Petronella Photography

There’s nothing quite like the moment when a couple hears their song unexpectedly. Watching their faces light up, seeing them melt into each other. This is why I do what I do. This sweet surprise happened during their first look & I’m still not over their reaction. Some moments are so pure, so genuine, that they remind you why love stories matter. As we celebrate their wedding anniversary, I’m taking you behind the scenes of all the magic that made their day unforgettable. This is just the beginning… Sometimes the most beautiful moments aren’t the ones you plan. They’re the ones that happen when love takes over. Stay tuned for more from this incredible multicultural Pakistani - American Muslim wedding celebration Creative Partners: Venue: @bluehillfarm Coordination: @angweddingsny Photography + Video: @petronellaphotography Flowers: @extrafloral Jazz Band: @nsi.universal DJ: @djmarcsmooth Paperie: @littleblackdresspaperie Cake: @bythewaybakery Beauty: @beautini Belly Dancers: @sultanataj Transport: @redoaktrans . . . . . . . . #angweddings #petronellaphotography #multiculturalwedding #muslimwedding #bluehillfarmwedding #nikkah #bluehillwedding #hudsonvalleyweddings #bluehillatstonebarns

POV: Your bride walks down the aisle to Beyoncé’s “Renaissance” & breaks the internet. Tonight, Queen B takes the stage in Vegas for her final Cowboy Carter show, but Gillian already gave us an iconic Renaissance moment at @WytheHotel . She said forget tradition, forget the typical bridal march & strutted down that aisle in a black & white polka dot masterpiece like the icon she is. This moment? Pure cinema. Pure power. Pure Gillian. We’re still getting chills from the way she owned that entrance & honestly, every bride deserves to feel this level of main character energy on their wedding day. Who says you can’t channel your inner Beyoncé while saying “I do”? Gillian & Oscar proved that the best weddings happen when couples throw out the rulebook & create something entirely their own. This is what happens when a bride decides to Renaissance her way into forever. Beyhive, you’re going to love this one. Creative Partners Planning: @thegettogetherevents Photography: @PetronellaPhotography Florals: @lulo_floral Dress: @TanyaTaylor DJ: @djduggz of @74events Venue: @wythehotel . . . . . . . . . #petronellaphotography #thegettogetherevents #multiculturalwedding #wythehotel #brides #beyonce #renaissance #bridetok

Hi, I’m Petronella of Petronella Photography, a wedding & family photographer who celebrates couples & families people with visual stories filled with love, culture & connection. I started photographing weddings because I believe storytelling preserves the moments that make us unique & beautiful. FUN FACT: I was born in Uganda, grew up in Zimbabwe & moved to Alabama at age 10. This is why I love what I do—bringing joy, meaning & timeless memories into people’s lives, one photo at a time. #petronellaphotography petronellaphotography #myfujifilmlegacy #petronella #multiculturalwedding #multiculturalweddings

Your Pinterest Board won’t tell you this, but as a wedding photographer who just spent 3 days at Ephemeral Floral Workshop, I will. Watching these talented floral designers create stunning floral designs at @jardin_de_buis gave me an up close look at how thoughtful floral design translates to stunning imagery. Here are 3 biggest mistakes I see couples make with floral centerpieces: 1️⃣ Wrong scale for your venue. This is the one that surprises couples most. A centerpiece that looks fine to the eye can completely disappear in a photo of a grand venue. On the other hand, an installation that feels dramatic in person can overwhelm an intimate space or make it harder for guests to have conversations. 2️⃣ Matchy-matchy florals everywhere. If your ceremony backdrop, cocktail arrangements & reception centerpieces all look identical, your photos start to feel flat & repetitive. Visual variety: different styles, textures, heights create a story arc that keeps your images interesting & intentional. 3️⃣ All flowers, no greenery. Florals without greenery can photograph flat. Greenery adds layered depth that makes arrangements look lush & more expensive in photos. When florists design with photography in mind & photographers understand floral design, the result is wedding imagery that feels elevated & timeless. If you want wedding photos that feel unforgettable, your florist & photographer need to be thinking about how it all comes together in the frame. @T.J._McGrath_design , @AullingAtelier & @TheHiddenDaisyFloral understand that florals are part of the visual story your photos will tell. Venue @Jardin_de_buis Instructors @t.j._mcgrath_design @aullingatelier @thehiddendaisyfloral @zelaevents Photographer @petronellaphotography Catering: @bex_nj Chef Patissiere: @Janelle_manning Bridal Gown: @JeanRalphThurin Backdrop: @ChasingStone Vases: @ohflorastore Floral Pin Frogs: @floralgeniusig Flowers @cfgreens (Continental floral greens) @hautau_and_sons @tamarackflowerfarm @chestercountyflowercollective @daybreakflowers @spadaflora @hilverdadeboerusa @dvflora @lbauer105 @bucky7999 @sunwesternflowers Rentals: @ Reverie_social  @partyrentalltd

