Jeffrey & Vivian | Focus Photography at The Guild Inn Estate

Jeffrey and Vivian both agreed to have a civil ceremony with only their families and closest friends present. It was a simple gathering, with only a few chairs put out in the living room area and a table of food and an adorable guestbook. Their guestbook consisted of these wooden blocks where everyone could write on with markers and pens.

While everyone was still waiting, I was busy taking pictures of their apartment space and the different chatter and gossip amongst groups. The ceremony itself didn’t take long but it was definitely intimate and beautiful.

Right after, Jeffrey and Vivian changed into different outfits, and they held their tea ceremony that same day.

It didn’t take long before I was already preparing for another wedding ceremony for Jeffrey and Vivian. They wanted a grander celebration with loved ones they have met and been with from different points in their lives. For this one, they decided to have a color scheme of blush and champagne. And so, their venue was decorated with light pink and white floral arrangements that gave The Guild Inn Estate an airy and dream-like feel.

On their wedding day, Vivian was up early in her Bridal Suite while Jeffrey and the rest of the boys were out on the terrace and around the park.

In Vivian’s room, she had a collection of drawings she made when she was much younger. It had various depictions of what love was for her, and I thought it was so adorable. I had to take several pictures of each card she made, centering it with different glasses for a more aesthetic and impactful look.

Afterwards, once Vivian was fully glammed and dressed, I wanted to have her take pictures with her mom. As they stood next to each other, it was like I was seeing two versions of Vivian. I wasn’t hallucinating but they looked so much alike. From the way they smiled to the way their eyes crinkled in the corner, they were twins! In order to make the pictures look less staged and awkward, I wanted them to talk to each other. This helped Vivian’s mom relax a bit and not pay too much attention to my camera.

Then, I quickly headed over to Jeffrey where he and his groomsmen were having a blast out in the garden. They were so chill and relaxed. They kept joking around. I liked documenting moments like these because so much of their personalities and characters come out, and I always liked to think that this is how most people want to be remembered: the bonds they made and the fondness they hold for each other.

I wanted to have a short sequence where Jeffrey was going to be assisted by his groomsmen, and so I had each of them take turns tying his bow tie and putting on his jacket. But I didn’t realize that Jeffrey was quite tall, so as they were alternating, it was getting kind of difficult for the others. And they made Jeffrey bend down significantly lower each time, until it got to the point where he was nearly squatting.

Jeffrey couldn’t stop laughing and as much as this embarrassed him, I could not not have snapped pictures of him.

As soon as the clock ticked close to 3 PM, Jeffrey and Vivian made their way to the Gazebo where their ceremony was held. Right before this, Jeffrey and Vivian shared their first looks with each other. But what really made this wedding so memorable for me was the second Vivian and Jeffrey turned to their guests and had a knowing smile on their face. Because moments after, they shared their first kiss as husband and wife in front of everybody.

I don’t know why that particular shot spoke out to me, but I just loved the lightheartedness and the clear humor that Vivian and Jeffrey saw in that instance. 

Every wedding is a whole new experience for me. As a photographer, you would think that I know every gimmick and tradition there is, but I always find myself surprised. Because there are so many versions of a love story out in the world, and I have yet to discover all of them. But for now, I am more than grateful that I get to experience Jeffrey and Vivian’s.