Nina & Mark's Ukranian Wedding Photography by Barnaby Aldrick

Introducing Nina & Mark…

For some reason it’s taken me a little while to get round to creating a full blog post for Nina & Mark’s wedding back at the end of February.  I think it may be down to it having being a Ukrainian wedding and there are SO many ace details that it’s hard to choose the images the tell the story in a concise way.  The last time I shot a “Ukey” wedding the supporting blog (for Sonya & James’ wedding – post here) was the longest and most image intensive blog I think I’ve ever written.  Knowing this one was also gonna be a big mamma, I wanted to do it justice, so here it is… [I hope you’re sitting comfortably]

Nina & Mark's Ukranian Wedding Photography by Barnaby Aldrick

We kicked off the day with Nina at her home…

Nina & Mark's Ukranian Wedding Photography by Barnaby Aldrick

I’d met these two characters on the pre-wed a while back [post here]!

Nina & Mark's Ukranian Wedding Photography by Barnaby Aldrick

and these characterful additions were new to me, and right up my street.  I do like a bride with a penchant for a pair with personality.

Nina & Mark's Ukranian Wedding Photography by Barnaby Aldrick

Here’s Nina getting tied up.

Nina & Mark's Ukranian Wedding Photography by Barnaby Aldrick

A moment between pals…

Nina & Mark's Ukranian Wedding Photography by Barnaby Aldrick

…and a catch of Dad caught in a moment of his own. It’s lovely seeing a father looking at his little girl, all grown up.

He wasn’t guaranteed to attend, as he had to travel back from where he lives in Brazil, but his attendance was obviously so special for Nina

Nina & Mark's Ukranian Wedding Photography by Barnaby Aldrick

Over with the chaps, Clare caught Mark’s preps.

Nina & Mark's Ukranian Wedding Photography by Barnaby Aldrick

It’s traditional at Ukrainian weddings for the parents to give their blessing in the morning.

Nina & Mark's Ukranian Wedding Photography by Barnaby Aldrick

Back at Nina’s her bridesmaid fitted the veil…

Nina & Mark's Ukranian Wedding Photography by Barnaby Aldrick

…and pinned in a lucky safety pin (another Ukey tradition)

Nina & Mark's Ukranian Wedding Photography by Barnaby Aldrick

Nina’s blessing was given by her parents and Bapcha (Grandma).

Nina & Mark's Ukranian Wedding Photography by Barnaby Aldrick

A moment of celebration, just before a round of Vodkas!

Nina & Mark's Ukranian Wedding Photography by Barnaby Aldrick

The girls, looking elated before heading off to church…

Nina & Mark's Ukranian Wedding Photography by Barnaby Aldrick

…and the cat, looking a touch less amused by our departure!

More: “Erm, where do you think you’re going?!”

Nina & Mark's Ukranian Wedding Photography by Barnaby Aldrick

Nina told me she was a self-confessed “Tesco Pervert”!

So as we were running a tad early, Nina decided we should pop in for a snap I doubt I’ll ever take again!

Nina & Mark's Ukranian Wedding Photography by Barnaby Aldrick

Over at Bradford’s Ukrainian Catholic Church Clare caught a few details.  Last time we were here it was raining, and it looked stunning in the sun.

Nina & Mark's Ukranian Wedding Photography by Barnaby Aldrick

The chaps milled & welcomed guests outside

Nina & Mark's Ukranian Wedding Photography by Barnaby Aldrick

When Nina arrived, they were just getting final guests inside, so they had a nosey through the hedge.

Nina & Mark's Ukranian Wedding Photography by Barnaby Aldrick

It’s tradition for the bride and groom to meet each other and the priest outside the church to ask if they’re free to marry.

Nina & Mark's Ukranian Wedding Photography by Barnaby Aldrick

Then they walk down together and the ceremony is given (& sometimes sung) by the priest in Ukrainian.  I’m lovin’ the wreath action.

Nina & Mark's Ukranian Wedding Photography by Barnaby Aldrick

A detail I rather liked.

Nina & Mark's Ukranian Wedding Photography by Barnaby Aldrick

Outside the church Nina & Marks friends & family threw a bit of confetti.

Nina & Mark's Ukranian Wedding Photography by Barnaby Aldrick

Kneeling Nina!

