Fairytale Wedding Story by Melissa Rusichn
Written By Kaileah Searcy
February 2, 2015
When referring to true love, a phrase often used is “you just know”, and just as I knew when I first met John that one day he would be my husband, after the moment I laid my eyes on Galia Lahav’s designs, I knew no other dress or designer would be able to compete; Galia Lahav had captured my heart.
There was one thing I was completely sure of when I started planning my wedding, I would walk down the aisle in a Galia Lahav gown.
"As each Galia gown is a piece of art in its own right, I can definitely say that choosing one was difficult."
When referring to true love, a phrase often used is “you just know”, and just as I knew when I first met John that one day he would be my husband, after the moment I laid my eyes on Galia Lahav’s designs, I knew no other dress or designer would be able to compete; Galia Lahav had captured my heart. I wanted a dress that reflected the love and connection of our relationship, and so no other dress would suffice, it had to be a Galia Lahav dress.
Sharon and Rina were wonderful to work with, providing insight into the details of each gown and made me feel beautiful and comfortable in every dress. Their knowledge, expertise, clear talent and passion for bridal fashion elevated my experience to an unimaginable and incredible level. I was able to indulge in the exclusive gowns I had eagerly waited for and also had the fortunate experience of meeting and receiving direct input from the Galia Lahav team themselves. It truly was an honor and a dream come true!
“As each Galia gown is a piece of art in its own right, I can definitely say that choosing one was difficult. Each dress was so unique and beautiful – how could I choose “the” one? However, as Rina and Sharon slipped me into the Fiona gown and paired it with the delicate Iris veil, I soon saw what I needed to be sure, the completely in-awe faces of my family and friends, I knew this was the one, this was my dress.”
We held our ceremony in a traditional Serbian Orthodox church. The beautiful structure of the church, exquisite artwork gracing the ceilings and walls, accompanied by the spiritual ambiance made every moment special and truly helped to create a meaningful ceremony. It was the perfect scene and a fantastic backdrop for our photos. My vision truly became a reality, marrying the love of my life, in the dress of my dreams, within the picturesque and meaningful setting of our shared church.
"My vision truly became a reality, marrying the love of my life, in the dress of my dream."
Chateau Le Jardin in Woodbridge hosted our guests in an elegant venue with French renaissance themed décor. John and I took our first trip together to Paris, and when we made a second visit in 2013 he proposed by the Eiffel Tower. It was only fitting that the theme of our wedding be reminiscent of the city we fell in love with and where we made the decision to spend our lives together. From our décor to the wedding party’s attire, floral designs, and our cake, we felt surrounded by the delicate and poetic reminders of the city where our love grew and took shape. We were so blessed to spend the evening dancing, laughing and sharing a wonderful celebration with our dearest family and friends. Overall, it was the wedding of our dreams – full of charm, romance, and unconditional love, which set a beautiful foundation for our future together as Mr. and Mrs. John and Melissa Rusich.
Ceremony held at St Nicholas Serbian Orthodox Church in Hamilton
Reception held at Chateau Le Jardin in Woodbridge
Bride’s dress - Fiona, Veil Iris by Galia Lahav
Groom’s suit by Hugo Boss
Bride and Groom’s shoes by Christian Louboutin
Groomsmen Suits from Gilbert’s Big & Tall Men’s Shop, Calvin Klein Brand
Bridesmaids Dresses designed by the Bride (Melissa) and custom made by Susan Ishii from The Silk Thimble
Floral and décor by Tanya List Design & Floral.
Wedding party floral by Flowers by Dianne
Cake by Nadia & Co Art and Pastry
Photography by AGI Studio
All planning and event details done by the Bride & Groom (Melissa and John)