Hello, hello, hello! On this cold December day, I’m throwing it back to this lovely October shoot! We chose one of my favorite locations in the city, Osgoode Hall, for the session. It’s one of the few historic buildings in a city full of glass skyscrapers. After Osgoode Hall, we took a short walk to the iconic TD Towers, where we captured even more stunning images. This couple was such a delight to work with, and I’m wishing them the most beautiful wedding to come!
Alice and Derek's Ghanaian Canadian Wedding at the Royalton Banquet Hall
Hello Hello Hello! Welcome to another edition of my blog posts!
A most stylish couple and some very unique wedding elements! This is how I would describe the wedding of Alice and Derek. Working with vendors from around the world, their elegant 2-day Ghanaian Traditional Wedding and Modern White Wedding came to life in Toronto Canada. The first day was the traditional Ghanaian ceremony day and it was a beautiful showcase bursting with colorful purple details. The couple was very intentional with showcasing their shared Ghanaian culture (with new-age twists!). What I really loved was how they were big on choosing African vendors (or vendors of African Heritage) for almost all the elements of their wedding. Designz by May set the stage with a gorgeous backdrop featuring beautiful purple and white panels and accompanying floral details.
The bride’s makeup was beautifully done by Avaya Noelle and how lucky was the bride to have her friend and renowned celebrity hairstylist Hair by Estylez do her hair in a most fabulous and unique creation.
A Unique Canopy was provided by Designs by May that provided the couple a featured stage in the room.
Dj Fiasco spinned some cool modern and traditional Ghanaian tunes while balancing the audio for the traditional ceremony
The traditional ceremony was a fashion show of African fabrics. I was totally in awe capturing all the beautiful guests and wedding party
The bride wore a dress fit for Royalty.
The wedding (including church ceremony and reception) took place on the second day.
Alice’s white wedding dress was a show stopper and she looked stunning in it! Hollywood has nothing on her! The dress was made by talented Ghanaian designer Sima Brew. Derek on the other hand wore a white suit designed by Maison Hardman. The pair together were just Ghanaian Royalty!
My second shooter Shubila K captured the men’s getting ready whilst I covered the bride’s getting ready! Shubila is a star in her own right and am grateful for all the help and amazing shots she captured.
Right after the getting ready photos the couple had their first look and it was so beautiful am sure I cried some tears somewhere lol. I loved the area we chose to do the first look.
The church ceremony was filled with family and friends witnessing the couple get officially hitched.
After the ceremony we headed to the stunning Vaughan city hall (one of my favourite architectural locations in the G.T.A) and the Vaughan civic library to take the official portraits of the wedding party.
The grand event was the reception. Once again Designs by May outdid herself! Drop dead gorgeous decor and my fav was the unique canopy on the stage specially designed for the bride and groom. I was in awe when I walked in. Literal decor eye candy for a photographer everywhere!
The bride and groom had a unique entrance. Entering separately from two different doors and joining together as they reached the middle! Super cool!
I absolutely loved how the families all showered the bride and groom with love as they danced and the tradition of spraying the couple with money was a delight to watch.
The towering cake was created by Mecairo’s cake company and honestly it was a star centrepiece on its own. I absolutely loved the fireworks show put on during the cake cutting.
Anyway enough of my writing I will let you enjoy the images as much as I enjoyed taking them.
VENDORS:
Venue: The Royalton Banquet Hall
Photography: Karimah Gheddai Photography
Second Shooter: Shubila K
Videography: Infinity Films
Decor: Designz by May
Hairstylist: Hair by Estylez
Bride’s MUA: Avaya Noelle
Traditional Kente Dress: House of Oath
Wedding Dresses: Sima Brew
Groom + Groomsmen Suit: Maison Hardman
Bridal Robe: Adwobal
Traditional Robe: Avant La Robe
Bridesmaid Robes: PNJ Events Ghana
Thanksgiving Dresses: Mcbel GH
Tradsmaid Dresses: Mcbel GH
Bridesmaid Dresses: Amoasi Official
Bridal Fans: Mizafaah Florals and My Trends Ghana
Family Hair: Art Hur Hair
Bridesmaid MUAs: Ms Philly 21| Class Makeup | Bella B | The Glam Life Co. | Tracy K
Grooms Traditional Slippers: JJ Professional Shoes
M.C’s: Mr. King 1 and Fortune Ibare Jones
DJ: DJ Fiiasco
CAKE: Mecairo’s Cake Co.
