Elegant Mildred’s Temple Kitchen Wedding in Toronto, Ontario

How They Met

Junya and Emi’s wedding at Mildred’s Temple Kitchen in Toronto was the perfect blend of elegance, history, and heartfelt storytelling. Their journey began years earlier in Vancouver, where they first met through a mutual friend while Emi was visiting from out of town. At the time, dating wasn't on either of their minds as life took them in different directions, with Emi returning to Saskatoon and Junya moving back to Toronto.

Two years later, fate brought them together again in Toronto when Emi returned to the city for work and school. They reconnected by chance at church, but life once again intervened when Junya relocated to New York. For several years, they lost touch, each building their own lives.

When COVID hit, Junya's visa wasn't renewed, forcing him to leave the US. Back in Toronto, he reconnected with Emi when a mutual friend tried to organize a post-pandemic group hangout. Everyone else flaked, but that turned out to be a blessing in disguise. What was supposed to be a gathering of six became just the two of them. Over dinner, they talked for hours, and somehow, she seemed much cuter than he remembered. It felt like love at first sight, but five years later.

After that night, Junya couldn't imagine life without her. He quit his job in New York, emptied his apartment, and moved back to Canada. Ironically, his approval to return to the US came through the day after he asked her out. And the rest, as they say, is history!

First Look and Wedding Portraits at Knox College, Toronto

We began the wedding day at Knox College in Toronto, where the elegant stone architecture and sweeping archways created the perfect setting for Junya and Emi’s first look. With autumn foliage at its peak, the soft colors and historic details made this location ideal for intimate, emotional moments. The instant Junya saw Emi in her wedding dress, he was completely awestruck. His genuine reaction was priceless, and capturing those emotions remains one of my favorite parts of the day.

After the first look, we moved inside Knox College to the main hall, which felt straight out of Hogwarts. The dramatic interior provided a timeless backdrop for both couple portraits and family photos before we headed to Emi’s hotel suite during blue hour.

Junya had booked the city view suite for her, and the view was epic! Floor-to-ceiling windows perfectly framed the CN Tower, creating a striking composition for portraits. This is where I captured my favorite couple portrait ever. I had Junya and Emi as silhouettes, looking at each other with the CN Tower glowing in the background.

Ceremony and Reception at Mildred’s Temple Kitchen

The ceremony and reception were unique. Held in a restaurant, they didn't follow the traditional wedding format most couples choose. Toward the end of the night, we stepped outside for one final set of portraits along the West Elm architectural path near the restaurant. The modern lines and city textures provided the perfect contrast to the historic venues earlier in the day and served as a beautiful closing chapter to an incredible Mildred’s Temple Kitchen wedding in Toronto.

My Overall Experience

This was the best wedding I've ever photographed. And I've shot a ton of fantastic weddings. First, Each location carried a timeless East Coast aesthetic, filled with character, warmth, and architectural charm—from the hotel to Knox College to the wedding venue itself..Second, the food was the best wedding food I've ever had. You could argue that's because the wedding venue was at a restaurant, but something about the food in Canada just tastes fresher overall. Lastly, both Junya and Emi's signature drinks were delicious! They were so so good that I had four! Don't worry, I wasn't drunk when I was taking their photos.

As a Toronto wedding photographer, I’ve photographed over 50+ weddings, but this wedding holds a special place in my heart. What made this wedding especially meaningful was being both the official photographer and a guest. Seeing old friends, meeting new faces, and celebrating alongside people I hadn’t seen in years made the day feel like a reunion. Junya and Emi’s warmth and hospitality extended to every person in the room. This Mildred’s Temple Kitchen wedding will always hold a special place in my heart. Thank you, Junya and Emi, for trusting me to capture your day and for welcoming me so graciously. I can’t wait to see what the next chapter holds for you both.