An elegant outdoor tented backyard wedding in Stratford Ontario.

An Elegant Private, Intimate Backyard Tent Wedding.

Some weddings feel like they belong in a storybook—this was one of them. Set against the quiet beauty of Stratford, Ontario, this intimate tented backyard wedding unfolded at the bride and groom’s newly built home, a place that already held so much meaning for them. Instead of a traditional venue, they chose to build a custom tent for 80 guests, crafting an experience that felt deeply personal and entirely their own. The ceremony took place in the forest behind their home, where towering trees stood as silent witnesses to their vows.

As a documentary wedding photographer, I approach weddings by capturing the moments as they unfold—candid, unscripted, and full of raw emotion. This wedding, with its black and white film aesthetic, lent itself perfectly to that approach. There’s something about stripping away color that brings out the true essence of a moment. The light filtering through the trees during the ceremony, the quiet, knowing glances between the couple, and the way their family and friends leaned in just a little closer—all of it felt timeless.

One of my favorite frames from the day is of the bride standing barefoot in the grass just before walking down the aisle. Her dress, simple yet elegant, moved softly in the breeze as she took a deep breath. It’s a moment of anticipation that speaks louder than words. Another image, taken just after they exchanged vows, shows the groom’s hands gently cradling the bride’s face—a completely unposed, fleeting second that might have gone unnoticed had I not been watching for it.

The reception under the tent felt like an extension of their home—warm, inviting, and filled with the kind of laughter that lingers. Guests gathered around long wooden tables, candles flickering in the evening air. The speeches were heartfelt, and the dance floor, set beneath a canopy of string lights, was alive well into the night. This tented backyard wedding was more than just an event; it was a reflection of the couple’s love for nature, their home, and the people closest to them.

Black and white wedding photography has a way of distilling a story down to its most essential elements. It strips away distraction, leaving only the feeling, the connection, the truth of the moment. This wedding was a testament to that—a celebration not just of love but of home, of new beginnings, and of the beauty found in the unscripted.