. We shared a hot dog and chocolate milkshake. Ally took the opportunity to take some of my favourite candid photos. Anytime I have been around Ally, it seems I'm always eating something so there are plenty photos of me eating tangerines, fries, hot dog or sipping on tea, coffee or milkshake. I didn't realize it until I went through all the phoots, it made me laugh but hey... I get hangry.
We spent the rest of the chilly afternoon to enjoy the scenery of the bridge, main street and cute shops in Paris, Ontario. Many of the cafes and restaurants have beautiful backs patios that overlook the stream where we enjoyed some tea to warm us up. As the sunset, I made a quick change of clothes in what I love to wear most, my black leather jacket and boots, to explore any cute stops we could find on the way back to the city. The day fully reflected what Joseph and I love to do most, share meals and go on little adventures travelling around whether it be in Iceland or a park in Hamilton.
Moral of the story:
- A good photographer will capture the best moments regardless of the setting and it doesn't mean you have to do it during the golden hour (aka sunset).
- If you want to do an indoor or outdoor shoot, always double check if you need a permit for that park or restaurant.
- Don't forget to get some prints! Digital images are great but nothing is better than a physical copy to cherish.
- Lastly, do what feels natural and fun to both of you for the most authentic photoshoot. The best images are usually ones that feels true to you both. Think of incorporating your home, favourite outfit or pet.
Photos: Ally Ho / Evolally Photography
Hair: Justin / Puzzle Creations
Make-up: Erin Winn / The Look Bridal
Florals: Coyote Flowers
Menswear: 18 waits
