When it comes to choosing a wedding venue that exudes sophistication and timeless charm, few locations can match the historic allure of the Eglinton Grand in Toronto, Ontario.

Dress: Becker’s Bridal
Makeup: Clarissa Justine
Cake Designer: Taylor Made Sweets and Treats
Invitations: Kate Butler-Plane
Decorator/Flowers: Sultana Rahaman
DJ/Entertainment: Sean Listro
Videographer: Sprout Productions

Originally an iconic movie theatre from the grand era of Art Deco design, this venue has been meticulously restored to its original 1937 glamour, providing a truly unique backdrop for both wedding ceremonies and receptions. For couples planning a summer wedding and photographers tasked with capturing it, the Eglinton Grand offers a spectacular canvas. Here, we delve into the intricacies of summer wedding photography at this prestigious venue, with a special focus on employing off-camera lighting and flash photography to enhance the luxurious feel of the event.

The Grandeur of Eglinton Grand: A Perfect Stage for Summer Weddings
The Eglinton Grand is not just a venue; it’s a historic landmark. Each corner of the space tells a story, draped in the elegance of a bygone era, making it a dream setting for a summer wedding. The ceremony at the Eglinton Grand, often held in its majestic ballroom, offers a dramatic flair with its sweeping staircases and the striking, original marquee outside. As the sunlight filters through during the early evening, the ambient light mixed with the architectural lighting inside creates an enchanting atmosphere.

Mastering Off-Camera Lighting and Flash Photography

Understanding the Venue’s Lighting
Photographing a summer wedding at Eglinton Grand requires a nuanced understanding of lighting. Daytime ceremonies benefit from the generous natural light streaming through the doors, casting soft, diffused light across the venue. As the day transitions into evening, the interior lighting of the Eglinton Grand takes over—highlighting its Art Deco fixtures and luxurious decor.
Using Off-Camera Flash
To capture the full splendor of the venue and its joyful celebrations, the strategic use of off-camera flash is essential. Off-camera lighting allows for more control over the lighting environment, especially in a venue as opulent but complexly lit as Eglinton Grand.
Highlighting Architectural Beauty: Positioning off-camera flashes strategically around the venue can accentuate its magnificent architectural details—the grand columns, intricate moldings, and the sweeping grandeur of its ceilings.
Creating Depth and Dimension: By using off-camera lighting, photographers can add depth to their images, making them appear more three-dimensional and vivid. This technique is particularly useful in the dramatic reception space of the Eglinton Grand, where the play of light and shadow can be used to create an almost cinematic quality in wedding photos.
Balancing Ambient Light: In the transition from daylight to evening, off-camera lighting is critical in balancing the ambient light with the flash, ensuring that the photographs maintain a natural yet polished look.

Photographing the Ceremony

The ceremony at Eglinton Grand, with its historical ambiance and stately decor, calls for a delicate balance of exposure and flash usage. The goal is to enhance but not overpower the natural beauty and the solemnity of the occasion. Softboxes or diffusers may be used with off-camera flashes to soften the light and reduce shadows, ensuring that the couple and their guests are illuminated beautifully against the opulent backdrop.

The Reception: A Scene of Dramatic Elegance

As the celebration moves to the reception, held in the venue’s dramatic reception space, the true splendor of Eglinton Grand comes alive. Here, the lighting setup can be more creative. Photographers often employ a combination of gelled flashes to add a touch of color and drama to the dance floor and surrounding areas. The goal is to reflect the joy and energy of the celebration while still capturing the luxurious essence of the space.
Concluding Thoughts
A summer wedding at the Eglinton Grand in Toronto is nothing short of spectacular. For photographers, mastering the use of off-camera lighting and flash photography in such an elegant setting is both a challenge and a delight. By effectively utilizing these techniques, every moment—from the tender exchanges during the ceremony to the exuberant festivities of the reception—can be immortalized with a sense of luxury and historical richness that the venue deserves.
In the world of wedding photography, the Eglinton Grand stands out as not just a venue, but as a pivotal character in the story of each couple’s special day, captured beautifully through the lens of skilled photographers who understand the interplay of light and luxury.