Christiana & Rich’s Wedding: A Family Affair at St. Mary’s Ukrainian Church

Christiana "Nana" & Rich - 6.15.13
From the Bride:
Well here I go. How do I capture the whole process of planning my wedding and ideas into words. Let me start off by saying, it does happen - the kind of love you read about or see in movies.
The Church:
Like most women do, I started with location and date. I knew right away I wanted to be married in the same church as my parents, grandparents, cousins and most relatives. It is a very special church for my family, and it’s incredibly beautiful. Everything was simply  just right.

The Gown:
I probably spent too much time looking for the right  gown.  All the magazines and television shows have you looking for  that  dream bride moment. Well I should have known. After about  10-12  dresses ranging from under to way over my budget, I  ultimately went  back to the second dress I had tried on. It was more than a dress. I  worked with Miriam Liggett, the owner of  Soliloquy Bridal Couture and the designer, Cassandra Bromfield, to use remnants from my grandmother's and mother's dresses and  incorporate them into my  gown. The final result was more than I  could have imagined. My  bridal gown is a piece of family history,  and an extension of my  spirit.

The Big Day:
I was surprised at how relaxed and sure I felt. I attribute it to a good night sleep and being in love. So after our fem photo sess we hoped on the trolley and headed to church. The trolley was fun, and I loved that it was open to  enjoy the day and not behind some tinted glass. I felt like Judy Garland  in Meet Me In St. Louis.
In a traditional Ukrainian Orthodox wedding the bride and  groom meet at the back of the church, are betrothed, and exchange rings. They then process forward together presenting each other and themselves before family to God with their intentions. Then they  gave us crowns to wear. The crowns symbolize that the bride and groom are king and queen of their own dominion and family.  Just like  royal kings and queens, the crowns symbolize that there  must be sacrifice and service in the union, and that it is God  who bestows  this gift on us.

We “farewelled” the night with our friends and   sparklers.The whole affair felt like I was hosting a backyard family  picnic, only much nicer. And to all my fellow romantics, I  still  haven't stopped smiling.

Photographer: Carley K PhotographyChurch: St. Mary's Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Allentown, PA Reception Venue: The Glasbern InnFlowers and Decor: Allium Floral DesignTransport: Buck's County Trolley CoHair/makeup: Daneene Jensen & AssociatesBridal Gown: Cassandra Bromfield via Soliloquy Bridal Couture