Whether you stop and read this story, or you skip the words and continue down to the pictures, this wedding is full of beauty. Diana and Mike were married this December at Callanwolde Fine Arts Center in Atlanta. But their story, like every bride and groom, starts long before that. We’ve known Diana for many years, since her older sister started modeling for us at our Photography Workshops. Naturally, Diana wanted to model for us too and thus began our relationship. A year or so later we found out that Diana had met a firefighter and it was looking promising! It is within the Russian culture that two people dating do not kiss until married,  so we knew we would have to respect that should Diana and Mike ever want to model for us. Lucky for us, they did! A few more workshops and a ring later, Diana had a particular vision for their engagement shoot. We are so glad they did because they killed it! Their engagement pictures are awesome! With engagement pictures so breathtaking we could hardly wait for the wedding! You can see their engagement pictures here. Diana’s vision for the wedding was no less precise. After working with Callanwolde Fine Arts Center, they settled on a Monday wedding date! This was a first for Moreland Photography, but it was so fun!

Everything about Mike and Diana’s wedding day was special and sentimental. This blog would be forever if we told you everything! But we’ll tell you about a few special moments. First, when we were photographing Diana getting ready and all the details, Diana mentioned how important the doe figurine was. Many brides will tell us special stories about this object or that, but Diana just said it was special and left it at that. Later during the reception, Diana and Mike had a special video they wanted to share with their guests. The video’s cinematography was spectacular and very well done, but what was most important was the content of the video. It was an interview of Mike and Diana and their testimony and journey of faith in the Lord that not only brought them together, but became the foundation for their lives. Diana concluded the video with a story of how she asked God for a sign just for her that would show His grace and protection over their relationship, then a beautiful doe walked right in front of her! Another special thing for Moreland Photography was the culture behind this wedding. Michael and Diana are from Russia and Ukraine, so many of their wedding traditions were unlike any American wedding tradition. For the reception, the groom’s aunt and uncle prepared all of the food. ALL OF THE FOOD. It was so delicious too! While there was no first dance, and no dancing at all, their reception was compiled of skits, dedicated songs, games and speeches for or about the bride and groom. We’ll tell you more about those games with their corresponding picture below.

Mike and Diana, thank you for a wonderful cultural and beautiful wedding experience at Callanwolde. Even with the whole ceremony and reception spoken in Russian, we didn’t need English to understand and comprehend the source and commitment of your love for one another. You were surrounded by amazing family and friends, and from the gestures, tears and bouts of laughter we know you have the support you need for a happy, life long marriage. Congratulations!

Venue: Callanwolde Fine Arts Center
Dress: Anya’s Bridal
Hair and Makeup: Yuliua Niko
Decor: Koinonia Studio

Okay, in this next picture is one of the games they played. I can’t tell you the meaning behind it all, but here’s what went down. Two men put on boxing gloves while their wives stood at the side. The men with the boxing gloves had to open a piece of candy and feed it to their wives, then exclaim a compliment and pick them up and carry them to the other side of the room.

Michael sang a lovely song to his new wife =)

I’m not sure how I forgot to mention this, but Michael is one of 15 brothers and sisters. They all stood up at one point during the reception in chronological order and said something they love about the groom.

This next game I actually got the English translation from one of the videographers. Two single men went up against two married men. Each team had to alternate driving a stake into a piece of wood. The first team that won would decide which gave you more wisdom: youth and strength or time, age, and experience. (Hint: The married team always won). They played again but with women.