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Galina and Pasha went to Brooklyn James Madison High School together. Pasha was two years older, but they ran with the same crowd and were friends. Once, when Galina was in the 10th grade and Pasha was already in the 12th, he asked her to go bowling. Galina was surprised when she found out it was just the two of them and no other friends. Then Pasha treated her to Chinese food. That day their relationship entered a new phase - they were not just friends, they were now dating. Often these childhood romances quickly come to an end, but Galina and Pasha saw each other for seven years and had no plans to part ways. Seven years after their first visit to the bowling club, Pasha made Galina an offer.
Galina's story: We were planning to go somewhere that day, and I came to Pasha's house to pick him up. We were not planning anything special that day so I was wearing a pair of jeans, a t-shirt and sandals.
Pasha came out dressed in shirt and slacks, which surprised me a great deal.
Even stranger things followed:
he blindfolded me, took my hand, led me |
to the car and drove me somewhere. I was very curious as to where we were going and what was going on. Still, I trusted Pasha and since he had asked me not to remove the blindfold, I decided to do as he asked and not spoil some amazing plan that he had come up with. I was amused because I heard people in nearby cars making jokes and commenting: "Look, look - the girl is being kidnapped". Then we stopped, Pasha helped me out of the car, but my eyes were still covered.
Pasha's story: We drove to New Jersey 's Colonial Park , and I took Galina blindfolded to the prettiest part of the park - Rose Garden. Roses were blooming there and the aroma was incredible. It was a part of my plan: Galina walked with her eyes covered and could not see anything - she could only smell the beautiful flowers.
We walked up to the Sun Clock - the exact place where I wanted to propose. This clock has an inscription running on the outer rim: "Grow Old With Me - The Best Is Yet To Be". I took off the blindfold and asked Galina if she agreed with the inscription. She said "yes" and I picked up the engagement ring and put it on her finger. Everything happened just as I planned. People walking in the park at the time became accidental witnesses to our engagement and applauded us. They were smiling and congratulated us. Everything turned out to be magnificent!
Galina's story: We began the wedding preparations. I started reading all the bridal magazines searching for interesting ideas. I liked "Russian Bride" more than the others, and I wanted our love story to find its way to the pages of this magazine. Before the wedding, I called the editor's office and asked to be interviewed. Maybe our wedding experience might help other people, just like I got some ideas reading previous issues of the magazine and looking at the photos of other brides and grooms!
I got very lucky with my wedding dress: I went into the Metropolitan Bridal Gallery on Staten Island . I described to the assistant what I was looking for and they showed me different dresses. And then I saw MY DRESS! I didn't even try anything else. I put this one on, and it was love at first sight. My mother and I went together there later and bought this dress by Ashley Jordan - my mother approved of my choice. Pasha found his tuxedo at " Tuxedo Palace " on Coney Island Avenue . They quickly found something he liked.
We didn't spend a lot of time choosing the catering hall either - De Renaissance in Staten Island . We wanted to combine two things: the hall that we had chosen and Russian cuisine that unfortunately this catering hall does not offer. We made a deal with the chefs from "Atlantis" to cater our wedding. I would like to share this with all brides and grooms: You don't have to choose between a beautiful restaurant and your favorite dishes. You can set up your wedding according to your taste with a little planning.
From the very beginning we decided to hire Double Delight Orchestra by Misha Bouman that we had enjoyed listening to in the "Rasputin" restaurant. Many of our guests had been to "Rasputin" and we knew that they liked this band as well.
Pasha and I prepared our wedding ourselves. Maybe a wedding coordinator would have done it in a more professional way, but I think it can be done on your own. All you need is some imagination and a good bridal magazine. I, personally, recommend "Russian Bride".
Hall - De Renaissance
Music - Double Delight Orchestra
Bridal dress - Metropolitan Bridal Gallery
Groom's tuxedo - Tuxedo Palace
Video - Gold Screen
Photo - New Age Photography
Flowers - Floral Arts |
