Laura always knew she didn’t want a traditional wedding, but she also didn’t want to let go of the parts that mattered. Marcus felt the same. What they built together in Ottawa became a layered, deeply personal celebration where vintage cars, Italian traditions, and unexpected choices all coexisted with ease. Even their furry companions became part of the story. Photographer Koko King documented the day with a sharp eye for nuance, catching everything from fleeting glances to quiet in-between moments, turning it into something entirely their own.
"Safe is boring. Our day felt classic, but we were pretty untraditional."
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Style: Intimate, Laid-back, Classic
Time of planning: 1 year
Number of guests: 100
Setting: Courtyard & Restaurant
Season: Fall
Laura Scaffidi and Marcus Filoso met in Ottawa’s Little Italy in 2020. Laura was running a rooftop pop-up bar when Marcus showed up with friends. A follow on Instagram led to a message, and a message led to a Vespa ride. “We drove that same Vespa to our reception on our wedding day,” added the bride.
Their story moved forward in a natural way with small, intentional moments. Their proposal followed that same rhythm. Marcus planned a trip to London with one goal in mind: find the right ring and the right moment. “He carried it around London for 24 hours, waiting for the perfect moment.”
Marcus proposed under Tower Bridge after a night at the theatre. It was quiet, private, and exactly what they wanted. From the start, they agreed on one thing for their wedding. It had to feel like them.
Inspiration & Concept
The concept came together around three ideas: their Italian roots, honoring Laura’s father, and Marcus’s love for vintage cars. Everything else followed.
The cars became a visual anchor. A white 1970 Fiat 500 turned into a seating chart, with guest names written directly onto its windows and florals spilling out of the interior. The deep red leather inside the car set the tone for the color palette, echoed again in the burgundy interior of their 1963 Lincoln Continental.
Florals leaned into that palette. Shades of pink, red, and touches of purple created a layered, almost monochromatic effect. Purple held a quiet meaning. It was Laura’s father’s favorite color.
Maison Anthea translated the idea into sculptural arrangements that felt bold but controlled. Large clusters of hydrangeas and airy textures created contrast against the clean lines of the setting. “I asked for statement arrangements and trusted her entirely,” added the bride.
The reception design added another layer. During a trip to Italy, the couple sourced ceramic plates from a small factory in Sicily. Those plates became charger settings for dinner, then transformed into wedding favors, packed into pizza boxes and sent home with guests.
“Our guests are still sending us photos of how they’re using the plates at home.”
The entire concept lived in that balance. Old and new. Structured and playful. Personal but never heavy.
Bridal Fashion & Morning
Laura’s look followed the same approach. Clean, classic, but with subtle personal details. Her dress was by Paloma Blanca, chosen by her mother and later customized with lace along the neckline to echo her mantilla veil. The silhouette stayed simple, allowing texture and tailoring to do the work.
Her accessories told a quieter story. Earrings by Ysso were the only new piece she kept. Everything else came from her own collection or family. She carried a beaded handbag borrowed from her mother-in-law. She wore Le Labo Neroli 36, chosen by Marcus during their trip to Italy.
"My makeup and hair made me feel completely like myself. I felt comfortable all day!"
The morning stayed calm. No bridal party, no packed room. Just a small circle of people she trusted, a charismatic ginger cat, and their dog. She focused on her mothers, helping them get ready. “That was one of the most special moments for me!” shared Laura.
Later, the bride changed into a vintage Blumarine mini dress from Happy Isles. It marked the shift into the evening without breaking the tone of the day.
Groom’s Getting Ready
Marcus approached his look with clarity. He wore a black tuxedo with patent-leather shoes and a white satin bow tie. The look stayed classic and understated. For the evening, he switched into a white dinner jacket with a black bowtie, aligning with Laura’s outfit change.
He kept accessories minimal, but one detail carried weight. He wore his Nonno’s watch. It doesn’t work anymore, but that didn’t matter. It made a beautiful, sentimental detail. “I asked our florist for something modern and classic for his boutonniere. Again, she totally crushed the execution, and it included some pink to complement our color story,” added the bride.
First Look
The first look happened outside their home. It was casual and unplanned, more like a pause than a production. It carried a cinematic quality, like quiet frames from a movie, timeless and still.
They got into the car with their dog, Auggie, and drove through the city. The Vespa made another appearance. It wasn’t staged. It was simply part of their story.
"The ride really put us at ease and helped calm our nerves."
Ceremony
The ceremony took place in a courtyard in Ottawa, a space often used for photos but never for weddings. Guests arrived to live music played by a brass quintet made up of Laura’s father’s close friends.
