I met Ali and Dom last fall over coffee at one of my favourite places in the city, Happy Goat Coffee Co on Laurel Street. Before Stefan and I made the big move out to the country, I visited the shop often, so it was definitely nice to be back. We chatted about their big plans for their small wedding, and we shared a few laughs in the process.

Fast forward a few months, and the 3 of us ventured around downtown Ottawa for their engagement session. We walked around Major's Hill Park, the Rideau Canal and a few stops in between like the Chateau Laurier. Oh, and we froze like popsicles!

The weather that day started off pretty tame and sunny, and I think we were all surprised when we met up for the session only to be surrounded by snowfall, and there was definitely a huge drop in temperature that came out of nowhere... but we made it work! Ali and Dom didn't complain about being cold a single time, even though I am positive they were frozen because I definitely was myself. Brrr!!! But the snow always makes for such dreamy photos, have a look for yourself!

A couple sitting close together nose-to-nose, smiling romantically in a snowy winter setting.
Black and white distant shot of a couple hugging warmly in a snowy urban park setting.
A couple holding hands and walking together along a snowy tree-lined park path in winter.
Black and white photo of a couple kissing in falling snow with Chateau Laurier castle in the background.
Couple embracing and kissing on stone steps of a historic building during a winter engagement session.
Black and white photo of a couple nearly kissing while embracing in a snowy winter park setting.
Couple embracing tenderly in a snowstorm with a historic castle building visible behind them.
Black and white photo of a man hugging a laughing woman from behind in falling snow.
Black and white photo of a couple embracing and smiling in snowy weather, wearing winter coats outdoors.
Black and white photo of a smiling couple holding hands in front of a rustic stone wall in winter.
A happy couple embracing in a snowy park with a historic building visible in the background.
Couple sharing a romantic kiss on a wooden bench in the snow with Chateau Laurier in the background.
Black and white photo of smiling man and woman sitting together on bench in falling snow.
Black and white image of a smiling couple standing together in falling snow wearing winter coats.
Couple sitting on bench facing each other with snowy Parliament Hill building in background.
A couple embracing and smiling at each other in a snow-covered park on a winter day.
A romantic couple embracing in heavy snowfall with the Parliament of Canada buildings behind them.


One of my favourite aspects of doing what I do is getting to know my couples and finding out how they're making their wedding day theirs. I always say to my couples to make their wedding day truly THEIRS and to not pay too much attention to what others may tell them that they SHOULD be doing. Because in doing THEM, they'll always be happy. And I truly believe this applies to just life in general... Can I get an AMEN!?

In Ali's case, she didn't want an engagement ring. So instead, she's sporting what Ali and Dom are calling the String Ring, which I LOVE. The symbolism is still there, and well, let's be real, engagement rings are freakin' expensive man!!! They are however keeping some things traditional and will have wedding bands when their big day comes.

Close-up of a woman's hand with an engagement ring gripping her partner's arm in the snow.
Black and white close-up of a happy couple smiling at each other in the snow during winter engagement.
Black and white photo of a couple sharing a tender moment before ornate church doors in snow.
Couple kissing on the steps of a grand stone church decorated with holiday wreaths in winter.
Close-up of an engaged couple smiling at each other while snow falls on their winter coats.
Couple dancing and spinning in the snow during a winter engagement photo session outdoors.
Romantic couple nearly kissing viewed through ornate wrought iron fence railings in winter snow.
Happy couple embracing in front of elegant arched church doors during a snowy winter session.
Black and white photo of a couple embracing in the snow, woman smiling over mans shoulder.
Joyful couple dancing and spinning hands raised in a snowy plaza with a government building behind them.


Confession: I definitely blasted the heat in my car once we wrapped up our session, and I took a steaming hot bath when I got home. I was chilled to the B-O-N-E but it was totally my fault for not wearing the right jacket... And Ali? She tells me now that she couldn't feel her face and hands in most of the photos, but you could never tell, right?!

But, in all honesty, I would do it all over again if it meant getting photos as lovely as these! Ali and Dom did amazing.

Can't wait to see these two cuties again on their wedding day, coming up in May. I'm told there will be appetizers, soooo who wouldn't be excited? ;)

 

- xo Val