Location: The Lodge On Queen, Toronto, ON
‘Til Death: An Edgy Rock ‘N’ Roll-Inspired Wedding in Downtown Toronto
As a wedding photographer, one of my favorite things is working with a couple that has a complete vision of how they want their day to go. That includes a central concept that speaks to their hearts and celebrates their love in a unique way. In Chelsie and Mike’s case, that meant an edgy, high-octane vibe centered on a classic wedding declaration: ‘Til death do us part.
Situated at a picture-perfect downtown event space, The Lodge on Queen, this adrenaline-filled motorcycle wedding was the perfect blend of badassery and tenderness. Shooting these guys was a dream come true.
Here’s a little bit more about what made this day so magical.
The Looks
Making sure my subjects look good is one of my main jobs as a wedding photographer, and this twosome made that job easy. Their outfits showcased their impressive ink collection, and they both brought their A-game in terms of wardrobe.
Chelsie stunned in a white mid-length sheath dress with a thigh-high slit and her hair cascading past her shoulders in loose, pinup-worthy waves. Jen Cronin put on the finishing touches with her flawless makeup.
Mike pulled out all the stops in his plaid trousers, white Oxford with rolled sleeves, and impeccably coifed hair and beard. He accessorized with a watch, suspenders, and white high-top sneakers.
Sip, Solve, ‘N’ Sign
The couple – both graphic designers who met at work – designed the signs and cards for their rock & roll wedding. They also created an enormous crossword puzzle with clues for friends and family to solve together while sipping drinks. The clues tested guests’ knowledge of the couple with questions such as “Where did Chelsie and Mike first meet?” and “Who said ‘I love you’ first?”
Witnessed by a couple of their favorite people, Mike and Chelsie signed the papers that officially made them husband and wife. They sealed the deal by sharing a pizza and clinking slices of their favorite food before heading outside for the next phase of the celebration: a badass photoshoot featuring another treasured member of the family.
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Bombshell Bike Shoot
As Chelsie and Mike’s wedding photographer, my goal was to capture some essential elements of their lives together: their show-stopping styling, their passionate love for one another, and their gorgeous motorcycle, to name a few. The back alley behind The Lodge on Queen made for the perfect backdrop for their sultry photo session.
These renegade lovebirds’ dynamic personalities and zest for life were on full display during the shoot, as was the depth and power of their love. Surrounded by the hustle and bustle of downtown Toronto, it was almost as if the world slowed down around them. Heads turned to admire the radiant pair, but they only had eyes for each other.
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Back to the Lodge
After wrapping the shoot, the newlyweds headed back to The Lodge on Queen, where their friends and family were waiting to shower them with love and share speeches and words of congratulations. Chelsie and Mike share an enthusiasm for photography, so they stashed disposable cameras all over the venue, which their guests took full advantage of, snapping photos and posing for each other.
Before the band began playing, Chelsie traded her glamorous heels for a pair of comfy and stylish sneakers, perfect for dancing all night long.
Rock ‘Til Dawn
Did we mention a band? The evening’s dancing was presided over by the electrifying rock & roll quartet The Lonely Hearts. Billed as “The World’s Most Original Cover Band”, the group played ’90s rock and classic covers while everyone got their groove on.
A first-class taco bar provided much-needed sustenance to keep everyone rocking and rolling into the night.
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Congratulations, Chelsie and Mike!
All in all, it was a dream rock & roll wedding for the raddest couple. Everything from the food to the theme to the music came together to create the perfect celebration for Mike and Chelsie as they start the next chapter of their lives together.
The only thing more badass than a motorcycle wedding is the couple that decides to throw one. Congratulations, Mike and Chelsie, and rock on!
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This amazing wedding was possible thanks to this fabulous team:
Venue: The Lodge On Queen
Live Music: The Lonely Hearts
Makeup Artist: Jen Cronin
Photography: Oscar LaVerde Photography
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© 2022 london, ontario lifestyle & wedding photojournalism – oscar laverde photography