As a Chief Editor of Wedding Forward, you might know me as Svitlana, but what you may not know is that I’ve recently tied the knot myself! Over the past seven years, I’ve had the privilege of reading countless real wedding stories, collaborating with esteemed planners and designers, and helping brides from around the world make their special day unforgettable. Through this journey, I’ve gained unparalleled insight into the world of weddings – even more so than AI-powered chatbots like GPT!
However, despite my extensive experience, I still encountered some challenges during my own wedding planning process. As any bride can attest, it’s easy to get caught up in the romance and excitement of the day, but looking back, there are a few things I wish I had done differently. With that said, I’m thrilled to share my beautiful photos from the big day with you, as well as some valuable lessons learned along the way.
My friends often joke that our love story could be adapted into a film and shared globally – perhaps it’s not too far-fetched! In any case, let me start sharing my personal experience on Wedding Forward by recounting some of the highlights (and lowlights) from my own wedding day.
Our Love Story
As a Ukrainian with an American husband, Victor Scott Miller, our love story began with a chance online conversation in 2022. He joined the medical battalion Hospitallers as a volunteer to support Ukrainian soldiers, while I was in Kyiv at the time. After connecting online and eventually meeting offline before Thanksgiving Day, we decided to take our relationship to the next level. Our whirlwind romance was incredibly fast-paced, with us getting engaged just 2.5 months into dating.
While I had a feeling it might happen soon, I wasn’t entirely expecting the proposal so quickly. My heart was ready to accept Victor’s ring, though. The moment of truth arrived on January 5th when we agreed to meet at a local restaurant near my home. As usual, I was running late and in a hurry, but when I arrived, Victor surprised me with a bouquet of roses – he looked dashing! After exchanging flowers, we sat down, and that’s when Victor reached into his pocket for the ring box.
With tears of joy streaming down my face, I said yes to the proposal, overwhelmed by the happiness of it all.
Wedding Planning Process
As soon as we got engaged, my husband and I rolled up our sleeves and started planning our special day. Since we were based in Ukraine at the time, we decided to celebrate in a location that was meaningful to us. As a seasoned wedding editor, I had a clear vision of what I wanted our big day to look like – rustic charm all the way! My husband, on the other hand, left the planning entirely up to me, so I got creative with my ideas.
We ultimately chose a unique venue: a forest-located restaurant made entirely of wood, which was truly breathtaking. Our wedding theme was the star of the show, but we didn’t let it dictate every aspect of our celebration. Instead, we wove in elements from other themes to create a one-of-a-kind atmosphere and look. The result was a beautiful blend of styles that reflected our personalities and love story.
Best Wedding Moment
As I reflect on our special day, two moments stand out as truly unforgettable. The first was my stroll down the aisle, where I caught sight of my dashing husband and the sea of smiling faces belonging to our loved ones. The atmosphere was electric with love and joy, making it a truly breathtaking experience. The second moment that left an indelible mark on my memory was the ring exchange ceremony, during which we also exchanged heartfelt vows.
It was as if time stood still, and all that existed was the romance and intimacy of the moment. Even now, I can relive the sensations and emotions that coursed through me at that instant…
5 Things I Regret Not Doing At My Wedding
As we explore the realm of ‘what ifs’, I’d like to take a moment to reflect on past choices that, in hindsight, I would alter. With the benefit of retrospect, certain decisions stand out as opportunities for improvement. If given the chance to turn back the clock, I’m certain some aspects of my journey would be handled differently.
Wedding dress – buy it!
As I envisioned my ideal wedding dress, I pictured a stunning white gown with long sleeves that sparkled like diamonds. The problem was, every beautiful dress I saw only added to the difficulty of making a decision – I wanted them all! In the end, I decided to take matters into my own hands and design my own dress. Little did I know, this would be a recipe for disaster. My dressmaker’s constant delays left me feeling like I was having a heart attack as I anxiously awaited the finished product.
It wasn’t until the day before my big day that I finally got to see – and wear – my one-of-a-kind creation. While I ultimately loved it, I couldn’t help but think about what could have been if only I had a little more time to make some tweaks to the design.
Never pay all the money to the photographer before getting all the photos
Despite emphasizing the importance of having a contract with your wedding vendors in previous articles, it’s surprising to find that many Ukrainian couples neglect this crucial step. As someone who has experienced firsthand the frustration of delayed expectations, I want to share my cautionary tale. After agreeing on a one-month turnaround for our wedding photos, we’re now three months past the deadline.
My story serves as a reminder: never underestimate the value of putting your agreements in writing and having a contract with your vendors.
Honeymoon sadness
In hindsight, one of the most significant regrets I’ve had was not being able to take a honeymoon trip after our wedding. It’s an experience that I truly wish we could have done differently. To anyone getting married in the future, I would highly recommend prioritizing your romantic getaway post-ceremony – it will be well worth the effort.
Enjoy your wedding planning process
As I reflect on our wedding planning journey, I’m struck by the realization that it was a significant part of my life during a time of great upheaval. Between navigating bureaucracy, dealing with the stress of war, and managing the intricacies of wedding prep, it often felt like a second job. Yet, in hindsight, I appreciate how this process brought us closer together.
I hope you’ve enjoyed reading our real-life wedding story, and that it’s been helpful to you in some way.
For my part, I’m grateful for the experience and the memories we created.
As a personal aside, my husband is no longer involved with the medical battalion Hospitallers, but our best man, Mykyta, continues to serve there, dedicating his time and skills to saving lives – not just those of humans, but also animals affected by the conflict. If you’re moved to support Ukraine or its people during this challenging period, I’ve included information on how you can do so below.
The Hospitallers website is a great place to start, offering a wealth of information and opportunities for involvement.
Thank you again for taking the time to read our story.
