This Cherry Beach Toronto summer engagement with Wendy and Daniel had all the right ingredients: a glowy golden sunset, beach sand in my shoes, wind for dramatic effect, a jaw-droppingly gorgeous vintage Volkswagen camper van (shoutout to the Long Weekend bus), and the most intimate, sugary-sweet chemistry from these two lovebirds.
When it comes to engagement photography, it truly is all about the couple’s chemistry. However, the setting sets the tone like the opening scene to a movie. For this reason, the Volkswagen bus by the peaceful beachside was simply perfect for Wendy and Daniel. The funky retro decor, the cozy little nooks, the chunky blankets. The seats were upholstered in a funky retro pattern, and there were colorful pillows strewn about. Wendy and Daniel snuggled up close, laughing and smiling as I captured their love on film. As the session drew to a close, they climbed back into the Volkswagen van, elated and giddy from all the neck nuzzles and butterfly kisses.
These are two people who would make you feel like you’ve been friends forever. I love people like that. One of the best parts of my job is discovering with my couples the uniquely genuine moments and little adorable quirks that make them so them; the nose scrunches, how their fingers intertwine, the way they just embrace and sink into each other. I am so grateful for moments like these, and I am so happy for these two incredibly genuine souls.
Be sure to check out Wendy’s amazing and inspiring work on Youtube, WithWendy.
She also has a Youtube video featuring how she hand-sewed (of course!) her engagement session dress, linked here.
Click play below, and come along for the ride…
With love,
Jacqueline James
Photography: Jacqueline James Photography
Second Photographer: Braden Hendrickson
How did you two meet?
We met from going to the same church, but had a bit of a rocky beginning where Wendy couldn’t remember Dan’s name and Dan knew his roommate was interested in Wendy. After a few months passed, the dust settled a bit and we started getting to know one another through sending messages at work and hanging out in the same friend group.
What was your first date?
After watching a movie with a large group, we went our own way to grab thai takeout and ate on the big stairs at Ryerson university. We sat and chatted there for a very long time, then strolled to the adam beck statue on university ave and talked for a very long time, then strolled to Wendy’s condo and talked outside for a very long time. at the end of it Dan asked her if they could go out again and Wendy said yes.
Tell us about the big proposal!
Dan worked with Wendy’s friends and family to surprise her while she was out hiking in the Canadian Rockies. She thought he was arriving on Friday, but he showed up Wednesday in the middle of her stroll by a lake with friends. He led her to a viewpoint near the water, said some kind words and proposed! Then they grabbed dinner in Banff and headed back to her parent’s place to enjoy the rest of their Calgary stay with the family.
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