Grand Scale, Effortless Energy: A Beautiful Jewish Wedding at Salon Richmond
There is a distinct magic when a couple brings the fast-paced, high-fashion energy of New York City back home to the historic architectural landscape of Montreal. For Sami and Elijah, returning to the city where they first met and grew up meant celebrating a nearly ten-year journey together in the most magnificent way possible.
With a guest list of 300 family and friends, their spring wedding at Salon Richmond was an effortless balance, proving that a grand, historic space can still feel completely unforced, deeply personal, and beautifully candid.
The Venue: Industrial Grandeur in The Heart of Montreal
Salon Richmond, a breathtaking converted church with soaring cathedral ceilings and dramatic architectural bones, served as the ultimate backdrop. Located in the vibrant neighbourhood of Griffintown, this historic Montreal wedding venue was transformed for the spring with vibrant, intentional colour and lush floral installations that breathed life into the historic stone. The chuppah was an absolute masterpiece, complete with lovely florals which you will see in the images below.
Hosting 300 guests in a space this iconic requires a high level of design, but Sami and Elijah approached the entire day with a refreshing, go-with-the-flow philosophy. Instead of a rigid, performance-based schedule, they let the day breathe, creating space for genuine emotion, chaotic dance floors, and quiet, stolen glances.
The Style: A Study in Modern Curation
Every detail of the day felt entirely authentic to the couple’s sophisticated personal style. Sami was absolutely stunning in a bespoke two-piece wedding gown that felt entirely unique to her. It paired the clean, architectural lines of a structured satin corset top with a cascading, accordion-pleated skirt. It was the perfect mix of high-fashion structure and totally relaxed ease- stunning and entirely her.
Documenting the Day: The Texture of Analog Film
For a celebration of this scale, traditional, heavily posed photography simply wouldn’t do justice to the atmosphere. Loving the nostalgic, honest quality of analog film, we documented the day with an emphasis on raw, candid moments. I opted to use both 35mm film and 120mm film to truly capture the feelings of the day, not just how they appeared on a surface level. From couple portraits on my Contax film camera, to grainy, incredible medium format film photos of the chuppah and first dances, we truly captured the day in a true and authentic way. The photos feel relaxed and make you feel, which is always my absolute goal.
The contrast of grain and light against Salon Richmond’s high ceilings brought a timeless, documentary feel to the gallery. From the quiet anticipation of the getting ready spaces in downtown Montreal to the soaring energy of a 300-person Hora under the cathedral arches, the film frames captured the real, unscripted heartbeat of the night.
When you trust your day to unfold naturally, even the grandest venues feel intimately your own.
THE CREATIVE TEAM
- Montreal Wedding Photography: Aliza Dworkind Photography (35mm and 120mm film)
- Venue: Salon Richmond
- DJ: Eric The Tutor
- Videographers: Lex and Ben
- Band: Rhapsody Orchestra
Ilford 3200 on my Mamiya 645, is pure film photography heaven.
The first look between Sami, her dad and brother was one of my favourites I've ever photographed. Pure emotion with no camera interference. Let the moment unfold and capture it, just as it happened.
I loved this effortless moment, capturing the bride and groom crossing the street in Old Montreal.
The grandeur of this Montreal wedding venue, as the bride walks down the aisle, captured on a wide angle from above.
Rhapsody Orchestra absolutely set the room on fire with a full ensemble—the energy was unmatched from the very first set.
The dance floor was on fire all night long, in the heart of Montreal.
