The amazing journey to Sunisa + Nat's wedding celebration in Pennsylvania took us leaping across the sleepy, long caress of the Brandywine River, sauntering through perfumed woods of pine and oak, and loping across a wide clearing with a vista of the green valley below, to encounter the sound of laughter drifting from a white pavilion pitched near the groom's childhood home. Although the magical last leg of the journey was experienced by all, guests came from the most diverse corners of the world: hailing taxis below the looming high-rises of NYC to join southbound carpools with friends, escaping the swampy glades of Florida for the dappled shade of the woods, and leaving the waterway canals of Bangkok for the hills and hidden swimming holes of the East Coast.
After an epic, fairy-tale wedding in Thailand (where a long saber was needed to cut the cake), the rural Pennsylvania setting provided the perfect destination for an intimate, encore celebration for even more dancing, drinking, and rejoicing. With the formal solemnities of the wedding out of the way, all that was left to do was to have fun! Family friends swapped stories of when Nat + Sunisa were toddlers, the bride's brothers played piano in the parlor, the children staked out the territory of their own personal kingdoms on the large lawn, and old friends sat on hay bales and caught up on stories that hadn't made it on Facebook.
When the encircling wood retired into cozy darkness, and the guests tucked under the pavilion and into the feast, the fireflies awoke, gawking with blinking eyes at the edges of the party like flitting fairies.
Soon, the music, like a rising tide, washed over the party, bringing everyone to the dance floor. Cousins rocked out together; the groom's family took the arms of the bride's family in theirs, singing aloud; and Grandma gave a dervish spin exhausting her partners. All the while, the family dog weaved its way between the legs of couples adding his own rhythmic paw-steps to the party.
So engrossed in the delights of the celebration, every time we stepped out to take a breath, the moon seemed to have hiccuped further up the sky. Yet, when looking at it, it stood stock-still like a yellow toad on a dark pond: lazy, full, and contented.
As if to provide the lonely moon some company, guests lit paper lanterns, sailing their wishes like a fleet of ships on the night sky. Such was the wonder and beauty that imbued and kissed each detail of the gathering for Sunisa + Nat: a testament to the love they have for each other, and that their friends and families have for them.
Sunisa getting her makeup done. © Bowerbird Photography 2013, Destination Wedding Photography in the Brandywine Valley, Pennsylvania.
The brides gorgeous dress. © Bowerbird Photography 2013, Destination Wedding Photography in the Brandywine Valley, Pennsylvania.
Lovely little details. © Bowerbird Photography 2013, Destination Wedding Photography in the Brandywine Valley, Pennsylvania.
The bride's hair clips. © Bowerbird Photography 2013, Destination Wedding Photography in the Brandywine Valley, Pennsylvania.
The groom looking at his pocket watch, a gift from his bride. © Bowerbird Photography 2013, Destination Wedding Photography in the Brandywine Valley, Pennsylvania.
Nat, just before guests start to arrive. © Bowerbird Photography 2013, Destination Wedding Photography in the Brandywine Valley, Pennsylvania.
Sunisa helping her new sister get ready. © Bowerbird Photography 2013, Destination Wedding Photography in the Brandywine Valley, Pennsylvania.
Nat in the garden. © Bowerbird Photography 2013, Destination Wedding Photography in the Brandywine Valley, Pennsylvania.
Table details at the wedding. © Bowerbird Photography 2013, Destination Wedding Photography in the Brandywine Valley, Pennsylvania.
Sunisa's dad and brothers relaxing in the garden. © Bowerbird Photography 2013, Destination Wedding Photography in the Brandywine Valley, Pennsylvania.
Nat's mom, looking fabulous :) © Bowerbird Photography 2013, Destination Wedding Photography in the Brandywine Valley, Pennsylvania.
The party starts! © Bowerbird Photography 2013, Destination Wedding Photography in the Brandywine Valley, Pennsylvania.
With grandma on the porch. © Bowerbird Photography 2013, Destination Wedding Photography in the Brandywine Valley, Pennsylvania.
