Capturing a Two-Part Wedding in Kyoto: Breana and Matt

Having a couple entrust their special day to you is both a privilege and a responsibility as a photographer. On one hand, it’s such an honor to be trusted with the entirety of their wedding, from the planning to the day itself. However, unlike the usual shoots we do, this has no do-overs. Ceremonies happen in real time, and as photographers, it’s our job to capture everything seamlessly without interrupting the flow.

I was very lucky to be entrusted by Breana and Matt to capture their unique two-part wedding ceremony. Since it was quite a big task, I asked my associate, Aleandra Acosta, to assist with the photography.

It was a full-day photo and video coverage, so we had to carefully plan everything and even hopped on multiple calls before the wedding to make sure everything would run smoothly.

Before the wedding, we met them (Alejandra and I) to discuss the last details and make sure they were comfortable and knew they were in good hands.

The first part of the wedding was a morning elopement, a more intimate occasion with fewer guests. The couple opted for a traditional Buddhist ceremony, which included a tea ceremony, a barrel-breaking ceremony, and a garden wedding.

I offered to document the getting ready process and their first look, and also made sure to cover the barrel-breaking ceremony. To make this work smoothly, we coordinated closely with the planners for logistics.

They wore traditional Japanese kimonos for this part of the day, and some of the guests even dressed the part, which felt very fitting for the ceremony.

After the morning ceremony, we took more photos around the garden before the couple prepared for the second part of the wedding, an American-style ceremony with around 30 guests.

We moved to The Sodoh for the next part of the celebration. The second ceremony and reception featured a multi-course dinner, Maiko dancers, and a lively dance party, creating a completely different atmosphere from the morning.

For this part of the day, they changed into a dress and tuxedo, marking a transition into a more modern and celebratory setting.

After dinner, the newlyweds ended the night with a lantern release, filling the sky with beautiful lights. It was a really memorable way to close the celebration.

Planning everything was definitely challenging, so I made sure to support them as much as I could.

I offered to handle communication with the venue, sign any necessary release forms, and even shared hotel recommendations in Kyoto across different budgets.

They preferred a natural and candid approach to both photography and videography, with consistent quality throughout the day.

Since they chose to get married in Japan, they wanted immersive shots that captured the emotions and allowed their loved ones back home to feel part of the experience through the photos.

I understood how important this was, so Aleandra and I made sure to capture everything as thoughtfully as possible. It was rewarding to see all the planning come together on the day.

This is just one of the many types of shoots our team covers. We also work on elopements, proposals, family or solo portraits, and more. Check the packages below to get started.