Manuel & Hannah // Wedding Preview

From the moment Hannah reached out to me about photographing her wedding, I knew it would be epic. There are some people who don’t even have to give the slightest synopsis of something they are going to do, but purely based on their personality, you know they’re going to make it crazy good.

That is Hannah.

Almost three years ago, I met her at a ballroom studio, where I was playing the newbie card and intimidated by 99.9% of the dancers, sequiny costumes, and hips I didn’t even know had that kind of range of motion. Before even experiencing her array of electrifying, cutting edge ballroom choreography and costumes (dancing in the dark with glow in the dark lights, anyone?!) for studio showcases - or her insanely cool, vintage shoe game - her joy, warmth, and kindness are what I experienced first.

I remember we met at a studio dinner, where she sat at my table. A friend and I walked in, trembling in socially anxious fear about where to sit, who we’d talk to (you know, the socially anxious starter pack), and up walked Hannah. She was so enthusiastic and intentional, as though we’d known her for so much longer than just that day. I remember telling my friend what a relief it was talking to her.

If I could sum up Hannah in one quote, it would be,

“Though she be but little she is fierce.” (A Midsummer Night’s Dream)

If you have ever seen her stage performances, you’ll know exactly what I mean. I don’t think she is afraid to try anything new, and I told her she reminds me of a Christian Lady Gaga.

Hannah and her fiancé, Manuel, met me for coffee back in the springtime. I always love hearing each couple’s story, who chased who, stark contrasts, moment “they knew”, and of course, a brief vision of their wedding day.

I learned that Manuel did parkour, Hannah used to play the harp, they planned a high church ceremony, and a dance party kind of reception. Manuel shared the same contagious joy as Hannah, and I knew from our first conversation that their wedding was going to be super fun.

And it was exactly just that.

There was a harpist. There was singing. One of my favorite moments was how Manuel looked at Hannah, held her hand, and beamed as he sang with everyone during a ceremony hymn. When he smiles, his entire face lights up. He wears joy. It was like seeing someone gaze upon a beautiful, mesmerizing piece of art; Hannah being the real life version of that. Their steadfastness in faith and closeness to God is something almost palpable. There were so many sacred moments in their ceremony.

And then there was the reception.

There was an ice cream bar instead of traditional cake cutting. The couple’s dance was like bachata and rhumba and waltz, if they all had a baby. Apparently half the attendance could do back flips, improv dancing, break dancing, and there was literally a rapper at one point. I don’t think I have ever seen people dance so hard in my life.

I’ve photographed many weddings. But, I’ve never photographed a wedding, where amidst a torrential downpour and literal mudslide under the reception tent (we’re talking to levels of plywood being set atop to create a walkway, kind of mudslide), the vibes were so strong that the downpour didn’t even matter. For most wedding parties, storm clouds and even a droplet of rain is a nightmare…not for Manuel and Hannah though.

It was awesome.

My favorite part of the day, however, was when Hannah’s father motioned for me to follow him outside the reception tent. There in a circle - rain, mud, wet grass, insane humidity, and all - Manuel and Hannah were dancing with their friends. Her dress got soaked, shoes stained, hair drenched, but she could have cared less. That’s my kind of crowd, right there.

Manuel & Hannah - thank you for inviting me to be part of your beautiful wedding. Enjoy this preview of your day!