For Anastasia, Marko's proposal wasn't a complete surprise. "I had casually mentioned to Marko at some point that my dream place to get engaged would be Santorini," Anastasia explains. "So when we had to travel to Mykonos for a wedding, I teased him that he better take advantage of the opportunity." Anastasia's suspicions grew when Marko selected the hotel, and while they were on the trip one night, suggested to her that they stay in for dinner to watch the sunset. "I thought, this could be it," she recalls. "I left the pool early, did my hair, put on a nice dress, to which he asked, 'Why? We're just staying in.'" The couple enjoyed the gorgeous sunset, with a nervous Marko going in and out of the room and fidgeting with his pocket. "When the sun set, he turned to me and said, 'You probably know what I'm about to ask you,' to which I said yes—and the rest is history."
Anastasia and Marko's vineyard celeberation included lots of greenery and white, with peach accents throughout the decor in honour of the beginning of peach season in Niagara-on-the-Lake. The theme was worked into the stationery, which featured a greenery wreath with eucalyptus touches and custom stamps with a monogram and wax seals for the place cards.
Despite arriving ten minutes late to the church because of a veil situation, Anastasia recalls the moment she saw her soon-to-be husband Marko at the end of the aisle as an incredibly emotional experience. "When my maid of honour started walking down and 'Ode to Joy' gave way to 'Pachelbel’s Canon,' I couldn’t hold it in," she says. "I actually only looked at Marko for a few seconds at a time, and then focused on the priest, so I could keep it together."
The team at Ravine Vineyard, along with wedding planner Danielle of Shaw Events and florist Melanie of Lush Florals helped craft a space that captured Anastasia and Marko's vision. Everything from the peach tablescape, to the signature cocktails and food, to the bonfire and s’mores brought the entire event together. "We especially loved the florals—Mel worked so hard to source the colours with citrine roses and bright orange ranunculus!"
Anastasia and her father surprised everyone with their father-daughter dance, after weeks of rehearsing their Viennese waltz. "We took lessons and spent so much time practising, even rehearsing at 10 p.m. in the hotel parking lot the night before the wedding," Anastasia says. "We did it, and it was so much fun!" Sparklers added an extra-special touch to the evening, along with the Niagara Falls fireworks that lit up the night sky.
Anastasia Ivanova and Marko Grubesic, August 11, 2018, St. David's, Ontario.
Photography courtesy of Andrew Mark Photography.
Vendors Ceremony and reception venue: Ravine Estate Winery Bridal gown: Elizabeth Fillmore from Kleinfeld Hudson's Bay Groom’s tux: Hugo Boss Wedding planner: Danielle Shaw-Vaccariello of Shaw Events Flowers: Lush Florals Décor: Simply Beautiful Décor Invitations: Minted Seating chart and placecards: Statue Rue Makeup: Grace Lee Videography: Elle & Be Films Music: Chamberlain Entertainment
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