Wedding Day: May 2nd 2025

Some wedding days carry a quiet kind of magic that’s subtle, intentional, full of meaning in every step. That’s exactly how it felt with Sarah and Victor.

I first met their families the day before, at the henna celebration. The room was alive. The women were gathered around Sarah in a flurry of color, music, and laughter. Her henna was stunning, delicate, precise, and it was clear how much thought had gone into every detail. That celebration felt like a warm lead-in to the big event everyone was looking forward to; the wedding.

The first thing they did on their wedding day was have a first look with just the two of them. It was quiet, sweet, full of love. You could tell how much they’d been looking forward to that moment. Sarah and Victor also set aside intentional time for portraits with their families and wedding party before the ceremony began.

As guests began to arrive, Sarah and Victor continued to take photos with people as they came in, welcoming each new arrival with warmth. There was something really beautiful about that: folding loved ones into the day not just as witnesses, but as participants. The ceremony was deeply personal. Inside the space, it felt like a gathering of shared love. At one point, Sarah and Victor walked around the fire together, a gesture of unity. When the moment finally came to seal it with a kiss, the room erupted in cheers.

After the ceremony, the space was reset while guests enjoyed drinks and conversation. Sarah and Victor changed into new attire. She wore a stunning white dress, he in a sleek suit, and rejoined the celebration. We stepped outside with the wedding party and wandered through the park together, soaking in golden light and fresh air. It was easy, unhurried.

Dinner brought everyone together, friends meeting family, new in-laws chatting like old friends, nieces and nephews chasing each other under the table. It wasn’t just about food. It was about being in the same room, sharing stories, connecting people who’d only ever lived in different corners of their lives. And seeing their faces as they took in the reception room fully decorated, softly lit, exactly how they’d imagined it.

Then came the first dance. Just the two of them at first, then everyone else in love was invited to join. It set the tone perfectly. Later, Sarah danced with her dad, Victor with his mom, and then a dance I’d never seen before, what they called the "new in-law dance." Victor and Sarah switched partners, dancing with their new father- and mother-in-law, and then opened the floor to everyone. It was thoughtful, inclusive, and full of meaning.

The speeches were warm, funny, and heartfelt. The dance floor was packed with everyone all in from the start. It wasn’t long before jackets were tossed, shoes kicked off, and napkins spun in the air. The energy never dipped. It was vibrant and full of joy, exactly the kind of celebration that makes this work feel so personal.

Sarah and Victor, thank you for inviting me into such a beautiful day. You centered everything around connection and family, and it showed in every moment from the smallest gestures to the wildest dance moves. It was thoughtful and alive and completely your own.