A Modern Black-Tie Wedding at Bodega Ridge, Galiano Island
There’s something quietly powerful about letting the landscape lead. Emily and Mark’s wedding at Bodega Ridge on Galiano Island was rooted in contrast, formal black-tie attire set against rugged West Coast terrain, elevated design softened by organic textures, and a celebration that felt intentional without ever feeling overworked.
As a Vancouver film photographer, I’m drawn to weddings that feel confident and grounded - where style comes from restraint, and emotion comes first. This day struck that balance effortlessly. From the beginning, Emily and Mark envisioned a wedding that felt elegant but relaxed. Their idea of “casual elegance” meant embracing the natural beauty of Galiano Island and allowing the geography itself to become a central design element.
They loved the confidence of not needing to alter or decorate the landscape, wild terrain, open skies, and rolling hills became the backdrop. The result was a wedding that felt refined yet deeply personal, where guests (and the couple themselves) could fully be at ease. This approach is one of the reasons Galiano Island wedding photography feels so timeless - when the setting is honoured rather than overstyled, the images naturally hold depth and longevity.
Emily and Mark met during university in Victoria, Mark having grown up in Toronto, and Emily originally from Calgary. Though they were in different faculties, overlapping friend groups and a bit of “sneaky schedule memorizing” kept bringing them together on campus.
Their relationship unfolded naturally, shaped by shared West Coast experiences and a love of exploration - something that still defines them today. Now living in San Francisco, Mark works in software and Emily in biotech. Their weekends are often spent walking the city, stopping for coffee, snacks, or wine, planning their next trip, or discovering new corners of the Bay Area with friends and family.
That sense of curiosity and ease translated beautifully into their wedding weekend.
Design for the day leaned intentionally into the natural beauty of Bodega Ridge. Raw textures, terra cotta pots, organic garnishes like lemons, and natural florals complemented the venue without competing with it.
The team at Wednesday Wedding Co brought Emily and Mark’s vision to life with incredible care, translating inspiration into a design plan that felt both elevated and unfussy. Lauren at Gossip Floral created arrangements using seasonal blooms - delicate, unique, and softly colourful, perfectly suited to the landscape.
Every visual element felt considered, but never precious. The result was understated, romantic, and quietly modern, exactly the kind of setting that photographs beautifully on film.
Both Emily and Mark wanted to feel elegant but still like themselves. Mark wore a mohair tuxedo jacket, formal yet light and breathable, perfectly suited to the warm ceremony weather. Emily found her dress almost immediately, falling in love with its liquid satin fabric. One guest described it as resembling the inside of a seashell, a comment that couldn’t have been more fitting for the coastal setting. The textures, movement, and simplicity of their outfits photographed beautifully - especially on film, where light and fabric take on a softness that feels timeless.
Weddings like this are why I love photographing on film - especially in places like Galiano Island. The textures, light, and subtle movement of the landscape pair so naturally with film’s softness and depth.
BRIDE Emily Bray, @em_bray GROOM Mark Boos, @mwboos VENUE Bodega Ridge, @bodegaridge PHOTOGRAPHER Lauren Kurc, @laurenkurc STYLIST Taryn Sanderson – Wednesday Wedding Co., @wednesdayweddingco PLANNER Abbee Seath – Wednesday Wedding Co., @wednesdayweddingco FLORAL Gossip Floral, @gossipfloralCELEBRANT Our friend, Kendra ENTERTAINMENT SoundStripe Music Co., @soundstripemusicco HIRE Sie Collection, @siecollectionyvr; Bespoke Decor, @bespokedecor; Bodega Ridge, @bodegaridge CATERING Bodega Ridge, @bodegaridge STATIONERY & SIGNAGE Wednesday Wedding Co., @wednesdayweddingco WEDDING RINGS Tiffany & Co, @tiffanyandco ENGAGEMENT RING VRAI, @vraiofficial BRIDAL DRESS Palm Dress – NEWHITE, @newhite_bridal BRIDE’S SHOE Schutz, @schutz BRIDE’S ACCESSORIES Earrings – Jenny Bird, @_jennybird HAIR & MAKEUP Alisha Hopps, @alisha_hopps BRIDE’S FRAGRANCE The Noir – Le Labo, @lelabofragrances TUXEDO Single-breasted Mohair Tuxedo – Prada, @prada GROOM’S SHOE Tux Plain Toe Oxford – Florsheim, @florsheimshoes GROOM’S FRAGRANCE Pour Homme – Brunello Cucinelli, @brunellocucinelli_brand
