I Get to Pronounce Elena and Mark as Husband and Wife - in Russian

Elena and Mark married on a beautiful sunny day at the home of his mother, surrounded by family and friends from NC. Most of Elena’s family and friends were not able to attend the wedding because they live in Russia, Elena’s native country. The only one at the wedding from her circle of people was her beautiful daughter, Ally, a teenage carbon copy of her mom. Ally was the Bridesmaid.

Before the ceremony began, Elena and her daughter were on Skype with their family and friends in Russia who had gathered together to celebrate this special day. Isn’t it wonderful that technology can bring families together like that, despite such distances. After the ceremony was over, the happy Bride and Groom were planning to call Russia again and Skype with everyone - but this time as husband and wife.

The ceremony took place on a broad expanse of lush, green lawn, within a beautiful arbor and plants that had been set up by Mark’s sisters. It was a perfect setting for celebrating the love that was so strong it had brought Elena and her daughter from Russia to North Carolina.

Providing the music for the ceremony were Mark’s friends, David Langham on acoustic guitar and Nancy Maeder on vocals. They were terrific and I learned after the ceremony that they also sing and play professionally with The Road Home Band. They don’t yet have a website, but you can reach them by phone and email;

Nancy - 919-428-1542  email

David - 919-943-0589  email

Before the ceremony, Mark had asked me if I would pronounce them husband and wife in Russian, as a surprise for Elena. A bit daunted by this, I told him I would be happy to if he would coach me on how to say it properly. This prompted a phone call that would have made anyone laugh if they had heard my halting attempts. But in the end, I must have said it properly because when the time came for me to pronounce them husband and wife and I started speaking Russian, Elena’s eyes got HUGE with surprise and she went from a timid smile to a giant, happy one. Her surprised eyes and smile touched my heart and I was very glad I had worked so hard to get the pronunciation correct. Thank you, Mark, for helping me make your wedding even more special than it already was. 

I also noticed a little tear running down Mark’s cheek shortly after the ceremony began, way before we ever got to the vows or the pronouncement. There was a lot of love there that day and it was a gift to me to have been a part of it.
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