Some love stories start with chance encounters, dating apps, or meet-cutes… and some start with a best friend. Gabrielle & Samuel met through their mutual best friend, Sam, who would later go on to officiate their wedding. From the very beginning, it felt like the kind of connection that just made sense, and seeing them together now, it’s impossible to imagine a better match. Their wedding day was exactly what they are: full of love, laughter, and one hell of a party.
They tied the knot at the Pavillon de la Biodiversité de St-Constant, with an outdoor ceremony under the gazebo and the reception held inside the venue. They chose it because they live in St-Constant, and honestly, it’s such a hidden gem, surrounded by nature, flooded with natural light, and perfect for couples who want to add their own personal DIY touches.
The wedding took place on August 30th, 2025, and let me tell you… the forecast was not on our side. It was pouring rain right up until about 10 minutes before the ceremony. I was already mentally preparing for indoor portraits and muddy shoes, but somehow, miraculously, the rain stopped and never came back. We ended up with a completely dry ceremony and beautiful outdoor photos. The weather gods really pulled through for them.
Gabrielle & Samuel chose to skip the first look and keep the surprise for the aisle, and it was so worth it.
Their ceremony was officiated by their best friend Sam, and for his first time ever officiating a wedding… he absolutely crushed it. It was personal, hilarious, emotional, and incredibly heartfelt. The perfect balance of jokes, real stories, and meaningful moments. You could feel how deeply loved they are by everyone around them, and how much love there is between the two of them. One of those ceremonies where you laugh, tear up, and forget there are even cameras around.
Their bridal party deserves a special mention because they were amazing. So present, so supportive, and such a blast to photograph. You can tell when a group is truly there for their friends, and it makes such a difference in the energy of the whole day, for the couple and for me.
We did their couple portraits right after the ceremony in the park attached to the venue, and I was so relieved the rain held off. The light was soft, the greenery was lush, and the energy between them was just perfect. Relaxed, happy, and very much in that “we just got married” bubble. These are the kinds of sessions where I barely need to direct, they were just fully present with each other, soaking it all in.
The decor was minimalist but so well executed. White florals, lots of greenery, and emerald green accents tied everything together beautifully. The whole day had a very DIY feel, simple, elegant, and intentional, without being overdone. The venue itself is already stunning, so they really leaned into its natural beauty instead of trying to transform it. Sometimes less really is more.
And then… the party started.
The reception vibe was LIT. Lots of dancing, lots of drinks, and so much fun all around. The speeches were emotional and heartfelt, the parent-child dances ended in big family group hugs (which honestly got me), and the dance floor stayed full all night.
It was one of those weddings where you can feel the joy in the room, loud, messy, happy, and full of love.
This wedding was extra special for me because Gabrielle is actually a friend from high school. So in a way, it felt like a mini reunion, except now everyone is grown up, in love, and getting married. Photographing her wedding after not seeing her for over a decade was incredibly meaningful, and seeing her with Samuel… I couldn’t have imagined a better person by her side.
Their day was the perfect mix of friendship, love, laughter, and pure celebration, the kind of wedding that reminds you what it’s all really about. And honestly? These are my favourite ones to photograph. The ones that feel real, a little chaotic, deeply emotional, and full of people who truly love each other. 💚
