Jayme & Marko / St. Katherine's Ukranian Orthodox Church

Only the jingling of bells shaken by Father Slobodan accompanied Marko and Jayme and their wedding party as they made their way down the aisle towards the front of the Ukranian Orthodox Church.  It was so refreshing to experience this type of ceremony as I have not before.  The ceremony was very quiet, except for the chanting of the Father Slobodan.

It began with the exchange of the rings.  The rings were blessed by the priest and were
exchanged by the Jayme and Marko. The rings are the symbol of
the betrothal and their exchange signifies that in
married life, the weaknesses of the one partner will be
compensated for by the strength of the other. The
exchange of rings gives expression that the spouses in
marriage will constantly be complementing each other.

Jayme and Marko were then handed candles which they held throughout the
service. The candles symbolize the spiritual willingness
of the couple to receive Christ, who will bless them
through sacrament.

Jayme and Marko’s right hands were joined with a cloth while
Father Slobodon read the prayer. The hands are kept joined
throughout the service to symbolize the “oneness” of
the couple.

The crowning is the climax of the ceremony. The
crowns are signs of the glory and honor which God
crowns the the bride and groom with during the sacrament. The bride and
groom are crowned as the king and queen of their own
little kingdom. Crowned servants in the name of the
Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

The Common Cup denotes the mutual sharing of the joy
and sorrow, the token of a life of harmony. Drinking
wine from the common cup serves to impress upon the
bride and groom that from that moment on they will
share everything in life, joys as well as sorrows, bearing
one another’s burdens. Their joys will be doubled and
their sorrows halved because they will be shared.

Father Slobodan lead Jayme and Marko in a circle around
the table on which the Bible was placed. They were taking their                                                first steps as a married couple and in the church the priest leads them in the way they
must walk spiritually.

Ceremony: St Katherine Ukrainian Orthodox Church

Reception: Lake Elmo Event Center

Cake: Byerly’s/Lunds

Gown: Our Shop

Rings: RF Moeller

Tux: Savvi Formal Wear

Bridesmaids: The Wedding Shoppe

Hair: Lisa Bayer at Hair By Hughes

Florist: Best Wishes Floral

Priest: Father Slobodan with St Sava Serbian Orthodox Church