The “light” reveal: A Summer Pier Wedding with reception at Brasserie 701
Get ready for this itinerary:
First look at the Chambly Pier, wedding at City Hall, photo walk in the Old Port, cocktails at Terrasse d’Armes, and reception at Brassserie 701
Old Montreal is a unique place; vibrant, eclectic, and has a number of boutique hotels including Hotel Place d’Armes. Accommodation, food and drink, spa, and ballrooms wrapped in an amazing and elegant architectural shell, and all nestled within the charming streets of the old city. Terrasse Place D’Armes boasts incredible panoramic views of Montreal and has a jovial atmosphere with amazing cocktails, and Brasserie 701 is a Paris-inspired bistro that exudes a laid-back atmosphere with its row of birdcage lights and sumptuous privacy curtains.
Would one of the venues at Hotel Place d’Armes be a good fit for your wedding? This venue is ideal for couples who:
Seek an intimate and urban venue to celebrate their wedding
Love the old-world feel of a boutique hotel in the heart of the city, but have access to modern amenities
Don’t mind the old elevator to access the different floors, depending on whether you’re going to book the Terrasse and one of the restaurants. Old elevators are fun in their own right, but bottlenecks can happen when there’s a lot of people!
If you’re looking for a similar Montreal wedding venue in the Old Port but with a slightly more relaxed vibe, the Vieux Port Steakhouse (with bride preparations next door at Auberge du Vieux-Port) could be an option. See a wedding at the Vieux-Port Steakhouse here.
The wedding crawl
Some weddings are a one-stop-shop, which is very convenient - preparations, ceremony and reception all in one place. But some weddings are the complete opposite, as was the case with Anna and Michael. We did a LOT of driving and walking that day, and it was a hot day! Anna was an absolute trooper in managing the heat and walking in that gorgeous (but heavy) dress, even managing to get around some construction around the Chambly City Hall.
The “light” reveal
In the spirit of my eternal duality, a light reveal has a double meaning:
To feature select photographs from the wedding
To comment on the light and other elements to be considered when planning your wedding photography
This multi-location wedding started at the Chambly Pier with a first look, as it was a memorable spot for the couple. It was a very small wedding of about 20 people. Everyone gathered with the groom and Anna’s father walked her “down the pier” - the first time I’ve ever said that! They enjoyed their first look, and we photographed the family and wedding party portraits before heading to the Chambly City Hall for the ceremony. We then headed to the hotel for cocktails and later, dinner. Anna and Michael took a little stroll to the Cours le Royer, a very popular spot in the that area for wedding photographs. But there are so many spots in Old Montreal that you can’t just limit to one! What I love doing for either weddings or engagements is the ‘photowalk’, where we head to a location (like the Cours le Royer) and then back to the venue, and pause along the way when you see a perfect photo opportunity. For us, one of my faves was le Petit Dep with it's incredible decor and charm! That way, you also get a lot of variety in your photos and you get to explore the nooks and crannies of unique places like the Old Port.
When planning a wedding with multiple locations, timing is critical. Leaving sufficient time for transportation is key on a wedding day. Unforeseen traffic delays do happen, parking can be a concern if in the city (where you may want to consider valet service by the hotel) and lots of people to navigate around. I always counsel couples to look up the drive time in Google between venues, then add 15 minutes. It’s a good practice because you want to minimize your stress on that day!
Because this wedding had a significant drive from Chambly to the hotel, the first look had to be done early - pretty much high noon. Couple that with being on a pier; no shade! It was a clear, bright, and sunny day. Did I mention the wind? This is why you want to work with a skilled, professional photographer, who has experience in all sorts of lighting situations. If your timeline can’t be shifted, you want to work with someone who can produce beautiful imagery no matter what the day presents. It’s a careful dance between the angle of the sun, the people in a public place, and the vantage and view points. A good rule to avoid squinting is to place people with their backs to the sun, but if the background then shows the parking lot rather than the lake, well, ick. Compromises, speed, and skill are necessary in obtaining the best imagery possible given what there is to work with!
Watch for the full reveal of this eclectic and fun wedding!
Here’s to joy,
Lucy
Couple portrait location: Vieux-Port/ Old Port of Montreal
Cocktails: Terrasse Place d’Armes
Montreal wedding venue: Brasserie 701
Montreal wedding photographer: Lucy Baum
