Ruzica & Michael

We love a little glam, we love a little candlelight and we love a little love story. Ruzica and Michael’s wedding had all three in abundance. Their beautifully classic church ceremony beginning the day, after traditional Macedonian festivities, before they celebrated with guests at a favourite winery’s moody candlelit cellar. If that sounds like a stunner of a day, just wait until you see the photos from  Izo Photography.
The couple met through friends- in fact, it was Ruzica’s maid of honour’s husband that introduced them! Four years of friendship prevailed before these two decided there was something more. Michael waiting until a special Christmas morning to pop the question. The bride fills us in on their story.  “Although Michael and I travelled together for the past three years of dating I had not slept at his house (I wanted to keep something traditional). A few weeks before Christmas Michael asked if I wanted to stay over as it would have been nice to wake up together on Christmas day because I would have been all alone as my parents were at work.
I said no until Christmas Eve when we finished dinner.

Michael woke me up at 5.30 am on one knee on my side of the bed wishing me a Merry Christmas to which I replied “presents”. He said (amongst other things) “I got the best present today I got to wake up next to you and will you marry me?”
I did think I was dreaming because I was very keen to get married but he kept saying “one day”. I kept asking if it was real. So I don’t think I said yes straight away!”

The ceremony did not start the festivities, oh no, they began long before! Ruzica explaining “I am Macedonian so we had a traditional morning at my parent’s house. The guests arrived at 9.00am where they were all greeted by the band (more so the drums). There is a feast outside whilst the bride gets ready. When leaving the house the bride is taken out of the house and given a blessing by the brother and/or the dad.”

Ruzica had a vision in mind for her wedding gown, working with Donna Tobin Couture to make it happen. She tells “I always wanted a tight fitted dress that was modern but also traditional. My train was approximately 3 metres long and then on top of that, I had a beautiful veil that was approximately 4 metres long. As we got married in a cathedral I wanted to feel traditional and I did.

Donna was amazing. She went out of her way to make me feel comfortable and made my vision a reality. I found that at every fitting I would get excited because she too would get me excited about the whole experience. I would highly recommend her.”

Ruzica’s bridesmaids wore long gowns in pale grey custom made by AM PM Tailor & Dressmaker.

In continuing with tradition, Ruzica shares “As I walked out of the house I kicked a copper jug with water to represent a clear path. As I was walking to the limousine my mother was throwing lollies and rice behind me. The lollies represent a sweet life and the rice represents wealth and strength. It is thrown by the mother as they are the ones wishing it for you for your next chapter in your new life.”

The groom chose a classic black suit from Calibre, his groomsmen choosing pieces from Politix.

The official part of the day was held with a traditional church ceremony at St Mary’s Cathedral Perth.

Ruzica walked down the aisle with her father to Pachelbel’s “Canon in D”.

“The ceremony was absolutely beautiful” remembers Ruzica. “We had the bells, trio of strings, organ and a soloist. One of our favourite readings was a reading from the first letter of St Paul to the Corinthian. We liked this reading because it talks about how love is always patient and kind; it is never jealous; love is never boastful or conceited; it is never rude or selfish; it does not take offence, and is not resentful. Love takes no pleasure in other people’s sins but delights in the truth; it is always ready to excuse, to trust, to hope, and to endure whatever comes.”

Ruzica and Michael were married by Father Connor, Ruzica explaining  “I am not Catholic so for me it was different getting married in a Catholic church. Father Connor explained everything to me so perfectly and he just had such a calm nature about him.”

“One of my favourite flowers are orchids,” tells Ruzica of the decision to choose floral designer Travelling Jaspers. “I wanted to have white and greens because we got married so close to Christmas I did not want to have anything that looked like Christmas colours. Michael also likes classic looks and loves a lot of greenery. Through his travel to Denmark, he developed a love for candles hence why our wedding had a lot of candles. The candles gave that intimate vibe.”

Of their chosen photographer, Ruzica and Michael only have good things to say. “Jimmy!!! He was a legend on the day. It was the hottest date in December I think it got to 42-44 Degrees. He was following us everywhere snapping away. He was at my house from 9 am and did not finish until mid nigh so his day would have been so long and he never gave up!
His photos of us were exactly what we wanted. There is no photo in the thousand-odd photos that we do not like. He captured the day and the feelings we had through all the photos!! AMAZING!!
We need to give a shout out to the second shooter too that was pretty cool on the day too with the guys. Also, of course, Jimmy’s wife Shona that has answered all of my questions through email and phone calls when I was in panic mode. We are very grateful.”

The cellar at the beautiful Sandalford Wines set the scene for a candlelit reception tells the bride. “Sandalford – what an amazing place. The food there was delicious. Michael and I ate there about 10 times before our wedding because we wanted to eat through the whole menu and was not disappointed by any dish. Victoria the coordinator was also very helpful and was always very helpful whenever I had a question. The service on the night was nothing but excellent. We are also wine drinkers so the setting was perfect for us.”

The cellar was filled with lush white flowers, hanging lights and plenty of taper candles. The bride remarking “We wanted our wedding to have a relaxed/ intimate atmosphere where our guests felt like they were at a wedding but not your typical wedding.”

Ruzica shares “The reception was our favourite part of the day because that was the time when we had fun and did not get off the dance floor. We loved sitting at the main table looking into the crowd it was nice to see everyone getting involved in the wedding with the dancing the photo booth.
It was amazing how the night was just about love, us and bringing two families together.”

Ruzica and Michael chose Keith Urban’s “Parallel Line” for their first dance, the bride sharing “When Michael and I first heard the song we both automatically said this is the one.”

A big congratulations to you both Ruzica and Michael! Thank you for sharing your beautiful wedding day stories with us. Thank you also to Izo Photography for today’s beautiful wedding!