Sarah + Mark | Greenville, South Carolina

Thoughtful. That's my word that comes to mind when I think of Mark and Sarah. Thoughtful toward one another, thoughtful toward their family, and thoughtful of all who attended their wedding—particularly by allowing everyone to understand what was being said, as most of the ceremony was in Russian!

A late March wedding can be a bit of risky move in the South—rain, cold, gloom—despite how much hope you have for the prettiest of springtime blooms. But these two hit the jackpot with an overcast day that was supposed to be rainy and cold from dawn till dusk.

Mark and Sarah read love letters to one another during their first look at Greer City Park. Their expressions say it all—these two love each other deeply and steadfastly. And this only rang more true as they exchanged their vows at their ceremony.

Mark's family is Russian, and in thoughtful fashion, Mark and Sarah decided to have the majority of their ceremony done in Russian with an English translator. This was absolutely beautiful to see two cultures, two languages, two lives formed into one. At one point, Amazing Grace was sung in in both English and Russian simultaneously, and it gave me a little taste of heaven.

What was your favorite moment of the day prior to the wedding ceremony?
Reading the letter Mark had written me prior to our first look.  We were back to back, reading the letters we had written each other.  It was a special moment where we took time to express our love, excitement, and commitment

A reception filled with a choreographed first dance, epic speeches, and lobster oven mitts with a matching hat—you know it won't disappoint.

Twigs Tempietto was filled with hopeful eyes as Mark and Sarah kicked off their reception by dancing their cares away as they spun and dipped and twirled away. (Their choreographer would have been proud!). And soon all their hunger was satisfied, as the menu did not disappoint—there were even mashed potatoes in martini glasses!

This party was the perfect storm of intentional moments and unplanned greatness. So many intentional words were said (or sung) by speech-givers. So many laughs were had as lobster-themed gifts were given. So much wildness was going down on the dance floor—especially by the ring bearers!

What was the best moment of your reception?
My favorite moment of the reception was after we had competed the first sequence of our first dance and he twirled me into a dip, the audience did a collected ooohhhhh.  It was such a fun feeling to be oooh'd! 

Mark and Sarah are one of the couples that leave me feeling so confident about their future marriage! Congratulations to the Kodoshnokovs! (Or should I say...поздравления !)

What advice would you give to someone currently planning their wedding?
Don't try to do it all.  Pick the things that are important to you and make those happen, but you don't have to do everything.  You want to remember your wedding, not be worried about all the details.

per usual, a great team made this day possible:

All Photography / Matthew Pautz Photography
Venue, Florals, and Catering / Twigs Tempietto
HMU / Cotton Rouge & Co.
Coordinating / Courtney Pierce Design Co.
Bride's Dress / Adore Bridal Boutique by Lillian West
Bridesmaids' Dresses / Azazie
Menswear / Joseph Abboud and The Tie Bar
Cake / Couture Cakes of Greenville
Music / Collective Music Solutions