“It’s easy as photographers to get a bit stagnant, relying on what’s available and just reacting to the day. But I’ve never really subscribed to that mindset. For me, every wedding is an opportunity to create something intentional and unique.”

This wedding was happening close to home for us, which meant our team had more leverage to go all in and create something special. And we did. From the planning to the props, we went above and beyond to curate every scene with its own mood, tone, and texture. Yes, we bought our own props to the wedding.

Lace curtains to soften and add texture to the getting ready space to break up the plain white walls.

A green backdrop at the first look to add a touch of drama and give that editorial flair.

And for the couple’s portraits, a white horse… because honestly, what’s more whimsical than that? It felt like the perfect fit for the bride’s vision that we had worked on together.

We love the variation and creativity we were able to bring to this day. It was almost like a blank canvas and we could just run wild.

Photographer: Koko King

When it comes to the getting ready portion of the day, I’m always hunting for the most visually interesting space — whether that’s a room with great wallpaper, beautiful furniture, bold wall colours, or sometimes just really compelling light.

It’s not uncommon for me to suggest moving to a living room or dining area if it has more character than a standard bedroom — I’m all about choosing the setting that elevates the story.

On this day, the room was a bit plain with white walls, so I used a lace backdrop to add some interest around the bed frame.

I also hung the dress outdoors to highlight the natural surroundings, and brought along a leaf blower to add movement to the veil shots.

I also love to bring in a continuous light to add a bit of visual drama (and as a bonus, the video team loves me). It’s all about finding or shaping the light to make those early moments feel just as cinematic and intentional as the rest of the day.

With all four of us shooting the ceremony, including one solely shooting on Polaroids, I knew we had the freedom to explore multiple perspectives.

Instead of using a drone (which can feel noisy and distracting during such an intimate moment), we focused on thoughtful camera placements. I positioned myself behind the groom to document his view as the bride walked down the aisle for a more emotional, grounded angle that puts the viewer in his shoes.

Meanwhile, I had part of my team stationed on a small hill beside the aisle. From there, they were able to capture the full sweep of the bride’s entrance: her train flowing, the full scale of the seating, and the energy of the crowd.

Since both the bride and groom model part-time, I knew I wanted to lean into that and create images that felt elevated and editorial. We had three portrait windows: 30 minutes before the ceremony, 20 minutes at sunset, and 10 minutes late at night, so I planned each with intention and variety in mind.

For these we used high noon light: harsh, dramatic, and perfect for what I had in mind. I brought in a white paper backdrop to eliminate visual distractions, and paired it with a white horse to add a whimsical, sculptural element.

I either embraced the shadows or minimized them with on-camera flash, depending on how the light played out in the moment. This sequence was all about composition, posture, and contrast; a clean, editorial look with strong storytelling. And yes again, we know it was extra to bring a horse!

At Sunset Portraits

I wanted to soften the feel and introduce more movement with these. Because you can’t always rely on wind (unfortunately), I brought a leaf blower to animate the bride’s veil and add visual energy.

I often build a photo around one or more of these elements: light, texture, and movement. Golden hour gave me the perfect mix. The light was already working in my favor, and the added motion gave the photos a sense of life and spontaneity.

We used a vintage car to use as a cinematic prop. I used continuous light while they were inside to create more atmospheric, film-inspired imagery. The constant light helped to see the shadows and angles in real time.

Reception & Closing Thoughts

It’s easy as photographers to get a bit stagnant, relying on what’s available and just reacting to the day. But I’ve never really subscribed to that mindset. For me, every wedding is an opportunity to create something intentional and unique.

I always try to bring in at least one planned element. Whether it’s a prop, a backdrop, or a specific concept or something that elevates the experience for the couple and lets me photograph the setting in a new way.

This wedding was definitely a “go big” moment. We incorporated multiple elements: a white horse, a vintage car, and a series of custom backdrops. But even when we keep it simpler, there’s always at least one detail we add that’s curated to the couple and the location.

It’s about more than just documenting, it’s about creating a world that reflects who they are, and doing it with purpose (and a little bit of magic).

Vendor Credits
Planning & Design: @seaandsilkevents
Florals: @wearepollennation
Venue: @lebelvedereweddings
Hair & Makeup: @style_e_beauty
Dress: @whitemontreal
Cake: @batterupbakeryca
Rentals: @wedecor_inc