Does gift-giving stress you out? Be honest. Because same.
&nbsp;
If you&rsquo;ve ever panic-Googled &ldquo;romantic birthday ideas near me&rdquo; the night before, welcome. You&rsquo;re in the right place.
&nbsp;
Over the years, I&rsquo;ve curated a list of some of my personal favourite experiences and gifts I&rsquo;ve received (or would love to receive) from my partner. I&rsquo;m a big fan of keeping it local - not only can you grab most of these quickly if you&rsquo;re shopping last-minute, but you&rsquo;re also supporting small businesses in Kitchener-Waterloo. That&rsquo;s what we call a win-win.
&nbsp;
My only rule:
&nbsp;
IF YOU&rsquo;RE READING THIS, bake her a cake. No one should have to bake their own birthday cake. That&rsquo;s the law. I don&rsquo;t make the rules.
&nbsp;
If baking is not your ministry, swing by <a href="https://www.vincenzosonline.com/" aria-invalid="true">Vincenzo's</a> and they will absolutely sort you out. (Just don&rsquo;t forget the candles &amp; lighter!)
&nbsp;
Okay. Let&rsquo;s get into it.

<h2 style="text-align: center;">💛 Local Experiences (The Gifts She&rsquo;ll Actually Remember)</h2>

<h3><a href="https://www.nathaliemonique.com/package/14d21a43-8004-48c0-b8c8-e782e30c87f9">1. Couples Photo Session</a></h3>

When was the last time you had genuinely beautiful photos taken together? Not blurry iPhone selfies. Not a wedding five years ago. I mean updated, frame-worthy, &ldquo;wow we&rsquo;re cute&rdquo; photos.
A couples session is such an underrated birthday gift. It&rsquo;s:
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li style="font-size: 14pt;">A fun date night </li>
<li style="font-size: 14pt;">New memories </li>
<li style="font-size: 14pt;">Updated gallery wall content </li>
<li style="font-size: 14pt;">And honestly? Just really special </li>
</ul>
Book your session, or request a gift card here: <a href="https://www.nathaliemonique.com/package/14d21a43-8004-48c0-b8c8-e782e30c87f9">https://www.nathaliemonique.com/package/14d21a43-8004-48c0-b8c8-e782e30c87f9</a>.
Bonus: if you&rsquo;re secretly thinking about proposing&hellip; let&rsquo;s just say this is your sign to have it professionally captured 👀💍 &nbsp;<a href="https://www.nathaliemonique.com/blog/hiringaphotographerforyoursurpriseproposalinkitchenerwaterloo">This artical is for you: read here.</a>

<h3>2. Dinner Date Ideas in Kitchener-Waterloo 🍽️✨</h3>

A well-planned dinner never fails. It&rsquo;s classic for a reason.
&nbsp;
Here are some elite options:
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li style="font-size: 14pt;"><a href="https://charcoalgroup.ca/">Charcoal Group Restaurants</a> &ndash; All of the restaurants from the Charcoal Group are top tier. I'd highly recommend any of them!</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li style="font-size: 14pt;"><a href="http://www.kinkakuizakaya.ca/">Kinkaku Izakaya or Jinzakaya</a> &ndash; All-you-can-eat sushi date? Elite. Fun. You may just roll out of there LOL.</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li style="font-size: 14pt;"><a href="https://langdonhall.ca/dine">Langdon Hall</a> &ndash; Special-occasion energy. If you&rsquo;re trying to impress, this is the move.</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li style="font-size: 14pt;"><a href="https://cambridgemill.ca/">Cambridge Mill</a> &ndash; Riverside views + upscale dining = instant romantic atmosphere.</li>
</ul>

<h3><a href="https://eloramill.ca/spa/">3. Spa Date (or Weekend) at the Elora Mill</a></h3>

Be sure to make reservations early &mdash; spa packages book up fast!
&nbsp;
If you&rsquo;re looking for a birthday gift that feels truly special, a spa date at Elora Mill is worth every penny. It&rsquo;s the perfect mix of relaxation and luxury. With access to all the amenities; the pool, hot tub, sauna, and eucalyptus steam room, the experience is such a great time. Add a spa treatment on top, and it becomes top tier!!
&nbsp;
For an extra memorable celebration, you could turn it into a full weekend getaway in Elora. There are so many incredible boutiques, caf&eacute;s, and restaurants to explore, making it a birthday experience your partner will never forget.
&nbsp;
Book here: <a style="background-color: rgb(251, 238, 184);" href="https://eloramill.ca/spa/">https://eloramill.ca/spa/</a>

