Sitting on a bench nestled in the woods behind the family cottage, Jessie and Trevor take a quiet moment together to exchange their vows. I'm far enough away with my zoom lens that I can't hear a word they're saying, but I am witness to the intimacy of their words. The way Jessie talks when she says something important. The way Trevor's arms move when they're really excited about something. The caring looks and small reassuring touches they share as they speak about their love and commitment to each other.
On the first day of their celebration, they bring together their family and closest friends in a small ceremony to share their dreams for their relationship, to make vows to their community, and to join their families together. A summer visit to the cottage wouldn't be complete without a swim, and as everyone jumps in the water, the order of the day is shaken off and in its place is spontaneity and frivolity.
On day two, the celebration moves underground, the guests walking through a blast tunnel before arriving at the reception 75 feet underground at the Diefenbunker Museum. As I move around the room and listen to the speeches, I repeatedly hear people talk about how Jessie and Trevor bring out the best in each other. Their celebration is interspersed by drag performances by Mistress Aurora Whorealis and Le Creep before everyone hits the dance floor.
Throughout their commitment ceremony, I'm inspired by how intentional Trevor and Jessie are in planning a celebration of the love they already have, thoughtfully making the celebration an event that reflects them and their relationship. This isn't a transformational moment in their relationship, but rather a celebration of what they already have. Jessie and Trevor experienced together, they experienced apart, and they decided that together was better.
Vendor List
Wedding Officiant : Benjamin James Lancaster
Wedding Planner : MINT Events (Moudane, Ilham, and Tricia)
Reception Venue : The Diefenbunker: Canada's Cold War Museum
Catering : The Swan At Carp
DJ : Goodvibe Mobile Entertainment
Drag Queen : Mistress Aurora Whorealis
Drag King : Le Creep
Ermine Earrings : Amisut Kuluk
Shoes : Fluevog
This queer commitment ceremony was photographed by Montreal wedding photographer Selena Phillips-Boyle. Selena specializes in wedding and portrait photography, and as a queer photographer, Selena photographs all celebrations of love. Here you can see Chris and Dan's gay wedding at Notre-Dame-de-l'île-Perrot. Here's a link to Anissa and Shay's Toronto wedding at Hart House. Here's a link to Cece and Florence's same sex wedding in the Laurentians.
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