Nina & Mark's Ukranian Wedding Photography by Barnaby Aldrick

Mark’s details

Nina & Mark's Ukranian Wedding Photography by Barnaby Aldrick

A quick shoot in the park down the road from the church

Nina & Mark's Ukranian Wedding Photography by Barnaby Aldrick

I like this cheeky catch of them strolling back to the car…

Nina & Mark's Ukranian Wedding Photography by Barnaby Aldrick

…for a Guinness each!

Because my blogs can get a tad epic in length, I’ll add in a break here to give your internet a break!  Click ‘more’ below for the 2nd half.

Nina & Mark's Ukranian Wedding Photography by Barnaby Aldrick

In the evening sun at the Ukrainian Club, we snapped the groupshots, including the ladies…

Nina & Mark's Ukranian Wedding Photography by Barnaby Aldrick

the guys, and Simba, who was obviously a little overjoyed to see Mark dressed all dapper.

Nina & Mark's Ukranian Wedding Photography by Barnaby Aldrick

A few details of the room before guests filled it.

Nina & Mark's Ukranian Wedding Photography by Barnaby Aldrick

Another ace tradition at Ukrainian weddings is the entrance to the wedding breakfast, where the bride & groom were welcomed in and take a shot of vodka with their parents.  It’s good luck for the bride & groom to only have a sip & to throw it over their shoulder, and the non-Ukrainian members in the wedding party are generally kept in the dark, and therefore on the receiving end!

Nina & Mark's Ukranian Wedding Photography by Barnaby Aldrick

The couple then walk under the traditional Ukrainian bread, have a glass of wine & are led to the top table tied together

Nina & Mark's Ukranian Wedding Photography by Barnaby Aldrick

They then have to kiss every time a guest dings their glass, to save the wine from turning sour.

This happens more than once, let me tell you.

Nina & Mark's Ukranian Wedding Photography by Barnaby Aldrick

Mark sporting a cheeky expression during his speech.

Nina & Mark's Ukranian Wedding Photography by Barnaby Aldrick

Nina rocks.  I like a bride who gives a speech.

Nina & Mark's Ukranian Wedding Photography by Barnaby Aldrick

T’other speeches

Nina & Mark's Ukranian Wedding Photography by Barnaby Aldrick

The Ukey equivalent of a line-up is to do a shot with the bride & groom at the head table!  I believe it’s called “Peri-pee”, but don’t spellcheck that!

Nina & Mark's Ukranian Wedding Photography by Barnaby Aldrick

A silly number of shots are done and it’s impressive that the couple don’t end the evening on dialysis at A&E

Nina & Mark's Ukranian Wedding Photography by Barnaby Aldrick

That’s Sonya & James on the left, who I joined for a simliar experience last year.  We left their wedding wishing we were Ukrainian.

Mainly because the dancing was so much fun…

Nina & Mark's Ukranian Wedding Photography by Barnaby Aldrick

…this bride & groom have been ‘Ukey dancing’ since they were about 4 years old.

Nina & Mark's Ukranian Wedding Photography by Barnaby Aldrick

With the free bar flowing, and a shot or two in everyone, the bride has her veil swapped for a Ukranian gypsy headscarf, to portray daily life and rituals.

Nina & Mark's Ukranian Wedding Photography by Barnaby Aldrick

Then the bride has a dance with all the bridesmaids wearing her veil.

Nina & Mark's Ukranian Wedding Photography by Barnaby Aldrick

After that they arranged for Mark’s Ukey dance troop to put on a show of awesome Ukey dancing.

Nina & Mark's Ukranian Wedding Photography by Barnaby Aldrick

These guys do some crazy moves.

Nina & Mark's Ukranian Wedding Photography by Barnaby Aldrick

Afterwards, they encouraged the guests to join in, including Mark doing a solo dance for Nina.

Nina & Mark's Ukranian Wedding Photography by Barnaby Aldrick

All ages were involved

Nina & Mark's Ukranian Wedding Photography by Barnaby Aldrick

And some serious tricks were on display.

Nina & Mark's Ukranian Wedding Photography by Barnaby Aldrick

Brilliant.

Nina & Mark's Ukranian Wedding Photography by Barnaby Aldrick

I snapped their rings on their wedding breakfast menu, which detailed four basic instructions for the day:

EAT, DRINK, SING and DANCE.

It seemed all four were observed rather well!

nb: Nina & Mark have a private client area containing their wedding & pre-wedding highlights at www.barnabyaldrick.com. If you were at the wedding and would like to see more of their photos, drop them an email for the password.

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