Family, tradition, faith and love were the centrepiece themes for the wedding of Katarina and Dan, a couple whose unequivocal devotion to these principles sets them apart for us here at SDE Weddings, Toronto’s premier wedding videography and cinematography company. A Ukrainian twosome whose first moments together was through Katarina’s christening over twenty five years ago, as young ones taken into the fold of their parents’ friendship. Little did they know back then that these two families would eventually become one, brought together by an unyielding bond that knows not of either distance or time. As Dan’s family settled in Melbourne, Katarina’s would do so in Canada, an entire hemisphere and ocean away, and on entirely separate landmasses from their home nation of the Ukraine. The two grew up apart, yet found themselves drawn back together through the intricate acts of fate, and a shared culture that transcends mere boundaries. For us, Katarina and Dan’s union exemplifies the finer and deeper points of what draws us to marriage; a communal society, a dedication to both faith and family, and a deep reverence for one’s cultural heritage. Keep your cursors scrolled to read more about Katarina and Dan’s fated and faithful wedding day.

All photos courtesy of Jason Shum | littlefreelenser.com

On the early hours of February 1st, 2014, Katarina faced an entire gathering of her closest family, friends and her husband to be at her humble Mississauga home. A moving morning moment for our videographers. Both mother and daughter shared a few tears as the group warmly welcomed the beloved bride on her most auspicious morning. The gathering of families would be one brought about by a strong sense of culture, as the group immediately began a traditional Ukrainian blessing ceremony to commemorate the holy union to be made between Katarina and Dan. A ceremony which began the overarching trend of the day; the celebration of faith and culture through song and dance. Accompanied by a resounding accordion line and the soothing singing voices from the females in the audience, the ceremony finalized in a shared moment of ecstatic joy for bride and groom. A touching scene for our videographers that left Katarina and Dan both overcome with emotion. Such a select ceremony would however only be the beginning, as Katarina and Dan made their way to Toronto’s St. Nicholas’ Ukrainian Catholic Church for the beginning of the procession and formal rites.

To paraphrase Katarina’s impression of first walking into the vast interior of the church in the sights of our videographers and cinematographers; despite the couples’ nervous task ahead, it was yet ‘an amazing feeling’ to ‘instantly feel the support and warmth’ of her family and friends all at once. Proceeding with an entire mass in Ukrainian Catholic tradition, Katarina and Dan were finally wed amidst a very traditional ‘Catholic’ atmosphere; of a live chamber choir and cantors singing a majority of the procession. An echo in more ways than one to the sentiment shared by St. Augustine, that ‘those who sing pray twice’. Having sung to their hearts content, the congregation along with our videographers would follow Katarina and Dan to the famous Living Arts Centre in Mississauga, for a reception ripe with plenty more song and dance to be had.

Guests to the reception at the Living Arts Centre were greeted with a table of postcards, each inviting a signature and well wishes for the newlywed husband and wife. Along the corridors of the hall was a full art exhibit of sorts, showcasing several of Katarina and Dan’s personal photographs together. The reception was hosted bilingually, in both Ukrainian and English, and featured full introductions and applause not only for Katarina and Dan, but their closest relatives and loved ones, every word captured entirely by our videographers. Tradition would again play a pivotal role for the evening, with the symbolic serving of bread and salt; representing prosperity, strength and health, all brought together by culture, through a pint of Ukrainian vodka on the side. Continuing the prevailing theme of the day, a plethora of guests each lined up to the podium with an offering of songs in celebration of such a wondrous occasion. After the newlyweds made their thanks be known to the audience, a special Ukrainian dance was performed as a segue to an open dance floor and plenty of happiness shared between friends and family. In the end, we here at SDE Weddings, Toronto’s premier wedding videography and cinematography company, were glad to play a role in capturing all the special moments and memories of Katarina and Dan’s special day. We wish them the best, and hope that the two continue on through their lives as throughout their wedding day, ever on a high note.

Ceremony Venue: St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church | 4 Bellwoods Avenue, Toronto
Reception Venue: Mississauga Living Arts Centre | 4141 Living Arts Dr, Mississauga
Photographer: Jason Shum
DJ: Zirka Band