<h3><a href="https://princesscinemas.com/">4. Dinner and a Show at the Princess Cinema</a></h3>

This is such a classic Waterloo date night and I&rsquo;m obsessed with it.
Start with dinner at one of Uptown&rsquo;s amazing spots, then head to Princess Cinema. It&rsquo;s cozy, historic, and screens indie films, foreign films, and nostalgic classics. It feels intentional &mdash; not just &ldquo;we went to the movies.&rdquo;
Pair it with:
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li style="font-size: 14pt;">Sushi at Jinzakaya (maybe do the &agrave;-la-carte so you can save room for popcorn!!) </li>
<li style="font-size: 14pt;">Cocktails and shared plates at Bodega Rose </li>
<li style="font-size: 14pt;">Fish tacos and a beer at Beertown Public House</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li style="font-size: 14pt;">Neapolitan pizza from Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
Get your movie tickets here: <a style="background-color: rgb(251, 238, 184);" href="https://princesscinemas.com/">https://princesscinemas.com/</a>

<h3>5. Pottery Painting (Underrated but So Fun)</h3>

If she loves creative activities, book a pottery date!
&nbsp;
<a href="https://crockadoodle.com/waterloo/" aria-invalid="true">Crock A Doodle</a>
You pick your pieces, paint them together, and pick them up later once they&rsquo;re glazed. Maybe you have some new beautiful mugs, or maybe they&rsquo;ll be incredibly ugly (which honestly just makes them even better when guests come over.)
&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.thecornerstudio.ca/">The Corner Studio</a>
Want to level up? Sign up for an actual pottery class at The Corner Studio. It&rsquo;s so much fun to have shared hobbies with your partner.

<h2 style="text-align: center;">🎁 Physical Gifts (But Make It Thoughtful)</h2>

<h3>1. Birthday Card (Please Don&rsquo;t Skip This)</h3>

Write something real. Even if you feel awkward. Especially if you feel awkward. This is law. As I said before, I don't make the rules 🤷🏼&zwj;♀️
&nbsp;
<a href="https://callingcrowgifts.square.site/greeting-cards">Calling Crow in St Jacobs</a> has some really fun cards. (This store is right next to a bookstore that I'm about to recommend next 👀)

<h3>2. Books (For the Readers 📚)</h3>

Support local bookstores instead of defaulting to Amazon:
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li style="font-size: 14pt;">The Book Loft, St Jacobs: <a href="https://thebookloftstjacobs.com/">https://thebookloftstjacobs.com/</a></li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li style="font-size: 14pt;">Words Worth Books, Waterloo: <a href="https://www.wordsworthbooks.com/">https://www.wordsworthbooks.com/</a> </li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
If you need ideas, here are some crowd-pleasers:
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li style="font-size: 14pt;">The Empyrean Series (Fourth Wing) by Rebecca Yaros &ndash; Fantasy, dragons, romance, chaos. </li>
<li style="font-size: 14pt;">Dungeon Crawler Carl Series bby Matt Dinniman &ndash; Sci-fi, LitRPG, chaotic fun. </li>
<li style="font-size: 14pt;">Funny Story by Emily Henry &ndash; Romance with heart and humour. </li>
<li style="font-size: 14pt;">Verity by Colleen Hoover &ndash; Thriller. Dark. Unhinged (in a good way). </li>
<li style="font-size: 14pt;">Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir &ndash; Sci-fi but make it emotional. </li>
<li style="font-size: 14pt;">The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid &ndash; Glamour, love, drama. </li>
<li style="font-size: 14pt;">The Wedding People by Alison Espach &ndash; Contemporary with a darker comedic edge. </li>
</ul>
And if you&rsquo;re unsure? Ask the folks at the bookstore, they're the best for book recs!!
&nbsp;

