Golden Hour at The Cove: A Venue Walk Before the Wedding

Every wedding I photograph begins with a quiet ritual—walking the grounds in the days before, letting the light guide me, and listening to the stories the place is already holding. For this weekend’s wedding at The Cove Lakeside Resort, I wandered with my camera at sunset, watching how the last rays of light brushed the lake, the gardens, and the mountain ridges. This is how I prepare—not by chance, but with intention—so that when love fills the air, I already know where the magic will unfold.

The Cove itself is a dream of elegance and ease, set right on the edge of Okanagan Lake. At golden hour, the shoreline glows soft and warm, the perfect backdrop for romance. As I stood there, I imagined the couple stepping into that light, framed by mountains and water—moments that will look effortless but are rooted in the care I put in days before.

Next door, the Gellatly Nut Farm adds a depth and history that makes this place unlike any other. Rows of century-old walnut and chestnut trees create natural arches, shaded pathways, and secret corners where love stories can be tucked into the landscape. There’s a rhythm to walking among the orchards—the crunch of gravel paths, the sway of branches overhead—that reminds me a wedding is more than a celebration. It’s a continuation of stories already written into the land.

Gellatly Nut Farm

The staff at The Cove welcomed me with warmth, giving me the freedom to roam. That kindness matters—it allows me to sink into the space, to move slowly and intentionally, finding not just the beautiful places, but the meaningful ones. Because for me, photography is never about snapping pretty pictures; it’s about weaving light, place, and emotion into something that feels eternal.

This weekend, when the bride and groom step into their wedding day, I’ll already know where the sun will fall on their shoulders, where the trees will frame them in quiet intimacy, and where the lake will mirror their joy. These images are more than documentation—they are memory, legacy, and art.

And for the couple, here is a small, heartfelt preview of their chosen venue, captured in the stillness before their love story fills it with laughter, vows, and forever.