Joyce & Kyle’s Wedding: A Love Story Rooted in Tradition, Family, and Forever
- Shawn Handrahan
- Feb 27
- 3 min read
Updated: Feb 28
A Wedding in Pensacola Where Every Frame Told a Story

Some weddings feel like a movie—the kind where every glance, every touch, and every stolen moment feels like it was meant to be captured. Joyce and Kyle’s wedding at Pleasant Home Primitive Baptist Church was one of those.
It wasn’t just about the dress or the flowers. It was about legacy. About the weight of history in that church, where Kyle’s grandfather once stood as preacher. It was about the quiet intensity of their love, the way they looked at each other—like two people who had found exactly where they were meant to be.

For couples searching for a wedding photographer or videographer in Pensacola, Destin, or anywhere along the Gulf Coast, this is the kind of day you dream of—one where emotion and story come alive in every frame.
A Love That Spanned Oceans
Their story began in Tallahassee, but it wasn’t just geography that shaped them—it was time and distance. A love that grew stronger despite the miles, despite the waiting. And when Kyle finally proposed, it was a moment straight out of a novel—an intimate dinner at an Italian restaurant in the Philippines, on Joyce’s birthday.

Just imagine it: a warm evening, candlelight reflecting off wine glasses, the sound of the ocean somewhere in the distance. And then—Kyle, down on one knee. A ring. A question.

A future sealed with a yes.
The Ceremony: A Church Steeped in Meaning
Pleasant Home Primitive Baptist Church isn’t just any church—it’s a part of Kyle’s family. A place where sermons have echoed through generations, where faith has been passed down like an heirloom. So when Joyce walked down the aisle, escorted by her uncle and aunt, you could feel the weight of history in the air.

The music? An instrumental violin version of Taylor Swift’s “Daylight.” A fitting choice, because this was their dawn—the start of something new, something permanent.
They exchanged vows. Rings. Lit the Unity Candle to symbolize two lives becoming one. And as they walked back up the aisle, officially husband and wife, “Love Story” by Taylor Swift (instrumental version by Alan Milan) played—a poetic touch to a perfect moment.
The Reception: A Celebration of Culture and Connection
Filipino. American. Two families, two traditions, woven seamlessly into one unforgettable celebration at Fil-Am of Pensacola.

The party started with a cocktail hour at 1 PM, the anticipation buzzing in the air. And then—the bridal party made their entrance. The bridesmaids? They strutted in to “APT” by Bruno Mars and Rose. The groomsmen? They took it up a notch with “Uptown Funk.” And when Joyce and Kyle finally entered? Let’s just say, the energy in the room exploded.
But what made this night truly special were the Filipino traditions intertwined with modern wedding moments.
The Money Dance: A Celebration of Prosperity and Love

For those who don’t know, the money dance is more than just fun—it’s a tradition where guests pin money on the bride and groom as they dance, symbolizing good fortune and support for their new life together. It was joyful. Emotional. A true testament to the love surrounding them.
The Special Dances
• Mother/Son Dance: A heartfelt moment that left barely a dry eye in the room.

• Uncle/Niece Dance: A nod to Joyce’s family, honoring the people who raised her.


• Couple’s First Dance: Set to Taylor Swift’s “Lover,” because if any song was meant for them, it was this one.


And then, the cake cutting. With Lionel Richie’s “Truly” playing in the background, they cut into a classic Publix cake—sweet, simple, and just right.
A Wedding Worth Remembering—And Capturing

Joyce and Kyle’s wedding wasn’t just another event—it was a masterclass in storytelling. The kind where every detail, from the candlelit proposal in the Philippines to the church where generations before them had prayed, built into something bigger than a single day.

This is why we do what we do.
For couples searching for wedding photography and videography in Pensacola, Destin, or the Gulf Coast, this is the kind of wedding you want to remember forever. The kind of day that deserves to be captured in a way that feels as cinematic, emotional, and real as it was.
📸 Looking for a wedding photographer who will capture your love story like this? Let’s talk.
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