Ina & Andrius' Foreign Affair! ~ RSVP: The RiverRoom Blog

On Friday, July 20, 2013, The RiverRoom hosted a deck wedding ceremony and reception for Ina and Andrius. Ina and Andrius were both born in Russia but destiny led them to their meeting in the United States four year ago. Andrius is in the military and was sporting his Blues, along with six of his close friends. During the ceremony, six military men lined the aisle, swords and all, as the bridesmaids and gorgeous bride walked down the aisle. The ceremony was short and sweet, officiated by Reverend Angela Kelley. They got married against the brick wall of the JW Brooks Building and decorated a white wedding arbor with pink flowers, tulle and trinkles of diamonds.

After the ceremony, their photographer, Dale with Dogwood Photography, took formal photos of the newlyweds and their friends and family. Although all of their family was unable to come from Russia, you could tell how much it meant to them that those who were their made time our of their busy lives to attend their big day. While Dale was out with the bridal party taking pictures, the rest of the guest headed into The RiverRoom for cocktail hour. A Thyme Savor Catering was here behind the bar and providing food for cocktail hour and dinner. The dinner was a family-style dinner and each table had the food on the table. This was a nice change from the buffet-style that The RiverRoom usually does.

Newly painted entrance way!

The bridal party introductions were done a little differently. One of the Russian wedding traditions that Ina and Andrius kept was taking a bite of bread dipped in salt with a shot immediately upon entry into the reception space. Of course it had to be a shot of Russian vodka! Then, they moved into their first dance as husband and wife to "I Want to Grow Old With You" by Westlife.

Onto the champagne toast with lots of words of wisdom from dear family and friends.
The wedding cake was a white, two-tiered cake with edible pearls around the outside. The bride and groom used Andrius' military sword to cut the cake. This moment was priceless! Ina really got into cutting the cake! :) They were naughty and smashed the cake in each others' face too! The cake was made by Judy at Cake Lady Designs.

The dance floor opened up with the good-luck dance, DJ'ed by Eric of DJ Professionals! Eric did an awesome job finding Russian pop music and traditional Russian wedding songs for the bride and groom to dance too. They also played the Newlywed Game! It goes to show that Ina and Andrius' really are meant to be! The bouquet and garter toss was just as amazing! My favorite part was when the girl who caught the bouquet had to have the garter reapplied to her by the man who caught the garter. This is always a funny time of the evening.

Andrius' facial expression is priceless! Happier than a kid in a candy shop on his wedding day! :)

Once the sun set over the Cape Fear River, the room was illuminated by the Italian wedding lights hung from above and waterfall effect lights running up the exposed brick walls. The linens were gray with lilac purple napkins. Linens were provided by Rent-a-Tent. Ina and her bridesmaids designed the flowers in all of the centerpieces. They used tall, skinny vases with pink, white, and purple roses for fern leaves. It was very simple, yet elegant.

As the night came to a close, Ina and Andrius' did a sparkler send off. They are such a sweet couple and so obviously in love. It goes to show that love is the same in all languages! We wish you two an eternity of love and happiness! Congratulations!!