Postcards from Ephemeral Floral Workshop with the loveliest people, florals & location. My heart & soul are completely full. Three days at Jardin de Buis with @t.j._mcgrath_design McGrath @aullingatelier @thehiddendaisyfloral @zelaevents @Janelle_manning and a room full of passionate, generous creatives, perpetual students of floral design, all of us and I am still processing the artistry & beauty of what was created. I arrive at floral design from a different angle than most, but last week reminded me that different perspectives are exactly what a creative community needs. Stepping into @jardindeBuis felt like entering a fairytale I never wanted to leave. The artistry, the energy, the generosity of everyone in that space was something truly rare. Thank you to each & every Creative Partner below for everything you poured into those three days. And to every designer in that room, what we created together is something I will carry with me for a long time. Thank you for the amazing BTS @let_them_eat_flowers Creative Partners Venue @Jardin_de_buis   Instructors @t.j._mcgrath_design @aullingatelier @thehiddendaisyfloral @zelaevents Photographer  @petronellaphotography Catering: @bex_nj Chef patissiere: @Janelle_manning Bridal Gown: @JeanRalphThurin Backdrop: @ChasingStone Vases: @ohflorastore Floral Pin Frogs: @floralgeniusig Flowers @cfgreens (Continental floral greens) @hautau_and_sons @tamarackflowerfarm @chestercountyflowercollective @daybreakflowers @spadaflora @hilverdadeboerusa @dvflora @lbauer105 @bucky7999 @sunwesternflowers Rentals: @ Reverie_social  @partyrentalltd

What a special experience it was to be part of the Ephemeral Workshop hosted by @t.j._mcgrath_design collaborating alongside such talented designers and having the opportunity to connect with and speak to the students. Thank you, TJ, for trusting me with the tablescape design. This concept had been sitting with us for over a year. An idea he first shared about creating layered arches and a criss-cross installation over the table. When the opportunity came to design something truly immersive for the attendees, we knew this was the moment to bring it to life. Beyond the installation, it was just as important to tell the full story through the tabletop, how every detail contributes to the overall experience. From the linens to the place settings, the candlelight, to the florals, and the food…each element working together with intention. As a planner, I often get to experience the end result from the guest perspective. As a florist, that’s not always the case. Creating this experience allowed the attendees to do both. To design, build, and then return, dressed for the evening, to sit at the table they spent the day creating. To see them fully immersed in what they brought to life…sharing a meal, connecting, and celebrating…was incredibly meaningful. A beautiful night filled with intention, collaboration, and connection 🤍 EPHEMERAL created & hosted by @t.j._mcgrath_design with Guest Instructors: @aullingatelier @thehiddendaisyfloral @zelaevents Photography: @petronellaphotography Tablescape designed by @zelaevents Linens: @reverie_social Rentals: @partyrentalltd Venue: @Jardin_de_buis Backdrop: @chasingstone Local & American Grown Flowers: @cfgreens @hautau_and_sons @hilverdadeboerusa @tamarackflowerfarm @chestercountyflowercollective @daybreakflowerss @spadaflora @vandykeflowers @dvflora @lbauer105 @bucky7999 @sunwesternflowers

