Russian Summer Wedding

Max and Katya are the picture of love and romance. From the seaside photos to the oh-so-delicious summer berry wedding cake, inspiration is at your fingertips!

Katya’s gown is delicately beautiful and Max looks handsome in blue. This Russian Summer Wedding takes place in Cheboksary, Russia and all aspects are sure to inspire you!

Details for a Russian Summer Wedding

A Russian Summer Wedding is boho chic meets outdoorsy beauty. Although the Russian Summer Wedding is very laid back, the theme is very detail oriented. Brides may often use earthy tones for the colour palette, and rustic vintage decor lends to the relaxed atmosphere.

Most Russian Summer Weddings are held outdoors but indoors isn’t totally out of the question. However, you may want to secure an outdoor wedding venue that offers an alternative indoor site in case of inclement weather.

Brides will want to decorate with lots of lights, candles, or twinkling holiday lights, even tea lights are appropriate for this ceremony style. Also, one should plan for vintage touches as well as lots of wooden decor.

Colour Palette for a Russian Summer Wedding

Peach, blush pinks, and white are the perfect colours for a Russian Summer Wedding. Think of the ceremony taking place on farmland. That means colours that resemble dried grasses and wood are also appropriate.

Peach and white flowers make the perfect colours for which to model your palette. Some brides will go for a more cream colour of white than a traditional snow white, and this lends to a depiction of the Russian countryside.

Deep greens are also appropriate for a colour palette for a Russian Summer Wedding. Blend forest green with tan and deep brown colours in honor of the beautiful countryside of one of the largest countries in the world.

What to Look for in a Venue for a Russian Summer Wedding

Most wedding gurus recommend choosing an outdoor venue for the Russian Summer Wedding theme. Any outdoor venue will do, but you’ll want to be sure that there is an alternative plan in case of inclement weather.

A simple garden outdoor venue will work best for the Russian Summer Wedding theme. However, you may want a venue that offers lots of flowers and tall, lush flowering shrubs.

It’s important to make sure that you ask the venue representative about extras that might be included in the rental price of the venue. Many venues offer the use of sound systems, arbours or arches, and some furniture as a part of hiring the venue.

Food for a Russian Summer Wedding

Traditional wedding foods included plenty of beer, lots of sweet treats, and a fish pie. Brides may choose to veer from this tradition just a bit, however.

Bread is a traditional Russian wedding food; it symbolises fertility and prosperity. Many brides hosting a Russian Summer Wedding have replaced the bread with a wedding cake. Meatloaf, chicken tabaka, and dumplings are also traditional Russian wedding foods. However, chicken prepared any number of ways would fit a Russian Summer Wedding food menu. A more modern take on the fish traditionally served might be sushi or blinis, which can be a sweet treat.

Wedding Dresses & Accessories for a Russian Summer Wedding

Because the Russian Summer Wedding is heavily influenced by Boho Chic, a bohemian romantic wedding dress is perfect for the laid-back atmosphere of the event. Again, take a few cues from Russian tradition in choosing a dress.

A flowy, long gown with lots of lace and possibly a dress sporting a Queen Anne neckline is perfect for a Russian Summer Wedding. Long sleeves are appropriate also, but be sure the sleeves are made of thin material. Brides may opt for flowers in their hair rather than a veil.

Menswear for a Russian Summer Wedding

The traditional outfit for a groom and the members of his party is a dark suit with a white shirt and long ties. Most of these suits do not feature cumberbunds or bow ties that so many American tuxedos do. Even if a Russian groom wears a tuxedo, he tends to choose a long tie rather than a bow tie.

Grooms and the members of their parties may choose from a number of colours for the suit. Blue, navy, black, charcoal gray, or even a deep tan or chocolate brown would be appropriate for a Russian Summer Wedding menswear selection.

Ceremony Decor for a Russian Summer Wedding

Ceremony decor for a Russian Summer Wedding may be considered minimalist, but most brides opt for a vintage, rustic decor. This may mean using wooden barrels or wooden tubs for a number of decor pieces.

With an outdoor wedding, choose one major ceremonial piece – an arch or arbour. This piece can be draped with twinkling lights or flower garlands and greenery. Some brides will add silver or copper as an accent colour, and there are many copper structures that can be used in the ceremony, such as picture frames, easels, and even copper lanterns.

Reception Decor for a Russian Summer Wedding

The reception for a Russian Summer Wedding may be held indoors or outside, but you can add many of the same types of decor for each location.

Indoors, utilise those wooden barrels as drink stations. You may also add ice to the wooden buckets for beer or vodka. Tables should be long and rectangular and resemble something in a farmhouse. Use simple but elegant floral arrangements as centrepieces.

Outdoors, take advantage of dried grasses for decor. These grasses could serve as an arbour of sorts, and the bride and groom may enter the reception hall underneath an archway of these grasses.

Wedding Cake Ideas for a Russian Summer Wedding

Traditional Russian weddings utilised bread as a food that symbolised prosperity in the marriage, but this food has been replaced with a wedding cake.

Depending upon your reception location and the weather, you may want to consider a naked cake. These cakes are slathered with buttercream icing, but the icing is in between layers and only lightly on the exterior of the cake. These cakes can be topped with floral arrangements, ribbon, or even sugared fruit as a garnish as well as decoration.

Those who want a more rustic looking cake may decide on a simple wedding cake with only two or three tiers, and very little in the way of decor.

Outdoor Wedding Ideas for a Russian Summer Wedding

It’s recommended that the Russian Summer Wedding take place outdoors, and since the idea behind the Russian Summer Wedding is relaxed and fun, the decor may be minimalist. While an arch or an arbour is recommended, you can also consider a gazebo or even saying I do in front of a body of water.

Some brides choose a venue that offers a simple garden with a few blooming plants. Think of The Secret Garden movie location as a perfect place. Or, consider a ceremony locale that is in a wooded area.

Adorable Russian Wedding

With a glimpse inside the bridal boudoir and classic details and styling, this adorable Russian wedding photographed by Maria Levitska truly captures the romance and love between Max and Katya.

From Maria Levitska Photography – “Max and Katya truly stood the test of time and distance. They are deeply in love with each other. They held their wedding in Cheboksary, Russia this past August and they really are the perfect couple because of the exquisite way they communicate with each other. Their wedding was pure romance!”

Credits: Photography: Maria Levitska // Planning: Katerina Matveeva // Dress: Eva Utkina // Floral & Styling: Julia Chashina, Marina Smimova, and Tatiana Arsentjeva // Cake: Briosh // Makeup: Tsvetana Sofronova // Hair: Liudmila Koltsova // Venue: Bagrationi in Cheboksary, Russia.