<h3>3. Games &amp; Cozy Hobbies 🎲</h3>

Head to Toy Soup in St Jacobs for all of the fun and games: <a style="background-color: rgb(251, 238, 184);" href="https://www.toysoupcanada.com/">https://www.toysoupcanada.com/</a>
&nbsp;
Ideas:
<ul>
<li style="font-size: 14pt;">A LEGO set (they have flower bouquets, cars, cats - always a ton of fun!) </li>
<li style="font-size: 14pt;">EXIT Escape Room games (single-use, but you&rsquo;ll spend an entire evening solving it together) </li>
<li style="font-size: 14pt;">A 1000-piece puzzle (personally my favourite level of chaos) </li>
</ul>
Pair with takeout, candles, and that cake you baked. You&rsquo;re welcome.
&nbsp;

Final Thoughts (From Someone Who Actually Cares About This)

At the end of the day, it&rsquo;s not about how much you spend. It&rsquo;s about intention.
&nbsp;
Make the reservation. Write the card. Bake the cake.
&nbsp;
And if you really want to win? Plan the whole day so she doesn&rsquo;t have to think once.
&nbsp;
Supporting local businesses in Kitchener-Waterloo while making your better half feel celebrated? That&rsquo;s partner of the year energy.
&nbsp;
You&rsquo;ve got this.
&nbsp;

Shop Local: Birthday Gift Ideas for Your Girlfriend or Wife in Kitchener-Waterloo

1. Zero weather stress. No wind. No rain. No last-minute reschedules.
&nbsp;
2. You can book at pretty much any time of day. Working around nap schedules or 9&ndash;5 jobs? A studio makes it so much easier &mdash; we&rsquo;re not stuck chasing golden hour, and you&rsquo;re not sacrificing the quality of your photos one bit.
&nbsp;
3. No Panic-Cleaning. As an alternative to in-home sessions, you don&rsquo;t have to worry about your home being spotless before I show up.
&nbsp;
&nbsp;

<h3>Which Studio Should We Rent?</h3>

We&rsquo;re so lucky to have so many gorgeous studio options within KW and the surrounding area. Most rental pricing ranges from $100&ndash;$150/hour. Here are my recommended locations:
✨ Parkhill Studios &mdash; Cambridge, ON <a style="text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.parkhillstudios.ca/">https://www.parkhillstudios.ca/</a>
✨ Riverstone Studio &mdash; Elora, ON <a style="text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.riverstonestudio.ca/">https://www.riverstonestudio.ca/</a>
✨ Ember &amp; Ash Studios &mdash; Kitchener, ON <a style="text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/emberandash_studios/?hl=en">https://www.instagram.com/emberandash_studios/?hl=en</a>
✨ West Haus Studio &mdash; Kitchener, ON <a style="text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.westhausstudio.ca/">https://www.westhausstudio.ca/</a>
&nbsp;
Feeling a little adventurous and down to travel?
✨ Mint Room Studios &mdash; Toronto, ON <a style="text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.mintroom.ca/">https://www.mintroom.ca/</a>

Ready to work together? Fill out my contact form to get started!

The Best Indoor Photo Studios To Rent in KW

Spring is one of my favourite times of year to photograph engagement sessions in KW. It&rsquo;s not too hot, the grass and trees are the most beautiful, vibrant shade of green, and if we&rsquo;re lucky, some trees are in full bloom (cherry blossoms and apple blossoms are my faaave).
&nbsp;
If you&rsquo;re looking for beautiful flowers and bright greens, I definitely suggest booking your photos in May!
&nbsp;
Scroll to see David &amp; Carinne&rsquo;s engagement photos from this past May. (And if you inquire with me, I&rsquo;d be happy to share where these were taken!)
&nbsp;

