Where do I even start to tell you about this wedding? I knew that I was looking forward to it at our initial conversation. After the engagement session, I was even more excited.
I got a good hint whenever I went over the timeline with Natasa, about a week before the wedding. I had never been to a traditional Serbian wedding before, so I wanted to make sure I had a good idea what to expect. “Well,” she told me, “it will start with a skup at the house, and it’s party and there will be music and dancing… And then we’ll go to the church, and after there ceremony, there will be music and dancing… And then we go to the reception…” And my response was, “Let me guess- music and dancing?”
Yes. Yes there was.
The day started in style with champagne and mimosas at Steve’s parents house, for the skup. The skup is a party where traditionally the groom has to barter for the bride’s hand. Many of the family & guests come to celebrate & congratulate the couple before they leave for the church. So Natasa spent most of the morning upstairs with her bridesmaids, preparing and greeting the family, while Steve spent time with the guests and live music downstairs. When it was time to leave, the band and all of the guests crowded into the entrance of the house to sing “The Chapel of Love” to Natasa and paraded her to the limo. (What a great send-off! I wish every wedding had a parade! And singing!) The ceremony took place at Saint Nicholas’ Serbian Orthodox Church in Monroeville- such a beautiful location, which fantastic stained glass. The choir was amazing and one of the loveliest moments was listening to the bridesmaids singing with the choir as Natasa walked down the aisle…just beautiful. After the lovely ceremony, it was onto St Nick’s Greek Hall in Oakland, to continue the party… and continue it did. I think we called it a night at eleven, at the party was still going strong. A day that long can easily be tiring and stressful, but Steve and Natasa both bring such a joy & ease that the day flew by. We were so happy to be there to celebrate with them… God grant them many years. :)