Sunisa's brother playing the piano during the party. © Bowerbird Photography 2013, Destination Wedding Photography in the Brandywine Valley, Pennsylvania.
So talented! © Bowerbird Photography 2013, Destination Wedding Photography in the Brandywine Valley, Pennsylvania.
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Cocktail hour begins. © Bowerbird Photography 2013, Destination Wedding Photography in the Brandywine Valley, Pennsylvania.
Guests at the wedding. © Bowerbird Photography 2013, Destination Wedding Photography in the Brandywine Valley, Pennsylvania.
Such a sweetie :) © Bowerbird Photography 2013, Destination Wedding Photography in the Brandywine Valley, Pennsylvania.
Sunisa + Nat, you two are perfect together! © Bowerbird Photography 2013, Destination Wedding Photography in the Brandywine Valley, Pennsylvania.
Everyone was enjoying themselves on this lovely evening. © Bowerbird Photography 2013, Destination Wedding Photography in the Brandywine Valley, Pennsylvania.
Serious sweethearts. © Bowerbird Photography 2013, Destination Wedding Photography in the Brandywine Valley, Pennsylvania.
Sharing a laugh together. © Bowerbird Photography 2013, Destination Wedding Photography in the Brandywine Valley, Pennsylvania.
Relaxing on the lawn before dinner. © Bowerbird Photography 2013, Destination Wedding Photography in the Brandywine Valley, Pennsylvania.
This is truly a musical family. © Bowerbird Photography 2013, Destination Wedding Photography in the Brandywine Valley, Pennsylvania.
Skip to malou! © Bowerbird Photography 2013, Destination Wedding Photography in the Brandywine Valley, Pennsylvania.
Nom nom nom! © Bowerbird Photography 2013, Destination Wedding Photography in the Brandywine Valley, Pennsylvania.
The bros getting dinner. © Bowerbird Photography 2013, Destination Wedding Photography in the Brandywine Valley, Pennsylvania.
Mom + Dad, so happy! © Bowerbird Photography 2013, Destination Wedding Photography in the Brandywine Valley, Pennsylvania.
The sun starting to go down for the evening. © Bowerbird Photography 2013, Destination Wedding Photography in the Brandywine Valley, Pennsylvania.
The bride and groom get ready for their first dance together. © Bowerbird Photography 2013, Destination Wedding Photography in the Brandywine Valley, Pennsylvania.
The first dance :) © Bowerbird Photography 2013, Destination Wedding Photography in the Brandywine Valley, Pennsylvania.
© Bowerbird Photography 2013, Destination Wedding Photography in the Brandywine Valley, Pennsylvania.
© Bowerbird Photography 2013, Destination Wedding Photography in the Brandywine Valley, Pennsylvania.
The couple watching everyone else on the dance floor. © Bowerbird Photography 2013, Destination Wedding Photography in the Brandywine Valley, Pennsylvania.
Heading outside to send lanterns up into the night sky. © Bowerbird Photography 2013, Destination Wedding Photography in the Brandywine Valley, Pennsylvania.
Up up and away! © Bowerbird Photography 2013, Destination Wedding Photography in the Brandywine Valley, Pennsylvania.
A full moon as guests light lanterns. © Bowerbird Photography 2013, Destination Wedding Photography in the Brandywine Valley, Pennsylvania.
© Bowerbird Photography 2013, Destination Wedding Photography in the Brandywine Valley, Pennsylvania.
© Bowerbird Photography 2013, Destination Wedding Photography in the Brandywine Valley, Pennsylvania.
© Bowerbird Photography 2013, Destination Wedding Photography in the Brandywine Valley, Pennsylvania.
One last dance before the band heads home. © Bowerbird Photography 2013, Destination Wedding Photography in the Brandywine Valley, Pennsylvania.
We send our most heartfelt wishes for a lifetime of joy to our dear friends, Sunisa + Nat! We are so happy for you both :)
xoxo,
Sam + Ariel