Catherine and Alex chose to do their engagement session at High Park – Not necessarily for the Sakura blossoms (though that was certainly a pretty bonus), but for sentimental reasons.
Decades ago, Alex’s parents had their wedding photos taken at High Park, and since Alex’s parents are no longer with us, honouring them in this way meant a lot to them.
There is a bridge in the middle of High Park that Alex particularly wanted to take a picture on since they have a photograph of his parents standing on it – so amazing to think that back in time, his parents stood on the very same spot.
It was also really special to learn that Catherine’s engagement ring used to belong to Alex’s mother. Such a meaningful heirloom.
Here are some photographs from our time together, and be sure to read their love and family story at the bottom of the post, eloquently written by the couple themselves ❤
P.S. They also brought along their super adorable Pug Frank – he has such a cutie patootie face!
And now, their love story, written by the lovebirds themselves:
“We met a couple of years ago at a Halloween party that was thrown by mutual friends. Alex was dressed as a 1980s tennis player, and I was dressed as “blackmail”. It was definitely like at first site. Alex was pretty charming and I couldn’t resist spending more time with him.
On our first official date after meeting at the party, Alex invited me to Snakes and Lattes. I remember thinking that maybe he just wanted to be friends, since he invited me to play board games. It turns out that he just really likes board games.
Two and a half years later Alex totally surprised me on Valentine’s Day. He hid the most beautiful engagement ring (it belonged to his Mom) inside the box for a game called Jaipur, the game that we played together on that first date.
High Park is one of our favourite places in Toronto. We love spending time there and it’s a great place to bring our dog on the weekend. We met in Toronto and fell in love in Toronto, so it only seemed appropriate to feature a Toronto staple like High Park in our photos.
High Park is also a very meaningful place to us because it is filled with family memories. Alex’s Dad, Frank, immigrated to Canada from Malta in 1963, and grew up in the west end of Toronto, right around High Park.
A couple of summers ago Frank organized a giant family BBQ in High Park to celebrate 50 years of the Galea family coming to Canada. It was a really special afternoon, complete with amazing Maltese and Canadian food, re-creating photos that were taken in High Park in 1963, and picnic games.
One of my fondest memories is how Frank and I were partners for the games, and ended up winning the three-legged race and egg toss! The prize was a mug featuring a Galea family crest that Alex’s cousin designed. I remember Alex telling me that even though I won, I should really give the mug to him, since I wasn’t a Galea. (Note to Alex – now that I’m going to be a Galea, I’d like that mug back please!)
Alex’s parents took their wedding photos in High Park 40 years ago. We wanted to take our engagement photos there to carry on the family tradition, and honour the love that his parents shared for so many years.”
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Thanks so much for sharing your story with us, you two – It made this engagement photography experience that much more special. I can’t wait to photograph your wedding ❤
Much love,
Anastasia
Olive Photography
www.olivephotography.ca
info@olivephotography.ca
416-520-1093
