New Haven, CT | Wedding | Ruby & Hassan
Ruby and Hassan’s love story started across the Atlantic Ocean in Hassan’s home country of Morocco. Ruby, a school teacher from Connecticut in the US, went abroad with a group of fellow educators. Hassan happened to be one of the lucky ambassadors that showed the group around. And, as we now know, Hassan and Ruby soon sparked their connection over dinner and mint tea!
Even after Ruby came back to America, they stayed in touch and maintained a long distance relationship. After a year of dating long distance, Ruby ventured back to Morocco to teach with Hassan. Their great life adventure has continued ever since. With both sets of parents present, Hassan proposed with a beautiful ring of tanzanite and diamonds set in white gold, from Ruby’s Jewelers of course. They returned to America and had their official marriage ceremony in the backyard of Ruby’s parents home.
On the day of their “other” wedding celebration, I knew it was important to take lots of photos outside of Ruby’s parents house because it’s the setting of so many joyous moments in Ruby’s life. Plus, I must say, that Ruby’s parents have a gorgeous garden and I couldn’t resist photographing amidst all of the beautiful colors!
Hassan’s family traveled all the way from Morocco and France, while Ruby’s extended family traveled all the way from Taiwan! We took family photos right outside and I just loved the moment when Ruby’s Mom leaned over to give her a kiss. She was so proud and filled with love for her daughter.
The wedding was filled with friends and family from all over the world! It was amazing to see the love that brought everyone together to celebrate these wonderful souls. Ruby started the day in a traditional white wedding dress and then changed into a traditional Kaftan dress that was handmade and hand-embroidered by expert Moroccan seamstresses. It’s a traditional dress worn at Moroccan weddings. Ruby chose the colors and design together with Hassan’s parents.
Traditionally, at Taiwanese and Moroccan weddings, the bride can have several dress changes. Ruby also contemplated donning her traditional red Taiwanese wedding dress, called Qipao, for photos. But, luckily, we already captured her beauty in that dress during their engagement session – found HERE.
One of the memorable moments for me was when Ruby’s brother, David, made his speech. He cracked a lot of jokes, but one of the things he said that stuck with me, was about how Ruby took a risk. She took a risk on her heart, to open it for Hassan, to go back to Morocco and live with him and his family for a year. They both took a risk to get married, move to America and start a life together. If they never took those risks, they would not be where they are today, together, in love, going on adventures and soon experiencing one of the biggest adventures by welcoming a baby into the world and into their hearts.
I can’t wait to see them again and meet their little peanut! It was my privilege to capture the memories of Ruby and Hassan’s wedding day, but an even greater privilege to be their friend :).
