Photographed by Tamer Ibrahim, Kameel Ottawa Photography · Ottawa & Gatineau · October 2022 · Coptic Orthodox ceremony followed by reception at Casino Lac-Leamy
Some weddings tell you what they're going to be the second you walk in. Noura was in her robe finishing her makeup at the dining room mirror, the dress was hanging on the back deck catching the morning light, and the whole house had that quiet, focused energy that good wedding days always have — like everyone knows exactly what comes next and is in no hurry to get there. By the time we got to the church, the gold of the Coptic Orthodox altar was bouncing off the pink and white florals her family had set up at the front, and Michael was waiting in the deacon's gold-embroidered robe with the bouquet in his hands and a smile that didn't go away for the rest of the day.
This is one of my favourite kinds of wedding to photograph: a full church ceremony, a real getaway car (a white Porsche, in this case, parked in front of a maple in full October fire), a long afternoon of fall portraits around Lac de la Carrière, and then a reception inside Casino Lac-Leamy in Gatineau that ran late, danced hard, and ended with the whole family in a circle around the bride.
Chapter 1 — Getting Ready
The morning belonged to the dress and the light. The gown — beaded chevron, blush undertone, hanging on the back deck where the cool October air kept it perfectly still — set the tone for everything that came after. Inside, Noura finished her makeup in front of a small round mirror with her family in and out of the room, then sat for the veil and tiara in the soft window light.
Chapter 2 — The Ceremony (Coptic Orthodox)
Coptic weddings are long, layered, deeply musical, and visually unlike any other ceremony I photograph in Ottawa. The priest leads the couple through prayers, blessings, and the crowning — that moment when both the bride and groom are crowned and stand together as the church chants over them. Michael wore the white-and-gold priestly vestment. The florals along the front of the church were stacked into tall pink-and-white pillars that caught every bit of the natural light coming through the upper windows.
The Hilton Lac-Leamy team is experienced with weddings — they've hosted hundreds of them, and it shows. The logistics are smooth, which means less stress for the couple and more space for genuine, relaxed moments to unfold naturally.
From a photography standpoint, the venue gives us everything we need:
- Getting ready rooms with good natural light
- Outdoor ceremony spaces with the lake as a backdrop
- Grand ballroom interiors for receptions that feel luxurious without feeling cold
- Exterior walkways and terraces for portraits at any point in the day
- The casino grounds themselves — with their dramatic modern architecture — for something a little more editorial and unexpected
A Word About Fall Weddings in Ottawa-Gatineau
If you're on the fence about a fall wedding, let me nudge you gently off that fence.
Ottawa and Gatineau in September and October are extraordinary. The region's forests go full colour — deep reds, bright oranges, warm yellows — and the weather is usually crisp and clear. You get that beautiful soft light all day, not the harsh midday sun of summer. Couples are comfortable. Guests are comfortable. And the photos have a warmth and richness that's very hard to achieve any other time of year.
Casino Lac-Leamy, sitting right on the water and surrounded by those fall trees, captures everything that makes this region magical in autumn.
Thinking About Getting Married at Casino Lac-Leamy?
If you're considering this venue for your Ottawa or Gatineau wedding, I'd love to be your photographer. I know the grounds, I know the light throughout the day, and I know exactly where to take you for those fifteen golden minutes that produce the photos you'll treasure forever.
I'm based in Ottawa and serve couples across the Ottawa-Gatineau region — and yes, I travel too.
Get in touch here → or visit my Investment page to see packages.
Kameel Ibrahim is an Ottawa-based wedding and lifestyle photographer specializing in natural, candid, and emotionally driven photography. Serving Ottawa, Gatineau, and beyond.
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