Photobooth Ineffable Views
360 BOOTH: 6ix Photobooths
PHOTO LOCATION: Vaughan City Hall
Reception: The Royalton
THIS WEDDING IS CURRENTLY FEATURED ON THE LATEST ISSUE OF MUNALUCHI BRIDE MAGAZINE! HERE ARE SOME SNIPPETS FROM THE MAGAZINE!
YOU CAN VIEW THE ISSUE ONLINE AND CAN PURCHASE A DIGITAL COPY AS WELL
The Wedding Day!
Here are some highlight images from the wedding day which happened a day after the traditional wedding event!
Selena and Zack's Engagement Shoot at Riverwood Conservancy
Hello Hello Hello!
Welcome to my latest blog post! It is May and am just happy to be enjoying one of my favourite months and the amazing spring season! I know I say this all the time but where is the time flying to? Whew we really are almost halfway through the year!
Today I get to share the engagement shoot of one of my summer clients!
Selina and Zack are such a lovely couple. Selina is of Eritrean heritage (like me) and Zack is of Caribbean heritage so am excited to be covering another multicultural wedding with Habesha elements! Eeeehhh can you feel my excitement hehe.
We took these engagement shoot images at the beautiful Riverwood Conservancy and I love how naturally beautiful everything looks!
When it comes to engagement shoots, finding a location that perfectly captures the essence of love, nature, and timeless beauty can be a challenge. However, Riverwood Conservancy in Mississauga offers the ideal blend of lush landscapes, charming architecture, and serene vibes, making it a perfect spot for capturing those precious moments. Hope you enjoy these photos as much as I enjoyed taking them!
Tips for a Perfect Engagement Shoot at Riverwood Conservancy
Timing is Key: Opt for the golden hours of early morning or late afternoon when the natural light is soft and flattering.
Seasonal Beauty: Each season offers its unique charm, so choose the one that best reflects your love story. Spring and summer are lush and vibrant, autumn is rich and colorful, while winter brings a pristine, quiet beauty.
Wardrobe Choices: Complement the natural surroundings with lovely tones and soft fabrics. Flowing dresses and comfortable, casual attire often work best to enhance the natural feel of the setting.
Explore and Experiment: Don’t stick to just one spot. Wander through the grounds, go shoot by the barns, and explore the gardens and architectural features to capture a variety of beautiful backdrops.
Stay Natural: The essence of Riverwood Conservancy is its natural beauty, so let your poses and expressions be as genuine as possible. Interact with each other, share stories, laugh, and let the photographer capture those candid moments.
Other Vendors:
Selina’s M.U.A: Faces by Pureness
If you would like to book me for your 2024 Engagement Shoot, Wedding or Event then get in touch HERE!
Thank you for joining me on another edition of my blog post! Hope to see you back here next time! or better yet, that we get to work together!
-Karimah
If you would like to book me for your 2024 Engagement Shoot, Wedding or Event then get in touch HERE!
Kristoff and Britny's Engagement Shoot at Dundurn Castle and Mill Race Park
Hello Hello Hello! Happy Valentine’s day and welcome to another blog post on my website! Today I feature the engagement shoot of Kristoff and Britny!
Love is a kaleidoscope of colors, each hue representing a different facet of the bond shared between two souls. In a world where love stories are as unique as the individuals themselves, capturing the essence of that love becomes an art form and one I try to showcase via my photography. Last year, I had the privilege of photographing this engagement shoot that was nothing short of magical, set against the picturesque backdrop of Hamilton's Dundurn Castle, and in addition to that the rustic feel of Mill Race Park in Cambridge.
The first thing I noticed when we began the shoot was the outfit colour choice of the couple. The turquoise/ aqua colour was quite unique! I saw them and I immediately loved it. The couple brought along Kristoff’s family dog and it was nice to capture some images of the dog with them!
Throughout the shoot, the couple's genuine affection for each other shone through in every smile, every stolen glance, and every loving gesture. Whether they were strolling through the castle's outdoor areas or sharing a quiet moment on the castle steps, their connection was palpable, and it was an honour to witness and capture it.
The second half of the shoot happened in Cambridge at Mill Race Park. We had just gotten to the location and we had all of five minutes before the rains fell down on us and unfortunately we had to cut the shoot short. But I was still happy with images we managed to get! My favourite is the one of the couple embracing the rain! Oh and of course this stylish couple had a neat choice of second outfit, which fit the scenery nicely!
