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Lidija and Nick’s Wedding

Photography by Nika

On May 23rd, we shot Lidija and Nick’s gorgeous wedding.  We started at the bride’s family farm in Stouffville, Ontario.  The reason Lidija chose to get married in May was because she wanted to have photos taken in the apple orchard.  We’re so happy that she did:

In Macedonian tradition, the mother of the bride throws money and sweets above the bride’s head as she leaves her parents’ home to go to the church ceremony:

The wedding ceremony was held at St. Dimitrija Slolunski Macedonian Orthodox Church in Markham, Ontario.

Lidija and Nick’s wedding program had thorough explanations of all the symbolism of a Macedonian Orthodox wedding ceremony.  Many people wonder why it is an Orthodox tradition to crown the bride and groom.  Here is the explanation that was inside the wedding program:

The Crowning

The crowning is the high point of the service, the ultimate expression of the spiritual reality of the sacrament.  The Bride and Groom are “honoured” and “glorified” as Husband and Wife, as King and Queen of their own dominion — the home and family, which they will rule with wisdom, justice and integrity.

When the crowning takes place, the Priest takes the crowns and holds them above the couple and says, “the servant of God, Nicholas, is being married to the handmaiden of God, Lidija, in the name of the Father, and of the Son and the Holy Spirit.  Amen.”

Signing the registrar

 CONGRATULATIONS!

The beautiful bride:

The reception was held at the beautiful Bellvue Manor in Woodbridge, Ontario.

The reception began with a Pig Dance:

The pig dance is commonly performed by the males in the wedding party and any relatives or friends with enough courage to “perform” in front of the guests. The band begins to play the song “Ajde Kume, Kume” (which means “Come on godfather, godfather…”) and those performing the dance begin to enter the area, one of which carries the baked pig attractively dressed with other foods. Many are clothed in various Macedonian costumes, most in modern times simply take off their jackets, raise their pants and tie various cloths around their legs, head, and arms. Most are holding bottles of wine, and forks and knives to cut the pig with. As they enter the area where the kum and kuma are seated they dance and yell, offering them their meal in exchange for money. They also offer wine to the kum and continue to sing, dance and whistle. It is also at this point that many other guests also contribute to the meal in exchange for a piece of the pig’s meat. 

It is not until the bearers of the pig (ie. the ones carrying it) are satisfied that the kum has sufficiently paid for his meal that they leave the room ending the dance.  (http://forum.stirpes.net/98359-post10.html)

Many other traditional dances are performed, such as the bread dance and dances that honour each close member of the family. This is every wedding photojournalists dream:

Father-Daughter Dance

Sweet Table

Bouquet Toss

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