Jehovah’s Witness Wedding
I’m still relatively new to learning the customs of a Jehovah’s Witness wedding. It still amazes me how tight these communities are. So many familiar faces. The groomsmen in this bunch are all friends and are slowly rotating through becoming the groom. I photographed Josh and Katherine’s wedding two winters ago, and there’s another one who just recently proposed. So keep an eye out for more with this group of friends.
Jehovah’s Witness Wedding ceremonies are often very traditional at a local Kingdom Hall. However, the holy scripture readings are custom selected for each couple. There are some differences from other religion-based weddings, but nothing major. There are no crosses or elaborate alters. However the couple does exchange vows and rings.
The most unique element I noticed from my first time photographing a Jehovah’s Witness wedding, are the prayers. Obviously with most cultural weddings, the prayers are pretty significant. And as such, most couples want it documented. This is not the case of Jehovah’s Witness weddings. The prayers are private and intimate. During this time, everyone participates. Including the photographer. It’s the one time I let go of my camera and simply watch what’s happening. The same goes for grace before dinner. It’s a small thing to be considerate of but it shows a great deal of respect towards this faith.
Portrait Session
The portrait formal session of this spring wedding was at the glorious Guild Inn Gardens in Scarborough, Ontario. This venue is definitely better known for doing all-inclusive weddings. However since it was off season, we used it solely for our portrait session. The park was formerly the site of an artist colony. It is notable for its collection of saved building relics. These buildings are primarily in downtown Toronto and arranged as ancient ruins. So even though the gardens weren’t in full bloom, the site did still have a lot going for it.
Reception
The formal festivities of the evening were all held at the Mississauga Convention Centre. I absolutely love this venue. The reception hall chandeliers just scream elegance. This couple also utilized blue tint lighting that made their pink accents really stand out. The couple had a few speeches. And once the dance floor opened, everyone was out enjoying themselves. All in all, it was a very enjoyable wedding experience. I can’t wait to work with this group of friends again.
