Elena and Roman’s touching wedding at the Barrister’s Club in Allentown was a beautiful day filled with traditions and family heirlooms!
Getting Ready for the Barrister’s Club Wedding
When we arrived to photograph Elena getting ready, we were floored by her gorgeous bridal robe. Her timeless makeup look and stunning tiara gave her an air of elegance, even before donning her wedding dress. Speaking of, her wedding dress had been her mother’s! It had been tailored to fit her, and we could see why Elena wanted to wear it. Family is so important to these two, and her mom’s dress featured a lovely fitted lace bodice with full length sleeves. The simple yet elegant sateen skirt gave her a full look that was a modernized take on times gone by. To add to the sense of traditional and family, she wore the same Chantilly lace veil her mother had worn, which had been made by her grandmother! They lovingly refer to it as the “baby” because it took nine months of laboring for her grandmother to finish the veil for her mother’s wedding, and now Elena would be the second generation to wear it. A three generation veil if you will. Roman had no idea, and we were excited to see how he would react when he found out.
Roman, meanwhile, was a little ways away getting his own wedding day outfit ready. It wasn’t long before the suit was on and cufflinks were affixed. He was a little nervous, but so excited to see Elena. So we wasted no time.
The Ceremony at St. Thomas More
At the top of the aisle, Roman waited. And then, there she was! Elena, dressed in her mother’s gown and grandmother’s handmade veil, drifted down the aisle to him. With a wry smile, Roman took her hand and they began their wedding ceremony. In order to bring the traditions of their faith and Roman’s Ukrainian heritage into their ceremony, the mass was performed in English and Ukrainian. There was a crowning ceremony and each member of the wedding was fully engaged and participating. We loved how supportive their community was!
After sealing their vows with rings and a tender kiss, they left as husband and wife, and it was time for some portraits with these two!
Portraits for the Barrister’s Club Wedding
We stopped at the Rose Gardens in Allentown for their portraits before heading over to the Barrister’s Club, and it was stunning. These two are so serene and peaceful! Roman saves his biggest smiles for Elena and she is effortlessly gorgeous. We had no problem capturing many portraits of these two cuties!
Then it was time to continue the traditional celebrations and head to the Barrister’s Club for their wedding reception!
The Barrister’s Club Wedding Reception
One of the most important Ukrainian wedding traditions that the newlywed Kowalchuk’s incorporated into their big day is the sharing of Medivka. This is a special homemade liquor that is made with honey. It is sweet liquor and they’d bought it from a woman in Ukraine who makes it in her home. It’s traditional for the parents of the bride and groom to raise a toast of this liquor to the newlyweds. And anyone else who they may share a special fealty. We were privileged to raise a glass to honor Elena and Roman.
The traditions didn’t end there. After some beautiful toasts, including Elena’s whole family, they shared a beautiful Ukrainian tradition with all their guests. Instead of a wedding cake, they shared a special bread called the Korovai with each guest. They went table to table, and shared this bread with those they were dearest with. It was a truly special moment for each guest to share this wedding bread with the bride and groom. Then the dance floor at the Barrister’s Club opened up and the night continued in earnest.
Elena and Roman, thank you for sharing your beautiful family legacy and Ukrainian heritage with us!
Their special day was made possible by:
— Photography — Ashley Gerrity Photography — Venue — The Barrister’s Club — Ceremony — St. Thomas More Church — Florist — Distinctive Florals — Stationary — The Paper Bag — Caterer — C&C’s Catering — Cake — Korovai by Katria — Bride’s Shoes — Trotters — Wedding Rings — Reine’s Jewelers — Tiara — Eden Luxe Bridal — Menswear — Calvin Klein from Mens Wearhouse — Bridesmaid Dresses — Dessy —
