An Elegant Muslim Wedding Reception at Gaylord Palms Resort

There is no greater compliment for a photographer than when a past client recommends you to their family. I first connected with Ashal and Omar through Omar’s cousin, Erum, whose wedding I had the pleasure of photographing earlier in the year. When Ashal and Omar reached out and told me they loved my work so much that they wanted to fly me down to Orlando to capture their celebration, I was absolutely honored.

Leaving a freezing cold December day in Philadelphia to touch down in sunny 80-degree Florida was exactly what I needed. It was the perfect escape and set the tone for an incredible weekend.

This celebration was focused entirely on the reception since the couple had already held a small, intimate Nikah ceremony in New York the week prior. This meant we could dedicate our time to capturing portraits and the joy of the party without the pressure of a full wedding day timeline.

The venue, Gaylord Palms Resort, is nothing short of spectacular. The grounds are beautiful, featuring a stunning fountain and gorgeous palm trees that give you that true Florida vibe. But the real showstopper is the indoor atrium. It is filled with lush greens and flooded with beautiful natural light, which makes it a dream location for photography. We were able to explore the space and capture some truly romantic portraits surrounded by all that greenery before heading into the reception.

Thank you, Ashal and Omar, for bringing me along for this destination celebration. It was a joy to be a part of your story.

Here are a few of my favorite moments from their beautiful reception in Orlando.