A small introduction: tell, in general terms, about the magic of this day.

 

It's the party of the century for both of us. Simple, beautiful, soulful, and kind. The magic of this day is still in our memory. We dream to show this day to our children and grandchildren!

 

How did you meet?

 

We met at work in November 2016. We had mutual friends ... And friends, just contribute to the acquaintance of good people. Our first meeting was in the Ukraine, and so after that, we began to communicate more. We were friends for almost 3 months. No kisses, hugs, etc. There were special charms - long conversations, walks, dinners, conversations in Skype and chatting. There was a feeling that we had known each other for a very long time. And at the first dinner--my husband calls it a date, but for me, it was dinner--I thought that he could be my husband. This thought, like lightning, fast and sudden, was fleeting. A minute later, I already forgot about it.

 

How did he propose?

 

It was very romantic ... We planned a trip to the island of Reunion and Mauritius in April 2017. And it happened on the island of Reunion; for me, it is one of the most beautiful places on the planet, a paradise island.  In the evening, when we were at a cocktail party, before the wedding dinner, he asked me to come to the restaurant in 10 minutes. And he left me 

I came to the restaurant, thinking that I needed some help in organizational matters. And I saw him, in a beautiful white tuxedo. He began to say that our love is like an ocean in which there can be both a storm and  calm water, and we already know how to pass it together! We were on terrace next to the ocean. In my memory it is bright: "Only with you I can cross the ocean! Will you become my wife? "

I wanted to cry with happiness when I heard these words and saw the ring. But with the ring, another story. He hid it in a suitcase throughout all of our journey--20 days! The proposal was just 2 days before coming back to Paris. A steel man.

 

Tell me about your wedding dress? About the search and your final choice.

 

I looked through the Rara Avis collection just before the trip to Mauritius and Reunion. Then I did not know that I would be honored to choose it for myself. This was more related to my work as a wedding stylist, to look at the images for the upcoming season. Seeing the dress on the site, I realized that this, I was the one I would definitely wear someday. The choice was very easy and fast because I trusted myself. Immediately after the proposal, I wrote to the salon in my city, and there was one, so I just booked it for myself.

 

Tell us about the timing of the days of wedding and filming, about the preference in choosing places.

 

Sitting on the Reunion-Paris flight, we began to think about the wedding but not about the wedding in the classical sense. For us, it was already the second time, so we just talked about dinner. No splendid celebration. Therefore, we treated everything with ease. I knew that I would prepare myself alone (makeup and hair), I knew that I wanted to shoot bridal portraits in the morning. No ceremony in the Town Hall on this day. No meetings with girlfriends and with parents. We agreed all guests would arrive for cocktails and dinner. It all started at 18.45 with cocktails, and at 19.45 dinner, was already beginning.

 

From 19.00 to 19.20, we held a small ceremony, where we read our speeches in French, and my husband’s grandmother, who came from the island, gave us the rings. I had told my husband what place would be ideal for our dinner, and he fulfilled my request for a million percent, down to the the smallest detail. But in the castle, in which the second shooting was planned, we had a walk before traveling to Mauritius and Reunion. Seeing Chantilly Castle, I immediately thought about work: "It would be cool to shoot a workshop here, with a beautiful bride, dress and all the details. It is just awesome place! " So I turned out to be the bride ... in a beautiful dress and every detail of the image, harmoniously combined on the shooting in this ancient castle.

 

Tell us about your bouquet, floristry, decor, and other elements.

 

I knew exactly how I wanted our dinner to look. For me, it was important that everything looked beautiful and fit with each other. I wanted a way of simplicity. The flowers were done by my girlfriend, with whom, you will laugh, we met in France in the distant 2009, and have been friends since then. Then I said that in France, I certainly would not have lived! But ... The universe decided to act differently, and I fell in love with a Frenchman with all my heart. I immediately decided that we would do everything ourselves and completely entrusted this to my friend Lydia Ilnitskaya, who was working in organizing and decorating weddings and big events in Kiev.

I am also very grateful to Ekaterina Kazakova, a florist from Moscow, who shared where and how to buy flowers in Paris. I had incredibly beautiful calligraphy done by Elena Bogush. All vases, candlesticks, and other decor we chose with Lida. She is a very experienced master in this field and immediately offered several options for the design of the table, which looked chic and could be done without multiple contractors.

 

There were three silver vases on each of the tables, with beautiful gently creamy-pink bouquets and a lush eucalyptus. Dusty pink runners, which I brought from the Ukraine. Elegant candles with touching inscriptions for every guest. Tablets on the tables: these were iconic cities in different countries of the world, in which we were together before the wedding. For an improvised ceremony, we spent a considerable amount of time on the decor, but everything turned out perfectly. The beautiful vases and tables now decorate our Paris apartment. By the way, one composition from the ceremony, still standing in the apartment, is a dried hydrangea and eucalyptus.

 

Tell us about the place you chose for the wedding celebration. What exactly is it that you liked it the most?