“I wanted to walk alone, and with my dad in spirit,” shared the bride.
The ceremony felt grounded and emotional. Her grandfather officiated, sharing stories from his own marriage and guiding them through their vows. They skipped a traditional wedding party. Everyone there already held that role.
The champagne glasses had little red coasters attached to the base. The couple hid two stickers under two of them, so during the ceremony, guests checked the bottom of their glasses to find them. Their two witnesses were chosen this way at random. It was a thoughtful way to show how much every guest meant to them.
The setting around them felt just as considered. The decor and florals looked individual, refined, and stylish, adding warmth without taking over the space.
After the ceremony, guests threw traditional Italian confetti candies as the couple walked back down the aisle. Auggie, clearly not thrilled to be left out, slipped free from his collar and ran straight to meet them at the end of the aisle.
The ceremony felt laid-back yet elegant, and channeled that joy of having everyone close.
Cocktail Hour & Private Moment
The couple lingered after the ceremony, sharing champagne with guests and letting the moment stretch. There was no rush. Guests moved freely and transitioned naturally into the next part of the day.
After the ceremony, Laura and Marcus stepped away. They got back into the car with Auggie and drove home together.
“We drove by our reception set up and caught a glimpse of it. Time slowed down a bit, and I was able to take in the day.”
The moment felt simple. Cars passed. Cans tied to the back of the car made noise as they moved through the streets.
Koko King captured this part with restraint. Her film work added a soft grain and warmth that made the moment feel suspended in time. She focused on the small details and quiet expressions, turning it into something deeply personal.
Decor & Reception
The reception took place at Giulia Pizza, their favorite date night spot.
Tables were arranged in a long, continuous format with no head table. Guests sat together, mixed intentionally. Florals spilled off the edges in loose clusters. Napkins doubled as place cards. Ceramic plates from Sicily anchored each setting. Wine chillers became table numbers.
Food followed the same idea. Italian, familiar, but elevated. A close friend prepared butter molded into Roman columns for the bread course, adding a subtle, playful detail to the table. Wines reflected their heritage, Sicily for Laura and Abruzzo for Marcus, while the bar naturally filled with espresso martinis, Aperol spritzes, and the occasional round of Jameson.
There were no formal speeches. Laura spoke briefly, thanking their families and the people who helped shape the day.
"This day was not the beginning of our partnership, but an avowal of it."
Their first dance to “More Than a Woman” quickly turned into something more interactive, as guests took part in an Italian-Canadian tradition, wrapping the couple in long strands of streamers as a symbol of being surrounded by love and blessings. One by one, everyone stepped in, turning the moment into something both playful and deeply personal.
The party opened right after to “September,” a quiet tribute to Laura’s father and one of his favorite songs.
Later, the atmosphere softened and stretched. Guests moved between long tables, shared conversations, refilled glasses, and slowly made their way to the dance floor, without any rush or structure, just the rhythm of the evening taking over.
And lastly, the couple served a traditional Italian millefoglie as their wedding cake, made by an Italian pastry chef who emigrated to Canada. They cut it using cake servers that once served as bomboniere gifts at Marcus’s Nonni’s 25th wedding anniversary, adding one more quiet layer of family history to the day.
Advice from the couple:
• Marcus: Spend the whole day with Her. She will get pulled away – it’s your job to find her so you can enjoy the day together.
• Laura: Safe is boring. Our day felt classic, but we were pretty untraditional. Make sure that the day is an authentic reflection of you as a couple.
PHOTOGRAPHER Koko King | VIDEOGRAPHER Ivan Cooke | PLANNER Erica Irwin | CEREMONY VENUE Global Centre for Pluralism | RECEPTION VENUE Giulia Pizza | FLORALS Maison Anthea | DRESS Paloma Blanca | BRIDAL STORE White Satin | VEIL Madame Tulle | EARRINGS Ysso | MAKEUP ARTIST Yuliya Vyshar | HAIR Hannah Currie | PARTY DRESS Happy Isles | CAKE Dolci Sapori | CEREMONY CHAIRS Lavish Events | DINNER CHAIRS La Nouvelle Tablee | LINENS & TABLES Mastermind Events, | GLASSWARE Mira Amusement | FLATWARE Chez Lili | BAR RENTAL LouLou Lounge | NAPKINS Lingua Franca | CHARGER PLATES La Spiga Ceramiche | TABLE NUMBERS Vie Design Co. | BUTTER MOLDS My Catering Group | DJ & A/V Intelligent Audio Visual Inc. | RINGS Wave Antiques, Unoaerre | CONFETTI Pasticceria Capizzi | CARS Filoso Motors
