How to plan a Relaxed Intimate Wedding in Toronto & Durham Region
Are you getting married in 2025 or 2026? Huge congrats to you! I am sure you are both still grinning from ear to ear and rightly so! It’s such an exciting time. It is also an overwhelming time but it doesn’t have to be. This blog post will help you consider an Intimate/Micro Wedding. One that still has the wow factor but is budget-friendly and less stress! Heck yea!
I promise to include practical tips to help you as a couple plan a meaningful, low stress day within the Durham Region and Toronto area.
Start with What Matters Most
It’s important to define your core values. Things that matter most to you both (ie: connections, family and location)
Before diving into guest lists or table settings, pause and reflect: What do we want to feel on our wedding day? Is it peaceful? Joyful? Private? Write down your non-negotiables — like personal vows, a private first look, or having your dog walk down the aisle — and let those values guide every decision from here.
2. Choose a Venue That Feels Like You
The right space sets the tone. Skip oversized banquet halls and opt for venues that feel personal. Think of Boutique Hotels, Gardens, Private Estates
or Backyard Weddings. A few stunning options in Toronto and Durham Region include the following below. These smaller venues often
allow more flexibility with timelines, decor, and layout — all helping you stay relaxed. Here are a few local venues in Toronto and the
Durham Region that suit small weddings. The Lake House, Heintzman House, Bellamy Loft, Bloom Field Gardens, Harding Waterfront Estate,
3. Create a Small, Meaningful Guest List
A smaller guest list opens the door to elevated experiences. Imagine fewer introductions and more quality time and can fit your budget better.
You can treat your guests to custom cocktails, a chef-prepared dinner, or even handwritten notes at each place setting.
4. Simplify Your Wedding Day Timeline
One of the biggest perks of an intimate wedding? No rush. You can sleep in, enjoy a slow breakfast, and get ready without the chaos.
Here’s a simple relaxed sample timeline:
• 2 PM: First look
• 3 PM: Ceremony
• 4 PM: Portraits + cocktails
• 6 PM: Dinner + toasts
• 8 PM: Cake, dancing, or fireside chill
Eliminate traditions that don’t feel right for you — like bouquet tosses or overly structured entrances — and build your own rhythm.
5. Work with Vendors Who Specialize in Intimate Celebrations
It is SO important to hire a Photographer (like myself) who knows how to document quiet, in-between moments.
I highly recommend that you speak to your potential photographer to make sure they are the right fit for you and your family,
You want someone who is invested in you and your day. One who is relatable and not just there for another gig.
I recommend doing your research for Wedding Florists ( like Aspen Florist) who have been in the business for over a decade and provide
the BEST customer service from start to finish, not to mention the highest quality in blooms. Planners like One in a Million Events will help
curate the most beautiful Wedding Day for you with the utmost care and detail.
6. Add Personal Touches That Reflect Your Story
The beauty of a small wedding is that you can do things your way. Write your own vows, choose a ceremony reading that’s deeply personal, or
wear a family heirloom. One couple I photographed in Durham shared tea after their ceremony to honour their heritage — it was the most grounding
and beautiful moment of the day.
7. Bonus Tips for Relaxed Planning
If you aren’t using a planner, consider hiring a day of co-ordinator.
Do a first look to calm the nerves
Create a no-pressure photo list or better yet, leave that up to your Photographer.
Leave time for just the two of you post ceremony. Bridal Portraits/Photos can be done during this time, or if weather allows sneak off for Golden Hour Photos.
Whether you’re planning a Toronto elopement, a backyard celebration in the Durham Region, or a cozy wedding in a lakeside venue, the best intimate weddings are the ones that feel like you. Looking for a photographer who specializes in small, heartfelt weddings? Reach out Here or Browse my Portfolio. I’d love to help you slow down, soak it in, and preserve every beautiful moment.
Congratulations and I can’t wait to document your Wedding Day for you both!
Newborn Baby Girl: Petra King Photography I Maternity + Baby + Wedding Photographer
The journey of documenting life’s most important milestones never loses its magic. From maternity and newborn sessions to first birthday’s and beyond, it s a privilege to preserve these moments for my clients. Every chapter tells a story and I’m honoured to help you hold onto the memories that matter most.
There’s something truly magical about welcoming a new life into the world. Those first few days with your newborn are a whirlwind of emotions—overwhelming love, quiet wonder, and the incredible realization that life will never be the same. These fleeting moments pass in the blink of an eye, and before you know it, your tiny baby will be stretching, growing, and changing every day. Or wondering where the time has gone as your youngest is now in University!