 

We love simply and beautifully but with a touch of luxury. I think we succeeded. The bright hall, without superfluous decor, beautiful light, round tables and laconic chairs, gently cream napkins, dusty pink runners, nice exquisite dishes. And fresh flowers, which perfectly complemented and completed the image of the hall.

 

You had an international wedding. Which elements or traditions were taken from different cultures?

 

For my husband, it was big discovery to shoot the bridal portraits and to make the love story video. Now we call it a Ukrainian tradition) This is a very necessary tradition.  Also my friend, who is a florist, speaks French fluently. She arranged for the complete reincarnation of her husband in Kozak--a Ukrainian costume, hat, sash for the wedding. Our friend Nicolas, who is also married to Ukrainian lady, decided to steal a shoe. It was very funny.

 

I want to say that there was no leader; there were no preparations and planned moments.  For us, it was a party and a festive dinner, and we had fun until 5 am. The cake was traditionally French, krokembush, very original and unusual! We had unreal beautiful music from Reunion island during the moment of cutting the cake.

 

You did not have an planner. Why did you decide to do everything yourself?

 

I’ve worked in the wedding industry for 7 years and have seen all the possible shortcomings that can happen on someone’s wedding day. Therefore, no one knows us and does not feel better than us. We assigned responsibilities and set priorities. At the same time, we respected and listened to each other and everything turned out easily.

There was a time at which we pressed the administrator in the restaurant to let us prepare the hall for the celebration. They were very resistant, and they have clear rules. But you do not need to be afraid of anything; everything is possible. Of course, we had to be persistent, but finally we had a chance to come in advance. And my friend was able to prepare the hall for the ceremony and the restaurant for the guests. Frankly, it's a colossal work when everything is done by one person. But a clear plan brings peace of mind. All flowers and bouquets were ready on Friday, the day before the event.

 

A little about other involved contractors that you want to mention. Who were the photographers and the videographer?

 

Michael and Lucy became our wedding photographers and videographers. I felt it was important to have a couple that makes both photos and videos, a couple who have a good relationship, and my husband trusted my judgement. They are the first people I thought about. I met them a long time ago and have followed their work. Initially, I didn’t have my heart set on any one particular photographer or videographer, but when this key moment came, I trusted myself, and I know I made the right choice.

 

Close your eyes and remember the most vivid impressions, emotions, memories.

 

You can laugh, but the first thing I remember with my husband is a trip to a flowerhouse from 2-6 in the morning. Shooting my bride's morning was magical. Mikhail and Lyudmila and me in an empty apartment. No calls, no fuss, no people rushing around. Next, I remember the beautiful moment when my husband saw me in a dress; I did not see him in a tuxedo before the wedding! It was amazing. And very touching. He prepared no less than I did and ordered a suit from the French President's tailor. The evening itself and the atmosphere of kindness of love and happiness, not instantaneous, but strong and rich, such as our feelings! And dancing, when everyone dances with all their heart, this is complete freedom!

 

Any other details that can help reveal the whole picture of the wedding.

 

We tried our best with every detail. We had a cool team, my husband and I, our friend Lydia Ilnitskaya, who was a florist, translator and most cheerful guest, our photographer and videographer Luda and Misha, my husband’s cousin Florian, who sang, his friend DJ Egor and our guests. And each one brought something of his own to this evening. And from this it became unforgettable!

 

Please give your TOP 10 tips for couples who are going to get married.

 

1. Don’t do things for other people; make this holiday just for yourself!

2. Choose the most convenient format for your wedding; do not live by templates. Create your own traditions instead.

3. The day of town hall ceremony and the day of celebration should be divided. You will be grateful to yourself for this until the end of life!

4. Clearly distribute responsibilities. Planning in advance and delegating the workload will ease your stress.

5. Write down everything. Each idea seems unreal until you break it into one hundred small tasks. Each task must have a performer and a deadline!

6. Choose contractors you trust. Look at their work in advance so you can make an informed decision.

7. Start getting ready an hour earlier than planned so that you don’t have to rush and can deal with any problems that may arise.

8. Do a gentle manicure, preferably colorless or translucent, in the tone of your dress. Choose make-up that will make you sweet and will not betray age. A hairdo should not interfere with dancing, if you care how to look at a banquet.

9. Get away from the rules that force everyone to toast. They do not need do anything. Let the atmosphere be friendly and relaxed; everyone will come and congratulate you. Conventionality is superfluous. Your guests are happy for you, since they are your guests!

10. Complete all the deeds the day before the wedding. If the celebration is on Saturday, then on Friday you should rest. And get enough sleep with your beloved!

 

 Our team:
 

Video:  @mikhail_nilov 

Photo: @ludmilanilova

Makeup and hair: @maryna_gulevskaya 

Dress: @salon_kuraje 

Hair accessorize: @l.a._accessories 

Shoes: @jimmychoo 

Wedding suit: @jonasetcie 

Calligraphy: @elena_bohush 

Flowers and decor: @lida_ilnitska

Music: @ichbinrefuche

Venue: Le Pre Catelan, Paris, 75000 / Le Pré Catelan