Timeless & Chic Wedding at Saint Nicholas Cathedral: Rachel & Zach
This chic wedding combines a timeless color palette, glamorous decor, and Greek wedding traditions. And it’s ABSOLUTELY STUNNING! Timelessness, class and sophistication was the theme of the day and shades of white, ivory, gold, taupe, and sage green played the backdrop to the entire affair. Of course, the couple had to infuse their heritage into the day with olive oil favors, homemade Greek pastries on the cookie table, and a Greek band to entertain guests all night at Saint Nicholas Cathedral. Add in sparkly decor, organic chic florals, and a healthy dose of DIY (check out that flower wall!) and you’ve got yourself a perfect combination. Every last chic detail was captured so well by Greenwood Photography. I don’t know if it can get much prettier than this.
From the bride…
When and how did you two meet?
We met when I was living in Washington, DC and working as a teacher there. The groom was living in Fredericksburg, VA and working as a podiatrist. We actually matched on Tinder (believe it or not) and the rest is history. Crazy story: After we started dating, I found a photo from eight years prior where Zach was standing 5-feet behind me in the background of the picture!!!! Destiny at it’s finest!
Juicy details on the proposal, please! Where, when, how?
Zach stood outside of my building in downtown DC on Wednesday, June 17, 2015. He had a bagpipe player standing there playing for almost an hour before I came out of work. On my way out, I could hear the music and thought that was very strange for a Wednesday afternoon in DC (although stranger things have happened there). When I walked out, the bagpipe player started to walk closer to me and play louder, which freaked me out. Soon, Zach popped his head out from behind a column and took a knee. The rest is a blur. It was so crazy and surreal (also hilarious)!
Describe the wedding. The look, theme, style, colors, etc.
Theme of my wedding was timeless glam. I wanted it to be in such a way that 30 years from now, the styles exemplified would still be in fashion. I loved neutrals, whites, ivory, gold, and mirrored accents.
What made your wedding unique?
My wedding was unique because I handmade most of my decor and transformed the hall myself with a few of my family members. It was important to me to be involved and hands-on with my wedding process, so much so that we had to rent a U-haul to bring all the decor from VA to Pittsburgh!
What advice would you give to other Burgh Brides planning their big day?
One piece of advice I would give is I wish I slowed down my brain the day of the wedding and soaked in every precious moment. My wedding went til almost 4 a.m. and even that didn’t feel long enough. Make sure to remember that the purpose of the day is two beautiful people coming together to spend a life together, and all the small details don’t matter in the grand scheme of it all.
Vendors
Band: Ormi Orchestra | Bouquets & Boutonnieres: Matina Starrett | Bread: Mediterra Bakehouse | Bride’s Dress: Demetrios from Tysons Galleria | Bride’s Earrings: Ben Amun | Bride’s Shoes: INC from Macy’s | Bridesmaids Dresses: Adrianna Papell from Macy’s | Calligraphy: Aundrea Ambeliotis of Mediterra Bakehouse | Cake: Mediterra Bakehouse | Cookies & Pastries: Made by the groom’s mother and purchased from Salonika Imports | Ceremony Location: Holy Dormition of the Theotokos Greek Orthodox Church | Hair: Eleni Venettis | Favors: Real Greek Olive Oil (brand) | Flower Wall: DIY | Lighting: Illume Lighting & Event Design | Linens: Table Talk Linens and Urquid Linens (cake and sweetheart tables) | Makeup: Shannon Le Doux | Menswear: Calvin Klein from Men’s Wearhouse | Photography: Greenwood Photography | Reception Flowers: Posy | Reception Venue: Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral | Rentals: Elegant Chair Cover Designs | Stationery: Nationwide Envelope Specialists | Transportation: Qualistar (coach bus) and Tortorice Limousine (limo shuttles) | Videography: Steady Creek Cinema