The Art of Capturing Culinary Elegance: A Sassafraz Wedding Charcuterie Board Story

In the world of wedding photography, there exist moments that transcend the traditional portrait—moments where food becomes art, where presentation tells a story, and where a single image can convey the entire essence of a celebration. This is precisely what unfolded during an unforgettable Sassafraz wedding in Toronto's historic Yorkville neighbourhood, where I had the privilege of documenting not just a couple's union, but the exquisite details that made their day extraordinary.

The Scene: Table Three at Sassafraz

When I approached table three during the reception, I immediately recognized something special. The couple had invested tremendous thought into their culinary presentation, and it showed. Before me lay a magnificently arranged charcuterie board that demanded to be photographed—not merely documented, but truly captured in a way that would honour the care that went into its creation.

The wooden board itself was a canvas of gastronomic artistry: glistening slices of prosciutto draped alongside aged hard cheeses, grilled asparagus spears standing at attention next to charred bell peppers in jewel tones of red and yellow. Roasted zucchini, mushrooms kissed by flame, and cherry tomatoes created a tapestry of colour and texture. Small dishes of whole grain mustard and plump green olives punctuated the arrangement, while fresh lemon wedges promised brightness to complement the rich, savoury elements.

The table setting surrounding this culinary centrepiece spoke volumes about the couple's refined taste. A metallic vase held an elegant arrangement of white roses and hydrangeas, their soft petals catching the ambient light. A small votive candle flickered nearby, adding warmth to the scene. Wine glasses stood ready, and a stack of crisp white napkins completed the tableau. The table number sign—"3 sassafraz"—served as both practical wayfinding and a subtle branding element that rooted the celebration in this iconic Toronto venue.

The Technical Approach: Equipment and Settings

For this particular shot, I reached for my Canon EOS R5 paired with the Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L USM lens. This combination represents the pinnacle of modern mirrorless technology, and for good reason. The RF 50mm f/1.2L is an optical masterpiece—its incredibly wide aperture allows for exquisite subject isolation while maintaining remarkable sharpness across the frame. The lens's ability to render out-of-focus areas with creamy, luxurious bokeh makes it ideal for detail photography where you want certain elements to sing whilst others provide supporting harmony.

The Canon R5's exceptional sensor paired with this glass gave me the latitude to work in the mixed lighting conditions typical of evening receptions. I set my aperture to f/2.8, striking a balance between depth and dimension. Too wide open, and I'd risk losing critical elements of the charcuterie arrangement to shallow focus; too closed down, and the background florals and table number would compete for attention rather than complement the hero subject.

I positioned myself at a slightly elevated angle—approximately 45 degrees above the table surface—to create what photographers call a "three-quarter overhead" perspective. This vantage point is ideal for food and tablescape photography because it reveals both the arrangement and depth without flattening the scene into a pure bird's-eye view. It invites viewers into the frame whilst maintaining an elegant, editorial quality.

Lighting Considerations

One of the challenges—and ultimately, one of the triumphs—of this image was working with the available light. Sassafraz's dining space features beautiful ambient lighting that creates atmosphere without overwhelming. Rather than introducing flash, which would have destroyed the intimate mood, I relied on the venue's existing illumination supplemented by the natural warmth of the candle on the table.

This approach required pushing my ISO to 1600, but the R5's sensor handles high ISO with remarkable grace, producing minimal noise whilst preserving colour fidelity. The result is an image that feels authentic to the moment—warm, inviting, and true to the atmosphere the couple had worked so hard to create.

Compositional Decisions That Elevate the Image

Every photographer makes countless micro-decisions when framing a shot, and this image exemplifies several principles I hold dear. The charcuterie board occupies the strong central position, its horizontal orientation echoing the natural left-to-right reading pattern of Western viewers. This isn't accidental—it creates a sense of stability and abundance.

I deliberately positioned the floral arrangement in the upper left quadrant, using the rule of thirds to balance the visual weight of the food-laden board. The table number, slightly out of focus but legible, anchors the right side of the frame. These supporting elements create a triangular flow that guides the eye through the composition: flowers to food to table number and back again.

The shallow depth of field serves a crucial narrative function. By keeping the charcuterie board in tack-sharp focus whilst allowing the background elements to soften into beautiful bokeh, I created visual hierarchy. Your eye knows exactly where to land first, then explores the contextual details that tell the fuller story. This selective focus mimics how we actually experience the world—we concentrate on one thing whilst remaining aware of our surroundings.

Why This Image Succeeds as Wedding Photography

Great wedding photography isn't just about capturing what happened; it's about conveying how it felt. This image succeeds on multiple levels because it transcends mere documentation. When couples look at this photograph years from now, they won't just remember that they served exquisite hors d'oeuvre at their wedding—they'll be transported back to the entire sensory experience of their reception.

The photograph works because it engages multiple senses through visual representation. You can almost taste the savoury richness of the cured meats, smell the earthiness of the grilled vegetables, feel the smooth coolness of the wine glasses. This synesthetic quality—the ability of an image to evoke senses beyond sight—is the hallmark of exceptional food and detail photography.

