Shelby and Danny were exactly what I love in couples who want to celebrate nuptials but have to be budget conscious: They lean into it. When Shelby reached out to me for their wedding at Edison Granary she was just off coaching her team, taking a quick second to talk to me about plans and what they wanted. It felt right to me, it felt like I understood in those few seconds the type of people these two were. Community driven, and teaching as a passion. I was excited to learn how best I could show up and help them with their wedding day.

Multicultural Celebration

It was a great challenge to ensure I captured the essence of bringing two cultures together. Blending the Asian culture of Dannys family with the ‘traditional’ wedding elements we know of Western culture of Shelby. It really emphasized the non-traditional desires they both had for their day. Edison Granary itself is also unconventional, as it’s a smaller venue meant for intimate nuptials and parties. It helped everyone feel encouraged to mingle and meet.

Private Vows

I got to witness them enjoy each other’s company and help one another as they got ready, which I think reflects such a great start of an exciting day. Private vows are a special thing that I think get overlooked often. If you are someone who finds having the spotlight cast on you really uncomfortable, this might be for you. Having a moment together to share your deeper, honest love can help take the stress off the experience, and minimizes any embarrassment you may feel. It’s also great to share inside jokes, things only you two know about one another, and bring intimacy in a day that has a lot of focus on you and your community.

Two Dresses

Shelby wanted to surprise Danny and the rest of the family by swapping out from her dress to a more traditional Vietnamese dress in red. Watching everyone react to her in this outfit change was great. It was heartwarming to see everyone so excited and willing to embrace on another and where they came from. Honoring both and the blend that has occurred by these two falling in love. That wasn’t the only custom thing though. These two also got custom sneakers for their wedding. I thought that was such a cool detail that really stuck out as something only for them. I encourage all couples to find great ways to embrace what brings them together.

If you are considering something smaller for your nuptials, and want a bit more of a beachside vibe with lots of outdoor room, Edison Granary is a great place to consider.

• Photography: Mason Joel Photography
• Venue: Edison Granary