jane & andrew | toronto, canada destination wedding

this wedding was incredibly special because it almost didn't happen. but the power of love & miracles it did. i wrote about their amazing story below, i hope you are able to take the time and read it.

This is their story…

Andrew and Jane met in college in 2011 and it was “love at first date” - according to Jane. She was pursuing a career in design and Andrew was studying to become a lawyer. Their opposite personalities complimented each other perfectly. They hit it off. Dates were fun and creative and yet also deep and engaging. She quickly fell for this brilliant and yet incredibly kind man and he was captivated by her effervescent personality and creativity. They dated for the next year and a half, experiencing long distance and different seasons, but their relationship grew stronger and a love for each other grew deeper. 

Jane is a friend of mine and asked if I could captured their engagement and wedding for them whenever it would be! I couldn’t be more excited! As October 2014 came, I randomly bumped into Andrew and found out he was planning on proposing to Jane that weekend! They were going to be engaged. Andrew planned an incredible engagement in the Blue Ridge mountains and they committed themselves to each other, no matter what would happen.

That promise was quickly put to the test as 6 months after they were engaged, with a wedding planned for May 25th, 2014, Andrew was diagnosed with a brain tumor on April 23rd, 2014. 

A brain tumor. A large 9cm mass growing in his brain. 

He had started experiencing headaches a week before Jane was planning on moving to their new location in Norfolk, VA. When she moved, they decided to go to the ER where they discovered the tumor and the fact that Andrew would need to have brain surgery as soon as possible.

They flew to Kansas, where he was able to meet with a top 10 surgeon to have his surgery - only a week after diagnosis! The outcome didn’t look good. They were told before surgery Andrew would have up to 2 years to live. They held onto hope and, thanks to thousands of people, they were surrounded in prayer for a miracle. They believed God could do a miracle. The surgery took place May 1st and their wedding was still on hold until they could see the final result.  

Andrew’s tumor was completely removed and I was able to capture their wedding only THREE weeks after surgery! Everything went as planned and this wedding was far more than a celebration of love, it was a celebration of life. I can’t wait to show you these pictures, their joy in these images truly reflected the joy in that day. I am so thankful I could be a part of their story, I hope you enjoy this day as much as I did.


To see all Chelsea Diane Photography’s photos for the entire wedding day, click here.
Or to check out the video of their day by Schwenk Film + Photography by clicking here.

healthy & happy jane and andrew are expecting their first child (a BOY!) this summer! this is just the beginning of their amazing story. their foundation is so promising! i am so thankful for their friendship! 
oh and by the way.. jane is my amazing graphic designer! she is the hands behind this beautiful website.

thank you for blessing me with capturing your story!
xo chelsea diane