Alexandra and Johnny’s Hazelton Manor wedding photos were some of my favourite images captured that summer. Even before the wedding, I had already connected with Alexandra’s entire family, which made the experience even more meaningful. Funnily enough, they chose to get married on a very special day for me—it was my big 50th birthday!

The Early Stages of These Hazelton Manor Wedding Photos

I first met Alexandra, her mom, and two sisters at one of my Toronto wedding shows. They were drawn to my documentary photography style and the black-and-white prints displayed in my album. Alexandra’s mom became emotional as she looked through the candid moments. These photos that felt timeless and gave her a glimpse into what her daughter’s wedding day might look like.

I already knew their wedding date fell on my 50th birthday. However, I was genuinely excited to work with a couple who truly appreciated my approach to storytelling through photography. Besides, I’ve never been one to make a big deal about working on my birthday. My wife always reassures me, saying, “We can celebrate your birthday the next day or even before.”

Several months later, Alexandra wanted me to meet Johnny and see if we could connect as we did the first time before they booked me. Johnny, her fiancé then, was fantastic to talk to—relaxed, friendly and focused on one thing: making Alexandra happy. His only specific request was to include his dad’s car in their engagement photos. That was it.

Not long after that, Alexandra and Johnny officially booked me to capture their elegant Hazelton Manor wedding photos, giving me the honour of telling their love story through my lens.

Their R.C Harris Water Treatment Engagement Photos at Golden Hour

As we began planning their wedding, Alexandra and Johnny chose Harris Water Treatment in Toronto as the location for their engagement photos.
We had to reschedule the session multiple times due to weather interruptions, but eventually, we made it happen. Although we decided not to use Johnny’s dad’s car because of the chance of rain, we still went ahead with capturing Alexandra’s portraits—just as she had envisioned them. It also served as a great warm-up session for their Hazelton Manor wedding photos.

During this shoot, I learned a lot about how they behaved in front of the camera. This inside knowledge which proved incredibly helpful on their wedding day.
>While going over the timeline for the big day, I found out they’d have a large bridal party—19 people, to be exact. With both of them being of Greek origin and such a big group involved, I anticipated some challenges in sticking to the timeline. Still, I was fully committed to capturing incredible images for them.

Since the wedding coverage was a full-day event, I had already secured Erika as my second photographer—someone I completely trust and have worked with many times.

Their wedding venue, Hazelton Manor, was one I was very familiar with, having photographed there a few times before. I knew exactly where to find all the stunning spots the venue had to offer.

Getting Ready for Their Hazelton Manor Wedding Photos

The day of Alexandra and Johnny’s wedding started early, as is often the case with church ceremonies. I went to photograph Alexandra while Erika headed to Johnny’s place. She has a natural ability to connect with people, and I knew she would capture some amazing moments once she got to know Johnny and his personality. Although I didn’t know his groomsmen, I was confident there would be a lively and welcoming atmosphere at his place.

The weather that day was hot and humid, with the sun shining through some dramatic clouds and a few thunderstorm warnings looming. I was just hoping the rain would hold off until after we finished their wedding photos—that’s all I needed.

At Alexandra’s parents’ home, the mood was incredible. Despite the large group of bridesmaids, everything ran smoothly, and everyone worked together to keep Alexandra calm and stress-free.

One of my favourite moments came when I photographed Alexandra’s mom with her three daughters in the parents’ bedroom. They were all in their robes, laughing and sharing a genuine connection—it was a perfect reflection of the warmth and closeness of their family. I also took all the detail shots, the getting-ready photos, and the emotional first look with her father in that same room.

When Alexandra made her way down the stairs to reveal her stunning dress to her guests, we followed up with indoor portraits of her and the bridesmaids, along with family photos.

The Wedding Ceremony at Saint Panteleimon Anna & Paraskevi Greek Orthodox Church

Before leaving for the ceremony, Alexandra wanted photos with the vintage Bentley car. We stepped outside to take those—posed, yet with a candid feel that matched the relaxed elegance of the day.

Once the guests started arriving, things quickly got crowded. My priority then was to capture those final shots, pack up, and rush to the church to prepare for the ceremony.

As an Orthodox Christian myself, I’m very familiar with the traditions, and Greek church wedding ceremonies closely resemble the Macedonian ones I grew up with.

When I arrived at Saint Panteleimon Anna & Paraskevi Greek Orthodox Church in Markham, I was immediately struck by its beauty. The view from the second floor especially stood out, and I was excited to capture their full documentary-style coverage in such a stunning setting.

I set up my equipment well in time and began photographing guests as they arrived. It was also my first time meeting the groomsmen, and I took a few shots of them as they helped guests find their seats.