That’s why I am so passionate about portrait photography. It’s more than just taking pictures—it’s about preserving the feeling of these early days, the softness of tiny fingers wrapped around yours, the peaceful expressions as they sleep, and the love that fills the room. These are the moments you’ll want to hold onto forever.
What sets me photography sessions apart? I create a warm, relaxed, and safe environment where both baby and parents can feel at ease. You are family when you walk into the studio. With a soft, timeless, and natural approach, I focus on capturing the purity and beauty of your baby without distractions. Simple and natural. Every detail, from the gentle posing to the delicate textures and soft lighting, is designed to highlight the love and connection that makes your family unique.
As a portrait photographer with a career that spans the last 19 years, I have the privilege of documenting life’s most cherished milestonesThank you for the —maternity, newborn, first birthdays , family sessions and beyond. It’s not just about capturing images; it’s about telling your family’s story, celebrating each chapter, and preserving the emotions that come with them.
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If you’re expecting and want to document the first precious days of your baby’s life, I would be honoured to create timeless images for you. Let’s capture these moments together before they slip away. Contact the studio today to book your session. I generally suggest to book at least 2-3 months in advance as we do sell out quickly.
Now booking for our Spring and Summer Calendar newborn sessions! Reach out to reserve your session today.
Petra King Photography’s studio celebrates Baby Milestones in the Oshawa, Bowmanville, Courtice, Whitby, Durham Region, Toronto, GTA and surrounding areas.
Top 5 Oils for new Moms: Petra King Photography I Maternity + Baby + Wedding Photographer
Welcoming a new baby into your lives is HUGE. It’s a BIG change to your family dynamics, be it your first or not. Along with these changes come a whole bag of tricks that we are generally unprepared for. Sleep deprivation, emotions, stress, fighting germs and oh ya…hormones.
I am here to help make motherhood easier.If you are concerned about all the crap that is out there and worried what’s best for you and baby, this will help. Bite sized info that are easy to digest. Any help or advice on what works while you are in the thick of things is what most moms crave, right? And at the end of the day YOU need to do what you believe is best. These are MY top 5 oils for new moms that I know you will love and appreciate.
Lavender
This is not your Grandmother’s lavender bathroom spray lol. This is the Swiss Army of oils. It also smells way different. In the best way too, because what we are used to is synthetic or a fragrance. YL Lavender is pure. Uplifts moods, amazing to unwind and my go to for sleep, skin (anti-fungal/inflammatory properties) Scrapes,bites and a great antihistamine.
Copiaba
Once teething hits…this is a lifesaver :) It’s powerful anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antiseptic properties help to ease the pain on tender gums in minutes. It is also great for the nervous system, healing the skin and for colds/respiratory system.
Thieves
One oil I cannot live without! Every home needs Thieves and those who use it will totally speak volumes about it too. Thieves kills 99.98% of germs. Amazing for your immune support, keeping you healthy and warding off sickness. It dates back to the 15th Century when grave robbers stole from the sick/dying during the plague. It is YL’s #1 seller. They have a whole home cleaning line using Thieves oil.
Peace and Calming
This beautiful blend is perfect for calming and soothing anxiety, stress, hyperactiveness and can help with insomnia. Great support for your emotional and nervous system too!
Progessence Photo Plus (PPP)
Let’s talk about homones shall we? They aren’t fun and one minute you are hot the next freezing and in tears. I get it…been there lol. Progessence supports healthy hormone balance in women. It contains natural hormone extract (use progesterone) from wild yams. Provides relief during PMS and menopause, endometriosis, PCOS, PPD, hot flashes, insomnia, hair loss, weight gain and so much more. I love it. I use it twice a day (am and night) 1-2 drops as part of my daily routine.
Interested in trying something to see how it can help you and your family? Use this link below to save you 24% AND an additional 10% on your first order. Creating your account is easy and free and ZERO obligations.
I am here for you mama. Sharing my knowledge and love with you because healthy mamas and healthy families matter.
Welcome sweet little Sonny. Your big sister and family love you so much!
Much love and till next time,
Petra
Petra King Photography’s studio celebrates Baby Milestones in the Oshawa, Bowmanville, Courtice, Whitby, Durham Region, Toronto, GTA and surrounding areas.
Austin One Year: Petra King Photography I Maternity + Baby + Wedding Photographer
This beautiful family has been coming in for their most important milestones for the last 4 years. Austin and mama came in to celebrate his one year and once he warmed up to being somewhere new he had lots of fun!
