Love is love! As your Montreal wedding photographers, we feel it is important to share the perspective of a well planned wedding day through our own client’s words. We asked Terry & Jean to give us the beautiful details of their day. Although, it is difficult to describe in words..You really must see check out our wedding photography from their gorgeous celebrations. How absolutely fortunate are we to be such an important part of documenting their monumental day.
We were WOW’d by Terry & Jean’s spectacular wedding day. Terry is the lead floral designer with NDG Fleuriste, you can imagine what their wedding produced. Not only that, but some of their good friends are ALSO lead top floral designers in Montreal. We should also mention, the head event designer, who is also like family, Cava Rose. (Nearly 100% of the photos on Cava’s site are from CEP. They are like family to me too. LOVE THEM! This wedding was a mind boggling production of unique, sensational and courageously designed masterpiece all took place at this renovated new venue, old cathedral: Abbaye bénédictine Sainte-Marie des Deux-Montagnes
Guests were completely blown away by their wedding day. It’s not every day, we get to document a same sex wedding. Though, more and more, we are witnessing these beautiful weddings and are so proud to be asked to photograph them. Terry + Jean have been together for 29 years, here they are exchanging their vows. Terry holds a special place in my heart. I have been working with Terry and NDG florist for most of my career. It was VERY moving for me to have the honour of capturing their special day for them, alongside my awesome friend and photographer, Adrian.
Check out their 4 page wedding feature in our latest CEP 2018 Magazine
Enjoy! xo
Wedding Date
August 19, 2017
What is your proposal story?
After 29 years together it was time to celebrate our union in front of family and friends. Even after all those years together it was very exciting and emotional I even proposed on one knee.
Who where your photographers?
Montreal wedding photography: Christina Esteban Photography + Adrian Morillo
![Same sex couple on their wedding day in the garden](https://cepstudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Christina_Esteban_Photography_0221-1024x683.jpg)
![groom and groom with their dogs in tuxedos](https://cepstudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Christina_Esteban_Photography_0010-683x1024.jpg)
What was the vision for the day?
Contemporary Hollywood comes to the Abbaye.
Where are your flowers from?
NDG Florist
![Same sex couple at abbaye, OKA with a rolls royce](https://cepstudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Christina_Esteban_Photography_0259-1024x683.jpg)
What was the planning process?
We started 1 year in advance. I have been in the event business for over 35 years so I have lots of contacts and we knew what we wanted.
Where did you get married?
L’Abbaye d’Oka
Where are the outfits from?
Ike Behar Suits
![groom and groom standing at their wedding reception tuscan decor](https://cepstudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Christina_Esteban_Photography_0289-1024x683.jpg)
Memorable moments from the day
The ceremony was a mix of Ukrainian Orthodox and Catholic rites…It was perfect and the rest of the evening was a dream. Michel Boulanger was the officiant.
![Dog walking down the aisle with ring boy](https://cepstudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Christina_Esteban_Photography_0322-683x1024.jpg)
![Groom and groom walking down the aisle at their wedding ceremony](https://cepstudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Christina_Esteban_Photography_0341-1024x683.jpg)
![groom and groom ukranian wedding ceremony at abbaye, oka](https://cepstudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Christina_Esteban_Photography_0433-1024x683.jpg)
![groom and groom in a cathedral just married at abbaye, oka](https://cepstudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Christina_Esteban_Photography_0522-1024x683.jpg)
![groom and groom just married hand in hand](https://cepstudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Christina_Esteban_Photography_0577-1024x683.jpg)
![overhead photo of cocktail at abbaye, oka](https://cepstudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Christina_Esteban_Photography_0650-1024x683.jpg)
Did you have a planner? Details + Décor?
