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Gay Wedding Photographer: Shaun & Patton

Two grooms, two stunning outfit changes, one bold black wedding cake, and one large wedding party full of love and laughter—this unforgettable fall Palace wedding brought fire, ice, and so much joy — I am so proud to be a gay wedding photographer!

gay wedding photographer, lisa rhinehart, captures this vibrant, candid image of these two groom as they wear their Vietnamese tribute outfits during their palace at somerset park wedding

Why Rhinehart Photography?

Patton shares, “We chose Rhinehart Photography because of Lisa’s incredible ability to capture raw emotions and tell a story through her lens. Her portfolio felt authentic and unique, and we knew she’d bring that same energy to our wedding day.”

He continues, “Working with Lisa was a dream! She was so organized and calm, which helped us stay relaxed. She also brought such fun energy—it felt like having a friend there who happened to be a photography wizard.”

Patton adds, “What sets Lisa apart is her creativity and attention to detail. She didn’t just take pictures; she found the magic in little moments we might have missed otherwise. Plus, some of the crazy positions Lisa got into to get those perfect shots were both hilarious and impressive! She’s not just a photographer—She’s an artist and an all-around awesome human being!”

Awwww guys… you are making me blush!!!   I can’t say enough about the two of you and your friends and family!  Everyone was so much fun and just really kind, I would love to work them any day of the week! (or dance with them) stay tuned!!

palace at somerset park wedding photographer, lisa rhinehart, captures this image of these two grooms as they dance together surrounded by clouds during their first dance during their gay wedding

gay wedding photographer, lisa rhinehart, captures this candid, authentic image of these two grooms as they laugh and smile together surrounded by friends and family during their palace at somerset park wedding in new jersey

Preparations in Red, Gold, and Blue

Patton says, “Our wedding colors were inspired by a blend of elegance and cultural significance. Moms in shimmering gold brought warmth and regality to the day, while our custom tuxes in deep red and rich blue symbolized our unique personalities. Guests looked incredible in black tie and touches of red, blending sophistication with our bold fire-and-ice theme.”

creative new jersey wedding photographer, lisa rhinehart, captures this unique, creative image of these two grooms as they prepare for their gay wedding at the palace at somerset park

candid palace at somerset park wedding photographer, lisa rhinehart, captures this candid, authentic, fun image of these two grooms as they lean and smile on their friends during their gay wedding in new jersey

image of the grooms mom wear gold during wedding preparations at the palace at somerset park in new jersey

creative gay wedding photographer, lisa rhinehart, captures this creative, unique image of the groom as he gets his makeup on captured through the reflection of the mirror during these palace at somerset park wedding preparations

creative palace at somerset park wedding photographer, lisa rhinehart, captures this creative, unique, candid image of this groom as he gets dress and smiles captured through the reflection in the mirror before this gay wedding ceremony in new jersey

candid nj wedding photographer, lisa rhinehart, captures this image of a friend as she holds a bear as a young boy tries to grab it inside of the palace at somerset park

image of the gay groom as he looks off into the distance as he finishes getting ready before his palace at somerset park gay wedding ceremony

image of the groom as he gets sprayed with cologne before his palace at somerset park gay wedding ceremony in new jersey

To the Moon and Back: About the Tuxes

Patton smiles, “Our tuxedos were custom-designed to reflect our personalities. We donned a royal blue tux with satin lapels, channeling the cool elegance of ice. Inside, the phrase ‘to the moon and back’ was embroidered—a nod to our love that feels limitless.”

Why the Palace? #1 Chandeliers!

Patton shares, “We chose The Palace at Somerset Park because it perfectly blended elegance and modern charm—it felt like the ideal place to celebrate our big day in style! The Grand Foyer immediately captivated us with its stunning chandeliers, which added such a magical touch to the atmosphere. The ballrooms, particularly the East Ballroom where our reception was held, were so beautifully designed and spacious, giving us the perfect canvas to bring our vision to life.”

He continues, “One of our favorite spots was the Juliet Balcony, where we snuck a quiet moment together—it was so romantic! The outdoor terrace was another highlight; it made for such a serene backdrop during cocktail hour.

Patton recalls, “On our wedding day, we were most excited to experience the transformation of the Grand Staircase for our entrance—it was a breathtaking moment we’ll never forget. The chandeliers, the lighting, and the overall ambiance of The Palace created an unforgettable setting that truly made us feel like royalty.”

Fire and Ice

It’s fun themes like this and the authenticity and attention to detail that make being a gay wedding photographer extra special for me!

Patton shares, “The fire-and-ice concept was born from our contrasting yet complementary personalities. One of us is passionate and fiery, while the other is calm and composed, creating a perfect balance. Our wedding reflected that dynamic, with bold red and blue custom tuxes, nods to our shared culture in our evening attire, and a striking black wedding cake with gold details.”

