Sasha and Nastya’s Wedding
Almost eight years ago I said goodbye to a little boy whom I wondered if I would ever have the chance to see again. God has blessed me beyond my expectations by allowing me to not only be there, but to be a part of his life over the last several years.
Two weeks ago I had the opportunity to officiate the wedding for the kid formerly known as “Little Sasha.” He’s has long since outgrown that description, but to a select few of us he’ll probably never quite get rid of the name. Because not only were we a part of his life, he was a part of ours, and the impact he left on us represents so much more than he will ever understand.
The church ceremony was at 10am that Saturday morning. I stumbled through my first wedding ceremony (juggling a bit of Russian throughout) and was excited to pronounce them husband and wife to the congregation full of so many beautiful familiar faces. After the ceremony the auditorium was transformed into the reception hall and we enjoyed good food, fellowship, and a few games. (Katie and I were called up to compete against some other couples to see which wife could tie a better tie for their husbands. Katie can do a whole lot of things, but she can’t tie a tie. As the timer got close to zero she just went for a big bow and somehow gained the voting audience’s pity and stole the prize from the other deserving contestants.)
After the reception Sasha and Nastya had to go get legally married. Here in Ukraine the official wedding ceremony has to happen in a Justice of the Peace kind of setting. Typically, friends and family go down to a big hall downtown to attend this ceremony, but since Sasha and Nastya wanted the church ceremony to be the big deal, they chose to do this part in a little branch office nearby. So, around thirty of us tried cramming into a little office space to listen to the speech the officiator was giving there. After twenty minutes, we were done and out of there.
The day concluded with a smaller group of us following the bride and groom around town as they took their pictures. It’s tradition here for the couple to travel with the wedding party around town to take their pictures at popular monuments, fountains, and statues. I wasn’t the photographer that day, but I did manage to get a few pictures throughout the celebrating.
It was a long day, but it was a beautiful one, and I couldn’t stop thinking about how amazing it is that God brought me here and how amazing it is that I’ve been able to keep coming back. I was just so thankful God again saw fit to bless me beyond my expectations by allowing me to not only be there, but to take part.
And finally, here’s a 12-minute video below featuring clips from throughout the day.
So happy for you!!!! I remember your stories in AIM about little Sasha. God is so amazing and constantly show us His scripture is true that He is able to exceedingly abundantly above all we ask or think. Praying for you and Katie to keep teaching truth ans seeking our Lord and His will first, the same prayer I pray for us all! Congrats!
Wow!!! So beautiful!! Love this and wish I could
have been there!!!
You did an great job Brandon!! Love the ceremony!
We are so blessed that you shared this with us, I feel Sasha is a part of my life too, not necessarily as he has been in your life,but through you & also having the opportunity to visit you & Katie in Ukraine & meeting Sasha.
It was a very beautiful wedding, and I agree with your mom Brandon, wish I could of been there too. Brandon you did an awesome job.
Do you think you could give me Sasha’s address so I could send them a card.
Love Mom V <3
Way to go, Katie!
Thanks for sharing, Brandon! It’s neat to hear about God working through your lives and blessing others as well as blessing you.
And I love the pics. I feel like they capture the moments beautifully. You are a very talented artist!
Привет,мои дорогие Брендон и Кети! Сегодня мы посмотрели новые фото и видео с вашего сайта.Конечно,нам было очень приятно рассматривать все детали и снова ощутить атмосферу праздника.
Хочется искренне поблагодарить вас за проявленное внимание к нашей семье,а также за тепло и любовь,которые мы всегда ощущаем с вашей стороны.Брендон,твое умение подбирать нужные кадры не перестает удивлять! Эти два фото рядом,где вы вначале-юноша и мальчик,а потом-двое мужчин…Очень трогательно!Даже ракурс похож,только твой ” хвостик тебя перерос))).
Еще раз огромное спасибо за прекрасно проведенную церемонию венчания!Это было замечательно!
Привет вам от Сергея.
Люблю Вас.
Татьяна.
Oh! so great moments without me! I wish me and my family could be with all of you that day!!! Happy and excited for my brother who learnt to speak finally ))) and has become a man to get married. how fast the time is running…
This step is one of the most important in our lives. I wish Sasha and Nastya to keep the brightness and love in their eyes everlasting and go hand to hand through all the difficulties and happy life moments!!!
.. impressed by Brandon’s role in the ceremony. Nice job!!! I was crying watching the video…
The Nikolaenko family is getting bigger ))))
Hugs and kisses from a sunny Greece!!!
Brandon,
Great ceremony! I’m interested in the Ukraine, so I found this doubly interesting.
I linked to your site from Trey Morgan’s blog. wb
Thanks, Warren!