We planned most of our wedding ourselves with the help of Cheryl, Cava Rose…Kelly, Espace Carpe Diem, L’Abbaye d’Oka…and Becky’ Events by Becky Bendayan
![Groom standing at the top of staircase](https://cepstudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Christina_Esteban_Photography_0642-683x1024.jpg)
![Exterior shot of Abbaye OKA](https://cepstudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Christina_Esteban_Photography_0749-1024x683.jpg)
![Greenery huppah in a catheral Abbaye, OKA](https://cepstudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Christina_Esteban_Photography_0807-1024x683.jpg)
![Greenery huppah with flowers at abbaye, oka](https://cepstudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Christina_Esteban_Photography_0829-683x1024.jpg)
![Sun coming through the window decor photo at abbaye, oka](https://cepstudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Christina_Esteban_Photography_0860-683x1024.jpg)
![decor photos at a wedding in cathedral at Abbaye, OKA](https://cepstudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Christina_Esteban_Photography_0806-683x1024.jpg)
![Flowers cascading from the ceiling, flowers surrounding the entrance of the ceremony at abbaye, oka](https://cepstudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Christina_Esteban_Photography_0802-1024x683.jpg)
The catherdral room, where the ceremony took place was transformed by Cava Rose to an elegant reception room, with lighting, gold table cloths and large greenery for each table. Use of the huppah, was the center piece of the room.
![Catherdral transformed into a reception hall at abbaye, oka](https://cepstudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Christina_Esteban_Photography_0882-1024x683.jpg)
![Decor photo of Abbaye, d'OKA reception hall](https://cepstudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Christina_Esteban_Photography_0917-1024x683.jpg)
![Abbaye D'oka reception hall decor](https://cepstudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Christina_Esteban_Photography_0931-683x1024.jpg)
![greenery huppah with orchids cascading down during reception wedding](https://cepstudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Christina_Esteban_Photography_0905-683x1024.jpg)
![gold table cloth and greenery table decor](https://cepstudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Christina_Esteban_Photography_0933-683x1024.jpg)
Dj or Band?
DJ Yossi
![Groom and groom entrance at their wedding reception Abbaye, OKA](https://cepstudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Christina_Esteban_Photography_0982-1024x683.jpg)
![Groom and groom speech in a cathedral at Abbaye, oka](https://cepstudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Christina_Esteban_Photography_1066-1024x683.jpg)
![Groom and groom celebrating at their wedding reception Abbaye, d'OKA](https://cepstudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Christina_Esteban_Photography_1075-1024x683.jpg)
Who designed your wedding cake? Or sweet table?
Sweet Table designed by Becky Bendayan Events The sweets by Three C Baking and Co.
![Sweet table under cascading white flowers from the ceiling with gold table cloth](https://cepstudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Christina_Esteban_Photography_1208-1024x683.jpg)
![sweet table with mini wedding cake sourrounded by white flowers greenery and lemons with gold table cloth](https://cepstudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Christina_Esteban_Photography_1221-683x1024.jpg)
![Wedding guests taking pictures with their cellphones at a wedding reception, abbaye, oka](https://cepstudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Christina_Esteban_Photography_1252-1024x683.jpg)
![wedding reception with mexican mariachi band singing to wedding guests at abbaye, d'oka](https://cepstudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Christina_Esteban_Photography_1254-1024x683.jpg)
![Guests with the groom doing shots at their wedding reception, Abbaye, d'OKA](https://cepstudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Christina_Esteban_Photography_1263-1024x683.jpg)
Advice for other couples
Keep records of your ideas and costs.
Budgets always go over so it’s easy to change when you know all the costs.
Have confidence in your suppliers and vendors.
Make it a fun project and do have pleasure with the process.
A must is having a coordinator day of.
Start early so you don’t panic at the end and overspend.
Remember if something goes wrong day of its only you who knows what went wrong.
Enjoy and don’t stress over the small stuff.
Louisette Bernier
J’ai assistée à un somptueux et grandiose mariage tout était parfait et magnifique and sumptuous
Tahnk you Jean and Terry xxx
Nadia M
It was the epitome of the wedding event of a lifetime encompassing sublime emotional stirrings of the heart combined with the awakening of the 5 senses to the beauty of life shared in love. Nad & Joe xox