Shaun shares, “The two of us appreciate most how we balance each other out. One of us brings calm and practicality, while the other brings energy and creativity. We both value kindness, a great sense of humor, and a deep respect for each other’s individuality.”

Patton adds, “Lisa captured this dynamic so beautifully, from playful moments to quiet, emotional ones. Her attention to detail behind the scenes—like catching candid laughs or dramatic lighting—helped bring our vision to life.”

Wedding Party of 20!!

Patton smiles, “Our wedding party was a lively group, with 20 members and 10 kids who brought so much joy to the day. From being lifted for fun poses to forming a heart, they embraced every creative idea with enthusiasm. Posing for a ‘GQ spread’ moment was a highlight—it made us all feel like stars!”

Fall Palace at Somerset Park Wedding

Patton says, “The gardens of The Palace were a perfect backdrop for our fall wedding. The vibrant colors of the season, combined with our playful energy, created a magical atmosphere. Those moments of us together in the garden—just the two of us—felt so special and serene amidst the excitement of the day.”

Palace Ceremony: Gay Wedding Photographer

Patton says, “Our black-tie ceremony was elevated by the presence of our loved ones, especially our grandparents and special guests who mean so much to us. The Grand Staircase and chandelier made everything feel regal, and sharing that moment together, under those sparkling lights, was unforgettable.”

Grand Entrance

Patton recalls, “Walking into the room and seeing everyone smiling up at us was overwhelming in the best way. It felt surreal to be surrounded by so much love and support. Locking eyes with each other under the chandelier was like a scene from a dream—it was just us, basking in the moment.”

All the Emotions

Patton shares, “The ceremony was a rollercoaster of emotions. Hugging our moms, laughing with our guests, and tearing up during the vows—it was an outpouring of love and joy. Hearing our vows aloud was deeply moving, as they reflected everything we’d built together and hoped for in the future.”

Shaun adds, “There was excitement, joy, and pure happiness as we celebrated with our loved ones. There were also quieter, more emotional moments filled with gratitude and love, especially during the vows. Of course, there were some nerves and a little chaos (it’s a wedding, after all!), but ultimately, the day was filled with love, laughter, and memories we’ll treasure forever.”

They are officially Husbands!

Shaun recalls, “We fell in love on OkCupid by bonding over shared interests, witty conversations, and that undeniable spark you feel when someone truly ‘gets’ you. From our first messages to our first date, everything just clicked—it felt easy and exciting all at once.”

Shaun and Patton smile, “Standing there as husbands was a moment that surpassed every dream we’d ever had. Growing up, we couldn’t have imagined a day like this—but it was everything we hoped for and more. It felt like a celebration not just of love, but of being fully seen and embraced by everyone around us.”

First Dance: Gay wedding photographer

Patton says, “Our first dance was unforgettable. Singing the lyrics together felt like a private moment in the middle of a big celebration. The lyrics to the song really struck a chord and captured how we feel about each other.”

Speeches

Shaun shares, “The balcony added such a dramatic and fun touch to the speeches. Whether it was Patton’s sister’s heartfelt words or capturing group shots at the tables, the whole moment felt cinematic and so full of love.”

Let’s get this party started!

Shaun smiles, “Our friends know how to bring the energy! From the dance floor to the photo booth, the vibe was electric. Everyone let loose, and it made the night feel like one big celebration of love and joy.”

Mr & Mr with Black Fondant!!

Patton exclaims, “The black fondant cake with gold leaf, red roses, and tuxedo designs was a showstopper! We wanted something bold and unique, and the ‘Mr. & Mr.’ topper was the perfect touch. It brought together our vision of elegance and personality in the sweetest way.”

At the end of the night

Patton shares, “For the evening, we changed into traditional red and gold outfits that paid homage to the Vietnamese heritage. These colors symbolize prosperity and love, making them perfect for the occasion. It was a meaningful way to honor where we came from as we celebrated our future together. Reflecting on the day, we were overwhelmed with gratitude for how everything came together—it truly was a dream come true!

Behind the scenes: gay wedding photographer

Patton says, “Lisa is not your average wedding photographer, her creativity, energy, and willingness to go above and beyond—like getting into crazy positions or having us try new ideas—made the whole process fun and relaxed. Lisa even had an outfit change that surprised us but also felt so on-brand for how much thought she put into making everyone comfortable. Lisa brought our vision to life and captured moments we’ll treasure forever!

BTS: Cutting the Cake!

I love that my second photographer took the time to show what these scene looked like with all of the people and traditional lighting!  You can see that I simplified the composition and “got down” to show the red in the background and focus on the cake and couple.  Their emotions are priceless!

Lol, I work out!!

BTS: Outfit change & dancing!

This moment is when Patton said something along the lines of, “Lisa, loving the leopard print!!!”

Joining new friends on the dance floor!

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