Last feature of the year, wow. Time really does fly when you’re having amazing wedding, engagement, styled shoot, etc. photos day by day. We enjoyed our year with you dear readers, vendors, brides and grooms and we’re looking forward to another year of awesome and romance.
For our last feature for the year 2014, we bring to you a wedding that will enlighten us about Russian Orthodox wedding traditions and what glam and luxury is about, New York City style. Unique Russian Orthodox traditions done in Veronika & Michael’s wedding are the candle holding throughout the ceremony and the “crowning”. These makes for some good marriage symbolism that the couple will easily remember throughout their married life. After their ceremony, we are awarded with luxurious shots in NYC setting. And aside from this, our bride sure looks beautiful in her vintage inspired ensemble with a hair piece that reminds me of English Royalty. Anyway, congratulations Veronika & Michael! And to everyone, Happy New Year’s Eve!
Veronika and Michael’s Russian orthodox wedding in New York City blended traditional elegance with youthful panache. The bride began her day at the Grammercy Park Hotel, in the one of their custom luxury suites designed by hotelier Ian Schrager and artist Julian Schnabel. Cobalt blue shoes by Kate Spade added spunk to the bride’s classy white dress and bouquet. Meanwhile, the bridesmaids dressed in sage green halter dresses with feather fascinators. Veronika and Michael got married at the St. Nicholas Cathedral, a drop-dead gorgeous Russian Orthodox church near Central Park. The interior nave was gilded in turquoise and gold trim, with floor-to-ceiling wall paintings of saints. The light was absolutely stunning for this wonderfully traditional ceremony.
Photographer’s Note: “One of my favorite parts of being a photographer is always being reminded just how many beautiful and different traditions there are out there to bring two people together. Instead of Veronika’s father leading her down an aisle (which was not part of the ceremony), he instead led her from the car to the front door. Everyone stands at a Russian Orthodox wedding, and the ceremony traverses through the room. Michael’s brothers, in a test of strength (or torture), held crowns over the couple’s heads for about fifteen minutes of the ceremony. There was debate over who ‘won.’ After the ceremony, there was a little ride in a truly authentic ’58 Bentley (with air conditioning!) to Central Park, where we got some great images of the couple dancing in front of the Bethesda Fountain.
And then my favorite part … they wanted to jump on the bed in that one-of-a-kind custom-designed luxury suite!” – Russell Gearhart The cocktail hour and reception were held at the 3 West Club in Manhattan, a beautiful location with a view of Rockefeller Plaza and Radio City Music Hall. Celebrating their Russian heritage, hors d’oeuvres were served by a family member in traditional kokoshnik headdress and red sarafan dress. In the ballroom, crystal chandeliers twinkled above pink rose centerpieces and wine cork placecards. A candy bar brimmed with meringue cookies and champagne-flavored jelly beans, and the guests dined on crab cakes and salmon. Paper signs added a handcrafted touch to this white-tie event. Illustrations of the bride and groom sat atop the cake, ‘I Do’ and ‘Me Too’ signs hidden in their garments and revealed during the first dance, and a cute ‘because she said yes” sign was used during the portrait session. This was a classy evening for a sweet and stylish couple
Vendors
Photographer: Russell Gearhart Photography
Officiant: Alexander Golubov Archpriest
Pre Ceremony Location: Gramercy Park Hotel
Shoes: Kate Spade
DJ: Scratch DJ
Ceremony Location: St. Nicholas Cathedral
Hair Stylist: Vartali Hair Salon
Reception Venue: 3 West Club
Floral Designer: Henry’s Florist
Dress Designer: Paloma Blanca
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