I Photographed Gucci Mane’s Wedding
October 17, 2017. The Four Seasons Miami on Brickell Avenue. An all-white wedding broadcast live on BET as the first episode of a ten-part reality series called The Mane Event.
I was the photographer.
The Day
What I remember most is how genuinely kind they both were. Gucci and Keyshia are famous for a lot of things, but what struck me on the day was how real they were — warm, generous with their time for portraits, completely present for each other. Their family and friends were the same way. The energy in that building was joyful in a way that had nothing to do with the cameras or the production value. It was a room full of people who were genuinely happy to be there.
The color palette was all white — every guest, the decor, the flowers, everything — but it wasn’t flat. The textures were extraordinary. The florals, the fabrics, the details all had a richness that photographed beautifully. An all-white wedding done poorly looks washed out. This one had depth and warmth in every frame.
The Four Seasons Miami is a stunning venue. Floor-to-ceiling windows, views of Biscayne Bay and the Miami skyline, and that particular South Florida light coming off the water in late afternoon — warm and directional and completely different from anything I work with in New York. The sunset light that evening was pretty in a way I still think about.
The vendor team was top notch across the board, coordinated to clockwork precision by Kathy Romero. When everyone around you knows what they’re doing, the day has a flow that makes the photography easier and the images better.
The Wedding
Keyshia Ka’oir walked down the aisle in a rhinestone gown with a jeweled headpiece, to Patti LaBelle’s “If Only You Knew.” Gucci wore a white suit, sparkling loafers, and a diamond bow tie. Every single guest wore white. There was a white carpet instead of red. The cake was ten feet tall, cost $75,000, and was cut with a diamond-encrusted sword.
It was, by any measure, one of the most extraordinary weddings I have ever photographed. And at the center of all of it were two people who were completely, visibly, overwhelmingly in love. That comes through regardless of how many diamonds are in the room.
The Four Seasons Miami as a Wedding Venue
The Four Seasons Miami at 1435 Brickell Avenue sits in the heart of Miami’s financial district with views of Biscayne Bay on one side and the Miami skyline on the other. The event spaces have floor-to-ceiling windows and the kind of natural light that makes every photograph look cinematic. Miami light is harder and brighter than anything on the East Coast — it requires a different approach than shooting in New York — but when it’s working with you it’s extraordinary.
If your wedding is at the Four Seasons Miami, I’ve been there at the highest possible level and I know exactly what the space offers. You can read more about my Miami work and other destination weddings in my destination wedding portfolio.
Frequently Asked Questions: Gucci Mane’s Wedding
Who photographed Gucci Mane’s wedding?
I did — Susan Stripling. The wedding took place at the Four Seasons Miami on October 17, 2017.
Where did Gucci Mane get married?
The Four Seasons Miami on Brickell Avenue. The ceremony and reception were both in the hotel, broadcast live on BET as part of The Mane Event, a ten-part reality series documenting the wedding.
What was the theme of Gucci Mane’s wedding?
All white — every guest wore white, the decor was white, the flowers were white. The bride wore a rhinestone gown with a jeweled headpiece and the groom wore a white suit with a diamond bow tie. The wedding cake was ten feet tall and cut with a diamond-encrusted sword.
Who planned Gucci Mane’s wedding?
Kathy Romero was the wedding coordinator, managing the entire production in just three months.
What is the Four Seasons Miami like as a wedding venue?
Extraordinary — floor-to-ceiling windows, Biscayne Bay views, Miami skyline on the other side, and that particular South Florida light that makes everything look cinematic. For a large, high-production wedding, it handles scale beautifully.
Do you photograph celebrity weddings?
Yes. If you’re planning a high-profile wedding and want a photographer with real experience at that level, I’d love to hear about it. You can see more of my destination and luxury wedding work in my destination wedding portfolio.
If your wedding is in Miami — or anywhere in Florida — I’d love to hear about it.
