Some weddings you capture, and some you live right alongside the couple. Jerry & Ayanna’s wedding was one I truly lived.
Brantwyn Estate was dressed for the occasion — manicured gardens, elegant white florals, and a reception space that felt like something out of a dream. The early afternoon was when me and my second photographer Nina arrived. That was when I saw Ayanna surrounded by her bridesmaids in soft robes, sharing laughter, and quiet moments. While Nina saw Jerry with his groomsmen, full of jokes, helping each other with ties and cufflinks while sneaking glances at the clock.
The ceremony was everything a wedding should be — heartfelt, personal, and filled with the kind of vows that make even strangers tear up. As Ayanna walked down the aisle, Jerry’s whole demeanor shifted — he lit up, like the entire day had been building to that exact moment.
After “I do,” the celebration kicked in. Guests mingled in the gardens, the sun wrapping the day in gold. And then, the party turned into something unforgettable — the cultural dancers arrived.
A moko jumbie, towering above the crowd with flowing white fabric, danced toward the couple. Masqueraders in vibrant, feathered costumes moved to the beat, pulling Ayanna into the center of the action. Guests waved flags, clapped, and cheered — it was joy in motion, a moment that connected tradition with the present.
The reception was a mix of elegance and energy. Heartfelt speeches made the room laugh and cry in the same breath. The first dance was a quiet, beautiful pause in the middle of a high-energy evening.
And then came my favorite moment — in the middle of all the celebration, I captured a shot that summed up the day. While the music played on, I printed it as a small Instax and handed it to them. They smiled, said thank you… and then I pulled out the real surprise — a full-sized canvas of that same image, ready right there on the night of their wedding. Ayanna’s jaw dropped, Jerry laughed in disbelief, and they both held it close like it was already part of their home.
Jerry & Ayanna’s wedding wasn’t just beautiful — it was alive. It was family, culture, laughter, and a love story I feel honored to have witnessed.