Booking Your Spring Engagement Photos

OKAY so hear me out&hellip; Mom would LOVE family photos as a gift for Mother&rsquo;s day. Oftentimes Mom is the one taking photos of the kiddos (which means she isn&rsquo;t in the photos). And unless you&rsquo;ve got a photographer in the family, it&rsquo;s pretty rare to have photos where everyone is actually together.
&nbsp;
If you&rsquo;re wondering how to gift a family photo session, there are two easy options:
&nbsp;
<ol>
<li style="font-size: 18px;">A gift certificate for the value of a session &mdash; perfect if Mom would love having a say in the date and location. </li>
<li style="font-size: 18px;">Booking a session in advance &mdash; ideal if Mom would prefer everything handled for her, with no planning required.</li>
</ol>
&nbsp;
Both options are wonderful. If you&rsquo;d like help choosing dates and locations, I&rsquo;m more than happy to take care of that with you, or we can keep things flexible with a gift certificate. 💛
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Before reaching out, check out our pricing page here: <a href="https://www.nathaliemonique.com/pricing/family">https://www.nathaliemonique.com/pricing/family</a>
&nbsp;

OKAY so hear me out&hellip; Mom would LOVE family photos as a gift for Mother&rsquo;s day. Oftentimes Mom is the one taking photos of the kiddos (which means she isn&rsquo;t in the photos). And unless you&rsquo;ve got a photographer in the family, it&rsquo;s pretty rare to have photos where everyone is actually together.
&nbsp;
If you&rsquo;re wondering how to gift a family photo session, there are two easy options:
&nbsp;
<ol>
<li style="font-size: 18px;">A gift certificate for the value of a session &mdash; perfect if Mom would love having a say in the date and location. </li>
<li style="font-size: 18px;">Booking a session in advance &mdash; ideal if Mom would prefer everything handled for her, with no planning required.</li>
</ol>
&nbsp;
Both options are wonderful. If you&rsquo;d like help choosing dates and locations, I&rsquo;m more than happy to take care of that with you, or we can keep things flexible with a gift certificate. Click the booking link to get started 💛

Gift Ideas For Mother’s Day in Kitchener-Waterloo

Valentine&rsquo;s Day is coming up, which means it&rsquo;s time to start planning a romantic evening for you and your other half &hearts;️. I&rsquo;ve curated a list of my favourite local experiences &amp; gifts, sure to make this Valentine&rsquo;s one they&rsquo;ll be bragging about in the besties' group chat 🤭
&nbsp;
<h3><a href="https://eloramill.ca/">Spa Day at The Elora Mill: </a></h3>
**BE SURE TO MAKE RESERVATIONS EARLY, SPA PACAKGES BOOK UP FAST!
The experience at the Elora Mill is worth every penny. I recently went with a girlfriend, and we kept saying, &ldquo;Gosh, we should take our partners here sometime!&rdquo; Having access to all the amenities - the pool, hot tub, sauna, and eucalyptus steam room - was heavenly. Then, add a spa treatment on top of it, and it&rsquo;s the icing on the cake. If you really want to go big, you could plan a full weekend in Elora. There are so many incredible shops and restaurants to explore in town.
&nbsp;
<h3><a href="https://www.nathaliemonique.com/package/14d21a43-8004-48c0-b8c8-e782e30c87f9">Couples Photography Session: </a></h3>
(Shameless plug, I am a couples &amp; portrait photographer, gift certificates are available 🥰).
&nbsp;
When was the last time you had really nice photos taken of the two of you? How fun would it be to get new photos your partner can add to the gallery wall they've been dreaming up for the past few years? Having your photos taken doesn&rsquo;t have to be awkward - in fact, I always tell my couples to treat their session like a date night! (Maybe that&rsquo;s a trip to your favourite coffee spot, skating at the Waterloo Public Square, or going on a snowy winter walk in your neighborhood&hellip; The possibilities are endless!) Preffer to gift them a gift certificate until the warmer weather? We offer those as well &hearts;️
&nbsp;
THINKING OF PROPOSING? 👀💍 This artical is for you: <a href="https://www.nathaliemonique.com/blog/hiringaphotographerforyoursurpriseproposalinkitchenerwaterloo">read here.</a>
&nbsp;
<h3><a href="https://www.princesscinemas.com/" aria-invalid="true">Dinner and a Show at the Princess Cinema: </a></h3>
Dining at one of Uptown&rsquo;s amazing restaurants, then hitting up the local theater, has to be the quintessential Waterloo date night. If you&rsquo;ve never been, the Princess Cinema in Waterloo is a cozy, historic venue that often screens independent films or classics. And if you need dinner recommendations&hellip; Don&rsquo;t worry, I&rsquo;ve got you covered. Here are some of my favourites:
<ol>
<li style="font-size: 18px;"><a href="http://www.jinzakaya.ca/JINZAKAYA/index.html">All-You-Can-Eat Sushi at Jinzakaya</a></li>
<li style="font-size: 18px;"><a href="https://bodegarose.ca/">Handcrafted cocktails and shared apps at Bodega Rose</a></li>
<li style="font-size: 18px;"><a href="https://beertown.ca/" aria-invalid="true">Fish tacos, burgers, and a beer at Beertown</a></li>
<li style="font-size: 18px;"><a href="https://famoso.ca/">Hand-tossed Neapolitan pizzas from Famoso</a></li>
</ol>
&nbsp;
<h3><a href="https://www.waterloo.ca/parks-and-trails/explore-our-parks/find-an-outdoor-skating-rink/">Hot Chocolate and Skating at Waterloo Public Square: </a></h3>
Dust off those skates and head to the public rink at Waterloo Public Square! If it&rsquo;s been a while, you know you&rsquo;ll have some giggles getting your feet under you again. Once you&rsquo;ve had enough of the Canadian winter, grab a hot chocolate from <a href="https://www.instagram.com/oldfirehall_dessertcafe/">Old Firehall Dessert Cafe</a> or a London Fog from <a href="https://www.instagram.com/midnightruncafe/">Midnight Run!</a>
&nbsp;
<h3><a href="https://www.discoverchicopee.com/">Ski Date at Chicopee: </a></h3>
I&rsquo;m such a sucker for ski dates, especially when it&rsquo;s night skiing! Although, I do find skiing is always best in groups of four (the perfect number for the chairlift). So, take this as your permission to make Valentine&rsquo;s a double date!
&nbsp;
Let me know if this helped you plan your Valentine's Date!

