HELLO
I’m Keyris a refined and editorial wedding photographer based in Montreal, specializing in local and destination weddings, as well as luxury elopements. With over 8 years of experience, I bring a unique and detailed eye to every love story, capturing moments that are authentic, timeless, and sophisticated.
As a dreamer and a determined, persistent woman, I find inspiration in the beauty of genuine connections and the natural world.
Whether it’s a quiet glance, a joyful laugh, or a breathtaking backdrop, I aim to preserve the magic of your special day through storytelling and fine art photography.
While I call Montreal home, my passion for capturing love stories has taken me across Canada and beyond including destination weddings in the Dominican Republic, as well as cities like Toronto and Ottawa. My services extend to both local and international weddings, ensuring that no matter where your love takes you, I can be there to document it.
Outside of photography, I’m a landscaper, chess player, and animal lover. These facets of my life enrich my perspective and approach to photography, allowing me to connect deeply with the stories I tell.
Celebrate Love with Cultural Flair
When you’re planning a wedding in a vibrant, multicultural city like Montreal, it’s only natural to want your big day to reflect your roots, your story, and your love. If you or your partner have Latin American heritage or if you just love the culture incorporating Latin wedding traditions can be a heartfelt and joyful way to honor your background while sharing it with your guests.
From lively music and dazzling traditions to symbolic rituals passed down for generations, Latin weddings are bursting with passion, color, and connection. Whether you’re looking to fully embrace your culture or simply add some unique touches, these Latin wedding traditions can bring soul and meaning to your Montreal wedding.
In this post, we’ll explore some of the most beloved Latin wedding customs, share tips on how to incorporate them into your wedding day in Montreal, and show you how these moments make for unforgettable wedding photography in Montreal.
Why Include Latin Wedding Traditions?
Latin wedding traditions are rich with symbolism, family involvement, and vibrant energy. Including them in your Montreal wedding is a powerful way to:
- Honor your roots and share your heritage with your partner and guests
- Involve family and padrinos in meaningful roles
- Create unforgettable photo opportunities with dynamic and visually rich moments
- Celebrate diversity in a city known for its multicultural spirit
Plus, they add personality and flair to your wedding day—something every couple deserves.
Key Latin Wedding Traditions to Embrace
- La Hora Loca (The Crazy Hour)
Think of it as a surprise party within your wedding. “La Hora Loca” kicks off late in the reception—usually when energy starts to dip—and instantly reignites the celebration. Think masks, LED lights, glow sticks, dancers, and wild costumes. The DJ cranks up the beats, and suddenly your wedding feels like a carnival in Rio.
How to include it in Montreal:
- Ask your wedding photographer in Montreal to be ready for action shots and motion blur
- Hire a local entertainment company that specializes in LED performers or samba dancers
- Hand out props like colorful hats, feather boas, and glow sticks to guests
These vibrant moments are a dream for any Montreal wedding photography services—full of laughter, movement, and color.
- Padrinos & Madrinas (Godparents or Sponsors)
In many Latin cultures, padrinos are chosen to sponsor parts of the wedding—whether it’s the rings, the lasso, or the cake. They’re more than helpers; they’re considered spiritual guides and honored guests.
How to include it in Montreal:
- Choose padrinos to take on symbolic roles or contribute to specific elements of the wedding
- Mention them in your ceremony program to honor their involvement
- Capture posed and candid moments with padrinos through your engagement and wedding photography in Montreal
- The Lazo Ceremony (Wedding Lasso Ritual)
Originating in Mexico and popular throughout Latin America, the lazo ceremony involves draping a rosary or floral rope around the couple in a figure-eight to symbolize unity.
How to include it in Montreal:
- Incorporate the ritual during your ceremony (your officiant can explain it to guests unfamiliar with it)
- Use a lasso passed down from family or customized with your wedding colors
- Ask your Montreal wedding photographer to capture this quiet, symbolic moment up close
- Arras (Unity Coins)
Another beautiful Latin tradition involves the groom presenting 13 coins to the bride, symbolizing his commitment to provide for the family. The bride accepts the coins, symbolizing her trust.
How to include it in Montreal:
- Include a bilingual explanation in your wedding program
- Use heirloom coins or personalized ones with your initials
- Capture this moment through detailed shots with your wedding photographer in Montreal
- Money Dance (El Baile del Dinero)
Guests pin money onto the bride’s and groom’s clothing in exchange for a dance. It’s fun, interactive, and helps the newlyweds start their life together.
How to include it in Montreal:
- Let your DJ or MC explain the tradition and encourage guests to join in
- Use decorative pins or sashes to collect the money
- Ask your Montreal wedding photographer to capture each dance as guests step in for their turn
- Maracas & Live Music
From mariachi bands to salsa and merengue, Latin weddings are known for their high-energy soundtracks.
How to include it in Montreal:
- Hire a Latin band or DJ who knows how to mix cultural and contemporary music
- Include traditional instruments or maracas on reception tables as favors
- Capture candid dancefloor moments with your engagement photographer Montreal if you do a rehearsal shoot
Blending Cultures: Making it Yours
Every couple is different, and so is every wedding. Whether one of you is Latinx or you’re blending different heritages, you can adapt any tradition to make it feel like you.
- Include Latin elements in your engagement photoshoot in Montreal—like a location with Latin architecture, music, or props
- Combine cultural rituals with traditional Western customs, like the first look or ring exchange
- Incorporate Spanish readings or vows into the ceremony
- Choose decor that fuses Latin motifs with your personal style
Remember, culture isn’t about following rules—it’s about storytelling.
Practical Tips for Incorporating Latin Traditions in Montreal
- Work with a photographer who understands cultural nuance. The best wedding photographer Montreal couples can hire will know when and how to capture these emotionally rich moments.
- Talk to your vendors. Many local Montreal wedding vendors are experienced with multicultural weddings—share your ideas early.
- Educate your guests. Use your program, wedding website, or MC to share the meaning behind traditions
- Plan for photos. From the couple photo session in Montreal to the final hora loca shots, make sure you include time in your timeline for these moments.
Your Montreal Wedding, Your Story
In a city as diverse and inclusive as Montreal, your wedding is the perfect opportunity to celebrate love and culture. Whether you go all in with every tradition or pick a few that speak to your heart, Latin customs can add color, warmth, and soul to your wedding day.
As a wedding and engagement photographer in Montreal, I’ve had the honor of capturing so many beautiful moments where culture meets romance—and I can’t wait to help you tell your story, your way.
Looking for the best wedding photographer Montreal has to offer? Let’s chat about how we can capture your day with all the joy, flair, and authenticity it deserves.
Let’s Make Magic Together
Whether you’re looking for couples photography Montreal style, an engagement photoshoot Montreal locals rave about, or wedding photography Montreal services that understand your roots I’m here for it.
Your love is unique. Your wedding photography should be too.
Stories Behind the Lens
With a storyteller’s eye and a refined artistic approach, I work closely with couples to create timeless, emotionally resonant photographs. For over 8 years, I’ve had the joy of capturing love stories across Montreal and beyond, turning fleeting moments into lasting memories.
I built on a warm, personalized experience where every couple feels truly seen and at ease. Inspired by the beauty of natural light, genuine emotion, and human connection, I aim to craft imagery that honors the unique essence of your journey together.
You’re newly engaged (Congrats!), you’re basking in that just-said-yes glow, and you’re already dreaming about how to capture this magical chapter of your love story. Cue: the engagement photoshoot. But here comes the million-dollar question, how do you find the right engagement photographer in Montreal who gets your vibe, captures your connection, and makes you look and feel amazing?
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