Pisei and Alex rocked out two busy wedding days - one a traditional Cambodian ceremony held in Pisei's family home and the other a boisterous outdoor bayside ceremony and reception at Celebrations at the Bay. They demonstrated remarkable going-with-the-flowness (one of my favorite traits) during all the commotions, making both days joyful, relaxed and personal. Pisei and Alex:
One of the best things about photographing weddings in DC is the remarkable variety and diversity of the events I witness - between venues and cultures and family traditions, more likely than not each wedding shows me something new. I had never seen any element of a traditional Cambodian wedding before. It was fun and a little crazy!
There are a number of different ceremonies that can all take place on the same day (as here). Pisei and Alex had four separate beautiful outfits to wear.
We started really early so these monks could come bless our heroes.
Rocking the suburbs.
In one of the ceremonies, Alex's family had to come with a bunch of presents for Pisei's family. They bargained over what the price would be to let them marry.
They literally had to turn around so that everybody could 'make sure' it was the real Pisei.
A short break for some really stellar food.
Another of the ceremonies involves everyone at the event "cutting" the bride and groom's hair.
Finally, in outfit #4, these two were married.
They kept eating and talking and hosting and I went on home to rest up for the next day at Celebrations at the Bay.
It was a really beautiful day.
I do love me some gray and yellow.
We had to scoot to the next dock over, but we win in the end because it was a way better dock. We stole the very last rays of evening light...
...before these two got to boogeying.
Their friends and family put together a flash mob!
Alex's grandma was pretty great. She can wobble with the best of 'em.
Congratulations, you guys!
Pisei and Alex's vendor team:
Cambodian wedding ceremony: At Pisei's family home with so much work from family and friends
Western wedding ceremony and reception: Celebrations at the Bay
DJ: Gavin, Marquee Artists
Caterer: Catering by Uptown
Florist: Pisei's aunt!
Ale and Bassem were married at the massively pretty Antrim 1844 Country House Hotel up by Gettysburg. It was all kinds of rainy on the drive up, but it cleared just in time for portraits outside and the most wonderful golden light for their lovely outdoor ceremony. This pair of doctors with infectious personalities had the house in stitches, made everybody saw "awwww" and generated a dance fever (I tried so hard to think of more doctor puns but I'm spent). Ale and Bassem:
Antrim has an amazing bridal suite for all the ladies to rock out in.
Many thanks as always to my lovely second Julia, who took a number of very, very good photos at this wedding, including this handsome portrait of Bassem.
We did lots of photos of Ale and her ladies and Bassem and his menfolk before the ceremony. The clouds had parted by then and a truly spectacular evening light fell on everything.
I'm not sure a first kiss has ever taken place in better light in the entire history of weddings.
Ale and Bassem filled their reception with purple light, much good cheer and raucous dancing.
We stole back inside for just a couple of portraits in the house.
Halfway through the reception, the staff busted out all kinds of toys, glow sticks, masks and noisemakers for Carnaval Carioca - crazy hour where everybody dances silly.
It was a pretty seriously good time.
Congratulations, guys!
Ale and Bassem's vendor team:
Getting-ready, ceremony, reception venue and catering: Antrim 1844 Country House Hotel
Band: Attraction (Sam Hill Entertainment)
Florist: Bella Fiori
Officiant: Rabbi Binyamin Biber
Cake: Artistic Desserts
Hair & Makeup: Jordan K. Winn
Videographer: Mike Brazda
Ceremony musicians: Perfect Harmony String Ensemble
Ale's wonderful dress: Alyne Bridal
Bassem's dashing tux: Tommy Hilfiger
Sarah and Patrick had a really lovely and down-to-earth ceremony at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Silver Spring and then a beautiful reception with killer light at Woodend Nature Sanctuary - one of my favorite venues in the area. There were approximately eight thousand fireflies in attendance.
We started the day at the Hilton Garden Inn Silver Spring North with much makeup-ing and hair-ing and nail painting-ing.
Sarah and Patrick chose to do a first look in his parents' lovely back yard.
Their church was very relaxed and welcoming.
And the pastor did a fantastic job.
Marriage accomplished, we headed over to Woodend for family pics, couple pics and much partying.
As always, I love Woodend's wall of stuffed birds. I was determined to photograph Sarah in front of the birds, as I normally only get the groom up in there. The lady at the desk provided very excellent motivation.
A toast appreciated by most.
Congratulations, you guys!
Sarah and Patrick's vendor team:
Coordination: Lula Mae Events
Ceremony venue: Unitarian Universalist Church of Silver Spring
Reception venue: Woodend Nature Sanctuary
Getting-ready venue: Hilton Garden Inn Silver Spring North
Caterer: Main Event (special shout-out to the manager I've seen at half my weddings this year - he always lets me and my folks go through the buffet, though apparently somewhere in the back in a box lunch. I hope I'm not getting him in trouble - really, no one reads this part anyway - but thanks catering manager guy!)
DJ: DJ Steve with MSE Productions
Florist: DIY
Hair & Makeup: Creative Images Hair & Makeup Artistry
Sarah's beautiful dress: Watters from Love Couture Bridal (Potomac, MD)
Patrick's dashing suit: custom from Men's Warehouse