When I first set eyes on today’s wedding- a lovely vintage, rustic, event with touches of Southern charm and a beautiful, outdoor setting- my heart immediately gave a leap of excitement! Perfectly styled by Gigi Noelle Events, and captured by Pasha Belman Photography, this intimate affair features an abundance of romantic details including soft, pretty blooms, a light Spring palette, rustic elegant decor and an impossible to resist cake and dessert spread. The sweet moments between this couple are even more heart-warming, considering the groom’s efforts to ensure that his bride’s vision for their dream wedding could be fulfilled!
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From Gigi Noelle Events: I first met with this sweet couple when they came to visit Litchfield Plantation in Pawley’s Island, South Carolina, when they were looking for a wedding venue. I instantly knew I would love working with them. Robertas informed me that his bride to be spoke little English, but that he would be able to share her vision of her dream wedding. Only 10 guests were to be in attendance and all were from other countries.
In our first meeting with the couple we chatted about which vendors would be a perfect fit! We are very fortunate to have a Russian photographer in Myrtle Beach and we knew Pasha Belman and his wife would not only be able to communicate and understand their vision but could create beautiful and amazing pictures. Our second thought was to find a Russian priest to conduct the ceremony. Unfortunately, this was not to be, although we did find a minister, who with a few short lessons online, was able to speak a part of the ceremony in their native language. This was a special surprise for their parents, who spoke very little English but were able to understand when their children said “I do”!
It was very important for Polinas to have her bridal bouquet match a silk bouquet her mother had made. Little did we know that when we created the bouquet, filled with fragrant peonies and beautiful roses, it would turn out to perfectly match the Ukrainian headpiece her mother brought along with her custom design wedding gown from Russia.
Designing for the couple was easy. They loved the venue because of the 240 year history, the dreamy landscape and the quietness of the rice fields. Polinas asked for something romantic, soft, vintage and very pretty. We knew instantly that we would need to include lots of beautiful flowers, a gorgeous tablescape and lots of candles.
With such a breathtaking venue, we knew that we could only enhance it. A tent frame was erected and then draped with sheer white fabric. Dreamy candlelight added to the ambiance. A round table with 10 chiavari chairs was placed under a crystal chandelier. We added beautiful flowers in soft shades of pink and cream, pink and gold candleholders, birdcages and designer china and crystal. Menu cards were tucked into the linen napkins. The front side the menu was listed in English while the back was in Russian. A dessert table was designed with both a traditional wedding cake and a traditional Ukrainian cake, specially ordered for the occasion.
Although the table featured a silver tea service, the couple provided a silver Russian samovar (tea urn). The family also provided a variety of Russian candies and cookies featuring Oreshki, a cookie baked in a walnut mold, filled with Dulce de leche and traditional wedding spice cookies. Many shouts of “Gorko, Gorko” were heard throughout the night signalling that the bride and groom must kiss! The couple ended the night by dancing to “Unforgettable”, by Nat King Cole under a crystal chandelier hung in a 300 year old oak tree overlooking the rice marsh. Robertas translated for Polinas the feelings she was unable to verbalize in English. She said that the night had been magical and dreamlike and everything she imagined, making the memories of the night “Unforgettable”!
