Lubna + Farhan / Three Day Tampa Bay Florida Wedding Grand Hyatt

Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay Florida Wedding Portraits Sunset Beach_0129.jpg

So, you know how 2020 was everyone’s year? Yeah, it was supposed to be “ours” too. As traveling photographers, it was the year of our dreams. We had so many out of state and even out of the country weddings booked, but as you know… this thing called COVID happened, and we felt as if our dreams were being shattered. But, God always provides and surprises us, and can you believe that we ended up shooting more weddings in 2020 than 2019? Wow… I’m still so amazed.

We had to reschedule many weddings, and all of the ones we were supposed to travel to either got rescheduled or changed to our local area in Atlanta, but not THIS one! The date changed, but we were so happy that we could still travel to Tampa to see Lubna + Farhan. We were stoked that it was going to happened! Our couple had to arrangements and change their plans as well, but they did it so gracefully. I can’t imagine all the stress and disappointment that change of plans can give a couple when planning a wedding during a pandemic, but these two did it fiercely. They prioritized what was most important to them, and it was their closest friends and family. Smaller weddings don’t mean it’s less important. Smaller weddings don’t mean it’s less fun or less meaningful. As a matter of fact, it becomes more meaningful, more emotional, more fun, and the sense of gratitude is greater. Weddings in 2020 have actually been the most memorable ones to us. It all made us realize that you actually don’t need so much… that what’s important to you is actually more than enough. Even though there were “less” of things in 2020 in all areas of our lives, it made me realize how much we have more than ever before. How much we have to be thankful for. I really enjoyed seeing how much Lubna + Farhan cherished these three days of their wedding celebrations. Their genuine love for one another and family were invaluable, and my favorite was the way they looked at one another. This couple was so humble and simply kind. Did you see that they won “the most kind couple” award in 2020? Yes… they stood out that much to us. We left this wedding feeling so loved and welcomed and with a sense of “wow, this is the way it should be…”. Their family members were so sweet too. They always made sure we ate and even packed us dinner every night. Really felt like we had a mom there who truly cared for us like her own. There are two types of people - ones that you want to be like and ones that you don’t. And trust me, we wanted to be like them. Coming from a broken family with no siblings, I often wonder what it would feel like to be part of a big family like theirs, and I’m so thankful that I got a taste of it through this special wedding. Lubna + Farhan, you guys were a blessing to us! We enjoyed every second of it with you guys… Thank you for EVERYTHING! Being able to capture your beautiful love for one another was such an honor. Meeting your amazing family was too. We hope that your love for one another only grow from here and that you have an amazing marriage!

With much love,

Craig + Unchong