Date Ideas For Valentine's Day in KW

Elora in the winter is absolutely *chefs kiss*. Honestly shocked Hallmark hasn&rsquo;t claimed it for their next movie yet. For engagement photos, I absolutely adore this location (but keep in mind, it is a busy tourist spot, so I will help guide you on dates &amp; times that will work best so that you have a private, intimate moment with your person). 🤍
&nbsp;
If you&rsquo;re thinking about a surprise proposal in the Waterloo Region and want all the details on how we can plan it seamlessly, check out my planning blog here: <a href="https://www.nathaliemonique.com/blog/hiringaphotographerforyoursurpriseproposalinkitchenerwaterloo">https://www.nathaliemonique.com/blog/hiringaphotographerforyoursurpriseproposalinkitchenerwaterloo</a>
&nbsp;
And a huge congrats to M &amp; Z on their engagement! Scroll through for the sweetest candid moments from the exact second she said &ldquo;yes.&rdquo; 🥹✨

Surprise Wedding Proposal in Elora

Nathalie was a joy to work with. She took so many lovely photos of my partner and I on our wedding day, responded quickly to every question or request that we had, and will absolutely be our go-to photographer going forward. I highly recommend speaking with her about photographing any special event you're looking to capture.

Matt & Kayla

Wow wow wow!! Nathalie is an absolutely amazing and talented photographer! Having Nathalie as our wedding photographer was one of the best decisions we made when planning our wedding! Throughout the entire process Nathalie was professional and organized, making sure we had all of the details and photo combinations set for our special day. We love all of our wedding photos and would not change a thing. I would highly recommend Nathalie as your wedding photographer, you will not be disappointed.

Rachael & Rhys

Nathalie has taken both our engagement pictures and photographed our wedding day for us, and we honestly can't say enough wonderful things about her and the quality of her work. Neither my husband or I really enjoy being in front of the camera and she made it so easy-going and comfortable. Everyone who had the pleasure of meeting Nathalie on our wedding day, or has seen our pictures, is blown away by her professionalism and attention to detail.

Kait & Mike

Nathalie is just the best! She is simultaneously the most friendly and the most efficient person to be partnered with. When it came to my wedding, one thing I was never worried about was the photography. I felt only excitement. Getting our preview photos back and then our official wedding photos back just re-affirmed all of the above! She was the PERFECT photographer for us. I cannot recommend her more!

