The Romance of 35mm Film: Why Film Photography Is Making a Beautiful Comeback in Modern Weddings

An editorial perspective on nostalgia, timeless imagery, and the beauty of slowing down.

There is something undeniably romantic about a photograph that feels as though it belongs to another era.

The softness of the light. The subtle texture of the grain. The richness of the colours. The way a single moment can feel like a memory you’ve treasured for decades, even when it happened only yesterday.

In a world where almost everything is instant, 35mm film photography invites us to slow down.

And perhaps that is exactly why it feels so extraordinary.

At Butterfly Kisses Photography, we have always believed that wedding photography should be more than a collection of beautiful images. It should be an experience. A feeling. A visual legacy that becomes more meaningful with time.

And there is something about film that captures that philosophy so beautifully.

A Little Nostalgia, A Lot of Romance

Long before digital cameras allowed us to take thousands of photographs in a single afternoon, there was film.

Every frame mattered.

Photographers had to be intentional. They watched the light, anticipated the moment, and trusted their instincts.

There was no immediately checking the back of the camera. No endless reviewing. Just the quiet confidence of knowing when something beautiful was unfolding.

That philosophy still resonates with us today.

Because some of the most meaningful wedding photographs aren’t necessarily the perfectly posed ones.

They’re the ones you can feel.

A bride standing quietly by a window before the ceremony. The gentle movement of her veil. A groom stealing one last glance at his bride as they walk away together.

Those fleeting moments are where film feels especially magical.

The Beauty of Imperfection

Modern digital photography offers extraordinary precision, clarity, and creative freedom. And we love it for exactly those reasons.

But film has a personality all its own.

The delicate grain. The organic transitions between light and shadow. The subtle variations in colour. The occasional unpredictability that makes every roll a little different.

There is a certain beauty in the fact that no two frames are ever quite the same.

Film doesn’t need to look flawless to feel extraordinary.

In fact, its imperfections are often what make it so captivating.

Much like love itself, the beauty is found in the things that are real.

Why Modern Couples Are Falling in Love With Film

Today’s couples are surrounded by imagery. Thousands of photographs, endless inspiration, and perfectly curated social media feeds.

Yet increasingly, there is an appreciation for photographs that feel less manufactured and more personal.

Images with character.

Images with soul.

Images that could have been discovered in an old family album, tucked between handwritten letters and treasured keepsakes.

This is where 35mm film wedding photography finds its place.

It brings a sense of nostalgia to a modern celebration without making the photographs feel dated.

Imagine a beautifully tailored tuxedo, an elegant silk gown, candlelit tables, champagne towers, and the effortless movement of a wedding reception captured on film.

There is something wonderfully cinematic about it.

A little old Hollywood. A little European romance. Entirely your own story.

And the result is imagery that feels less like a trend and more like something you will want to keep forever.

Film and Digital: A Beautiful Love Affair

One of the things we love most about incorporating 35mm film into wedding photography is that it doesn’t have to replace digital photography.

The two can complement one another beautifully.

Digital photography allows us to document a wedding day with incredible versatility, from the quiet anticipation of the morning to the energy of a packed dance floor.

Film introduces another creative layer.

A different texture. A different mood. A different way of seeing the same celebration.

Perhaps it’s a few portraits of the bride and groom in the afternoon light. A candid moment during cocktail hour. A beautifully imperfect photograph of friends laughing over champagne.

When thoughtfully combined, film and digital photography create a wedding gallery with greater visual depth and variety.

The elegance of modern photography, with the soul of something beautifully nostalgic.

The Art of Being Present

There is another reason film holds such a special place in photography.

It changes the way you approach a moment.

With a limited number of exposures on each roll, every photograph becomes a conscious decision.

You observe a little longer.

You wait for the right expression.

You notice how the light falls across someone’s face or how two people instinctively reach for each other’s hands.

And sometimes, instead of trying to create the perfect moment, you simply allow it to happen.

For us, that is where the real artistry begins.

Not in making every photograph look the same, but in recognizing what makes every love story different.

A Modern Wedding, An Heirloom Feeling

Think about the wedding photographs you love most from your parents’ or grandparents’ albums.

Chances are, they aren’t technically perfect.

Perhaps the colours have shifted slightly. Perhaps there’s a little grain or softness around the edges.

But somehow, those photographs feel priceless.

Not because of how perfectly they were captured, but because of everything they represent.

A moment in time. A chapter of someone’s life. A love story that existed long before yours began.

That is the feeling we want our photographs to carry.

Because one day, the images from your wedding will become part of your family’s history.

And whether they’re captured digitally or on 35mm film, they should be every bit as meaningful decades from now as they are today.

35mm Film Wedding Photography in Toronto and the GTA

From the historic architecture of Toronto’s most beautiful estates to the romantic gardens and elegant wedding venues throughout Vaughan, Woodbridge, and the Greater Toronto Area, film photography offers a distinctive way to document a celebration.

Imagine the timeless grandeur of Casa Loma, the European-inspired architecture of Parkwood Estate, or the refined elegance of The Arlington Estate captured with the rich character of 35mm film.

These are settings where nostalgia and modern luxury meet effortlessly.

At Butterfly Kisses Photography, based in Woodbridge, Ontario, our approach to wedding photography blends editorial sophistication with natural, heartfelt storytelling.

We believe the most beautiful wedding galleries aren’t defined by a single style or medium.

They’re created through an understanding of light, emotion, connection, and the art of knowing when to simply let a moment unfold.

Film is another beautiful way to tell that story.

Some Things Are Worth Waiting For

There is something rather wonderful about finishing a roll of film and knowing that the photographs are still waiting to be discovered.

In an age of instant gratification, that anticipation feels almost luxurious.

The excitement of seeing the developed images for the first time. The unexpected favourites. The photographs that somehow capture exactly how a moment felt.

It’s a reminder that not everything beautiful needs to happen instantly.

Some things are worth slowing down for.

Some things are worth waiting for.

And some moments deserve to be remembered on film.

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Butterfly Kisses Photography is a Woodbridge-based wedding photography studio serving Vaughan, Toronto, and the Greater Toronto Area. Our work brings together timeless editorial imagery, genuine emotion, and cinematic storytelling to create wedding photographs that feel as extraordinary as the moments themselves.