The Broadview Hotel Wedding | Jamie & Erik

Nestled in the heart of Toronto, Ontario, The Broadview Hotel played host to one of the most memorable weddings I’ve had the privilege to photograph – the intimate celebration of Jamie and Erik’s wedding. This gorgeous evening was part 2 of Jamie & Erik’s wedding as they were legally married in 2020 when their guest list had to be curated to the extreme and their party vibes were seriously limited.

As a photographer, my job is to tell a story through images, and this story was a joy to capture. From the moment I arrived, The Broadview Hotel’s aesthetic and energy delivered as it always does. With its architectural charm and vintage elegance, it provided the perfect backdrop for Jamie and Erik’s special day.

The decor was one of the highlights of this wedding. Unique florals, soft lighting, lush greenery, and attention to detail created an atmosphere that was both romantic and inviting. It was clear that Jamie and Erik had put their heart and soul into making their day as beautiful as possible.

But the best part of the wedding was undoubtedly the couple’s decision to spend as much time as possible enjoying the day. They mingled with their guests, tasted the excellent food, and danced the night away. Jamie and Erik understood that their wedding wasn’t about posing for endless photos, but about celebrating with the people they love the most.

As the night drew to a close, I couldn’t help but feel privileged to have been a part of Jamie and Erik’s special day. Their wedding was a beautiful testament to their love for each other, and I’m sure it will be a day they’ll remember for the rest of their lives. As a photographer, being able to capture these moments is the ultimate reward.

Jamie and Erik’s wedding was a day filled with love, laughter, and beautiful memories. The Broadview Hotel, with its stunning decor and excellent food, provided the perfect setting for their celebration. I wish Jamie and Erik all the best in their new journey together, and I look forward to capturing more beautiful moments in the future.

If you want to hear from my gorgeous couple themselves, scroll all the way to the bottom!!

Venue: The Broadview Hotel
Florals: Inscape
Hair & Makeup: Ashley Readings
Planning: Claudia Cole Events
Calligraphy: Anelo Calligraphy 
Stationary: La Papeterie Blanche
Cake: Wallflour Cake
Favours: Champagne Lolli
Officiant: Devon John

I’m based in Toronto and shoot weddings all over the city — here’s a look at what that usually feels like for my couples.

Tell our readers ALL about your wedding at the Broadview Hotel!

Picking The Broadview Hotel as our wedding venue was a relative no-brainer for us (so much so that we booked it space unseen from Brussels). Erik and I went to The Broadview’s rooftop on our second date, and even lived a few doors down following our time abroad. Not only does The Broadview make a mean Old Fashioned, it’s got this incredible blend of modern and retro elements that feel quintessential Toronto. It’s a fun-loving, laid back spot with wonderfully warm staff – and it doubles as both a hotel for out-of-towners and easily accessible watering hole for local Torontonians.

In terms of décor, we let The Broadview speak for itself. Our unbelievable florist, Leaf and Bloom, jazzed up the space with the most unique ceiling installation (complete with foliage – and hops!) I’ve ever seen. It was breathtaking.

Thankfully, selecting our wedding party was also a no-brainer. I asked my three best friends, Andrea, Elizabeth, and Alyssa, along with my two older sisters, Morgan and Shannon, to make up my bridal party (Andrea gave birth about two weeks prior to our wedding, so while she couldn’t be there physically, she was there in spirit!).

Erik asked five of his best friends from McGill – Ben, Tommy, Chris, Mike, and Matt – to be his groomsmen. Mike travelled all the way from Sydney, Australia to stand next to Erik on our wedding day – and for that, we’re forever grateful.

Was there anything particularly special about your ceremony or reception?

We had an unplugged ceremony for our “let’s make this thing legal” micro-wedding the year prior. The week of our wedding V2, we had to deal with so many hiccups that we truthfully didn’t care whether or not people took photos or played CandyCrush during our ceremony.

Given Erik and I were already legally married, I didn’t anticipate our first look would be as emotional as it was. I think it was a culmination of the stress of the past year, not knowing if our wedding would move forward, and seeing each other in traditional bride and groom attire – both of us completely broke down.

Even the second time around, our personalized vows were unbelievably special and heartfelt. It meant the world to have so many guests approach us during cocktail hour to let us know our promises to one another made them teary-eyed.

I’m biased, but our dance floor was pure magic. At most weddings I’ve gone to, the “older crowd” peels off after a few songs. Our incredible band, Kim and Company, played nothing but well-known crowd-pleasers designed to get every age group moving. Screaming “One more song! One more song!” alongside my 60-something parents well past 1AM is a snapshot I’ll cherish forever.

What is some advice you’d give couples who are planning their wedding?

When people say “the day goes by quickly”, they mean it. This isn’t something I’d thought about at all prior to experiencing it live: think through how you want to spend your day, and all the elements that go with it. You get one wedding day (in our case, two), so don’t add anything to your timeline simply because you’re “supposed” to.

We had a brunch wedding for our V1 – and let me tell you, it was perfect. Never in a million years would I have considered an 11AM “I do”, but the day held exactly the no-fuss, relaxed flow we envisioned. I got ready solo because of Covid (again, not an experience I had envisioned), wore a pantsuit, and Ubered with a mask on to meet Erik for our first look. We got married outside on Cluny’s private patio in the Distillery District, and hosted an 18-person reception in the little tent that could. Nine loved ones gave the most heartfelt, impromptu speeches, and we drank mimosas and hot toddies well into the afternoon. Erik and I then Ubered back to our hotel, where we ordered McDonalds, turned on The Office, and had a bottle of celebratory wine to ourselves. It was absolutely magical – and completely different from our big bash, V2 “real” wedding.

My point is: you don’t need to do the big dog and pony show to have a beautiful, meaningful celebration. If Pinterest and peer pressure didn’t exist, how would you get married? Do that.