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Nadtochiy Photography offers timeless wedding, engagement, and family photography & videography in Toronto, Ontario and beyond.

Some wedding days feel like a full story from the very first frame — relaxed, emotional, and effortlessly joyful. Michael and Melanie’s wedding was exactly that. Planned and executed by talented Enaya Rabba Events, their day unfolded with meaningful traditions, a heartfelt Orthodox ceremony, and a reception that felt elevated, warm, and alive from start to finish.

As a Toronto Wedding Photographer team, we’re always looking for the real moments that hold everything together: the quiet breath before the day begins, the way family shows love, the laughter that carries through the room, and the kind of celebration that doesn’t need to be staged to feel cinematic. Michael and Melanie gave us all of it.

Getting Ready at Toronto Marriott Markham

The morning started in a calm, laid-back way at Toronto Marriott Markham — Melanie surrounded by her closest friends and family, letting the day arrive naturally. There was a softness to everything: gentle light, steady excitement, and those small in-between moments that become the most meaningful part of wedding photography over time.

A first look with her mom and bridesmaids

One of the most touching moments happened before the ceremony — Melanie’s first look with her mom, followed by an emotional reveal with her bridesmaids. These are the moments we photograph quietly and honestly, because they don’t need direction — just space to happen.

The Arada and Zaffeh: a celebration that arrives before you see it

From a distance, the sound begins to build — drums, cheers, and joyful ululations that signal something bigger than an entrance. Michael’s family arrived in full celebration, bringing the energy of a vibrant Zaffeh and the cultural tradition of the Arada.

This wasn’t just a fun moment — it was symbolic and deeply meaningful: the joining of two families, the welcoming of the bride, and the start of the wedding journey surrounded by pride, blessings, music, and pure joy. For Toronto wedding photography, this kind of tradition is a gift — powerful visually, but even more powerful emotionally.

Orthodox ceremony at St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church

Melanie and Michael’s Orthodox ceremony took place at St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church, and the space itself is stunning — warm, detailed, and filled with an atmosphere that instantly quiets the room in the best way.

An emotional entrance and a sacred, heartfelt union

As the doors opened, the ceremony began with a beautiful processional that set the tone for the rest of the day. Michael’s eyes filled with tears as he saw Melanie — a moment that every Toronto Wedding Photographer recognizes instantly: the kind of emotion that’s real, unrepeatable, and worth preserving exactly as it happened.

The ceremony was heartfelt and full of love — sacred, emotional, and deeply present.

Portraits and private vows at Gairloch Gardens

After the ceremony, we headed to Gairloch Gardens for couple portraits and bridal party photos. The gardens gave us a calm, elegant backdrop — greenery, soft pathways, and a peaceful rhythm that contrasted beautifully with the high energy of the earlier celebrations.

A quiet moment: private vows

Melanie and Michael also exchanged private vows there, and it became one of the most beautiful moments of the entire wedding day. Just the two of them, a quieter space, and words that weren’t performed for anyone else. This is the kind of moment that defines wedding photography — not because it’s dramatic, but because it’s true.

Reception at Oakville Legacy Banquet & Convention Centre: elevated, warm, and unforgettable

The reception at Oakville Legacy Banquet & Convention Centre was a true “wow” moment. Guests were welcomed into a luxurious atmosphere — stylish décor, elegant floral design, and a sense of celebration that felt both upscale and genuinely fun.

Cocktail hour flowed beautifully, and once inside the reception hall, the room glowed with warmth. The energy built naturally through heartfelt speeches, laughter, and tears, and then fully ignited on the dance floor. This was the kind of night where the celebration doesn’t dip — it only grows.

As a Toronto Wedding Photographer team, we love receptions like this: visually stunning, yes — but also packed with real movement, real emotion, and a crowd that’s fully in it with the couple.

From Knox College to “I do”

What made this wedding even more special is that we had already photographed Michael and Melanie’s engagement session at Knox College the previous winter — so this day felt like a continuation of their story, not a separate chapter.

You can see that earlier session here:
Michael & Melanie’s engagement session at Knox College

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Vendor team

Michael and Melanie Wedding

WEDDING

September 13, 2025

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