Beautiful Day // Marina + Steven

Kristi Chapman
Jun 10
3 min read

Marina and Steven are the absolute sweetest couple ever and we were so blessed to begin our 2025 wedding season early with their amazing wedding event, a wedding day filled with such wonderful Greek and Polish traditions! Even the weather was surprisingly perfect for a mid-winter's day!

groom's accessories and items on the wedding morning

groom putting on jacket with help from best man

Marina and Steven got ready in their separate homes, not very far from where their ceremony would soon be held. The bridal party wore matching strapless gowns, looking spectacular. And Steven and his groomsmen dressed into their classic black tuxedos. They all looked so fantastic... dressed to the nines for this special day!

bride's wedding gown hanging over a mirror

bride having makeup applied on the wedding morning

bride with her sister and mother on the wedding morning

And Marina looked absolutely amazing! She dressed into her gorgeous lace covered gown from Morilee, complete with lovely sheer lace long sleeves, perfect for a winter wedding. It had a beautiful column skirt with a flare as it reached the train and an illusion lace high neck skimming over a strapless sweetheart neckline.

bride walking down the aisle with her father

bride and groom having crowns swapped during greek orthodox wedding ceremony

bride and groom kiss as they pause walking back up the aisle

Then we all went straight to the church for Marina and Steven's traditional ceremony at the beautiful St. Athanasios Greek Orthodox Church in Paramus, New Jersey. Greek Orthodox weddings overflow with wonderful ceremonies, such as the crowning of the bride and groom, where crowns with ribbons called Stefana are swapped three times before being placed back on the heads of the bride and groom.

Other rites include sharing the wine cup and the ceremonial walk circling the altar three times called the Dance of Isaiah. And at the end of the ceremony, Marina and Steven were kissing as 'husband and wife'! Once outside the church, Steven's parents performed a lovely Polish tradition, singing a celebratory song and initiating a toast to honor the newlyweds and bestow many years of love together.

bride with her wedding party outside on winter wedding day

Those fabulous formal photos took place next in Wyckoff Park at the J.A. McFaul Environmental Center. Keri Calabrese Photography captured wonderful images of Marina and Steven and their wedding party in the idyllic setting and it we were so delighted to film the action.

aerial view of the venetian wedding venue in garfield nj

winter wonderland wedding reception inside the venetian wedding venue in garfield nj

After this first photo session, Marina and Steven's reception was ready to kick off at The Venetian in Garfield. Their arrival was announced as a fantastic sparkler salute was provided by the venue, and they danced their special first dance while perfectly wintry "snowflakes" fell from the ceiling. It was so romantic!

The whole elegant, winter wonderland reception space was overflowing with white floral centerpieces and even showcased white blooming trees from Broderick's Flowers! And the white, seven-tiered(!) wedding cake from Palermo's looked amazing.

the groom dips the bride during their first dance at the reception

Marina and Steven's dances with their father and mother respectively were next, and as always, so sentimental and simply beautiful to watch. And following these dances was a wonderful blessing from Father Nikolaos Mataragas and such touching toasts to the couple from Marina's sister and matron of honor and from Steven's best man, his brother-in-law. Valerie and Peter definitely took their toast-giving roles seriously and delivered their wonderful, emotional speeches effortlessly.

Then it was time to party! The dance floor opened to everyone and Bravo Sound kept it packed all night. What a terrific celebration it was, complete with the traditional Kalamatiano dance and fun "money shower"!