Inspiration

Real Weddings {Brooklyn}: Veronica & Ruslan! – Blackbride.com

Veronica and Ruslan met in February of 2010 at Katra, a Moroccan-themed hookah lounge in New York City. "He literally bumped in to me, I bought him a drink, we danced and laughed throughout the night and we built a strong foundation from there," recalls Veronica. The couple has been together for 4 years and decided to celebrate their union with a "rustic and vintage" themed wedding at The Green Building, in Brooklyn, NY. Check out their special day captured by Jacquie Lew of Photo Philosophies!

Bride: Veronica Verkhovsky, 31, Real Estate Agent

Groom: Ruslan Verkhovsky, 35, Actor

Place of residence: Jersey City, New Jersey

Wedding date: 7/11/ 14

Wedding location: The Green Building Brooklyn, NY

Honeymoon Destination: 3 weeks- Burma, Thailand, Laos

Engagement Story:

Ruslan asked me out one night in the city. We went to a lounge and it wasn’t our scene, so we left and went to Brooklyn for a house party. We had a great night, and decided to head back to Jersey for the night. As we’re approaching the tunnel (I’m driving) he tells me to make a right and go uptown. He refused to tell me where we were going until we reached our destination. He booked a hotel room for the night on the Upper East Side with amazing views from the balcony. In the morning he was behaving really off, and I figured it was because he was hungry. He kept pacing around the room and leaving the room sporadically. Finally, he says lets go for some breakfast. As we’re leaving the hotel, he says I want to show you something. He takes me to the rooftop where the view becomes even more breathtaking, with my back facing him, I begin to thank him for always exposing me to something new and dope, I turn around to see him on one knee. I immediately start yelling at him to get up, as I was so uncomfortable and didn’t know what to think or feel. I honestly can’t tell you anything he said, as I felt the world’s energy around me. Eventually I said yes and gathered myself enough to leave the rooftop.

From the Groom:

I thought I would be nervous the day of the wedding but I was very calm and looking forward to seeing all of our close friends and family, especially my future wife. It was an easy afternoon spent with my groomsmen and my nephews.  I truly felt all the love from everyone once we arrived at the venue. We decided to write our own vows, as we wanted to share with our friends and family the joys we’ve experienced thus far. What I didn’t know is that she had been studying to say her vows in Russian.  When she started reciting her vows it didn’t click at first because she doesn’t speak Russian. When I finally grasped what she was saying, and to hear her speak so fluently, I became overwhelmed and lost it. My mom even jumped up from her seat and gave Veronica a big hug; she was probably as shocked and happy as I was.  It meant so much to me and my family as that was a huge display of acceptance for my culture and family. So many emotions were already running through me from the moment I saw her walk down the aisle and that just broke me down. It was a perfect night and the best moment of my life.

From the Bride: 

I always hear stories of how stressful the wedding day is for the bride and wedding party, but I can honestly say it was nothing but dancing, goofing around and laughter for the hours leading up to the wedding. We were all ready on time and we just made the most out of our day. That pretty much set the tone for the remainder of the night. Every moment was beautiful, we wrote our own vows and to hear him say things that I nagged him about for years, finally resonate and to hear that he actually needs and appreciates it made me feel like it’s all worth it!

What makes your love special?

I have a daughter from another relationship and I was strongly against introducing him to her until I felt there was a strong connection between us, and he could fit the part of being a role model. He was more than understanding and waited 1 year until we both felt it was right. The patience, understanding and love during that year allowed us to build and define who we are and what we want to represent as a team. We decided that we will only move in with each other once we were ready to take it to the next level, he never hesitated and proposed immediately thereafter, as he knew what he wanted from me and for us. We were engaged for 2 years before getting married. The goal was to plan out individual expectations and as a unit. He’s learned what it means to be a step dad, he’s learned how to build one of the most beautiful relationships with my daughter’s father and his family and all of this is just one aspect as to why our love is so special.

A Cultural Affair:

My husband is Russian and I’m Belizean. We wanted to incorporate both of our cultures in the wedding. A part of the Russian culture is to toast vodka throughout the night over dinner. We had 14 tables and included bottles of vodka on each table along with herring and pickles for everyone to toast throughout the night. We had a West Indian DJ to incorporate my culture.

Favorite wedding details:

Our Officiant/MC was beyond brilliant. Victor Burt, kept everyone on their toes during the ceremony, and even more importantly during the reception. He kept the party going and never missed a beat!!! Also, our videographer is out of this world fabulous! He captured moments that I didn’t even know happened! Scott Montague was a great choice.

 

Advice for a Bride/Groom on their wedding day:

Find time for yourself to just stop and take it all in. It’s almost impossible to eat, but if you and your husband can grab a moment it’s the most beautiful feeling to capture.

What are you most looking forward to as a married couple?

Being a power couple- spiritually, financially, emotionally and mentally.

 

Want to see more from this fabulous Brooklyn Wedding? Check out Veronica and Ruslan's Highlight Reel from Montague Films on Vimeo!

 

Congratulations to newlyweds Veronica and Ruslan! We wish you many more years of wedded bliss.

Vendors:

Photographer:

Jacquie Lew of Photo Philosophies

http://www.photophilosophies.com

Videographer: Montague Films

http://www.montaguefilms.com/

Ceremony & Reception location:

The Green Building

http://www.thegreenbuildingnyc.com/

Bridal gown:

RK Bridal- “Allure bridal gown”

http://www.rkbridal.com/

Bridal party attire:

Chinese wholesaler overseas

Groom’s tux:

Custom made tux

Cake: Whole Foods

Cupcakes- Molly’s Cupcakes

http://www.mollyscupcakes.com/

Favors: Potted Rosemary plants

Wedding planners:

Tischa Smith & Kristen Wallace

Simply Stated Weddings:

[email protected] and [email protected]

DJ: BiggBaddJugglers

[email protected]

Hair and makeup :

Makeup: Latoya Smith

[email protected]

Flowers : Whole Foods

Stationery: Weddingpaperdivas.com

Wedding tree: Myarbelle.com

 

Curated by our Wedding Features Editor, C.K. Alexander. C.K. is the owner and founder of  Love Ink and Brownstone Bridal. Keep up with C.K. on Twitter here: @Love_Ink

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