Noble Hall
While everyone focuses on the royal wedding, I’m busy with the REAL royal wedding at Noble Hall. This venue was formally known as Otello’s Banquet and Convention Centre. I’m always a fan of Nigerian family weddings. They have lots of colours, lots of dancing, and lots of money flying around. This is definitely one of the bigger bridal parties I have worked with. However, when everyone’s focus is to help the bride/groom, things go very smoothly. Even a little rain didn’t stop this couple from enjoying their portrait session at Lakeside Park.
Spring weddings can be unpredictable with Toronto weather. As a wedding photographer, usually a couple of days before the wedding I’m checking forecast updates every day to have an idea of what to expect during an outdoor wedding photoshoot and what to advise my couples. I was a little concerned, when on Thursday evening freezing and crazy strong wind almost took my head off. And on Friday the rain was pouring the whole day. Fortunately, on Sunday, the wedding day, the weather was nice with a light drizzle. So all we had to worry about was an extra pair of shoes in case of mud.
Lakeside Park
These two had their first look at Noble Hall during their civil wedding ceremony. Afterward, the entire family and bridal party followed us out to Lakeside Park. First, we took pictures of the key family members so they could head back and enjoy cocktail hour. The bridal party was completed quickly as well however they stuck around for moral support. Normally I prefer to give my couples privacy during their portrait session. However, Ify had such a long wedding veil, she required a team to move around. I highly recommend this place for wedding photoshoots at any time of the year. You’ll find there are a lot of evergreen trees, a beautiful waterfront to walk along.
The rest of the evening activities happened at Noble Hall as well. The wedding was impressively organized. Ify took care of every little detail of her wedding day. My favorite part of Nigerian weddings is when the couple enters the reception hall for the second time. The first is pretty traditional to western weddings. But their grand entrance really is grand. All the guests are on their feet and dancing with the bride and groom to celebrate their arrival. Ify changed into a new gown worthy of a Queen yet easier to dance in. Family members throw money at the couple as they dance together. It really is one big party. So much fun.
Theron Henry of Powerpack Images captured the video for this wedding.