Moreover, this image demonstrates respect for the couple's investment. Weddings involve countless decisions and significant financial commitment. When a couple chooses to feature artfully arranged charcuterie boards as part of their reception, they're making a statement about their values—they appreciate quality, thoughtful presentation, and the communal experience of sharing good food. As their photographer, my job is to honour that choice by creating images that reflect the care they took in every detail.

The Story Behind the Frame

This particular couple had a clear vision for their Sassafraz wedding. They wanted their celebration to feel like an intimate dinner party, elevated. Rather than a traditional plated meal, they opted for family-style dining with shared platters and boards that encouraged conversation and connection amongst their guests.

When I photographed this charcuterie board, I was acutely aware that it represented more than appetizers. It symbolized their approach to marriage itself: generous, thoughtfully curated, meant to be savoured and shared. The variety on the board—from the delicate asparagus to the robust cheeses—mirrored the diversity of their combined friend groups and families, all brought together to celebrate their union.

I took this shot during the golden hour before guests were seated, when the reception space was quiet and perfect. These stolen moments—when the stage is set but the play hasn't begun—offer wedding photographers rare opportunities to capture details in their pristine state. There's a purity to these images, an intentionality that gets softened once human interaction begins (as it should).

Post-Processing Philosophy and Techniques

My post-processing approach for this image began in Adobe Lightroom Classic, where I handle the majority of my initial adjustments. The goal was enhancement rather than transformation—to optimize what the camera captured rather than reimagine it entirely.

I started by adjusting the white balance, warming the image slightly to emphasize the candlelit atmosphere whilst ensuring the food colours remained accurate and appetizing. Colour accuracy is paramount in food photography; over-processing can make vibrant vegetables look artificial or render meats unappealingly hued.

The exposure required minimal adjustment—getting it right in-camera is always preferable to extensive post-processing. I brought down the highlights slightly to recover detail in the white napkins and roses, then lifted the shadows to reveal texture in the darker areas of the wooden board. This expanded dynamic range gives the image dimension and depth.

In the HSL (Hue, Saturation, Luminance) panel, I selectively enhanced the reds and yellows to make the grilled peppers and cheese rinds more vibrant, whilst slightly desaturating the greens to prevent the asparagus from overwhelming the colour palette. These subtle shifts create visual harmony without appearing over-saturated.

I applied a subtle vignette—darkening the frame's edges ever so slightly—to draw attention inward toward the charcuterie board. This classic technique helps focus viewer attention without being obvious. The vignette also adds to the intimate, cozy feeling appropriate for a wedding reception.

Sharpening was applied selectively using Lightroom's masking tools. The charcuterie board received careful sharpening to emphasize the textures of the various foods—the marbling in the cheese, the char marks on the vegetables, the glistening quality of the cured meats. The background elements remained softer, preserving the bokeh quality created by the lens.

Finally, I made localized adjustments using gradient and radial filters. A subtle warm gradient from the candle side added to the ambient lighting effect, whilst a radial filter centred on the charcuterie board provided a gentle brightness boost that makes it the clear focal point.

The entire post-processing workflow took approximately fifteen minutes—efficient because the foundation was strong. This is a critical point for aspiring wedding photographers: excellent post-processing begins with excellent capture. You cannot fix fundamental problems in editing, but you can polish and perfect an already solid image.

Lessons for Couples Planning Their Wedding Photography

For engaged couples reading this and planning their own celebration, this image illustrates why investing in professional photography matters. A skilled wedding photographer doesn't just show up and point a camera at obvious moments. We anticipate details, recognize opportunities, and have the technical expertise to capture them beautifully.

When you're selecting your photographer, look at how they handle these quieter moments. Anyone can photograph a couple kissing; it takes artistry to make a charcuterie board tell your love story. Review portfolios specifically for detail shots—the rings, the stationery, the florals, the food. These images will be crucial to your album because they provide context and texture to the bigger narrative.

If you're planning a Sassafraz wedding or any celebration where food and presentation play central roles, communicate this priority to your photographer. When we understand what matters to you, we can ensure those elements receive appropriate attention. The fifteen minutes I spent photographing table details this wedding yielded images they treasure—proof that thoughtful coverage of all wedding aspects pays dividends.

Conclusion: When Details Become Art

This photograph of a charcuterie board at a Sassafraz wedding ultimately succeeds because it transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary. Food styling, thoughtful composition, technical excellence, and careful post-processing combine to create an image that transcends its subject matter. It becomes a small window into a larger celebration, a tangible memory of care and intention, and a testament to the beauty found in details.

As a wedding photographer, these are the images that remind me why I love this work. Every wedding offers countless opportunities to create art from authentic moments and thoughtful details. The key is remaining present, attentive, and technically prepared to recognize and capture them when they appear. This charcuterie board image represents everything I strive for: technical excellence in service of emotional storytelling, documentation that honours investment and intention, and beauty that stands the test of time.

For the couple, this photograph is more than a picture of food—it's a preserved memory of the atmosphere they created, the care they invested, and the celebration they shared. That's the true measure of great wedding photography: images that transport you back to not just how things looked, but how they felt. And on that metric, this frame delivers completely.