Reena and Lee’s Palais Royale wedding was a blend of traditions, showcasing the beauty of a city vibe alongside stunning panoramic views of Lake Ontario. I met both of them during the wedding celebrations of Reena’s sister, Mamta. While photographing Mamta and Visha’s wedding, I connected with both Renna and Lee, not realizing at the time that I would one day photograph their own wedding.

Fast forward a year after that encounter, and Reena and Lee booked me for their wedding. I was thrilled to learn it would be held at one of Toronto’s premier lakefront venues—the Palais Royale.

The Beginning of this Palais Royale Wedding

The wedding planning process began with our engagement photos, taken just behind their building at Shedoon Lookout in Humber Bay and at Trillium Park. We had a great time discovering what they liked and how we could make their wedding day truly memorable.

On the wedding day, Lee, his brother, and his nephew got ready at Hotel X. I started photographing Lee along with Igor, who was my second photographer at the time. It was important for me to capture the true essence of the day, so in addition to the posed shots, I focused on the candid moments and all the documentary-style elements that told the whole story of their wedding.

The celebration combined a traditional Hindu wedding ceremony and a reception, all in one day. Reena stayed in her traditional wedding dress, while Lee chose to keep his suit instead of wearing a matching traditional Indian outfit—a blend of styles that perfectly represented their marriage and created a beautiful visual for their union.

When Tradition Meets The City Vibe

After Igor took over photographing Lee, I headed to the Palais Royale, where Reena and her family were getting ready. Having worked with them in the past was a great advantage for all of us—I was already familiar with their traditions, relatives, and the steps they would take. This familiarity allowed us to streamline the coverage and preparation, cutting the time in half while staying completely in sync.

I made sure to capture all the traditional moments while also adding a creative and modern touch by incorporating elements of the venue into this Palais Royale wedding. While waiting for Lee’s arrival for the first look photos before the ceremony, I took a few minutes to express my creativity by using the venue’s unique features. The colourful blinds paired beautifully with Reena’s outfit, and I was struck by how perfectly the colours worked together in my images.

Once Igor arrived with Lee, we headed to the small garden at the Palais Royale to capture their intimate first look photos.

The First Look Photos at This Palais Royale Wedding

For Reena and Lee’s Palais Royale wedding photos, I aimed for a true journalistic approach. After explaining our plan to the couple, I allowed the moment to unfold naturally, positioning Igor and me on opposite sides of the garden to capture the intimate first look.

Reena was noticeably nervous, her giggles and smiles giving her away, while Lee remained composed but clearly emotional. The photos from this stage were incredibly sweet, and I didn’t interfere at all. Instead, I made sure to be in the right place at the right time to capture every important detail of their first look.

With the weather forecast being unpredictable, we decided to take all the portraits of just the two of them immediately after the first look. We didn’t spend much time searching for locations; instead, we stayed around the venue and along the beach lakefront, which offered a glimpse of Toronto’s skyline in the background. The overcast sky and dramatic clouds on the horizon added a striking atmosphere to the images.

Before heading inside to prepare for the ceremony, I captured some of my favourite shots of the two of them in front of the colourful graffiti wall opposite the Palais Royale. At first, I wasn’t sure how the vibrant backdrop would work with their outfits, but I was pleasantly surprised by how perfectly the colours complemented them. With this part complete, we were one step closer to perfect photography for their Palais Royale wedding.

Traditional Hindu Wedding Ceremony Overlooking the Beauty of Lake Ontario

As Reena went inside the venue to wait for the wedding ceremony, I stepped out onto the deck where the Hindu wedding ceremony would take place. The view was spectacular—the vibrant yet elegant setup perfectly complemented the lake and the city skyline in the background.

I made sure to capture all of these details before guests began arriving, then went inside for more traditional images of the immediate family and the garland exchange, the Jasi Mala ceremony. While I was working on this part, guests had already settled into the perfectly aligned chairs outside. Being by the lake, the breeze was a little chilly, so some guests wrapped themselves in the scarves Reena and Lee had provided.

As is tradition in a Hindu wedding, the ceremony began without the bride, with the Pandit (Hindu officiant) performing rituals with the groom in the presence of his parents. A few minutes later, Reena arrived, escorted by her sister, Mamta. The scene was breathtaking—an overcast sky provided the perfect soft light, making it a true paradise for a photographer.

We ended this part of the day with a few group photos of the closest family members from both sides before moving on to the final traditional event, the Doli. Although it is a cherished tradition, this part of the ceremony always brings a few tears, which I made sure to capture—just as I had during her sister’s wedding.

Wedding Reception with an Iconic Lake Ontario Waterfront Setting

Before heading inside for the wedding reception, I made sure to capture some sunset photos with my couple, not letting that incredible view slip away. We were fortunate to work without interruptions, despite the rain that had been in the forecast. That was a relief for me, and I’m sure for my couple as well.

The reception setup was truly unique. I noticed many elements inspired by Spain, and while I never fully understood the connection, it was beautiful to photograph. I believe Lee’s mom was from Spain, which may have explained the theme.

My couple sat at the sweetheart table near the podium, perfectly positioned so that guests could see them clearly from both the front and the back as they listened to the speeches.

The evening was filled with dance performances that blended traditions—Hindu customs mixed with Spanish flair, including flamenco dances performed by Lee’s sister and some professional dancers.

After all the heartfelt speeches, everyone moved to the dance floor. It quickly filled up for a large group photo, and the energy in the room only grew stronger from there.

The lights that night were so vibrant that, at times, switching to black and white photography became the best way to avoid the colourful lighting casting across people’s faces.

Nighttime Session at the Elegant Lakeshore Venue on Lake Ontario

While the dance floor was full, the late-night food station was set up in one corner of the venue. Out on the deck, now fully illuminated by the Toronto skyline, the younger guests had the chance to roast marshmallows for their s’mores. It was wonderful to see how smoothly everything was organized, with each guest finding something they enjoyed and making the most of that part of the celebration.

When I arrived at the venue earlier in the evening, I had noticed the perfect setting for my signature nighttime photos, and I was excited to capture them at the end of my coverage. Knowing these would be my final images of Reena and Lee at their Palais Royale wedding, I scouted the area in front of the venue to plan the shots. The floor lights illuminating the entryway pillars shifted colours, so I decided to work with a specific shade to create a unique atmosphere for the closing moments of the night.

With the plan in place, I took the couple from the dance floor and positioned them in front of the venue. Both were excited to have a few quiet moments together, which gave me the perfect opportunity to photograph them while they reflected on how the day had unfolded.

It was the perfect way to conclude my coverage of their Palais Royale wedding. Thank you, Reena and Lee, for keeping the tradition alive—I look forward to sharing images from our upcoming family photo session.

Credits to below wedding professionals and locations that helped Reena and Lee’s wedding to be one-of-a-kind.

Here is another city wedding. In the blog post Sassafraz Wedding Photos: A Spring Wedding in Yorkville with Giselle and Aleksej.