A quick look from the live for today’s ephemeral workshop

So much of a design and planning comes down to collaboration. When the planner and florist are in sync from the start, every detail feels considered. From how the table sits within the space to how each arrangement interacts with its surroundings. It’s not just about what’s beautiful on its own, but how everything works together to create a cohesive experience. Designing for the setting will always matter. Letting the environment lead, and building around it with intention. Tomorrow, I’ll be speaking to the students at @t.j._mcgrath_design and @aullingatelier Ephemeral Workshop about this exact approach, and bringing it to life through the tablescape they’ll design alongside their floral installations. Ending the day with a dinner set within their own work… truly the best way to experience it all come together. Photography by @petronellaphotography from the Distinctly Colorful & Seasonal workshop hosted by @t.j._mcgrath_design , @bloomandburn , and @maxgilldesign Table scape design/planning: @zelaevents Bowls: @ohflorastore Pinfrogs: @floralgeniusig Rentals: @partyrentalltd Catering: @bex_nj Flowers sourced from: @hautau_and_sons @dvflora @cfgreens @florasylvacutgarden @soilandsoulflowers @anther_farm @us_evergreens

They got married on April 4 at The Heritage Club at Bethpage. A wedding date shared with Beyoncé + Jay Z.�An entrance soundtracked by Bey + Jay.�A room full of love, style & main character energy. Some moments just know how to leave a mark.

This is how I knew their multicultural wedding was a vibe. The lions did not just perform. They joined the party. When the lions from the Lion Dance started Swag Surfing with the guests, it felt like the perfect reflection of Jonathan + Austin’s Black American 🇺🇸 - Chinese 🇨🇳 wedding. Two traditions. One unforgettable dance floor. One celebration that felt fully alive. Planning: @hurryupandhavefun Venue: @hamilton.loft Catering: Raging Skillet @chefrossinyc Lion Dancers: @newyorkclf Photographer: @petronellaphotography Videography: @24stills_wedding DJ: @jamesmulry Florist: @yellowbowlflorals HMU: @joannsolomonbeauty Lighting: @ulsnyc Photobooth: @amazebooths

Before their multicultural wedding, I asked Jonathan & Austin one question:
“What do you most want to feel when you look back on your photos?” They didn’t say perfection
They didn’t say poses They said: gentleness, joy & the feeling of being fully surrounded by love They wanted to see their people… really see them: laughing, dancing, celebrating, letting go And that’s exactly what their day became A living, breathing reflection of who they are From the rhythm of the music to the energy on the dance floor
from the lion dance to the fan snaps echoing through the room
from a floating supper to moments that felt quiet & deeply held Every detail carried meaning Their Black American & Chinese cultures weren’t just included
they were honored, felt & lived And somehow, it all came together so seamlessly
like it had always belonged together What stayed with me most was this Every single person in that room could see themselves in the celebration That kind of love,
the kind that makes space for everyone,
the kind that says you belong here, That’s what Jonathan and Austin created and it was unforgettable Planning: @hurryupandhavefun Venue: @hamilton.loft Catering: Raging Skillet @chefrossinyc Lion Dancers: @newyorkclf Photographer: @petronellaphotography Videography: @24stills_wedding DJ: @jamesmulry Florist: @yellowbowlflorals HMU: @joannsolomonbeauty Lighting: @ulsnyc Photobooth: @amazebooths

What started as a little pre ceremony confidence boost turned into one of the sweetest moments of the wedding day. In honor of KPop Demon Hunters “Golden” winning Best Original Song at the Oscars, we’re celebrating the same way A + J’s nieces did at their multicultural Chinese 🇨🇳 - American 🇺🇸 wedding. Right before the ceremony, the little flower girls suddenly started singing their favorite song together. No cue. No rehearsal. Just pure joy, tiny voices & a moment that made everyone smile before the walk down the aisle. Sometimes the best performances happen when no one is expecting them. Future Oscar winners in the making. Planning: @hurryupandhavefun �Venue: @hamilton.loft �Catering Raging Skillet @chefrossinyc �Lion dancers @newyorkclf �Photography @petronellaphotography �Videography @24stills_wedding �DJ @jamesmulry �Florals @yellowbowflorals �Hair and Makeup @joannsolomonbeauty �Lighting @ulsnyc �Photobooth @amazebooths #petronellaphotography #multiculturalwedding