Alex and Brian have been through some ish in the last few years. First, their wedding gets postponed due to a pandemic – forcing them to have an intimate mass last year with just a few in attendance. Then, they begin replanning their celebration when Brian gets diagnosed with cancer. Cancer in the midst of a pandemic. Really, universe? However, these two weathered two of the fiercest storms of life out there, together, and emerged on the other side. Brian is cancer-free, and the pandemic cooled it’s jets enough for them to have the party they always wanted at Brandywine Manor House.
Getting Ready at Brandywine Manor House
Brian and the guys were hanging out in the Brandywine Manor House reception tent, casually drinking a few beers together before donning their suits. It wasn’t hard to see why they were waiting as long as possible. It was H-O-T hot. But that wasn’t going to stop them from having fun. When the girls started to pull up, they made their way to the groom’s suite where Brian got dressed with some help from his dad. Those cufflinks can be tricky.
Meanwhile, Alex and the ladies arrived at the Brandywine Manor House from the salon looking amazing! They unloaded all the dresses from the shuttle and scurried inside the bridal suite to finish getting ready. Alex had brought beautiful custom ring boxes with their initials on them. Inside were the wedding bands, and we loved how well loved Brian’s was already. Most rings we photograph are shiny and new, but his was nicked and scratched here and there. A year’s worth of wear, but as they say, nothing is cool until you wear the new off. Brian’s ring was well-loved.
Then it was time. Alex slipped into her glittery wedding dress, the dress she’d been dreaming of wearing, and voila! It was time for their first look.
First Look & Portraits
Outside, in the shade of a towering tree, Brian waited for his wife. Alex strode purposefully towards him and tapped his shoulder. When he turned to see her, he let out a low whistle, and then grinned ear to ear. It had been a long time for them to reach this moment, and now they were here. We wandered the beautiful grounds of Brandywine Manor House, stopping wherever the fancy took us. Wedding party joined us for some friends fun as well. We loved how excited each one of them was for their friends to finally get the party they always wanted. There was so much to celebrate, and they made sure everyone did!
A quick round of family formals before it was time to hide Alex & Brian away, and it was nearly ceremony time.
Ceremony & Reception at Brandywine Manor House
The barn was beautifully decorated with floral hoops hanging in the massive window overlooking the property of the Brandywine Manor House. It was the perfect place for Alex and Brian to stand before family and friends and recommit themselves to the vows they’d taken the year before. Brian’s sister officiated and told everyone just how proud she was of her brother for his valiant fight with cancer, and how grateful she was for how Alex cared for him heroically. Especially when no one else could be near him due to the pandemic. We can count on one hand the number of dry eyes in the room. With a triumphant kiss, they were introduced, once again, as Mr and Mrs Bonnes (Bon-ness) and it was time for food and drink and celebration for the rest of the night.
Perfect Setting Catering had a scrumptious looking strawberry and goat cheese salad waiting for guests as they entered the reception tent at Brandywine Manor House. The atmosphere was buzzing and all eyes were on the main entrance. Pair by pair, parents and wedding party were announced, leading up to the main event: Alex and Brian’s long walk down to the dance floor. There they tore it up with their wedding party and friends for a few moments before sharing their first dance. “Say You Won’t Let Go”, by James Arthur came on over the speakers, and they held each other so tight. Queue more tears. And they didn’t stop until after parent dances.
There were toasts offered by Gianna and Kevin. Gianna spoke about how she and Alex used to be mistaken for twins and how she knew Brian was the one nearly instantly. She raised her glass to the newly(ish)weds saying, “Now let’s party our balls off.” Cheers and laughter filled the tent. Brian’s brother, Kevin, had a tough act to follow. But he did so admirably. Recounting the various trying circumstances Brian has had to face, and how he’s conquered every single one of them. His toast ended with a few words we won’t repeat, but suffice it to say, cancer was told what it could do to itself.
The rest of the night was a blur of everyone partying their balls off. The dance floor never stopped and Alex was constantly on it. As it should be. We ran into them a few days later, and they were still recovering, but said it was totally worth it.
All the best to you both and many years of health and happiness!