Abby & Evan

We are so glad that we chose Nathalie to do our engagement photos! She made us feel so comfortable in the session and we had a lot of fun all together. The pictures turned out so beautiful, it’s clear that she has a lot of experience and talent with photography. Thank you Nathalie, we love our photos :)

Laura & Kevin

We had the absolute pleasure of working with Nathalie for our wedding, and we couldn’t be happier with the experience! From our very first conversation, she made us feel completely at ease. Her warm, kind personality instantly put us at ease on a day that could’ve easily felt overwhelming.
Not only is she incredibly talented behind the camera, but she also has a true gift for capturing the little candid moments that make memories last a lifetime. Every photo felt authentic, emotional, and beautifully composed. It’s clear she genuinely cares about her clients and takes great pride in her work.
We’re beyond grateful to have had her as part of our special day.

Shirin & Jason

Default

This package is perfect for recently engaged couples who are excited to have this moment documented to share with friends and family! Plan your engagement photos like a date night, let me know what activities you love doing together and we can try and incorporate it into your shoot (e.g., Is there a favourite restaurant you always go to? A park you like to visit?) My greatest goal when you work with me is to help you feel confident and comfortable in front of my camera. Everyone deserves to have beautiful photos taken of themselves and have fun while doing it!

Kitchener-Waterloo Engagement Photography (1hr)

This package is perfect for capturing your engagement photos and your full wedding day from getting ready, until the end of speeches and the opening of the dance floor. Engagement photos are a great way for us to get to know each other and help you get comfortable in front of my camera before your wedding day! Plan your engagement photos like a date night, let me know what activities you love doing together and we can try and incorporate it into your shoot (e.g., Is there a favourite restaurant you always go to? A park you like to visit?) For your wedding day coverage, nine hours of wedding photography coverage gives you time not only to get all the photos with your friends and family, but also to really enjoy your wedding day. As a wedding photographer, it is my goal to elevate your wedding day experience. I will help you to create a photo timeline that doesn’t feel rushed, and really allows you to have a great time and not feel like your wedding day has turned into a photo shoot. (If you feel you need more than 9 hours, extra hours can be added on at an additional cost.) While every wedding day is different, these are the moments we will typically cover over the course of the day: <ul><li>Getting ready candids and portraits</li><li>Wedding day details</li><li>First looks (optional)</li><li>Formal group photos with your family &amp; wedding party</li><li>Ceremony candids &amp; details</li><li>Cocktail hour candids and guest portraits</li><li>Reception details</li><li>Speeches &amp; reception candids</li><li>Sunset couples portraits and/or evening portraits</li><li>Dancing &amp; partying candids</li></ul> I know how excited you are to get your photos back after your big day so, within 3 days of your wedding you will receive a gallery of 30 preview images that you can share with your friends and family! You can then expect the full gallery 8 weeks after your wedding.&nbsp;

Kitchener-Waterloo Full Day Wedding Photography + Engagement Session (9hrs)

Whether you’re having a brunch wedding or hosting your ceremony at your favourite wine bar, this package is perfect for smaller weddings (50 guests or less). 4 hours of photography is perfect for capturing the heart of your wedding day from ceremony until cocktail hour.&nbsp; While every wedding day is different, these are the moments we will typically cover over the course of the day:<ul><li>Ceremony candids &amp; details</li><li>Formal group photos with your family &amp; wedding party</li><li>Couples portraits</li><li>Cocktail hour candids and guest portraits</li></ul> As a wedding photographer, it is my goal to elevate your wedding day experience. I will help you to create a photo timeline that doesn’t feel rushed, and really allows you to have a great time and not feel like your wedding day has turned into a photo shoot. (If you feel you need more than 4 hours, extra hours can be added before, or on your wedding day.) I know how excited you are to get your photos back after your big day so, within 3 days of your wedding you will receive a gallery with some preview images that you can share with your friends and family! You can then expect the full gallery 8 weeks from your wedding day.&nbsp; If you are looking for a photography package that covers from getting ready photos until the opening of the dance floor, the Full Day Wedding Photography package may be a better package for you!

Kitchener-Waterloo Half Day Wedding Photography (4hrs)

The Focal Essentials All You Need Plan lets you create a beautiful business website with the power of AI. Create Packages, Pricing pages and Blogs. Make booking easy for your client with Focal's Booking System. 5TB of Gallery Storage.