Erika had arrived earlier and was waiting outside to capture Alexandra’s arrival. She took some beautiful photos of Alexandra with her father and a few lovely portraits of Alexandra alone before she walked into the church.

The Church Wedding Ceremony Unforgettable Moments

Photographing their church ceremony was truly a pleasure. If I had to pick just three standout moments from the day, it would have to be the following.
The first was when Alexandra walked down the aisle with her father. Johnny was waiting at the altar, and the moment he saw her for the first time, he couldn’t help himself—he blurted out “WOW” loudly in the otherwise silent church. It was such a genuine reaction that even the priest instinctively covered his eyes in mock embarrassment—though you could tell he was smiling. It was likely a first in his career, making it one of my all-time favourite photos.

The second memorable moment came right after the ceremony during their grand exit. The atmosphere outside the church was electric, full of joy and celebration.

And the third unforgettable scene was just before Alexandra and Johnny departed in their vintage car. As they leaned in for a kiss in front of the church, one of Johnny’s relatives playfully dumped an entire bag of rice over his head. Sensing what was about to happen, Alexandra gracefully stepped back just in time to protect her hair from the downpour. It was a perfectly candid and humorous moment to end the ceremony.

The Hazelton Manor Photo Session

Initially, we had planned to head to an off-site location for photos, but—as I had anticipated—Alexandra, Johnny, and most of the bridal party decided they preferred to go straight to the venue.

When unexpected changes like this come up, I always stay flexible and adjust without showing any disappointment. After all, it’s their big day, and my role is to capture their memories exactly how they envision them.
As soon as the couple arrived for their Hazelton Manor wedding photos, we got started right away. I chose to begin with just the two of them since I wasn’t sure how much time we’d ultimately have, and I wanted to be sure we captured those essential portraits first.

Believe it or not, every one of these photos was taken right in front of Hazelton Manor, in the covered area that connects the parking lot to one of the venue’s side exits. The shade provided by this space was a huge help. Both Erika and I worked simultaneously—using different lenses and perspectives—to make the most of every moment. I’m incredibly proud of what we accomplished in just 15 minutes; the results were fantastic.

The Elegant Wedding Reception at Hazelton Manor with Greek Twist

Once we gathered the entire bridal party, we took several group shots in a few different poses. By then, Alexandra was starting to get a little tired from all the photos, and the humidity of the June day was affecting her hair. So, we kept things efficient and ensured she felt her best while capturing those key moments.

When we arrived at the wedding venue, the reception hall was flawlessly set up. The space was filled with beautiful décor and thoughtful details, and I knew Erika would need a solid 30 minutes to fully document everything.

To make the most of our time, Erika headed inside to capture all the reception details. Meanwhile, I stayed outside in the shaded area to take the immediate family photos.

Once we wrapped up the family portraits, we moved inside to photograph the cocktail hour. At this time,  Alexandra and Johnny took a moment to relax in their bridal suite.

From a previous winter wedding at Hazelton Manor, I remembered a favourite spot—the white wall with the checkerboard floor. It was here that I took Alexandra and Johnny to take some sweet, intimate photos. Alexandra had already mentioned she liked that area, so it was a perfect fit.

As the reception space filled with guests and excitement built for the couple’s grand entrance, Erika and I prepped for an evening of full documentary-style coverage.

Traditions vs Practicality on Greek Weddings

From the moment Alexandra and Johnny made their entrance to the final moments of the night, I didn’t put my camera down. I was focused on capturing every highlight to make their Hazelton Manor wedding photos truly one of a kind.

As with most Greek weddings, there were traditions they embraced and others they chose to skip. I documented their emotional speeches and the reactions that followed.

Johnny’s mic drop at the end of their speech was a standout moment—an unforgettable way to close out dinner and kick off a night full of dancing and celebration.

To keep the party going, they had both a DJ and a live band, making sure to include traditional Greek music and dancing that brought their heritage to life on the dance floor.

The Beauty of Documentary Photography Coverage

Looking back at the photos from Alexandra and Johnny’s wedding, I can clearly see how their love for black-and-white and candid photography came through in their Hazelton Manor wedding photos. I’m especially proud of how our cameras stayed focused on every moment throughout the day. We captured thousands of images—many of which reflect details and emotions you might miss at the moment.

Our photojournalistic approach allowed us to document genuine, unscripted moments, preserving real emotions and all the special little details in a blend of elegance, timelessness, and a touch of contemporary flair.

Thank you, Alexandra and Johnny, for trusting us and embracing our style. It was a joy to capture your beautiful Hazelton Manor wedding.

Credits to below wedding professionals and locations that helped Alexandra and Johnny’s wedding to be one-of-a-kind.

Here is another celebration with Greek wedding traditions in the blog post Royal Ambassador Wedding Photos in Caledon with Julie and Peter.