On a warm August afternoon, Donny and Vanessa celebrated their Lord Elgin Hotel Wedding, gathering their people in the hotel’s Trillium Room — an elegant new space that feels both classic and fresh. They’d been especially excited about this room: the deep green wall, the golden curtain, the polished marble floor. It suited them perfectly — refined but full of personality, with just enough drama to feel like a celebration.
One thing I enjoy about weddings is the snippets of conversations that I hear as I move through a crowd. It’s a bit like a Woody Allen film: I hear one person telling the punchline of a funny story while another starts describing their dream project, and somewhere in between, the polite introductions of people who’ve just met. I’m always fascinated by how each couple’s world comes together on their wedding day — friends from different chapters of life, families speaking in English and French, people connecting over shared humour or shared history.
When I think of Vanessa and Donny, I think of ice skating, cars, and alpacas. None of these made an appearance at their wedding — perhaps a missed opportunity — but what did appear was an abundant mix of joy and generosity. They have this way of making people feel known, and it showed in every corner of the room. Each guest received a hand-painted tile — every one unique. Some had people teary-eyed, others laughing out loud. Mine showed my medium-format film camera, carefully painted by Vanessa’s own hand. It’s one of the most thoughtful gifts I’ve ever received. I’m framing it for my wall today.
“Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love.”
― Simone Weil
Venue: Lord Elgin Hotel, Triullium Room in Ottawa, Ontario
The Lord Elgin Hotel was the perfect setting for it all. The Trillium Room, which opened in 2024, blends historical charm with modern sophistication — the kind of place where you can sense the city’s history without feeling weighed down by it. Their team handled both the catering and coordination with quiet precision, letting the celebration unfold naturally. Right in the heart of downtown Ottawa, yet somehow sheltered from the rush outside, it was the ideal backdrop for a day that felt grounded, joyful, and full of life.
I’m Sara, an Ottawa wedding photographer based in the capital of Canada. I love documenting weddings and capturing the real, unscripted moments that make each celebration unique. I’m available for weddings, elopements, and destination celebrations across Ontario, Canada, and internationally, with a style that blends documentary storytelling and fine art. If you’ve enjoyed this peek into Vanessa & Donny’s day at the Lord Elgin Hotel Trillium Room, and you like what you see, why not reach out to book a free consultation for your wedding?
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Equipment used: Panasonic S5IIX and S5II with a 70-200mm f/2.8, 50mm f1.8, 20mm Nikon f/2.8 (MF – with an adapter)
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