All You Need (Website + Booking System) Plan

Cream C,B

This past weekend, Addie and Marcus hosted an absolutely breathtaking black-tie wedding at Tapestry Hall in Cambridge, Ontario. After exploring over ten venues, they instantly knew that Tapestry Hall was their perfect match. Its blend of historic stonework, industrial beams, and sleek modern features, including a stunning bar, made it an ideal setting for both their elegant ceremony and a spectacular after party.
Months of meticulous planning went into their wedding, with every detail carefully curated by the couple themselves. Many of the details were projects that they worked on together, including a beautiful seating chart, and all of the table centerpieces. To make their vision truly come to life, they brought in the most gorgeous white florals by Petite Bloom and asked all of their guests to wear all-black. The results? Impeccable.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Yet, one of the best parts of their day were the people. Addie and Marcus have the most incredible friends and family, you could feel how much everyone loved the couple and were so excited to be there to celebrate with them.
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
The Wedding Vendor Team:
&nbsp;
Lead Photographer: Nathalie Monique Photography
Second Photographer: Captured By Kait
Venue: Tapestry Hall Coordinator: Hunter Markle Makeup Artist: Face It I'm Pretty Florals: Petite Bloom Faux Florals: HB Florals Hair Stylist: Sophie from Bamboo Hair Salon DJ: Jess from Nitro Music Pro Cake: Flour Girl Official Officiant: Bill Judge Bridal Boutique: Valentina Gowns

Instead of doing a first look, Addie and Marcus opted to do a first touch. Giving them some time together in the morning, but waiting until the ceremony to see each other for the first time. During this special time, they privately exchanged their vows, adding an intimate and personal touch to their day.

Rather than a bouquet toss, Addie opted for a bouquet dedication. She dedicated her bouquet to her mom in honor of being there throughout her life and helping her at every step of the wedding planning process.
&nbsp;

Tapestry Hall Wedding: A&M's Black Tie Celebration

Abby &amp; Evan&rsquo;s Sunday wedding was one for the books, and I think I just gained two new best friends 🥹 I care so deeply about the couples who&rsquo;s weddings I document, and Abby &amp; Evan are one of those amazing couples who reconfirmed my love for being a wedding photographer.
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Their wedding day was filled with so many personal touches, from getting ready at their family homes to the stunning flowers and landscaping at Evan&rsquo;s family farm. The attention to detail was truly remarkable. I also got to meet their two kitties Lily &amp; Finn - I'm such a cat person and my heart melted a little bit having kitties around while we were getting ready for the big day.
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The rain held out for us, giving us a perfect window for the ceremony under the most beautiful willow tree in Evan's family's backyard. It was a picture-perfect moment as they tied the knot surrounded by loved ones.
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After the ceremony we made our way to Puddicombe house for a beautiful reception. Nestled in the heart of New Hamburg, Ontario, Puddicombe House was such a wonderful venue for their wedding day. The beautiful architecture, lush gardens, and the quaint small town atmosphere of New Hamburg created a picture-perfect setting for their big day (and not to mention the absolute banger of a sunset we got after a day of cloud cover!)
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Not only is the venue beautiful with excellent food (the pasta I had was phenomenal), but the dedicated staff at Puddicombe House are committed to making your wedding day perfect. We had such a great experience with all of the staff on Abby and Evan&rsquo;s wedding day.
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A&amp;E, I&rsquo;m beyond grateful for being invited to document such an important day for you. Can we do this again next Sunday? 🥹💖
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Wedding Day Vendors:
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Lead Photographer: <a href="https://www.nathaliemonique.com/">Nathalie Monique Photography</a>
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Second Photographer: Tamara Rose Photography
Videographer: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/lisamaefilms/">Lisa Mae Films</a>
Venue &amp; Catering: <a href="https://puddicombehouse.com/weddings/">Puddicombe House</a>
Florist: <a href="https://lilieswhite.com/">Lilies White Floral Studio</a>
Makeup Artist: <a href="https://www.alanamariemua.com/">Alana Marie MUA</a>
Hair Stylist: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/totalbetty_kw/">Total Betty KW</a>
DJ: <a href="https://www.eardrum-productions.com/">Eardrum Productions</a>
Wedding Dress: <a href="https://www.sophiesgownshoppe.com/locations/kitchener-store">Sophies Gown Shoppe Kitchener</a>
Suit: <a href="https://www.mooresclothing.ca/">Moores Clothing</a>