In the end, what struck me most about Kristoff and Britny's engagement shoot was not just the beauty of their matching turquoise outfits or the stunning backdrop of Dundurn Castle, but the undeniable love that radiated from every image. It was a reminder that love knows no bounds – not even those of time or space – and that it is, indeed, the most beautiful color in the world.
As I packed up my camera gear in the rain and bid farewell to Kristoff and Britny, I couldn't help but feel grateful for the opportunity to be a part of their love story (if only for the period of the shoot). Their engagement shoot at Dundurn Castle and Mill Race Park was a testament to the enduring power of love, and I have no doubt that their journey together will be just as vibrant and beautiful as the outfits they wore that day.
I am very much looking forward to covering their wedding next month!
Vendors:
Kristoff’s Suit: Malcolm Xclusive
If you would like to book me for your 2024 Engagement Shoot, Wedding or Event then get in touch HERE!
Thank you for joining me on another edition of my blog post! Hope to see you back here next time! or better yet, that we get to work together!
-Karimah
If you would like to book me for your 2024 Engagement Shoot, Wedding or Event then get in touch HERE!
Sinit and Alex's Eritrean Ecuadorian Wedding at the Royalton and Glendon College
Hi Everyone! Welcome to another blog post on my website. The first one I get to post this year is the beautiful wedding of Sinit and Alex!
I met this couple back in 2022. when I had the pleasure of covering their engagement shoot that year. You can see that shoot HERE!
In June of 2023, I was fortunate to cover their beautiful wedding! I have to say this couple is one of the most down to earth, easy going and and fun loving couples that I have ever had the pleasure of capturing.
The wedding day started out at a downtown tower, where I arrived at 8.00 am and was super happy to find both the bride and groom ready to go in their separate suites for the getting ready images. The bride’s beautiful makeup was done by talented M.U.A Tracy K and her hair was styled by BBN Studios.
The church ceremony took place at St. Basil’s Cathedral (part of St Michael’s college at the University of Toronto). You can imagine my happiness when I found out it was only a 5 minute walk from the getting ready location so there was virtually no chance of any of the wedding party or vendors being late/ stuck in traffic.
It was a heartfelt ceremony and I found myself crying with the bride and groom, as they saw each other for the first time while the bride walked down the aisle accompanied by her father. After the church ceremony there was the usual chaos and exuberant joy of family and friends exiting the church behind the bride and groom, however as I had already attended the rehearsal and gave some tips for this portion of the day the bride and groom were ready for the family portraits at a location we selected at the rehearsal. Everything went so smoothly (well except for the fact that the sun decided to be dramatic and change directions every two minutes. I think it just wanted to serenade the couple and their guests with light because it was such a joyous day).
Having spent time with the bride to prepare the photography schedule ahead of the wedding day, we did the photoshoot on the stunning grounds of Glendon college! We made sure to put enough buffer time for the large wedding party and am glad my advice of sticking with the buffer time was adhered to. The bride and groom have such wonderful friends who really made the experience a fun one for the couple. Adding a lovely element to the “lifetime of memories experience”.
The reception took place at the Royalton Banquet Hall. I fell in love with the decor the minute I saw it! A beautiful setup by Babylon Decor!
My personal favourite moment of the evening was the traditional Eritrean entrance, complete with men holding swords and the women drumming away. That was a sight to behold whilst the wedding party were escorted in to the reception hall. I loved it! Well I will let you take a look at the images below and see the beautiful happenings of the day! Please do check out the following vendors as well!
Vendors:
Reception Venue: The Royalton
Ceremony Venue: St. Basil’s Church (part of St. Michael’s College at UofT)
Portraits Location: Glendon College
Melse Venue: The Lithianian Centre
Videographer: PhotoBerhan
Florals and Decor: Babylon Decor
M.U.A: Tracy K
Hair: BBN Studio
Bride;s Dress: The bride’s choice official
Groom’s Suit: The Suit Supply
Wedding Bands: Bobby Ll Toronto
Catering: Tsehaye
Cake: Tatiana Treats 2.0
DJ: Andre Clarke
Second Shooter for Karimah Gheddai Photography: Ali Haider
Assistant for KGP on the Day: Raghav
If you would like to book me for your 2024 Engagement Shoot, Wedding or Event then get in touch HERE!
The Melse is the traditional Eritrean event that follows a wedding. This Melse happened the day after the wedding. Starting at the getting ready suites and the celeberation venue being at the Lithuanian community centre.
Thank you for stopping by to read my latest blog post. I hope you enjoyed looking through the images as much as I enjoyed covering this event and putting together the post. Until next time I hope to see you back here or better yet that we get to work together!
-Karimah