Two beautiful baby girls.

Eleven of their nearest and dearest.

A perfect intimate Thursday wedding in Toronto.

Congratulations, Leslie and Justin.

What a beautiful family you have, and what a beautiful future you will create together.

{x}

Tara

Two fantastic people married the loves of their life.

{x}

Tara

But I’ll try ::

Sugar shack.  Rural Quebec.  The first weekend of November.  S’mores.  Horse-drawn wagons.  Best friends.  Tears(!!!).  Danceparty.  So much maple syrup.

So Much Love.

These two are more than friends – they’re family.

They have done more for me and my nearest and dearest than words can ever explain.

Ivy + Craig :: I love you both.  Thank you (for everything).

{x}

Tara

I am an honest-to-goodness believer in projecting.

As in putting things out to ‘The Universe’.

As in letting the world know what I desire in hopes that there will be a response.

I want to travel for you…

THE  WISH LIST ::

1.  Newfoundland  and Labrador ::  This would be a dream come true.

2.  Iceland.  Please please please bring me to Iceland.

3.  The Mountains of British Columbia. 

4.  A cottage community outside of Toronto :: Intimate, family-oriented, laid-back.  Shot!  See Joanne + Paul’s Muskoka wedding here.

5.  Prince Edward Island :: This province holds a very special place in my heart (as does the entire East Coast for that matter). 

Shot!  Lilly + Dave gorgeous coastal wedding is coming to the blog soon.  See Laurie and Brent’s magical DIY PEI wedding here.

6.  Central America.  Shot in February 2012!  See Dayana and Steve’s Panama wedding here.

7.  Morocco.  Yes, please.

8.  Italy :: Anywhere in Italy.  Absolutely anywhere.

9.  France :: I can hardly imagine how amazing this would be.  Paris, the South…sigh.  Booked for June 2012!  I can’t wait for Provence with Kinga and Matthieu!

10.  New York, NY :: Isn’t this on everyone’s wish list?  Shot in September 2011.

11.  Your backyard  :: Because as a little girl I watched Father of the Bride over and over, and their wedding was in their backyard.  Shot in July 2010!

12.  Israel.  The history and textures.  The family traditions.

13.  Salt Spring Island, British Columbia

14.  Scotland and/or Ireland ::  With a name like “Tara McMullen”, it seems only right.

15.  Japan :: Traditions, colours, love.  Need I say more?

16.  Banff or Lake Louise, Albert.  Booked and shot in February 2012.  Stay tuned for the blog post!

17.  India :: The colours, the culture…imagine it.

18.  In a vineyard in any city, and any country.  Booked and shot!  See Patricia and Justin’s amazing DIY vineyard affair here.

19.  Vienna.  I visited when I was 18 and have been looking for an excuse to return.  Will you be my excuse?

20.  Somewhere completely private, tucked away in the middle of nowhere – just the two of you + me.  The perfect elopement.

I will update when I book any (all!) of these places one-by-one.

Have I missed anywhere?  I’m happy to take suggestions!

{x}

Tara

Agassiz, British Columbia for Katelynn + Janez in May, 2010.

There was no way in the world that someone would actually want to take me to Panama.

Turns out someone did want to take me to Panama…

So off we went :: Dayana + Steve + so many of their friends and family.

We spent a few days at Gamboa Rainforest Resort, and I fell in love with the Panamanian landscape.

This place is magical, and I cannot wait to go back.

In the meantime, I’ll let Dayana + Steve’s amazing day take me back…

These little girls loved Dayana and her dress — they chased us, and insisted on holding Dayana’s dress while she walked…

It was magic. I love these two with my heart of hearts.

How did I get so lucky?

{x}

Tara

(fatalité, destin) fate / (existence, avenir) destiny{x}

Tara

So we made a Stop Motion video instead – to be sent to their guests all over the world.

Enjoy — I suspect there will be more of these in my future!

P.S. Give it a moment to load.

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Tara

Janae & Cris are the ultimate classic couple, and their wedding will knock your socks off.

But this will have to you hold you over until then…

{x}

Tara

These three little girls were enraptured by Dayana in her gown.

They chased us during the portraits, watching every moment.

And then as we were about to walk away, they ran to Dayana, grabbed her gown, and helped her walk down the streets of Panama City.

Unscripted.  And magic.

I’ll never forget it.

{x}

Tara

I know it’s very easy for a wedding photographer to go on and on about how special all of her couples are… but when I say this about P+J, know that I mean it.

These two are a team.

Impenetrable.

He :: so protective of her, her heart, her dreams, her feelings.

She :: so proud of him, in love with his quirky self, and open to anything their future has in store.

Together these two pulled off the ultimate DIY wedding in Ontario’s Wine Country.

Seriously, this wedding would make Martha Stewart proud.

It makes me proud to have been a part of it.

If I can say nothing else about my 2011 season, I can say that I have witnessed countless moments where the curtain between reality and dreams was pulled aside.

Revealing a better world.

One where true love does indeed exist, and where two people can find their soul’s match in another.

We should all be so lucky.

{x}

Tara

__________________________________

The Players ::

Flowers :: Gathered and arranged by Justin’s mom

Desserts :: Created with love by Patricia and Justin’s mom

The Decor :: Lovingly scouted by the couple, and staged by friends & family

Bride and Groom Prep ::  The Grange at Stag Hollow

Ceremony and Reception :: Ridgepoint Wines