Shaylyn & Nathaniel’s Wedding Day | Focus Photography at Madison Greenhouse

It was a beautiful day for a beautiful bride and groom! I always thought it was so magical how on any day a wedding I document, everything goes according to plan. And Shaylyn and Nathaniel were no exception to this blessing. When I arrived at Shaylyn’s, her hair was so voluminous and she had on an elegant off-shoulder wedding gown made with lace that pooled at her feet, even when standing.

But I thought her family was just as beautiful. Her siblings smiled so brightly as they stood next to her in the family picture. And when I photographed her with her parents, they looked as if she was still their baby girl.

Right before they left for the ceremony, Shaylyn and her family honored two rituals. On the table, there was a diyas lamp and four platters of food. Apparently, this signified purity and goodness, which is offered to their deities for pleasant luck. Then, Shaylyn drank a sip of water at their doorstep, a tradition believed to dispel any negative energy.

To be present, I was more than grateful to be able to witness their beautiful traditions. And to be able to preserve it in photographs, it made the memory a whole lot more special for them, and for me as well.

At Nathaniel’s, an artwork made with chalk at their doorstep immediately caught my eye. I snapped a picture of it as a default response before I was invited inside. The artwork had the letters: S and N right at the center of the circle.

By the time I arrived, Nathaniel was still in the midst of getting ready. While dressing up, he was assisted by his multiple groomsmen. To hype himself further, all of his loved ones in their matching suits lined up right outside the driveway. Each and every one of them held their hand out for a high-five, to which Nathanial obliged.

This gave off a suave and cool kind of aura, especially with their limousine! I mean, come on, that is so awesome.

After Shaylyn and Nathaniel shared their first looks with each other, the ceremony started at St. Peter’s Basilica. The church was actually packed! I thought it was quite rare that so many had attended the ceremony. Usually, couples preferred to only have their families in attendance. But I thought it was so supportive that everybody came to be with Shaylyn and Nathaniel. Some of them even smiled and interacted with the camera while I was trying to take candid pictures of the guests.

Right after Shaylyn walked down the aisle with her moments, I was able to capture a moment between Shaylyn’s father and Nathaniel. Her father reached for Shaylyn’s wrist, then he enjoined her hand with Nathaniel’s. It was such a brief moment, but it was one of understanding between parent and spouse.

A moment that tells so much, that they are entrusting you to treat them with unsurmountable love and kindness forever.

Throughout the entire ceremony, I moved silently around the church to snap pictures of Shaylyn and Nathaniel, the guests, and the church. As their family was signing the marriage license, Shaylyn and Nathaniel looked over at me, then Shaylyn proudly showed off her wedding ring. I thought they were so adorable!

And if I wasn’t already jealous of their limousine, I was even more jealous of their reception hall! It was held at Madison Greenhouse, at the terrace to be specific. It offered ample space, and the roof was completely translucent with the garden vines wrapping around the walls. And with the sky and the dim lighting, everything just looked so ambient and gorgeous!

It could not have been a more perfect day for Shaylyn and Nathaniel. Anybody could tell from a mile away, or through a camera lens, that they were always meant to be together. All is well, and has been well for both Shaylyn and Nathaniel. I hope they share a lifetime of bliss and devotion.