Some love stories feel like they were years in the making — even when the wedding itself comes together in just a few weeks.

Anna Zhang and Naim Bhuiyan grew up only blocks away from one another in New York, yet somehow their paths wouldn’t cross until years later. Their story eventually came full circle in Brooklyn, where they celebrated their marriage surrounded by the people, traditions, and cultures that shaped them.

Their story was later featured in The New York Times Weddings section, in an article fittingly titled “They Planned Their Wedding in 3 Weeks.”

And getting to photograph it was especially meaningful for us.

A Celebration of Two Cultures

From the beginning, Anna and Naim’s wedding felt unmistakably personal.

Rather than choosing details simply because they were beautiful, they filled the celebration with pieces of themselves and their families. Bengali and Chinese traditions existed side by side throughout the day, creating a wedding that felt layered, intentional, and completely their own.

Anna wore a breathtaking traditional red bridal look with intricate gold detailing, while Naim complemented her in an ivory ensemble accented with deep red. Together, the colors carried throughout the celebration — from the florals to the stationery and reception details.

The result was vibrant without feeling overwhelming: deep reds, burgundy, soft blush, ivory and greenery woven throughout the day.

The Little Details Told Their Story

One of our favorite things about photographing weddings is discovering the tiny details that might otherwise disappear with time.

Anna and Naim had so many.

Guests were welcomed by childhood photographs of the two of them beneath the words:

“these kids got married!”

Nearby, a display filled with photographs honored the generations and love stories that came before them.

Traditional Chinese double-happiness symbols appeared throughout the reception design. Folding fans decorated the tables and became part of the portraits. Red envelopes added another meaningful cultural detail. Even the place settings — with delicate green-and-white patterned plates, gold flatware and rich red napkins — felt connected to the overall story.

Nothing felt generic.

Every corner gave us something else to photograph.

Their Islamic Wedding Ceremony

The day also included their Islamic marriage ceremony, surrounded by family and loved ones.

Inside the mosque, beneath an incredible chandelier and intricate architectural details, Anna and Naim sat together for the ceremony that officially began this next chapter of their lives.

Some of our favorite photographs from a wedding aren’t necessarily the grandest ones. They’re the moments in between: a hand being held, a nervous smile, family gathering around, or the expression on someone’s face when everything suddenly feels real.

Those moments were everywhere during Anna and Naim’s day.

A Reception Filled With Personality

The reception continued the mix of traditions with lush, garden-inspired arrangements filled with red, burgundy, blush and ivory flowers.

Long tables were dressed simply in white, allowing the florals and cultural details to take center stage. Guests found their seats among photographs, family memories, fans and carefully chosen pieces that made the space feel less like a wedding venue and more like an extension of Anna and Naim.

And, of course, we couldn’t photograph a New York love story without having a little fun.

One of our favorite portraits from the evening happened at an ice cream truck, where Anna and Naim leaned through the window laughing together — still dressed in their wedding attire.

It was spontaneous, playful and wonderfully New York.

Exactly the kind of photograph we love.

Featured in The New York Times

After photographing their wedding, we had the incredible honor of seeing Anna and Naim’s story featured in The New York Times Weddings column.

Seeing photographs from a day we witnessed so intimately accompany their story was surreal.

But what makes this wedding memorable isn’t simply where it was published.

It’s Anna and Naim.

It’s two people who grew up just blocks apart without knowing that one day their lives would intersect.

It’s two families and two cultures coming together.

It’s childhood photographs beside wedding portraits.

It’s Bengali traditions alongside Chinese ones.

It’s faith, family, heritage, laughter, flowers, food, friends — and two people at the center of all of it who couldn’t stop smiling at each other.

Somehow, all of that came together in just three weeks.

And we were lucky enough to photograph it.