Puddicombe House Wedding: Abby & Evan's Beautiful June Wedding

When Katie &amp; Stefan reached out to me to document their wedding, I was ecstatic. I shot Stefan's brother and sister-in-law; <a title="Rhys &amp; Rachael's Wedding" href="https://www.nathaliemonique.com/blog-posts/rachael-rhys-wedding" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Rhys &amp; Rachael's wedding</a> last summer, and I was pumped to be partying with the Eylotte family again this summer!
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Stefan &amp; Katie had a beautiful September wedding at <a title="Cherryvale Weddings" href="https://www.cherryvaleweddings.ca/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Cherryvale Weddings</a>, nestled in the heart of Prince Edward County. There's nothing quite like a September wedding - the temperature is perfect, the lighting is divine (truly a photographer's dream), and guests are excited to attend an event as all their summer activities are winding down.
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I don't know if I've ever been as excited as I was rolling up to the Cherryvale Weddings venue. As we arrived, we were greeted by a field of fluffy alpacas and the venue's two very friendly dogs - we learned that their names were Echo and Otis. (Like, how cute??) Walking in, the venue was full of activity. The florists from <a title="Stemz Toronto" href="https://www.instagram.com/stemzflowers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Stemz Toronto</a> were meticulously building the floral ceremony arch, and setting up the reception tent (I don't even think this counts as a tent, it's a gorgeous extension of the venue) with a stunning blend of pink and red florals.
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The main building at Cherryvale Weddings was the epitome of rustic elegance and served as the perfect backdrop for Katie and Stefan to get ready for their big day. The warm September sunlight streaming through the windows provided just the right kind of natural lighting that we needed to capture those candid moments getting ready.
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The ceremony was beautiful. Katie &amp; Stefan opted not to do a first look and instead met down the aisle. Katie was truly a VISION. She wore the most stunning gown from <a title="Chic Bridals Toronto" href="https://www.chicbridals.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Chic Bridals Toronto</a> and a cathedral length veil. Stefan &amp; Katie's daughter wore a matching dress made from the same fabric as Katie's dress... It can't get any cuter than that. After Katie &amp; Stefan tied the knot, guests were handed a glass of bubbly as they exited the ceremony and a toast was made to the newlyweds.

While every aspect of the day was perfection, the icing on the cake was golden hour. As the sun began to set, the September glow gave the venue an ethereal charm. We seized this opportunity and took Katie and Stefan for a walk through the beautiful gardens of Cherryvale. The soft glow of the setting sun, the shadow play, and the vibrant colors of the sky provided a breathtaking backdrop for the most gorgeous portraits. We wrapped up the photoshoot in the nearby fields which offered us the most spectacular sunset view we had seen all summer.

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The day ended with a night full of dancing, laughter, and unforgettable memories. (As I said earlier, this group knows how to throw a party). We can't help but feel grateful for being a part of Katie and Stefan's perfect day at Cherryvale Weddings. We wish them a lifetime of love and happiness.
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The vendor dream team:
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Photography: <a title="Nathalie Monique Photography" href="https://www.nathaliemonique.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nathalie Monique Photography</a>
Videography: <a title="Leslie Films" href="https://www.lesliefilms.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Leslie Films</a>
Venue: <a title="Cherryvale Weddings" href="https://www.cherryvaleweddings.ca/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Cherryvale Weddings</a>
Hair: <a title="Ibero Hair Co." href="https://www.alexisibero.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ibero Hair Co.</a>
Makeup: <a title="Jenna Makeup" href="https://jennamakeup.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jenna Makeup</a>
Dress: <a title="Chic Bridals Toronto" href="https://www.chicbridals.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Chic Bridals Toronto</a>
Florals: <a title="Stemz Toronto" href="https://www.instagram.com/stemzflowers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Stemz Toronto</a>
DJ: Tim Durkin
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