If you have a little one who gets overwhelmed easily but want to document this stage, know that our sessions are never rushed. We take time to play and explore, pause for cuddles and snacks too.
Because at the end of the day, YOU are investing in memories and your session with me. I promise the experience will be a beautiful one along with gorgeous Milestone Portraits to cherish forever.
Plus…I always manage to get a smile or two :)
Petra King Photography specializes in Motherhood & Baby Photography, Serving
Low-Tox Young Living Education in Ajax, Pickering, Oshawa, Bowmanville, Courtice, Whitby, Durham Region, Toronto, GTA and surrounding areas.
Diffusing vs Candles: Petra King Photography I Maternity + Baby + Wedding Photographer
The first Blog entry of 2025! Happy New Year friends. I hope you are all staying healthy and happy? Today’s blog post is going to hit a little differently. Less talking and more visuals for you ;).
If I could write a letter to my younger self I would strongly encourage myself to have done my research earlier! Blindly following labels just because they say all natural, pure, safe or green clean is far from what lies underneath. It’s a term called “Greenwashing” Simply put, hidden toxins, chemicals and fragrances that are otherwise banned or renamed just to sell a product.
Fast forward 15 years and I started using Young Living Essential Oils and dove into learning all I could. I am now older and more wiser :)
And when I ditched candles for my diffuser
These graphics should help breakdown and simplify things as it does get very overwhelming at times when you WANT to make a change but aren’t sure where to start.
I am not sure about you but at the time I had NO idea….read on
Curious about carcinogens? Click the graphic below for more info in a PDF.
Enter Young Living. A natural journey I embarked on ultimately for myself, turned into one that the whole family uses daily.
And WHY Young Living is different and THE Industry Leader in the HIGHEST quality and purest Essential Oils and Products on the market.
Still not convinced? Why not try out a few of these or blend together and create your own all natural and GOOD for you scent in your home? If you find something you love, please share it with me. I LOVE finding new scents that uplift, calm or just make me feel good!
Ready to get started and make a switch to a more natural and healthy lifestyle? Click the link to have access to my wholesale prices and receive an additional 10% off your first order.
Get started here
I can’t wait to welcome to the amazing world of Young Living.
I promise you will ask yourself why you didn’t start sooner.
How to fight germs naturally: Petra King Photography I Wedding + Maternity + Baby Photographer
How many times have you heard yourself say next year I will be more prepared? We said goodbye to the warmer temps not that long ago and before you feel like you are stuck on the never ending Groundhog Day with sickness hamster wheel let’s get a jump on things early shall we.
Mama…I am here to let you in on my secret weapon. Actually that’s a lie. It’s NO secret at all. BUT if you are new to the world of natural and plant based products than listen up.
Thieves Essential Oil has been my #1 product to keep us healthy year round.
Thieves kills 99.96% of germs and is 100% natural. This blend has been around since the 15th Century and Young Living is the original company to bring it to market for us. It is also YL’s Top selling product. And for good reason too. It’s a powerhouse oil made up of: Cinnamon Bark, Clove, Rosemary, Lemon and Eucalyptus.
Some of my favourite ways to use:
Thieves Tea: brew some tea (I love peppermint) let it cool slightly and then add some raw honey and a drop of Thieves and Lemon Essential oil.
Thieves + Honey Throat Coat: 1 tbsp honey, 1 tsp water, 2 drops Thieves, 3 drops Lemon. Heat water and honey together until liquid then add in the oils. Stir together and serve on a spoon. Make sure the liquid isn't too hot or close to boiling before adding oils. Then just eat it.
Diffuse round the clock for an amazing smell without the toxins candles release and for added IMMUNE support for everyone in your home! It goes wonderfully with Lemon or Orange for a clean, warm atmosphere! OR pair with Lavender at bedtime for sleepy, wellness vibes.
Dilute in a roller and roll on the bottom of the feet, along the spine and/or over the lymph nodes daily for overall wellness. This works perfectly for kids as part of your daily routine before school or at bedtime.
Sound like something your family needs? Here’s a hot tip…once you try it and see what it can do for you and your family you will wonder why you didn’t start sooner. Take it from a mama who said the SAME thing!
Here’s where to grab some. P.S…your FREE Young Living account will also give you 10% off your first order! Use my referral code #19271124 and this link so you’ll be connected with me if EVER you need help. Lastly…welcome! I am SO thrilled you are here.