Queer Film Wedding Photography At The Lyman Estate

Adam & Bryce’s wedding at The Lyman Estate was high up on my list for favorite weddings of 2025. Working with these two was extremely easy. I felt very drawn to them and their love story, as I love queer film wedding photography. They told me to take full creative control and trusted us completely to document their wedding day. My favorite type of trust from my clients. Their wedding was smaller with only 63 guests, but you could see how intentional the day was. Adam’s unique designs, the Polish traditions, and the incredible queer team we had on board made this wedding day extra magical.

We are deeply honored to have our work published in The Globe for the third time. The Globe did an incredible job writing Adam and Bryce’s story, bringing us to tears. Read the article from The Globe here.  

The Weight Of The World On A Queer Wedding Day

It is impossible to talk about this beautiful day without acknowledging the context in which it happened. The wedding took place just days before the courts were scheduled to revisit gay marriage laws. No way around it: the world outside felt impossibly heavy. Emotions were felt deeply from the guests and vendors alike. Bryce said it perfectly in The Globe: “Knowing that one day our marriage could be unwritten by the government, I grabbed that intensity and just threw it into making it a positive.”

I remember crying behind my camera. My assistant was crying, too. It was difficult to be in the moment and not feel the pressure of what was happening in the government.  But that tension is exactly why building a supportive community is non-negotiable That’s why Adam & Bryce’s decision to hire queer vendors meant so much. Because chosen community matters more now than ever.

Why Hiring Queer Vendors Matters

Adam and Bryce prioritized hiring queer vendors, and the impact of that decision was evident in the flow of the day. There is a massive difference between a vendor who “supports” you and a vendor who understands you.

When you are a queer person getting married, you shouldn’t have to explain your dynamic. There are so many talented queer folks in the wedding industry—makeup artists, planners, florists. It creates a safety net around your day. You don’t have to explain anything. We just get it.

Because Adam and Bryce surrounded themselves with this team, the day ran seamlessly. Despite the heaviness of the news cycle, the wedding itself felt safe. They had an incredible team who uplifted them and allowed the wedding day to run beautifuly.

A huge shout-out to my favorite makeup artist, Veronica. Bryce and Adam worked with Veronica once before on an editorial project. They told me that she was one of the only makeup artist who gave them their full attention as male models and how kindly she treated them. She is truly one of the best makeup artist with the sweetest souls! If you are in need of a makeup artist, she is your gal!

A Designer’s Touch l Queer Film Wedding Photography

Sometimes people hear “DIY” and think of mason jars and Pinterest-craft. Not here. With Adam in charge—he runs his own creative agency, Almanak Creative—every detail was meticulous, personal, intentional. The whole vibe leaned into a winter solstice magic: deep, earthy palettes, branches twisted up with velvet red bows, dried fruits with candlelight at every table. At the ceremony, Adam painted a bold circular red backdrop, a statement piece that worked beautifully in the reception space as well.

Adam grew up in a traditional Polish household and wanted to intertwine some Polish traditions into the wedding day. They started with the traditional Bread and Salt ceremony. The bread and salt ceremony is quiet and powerful: mother’s greet their newlyweds with bread (abundance) and salt (life’s grit), then there’s vodka, and the obligatory smashing of glasses for good luck!

Polish traditions found their way onto the menu and the dance floor. There were pierogi, grilled kielbasa with mustard, and almond cake for dessert. Guests were raving about the food and so were we!

Bryce + Adams Queer Film Wedding Photography

Looking back at the scans from this wedding, I am struck by the resilience of joy. Adam and Bryce didn’t just get married; they claimed their space. They created a day that was visually stunning, yes—Adam’s design work ensured that—but their community and love were felt from all.

They prioritized their community, honored their traditions, and trusted the slow, deliberate process of film to document it all. It was an honor to witness, and even more of an honor to capture.

Some Words From Bryce and Adam

“Words cannot express how unbelievably thrilled we are to have worked with Dominique and Javi. As a gay couple, it was important to us to work with inclusive and diverse vendors — they didn’t just make us feel comfortable, they shared in our queer joy and made sure the whole process was thoughtful and inclusive.

As a photographer myself, I am incredibly picky about what I like, but I felt 100% comfortable giving them full creative control. They captured both the big moments and the small details with such a nuanced, creative eye that perfectly captured the essence of the evening (just look at how beautiful they made a stack of mugs look!?). Dominique knew when to step in and when to give us space, she was thorough and clear in the whole process leading up to the wedding, and she curated a gallery of photos that we’re going to be staring at in awe for many many years to come.

By working with Dominique, you’re not just hiring someone to capture your day, you’re hiring an artist who makes you nostalgic about days just passed. I don’t say it lightly when I say that working with them was a dream come true. If we were to go back in time and do it over again, we would hire them every. single. time. without hesitation.”

– Bryce + Adam

Queer Film Wedding Photography

If you’re planning a queer wedding at the Lyman Estate or anywhere else in New England and dying to have a film photographer who not only supports the queer community but understands it then please inquire here. I love film photography, but I love documenting queer weddings on film even more.

VENDORS:

• Photography: Castillo Holliday Photo + Film | @castillohollidayphotoandfilm
• Assist: Emilie Dumas | @emme_dumas
• Venue: Lyman Estate | @historicnewengland | @historicneweddings 
• Hotel: Marriott Boston Waltham
• Catering + Bar + Cake: Tastings Caterers | @tastings_caterers
• Ceremony Officiant: Kara Rousseaux
• DJ: @maliyahmusic
• Invitations + Paper Goods + Signage: Almanak Creative | @almanakcreative | @asg2512
• MUA: Veronica Nunes and Esthetics | @veronicanunes_mua
• Suits: Indochino | @indochino
• Rings: Averie Jewelry
• Accessories: The Tie Bar | @thetiebar

AS SEEN IN THE BOSTON GLOBE : As Seen In The Boston Globe

RESOURCES:

Castillo Holliday Photo + Film: Film Wedding Photography Investment Page

Castillo Holliday Photo + Film: Inquiry From