A Boston Massachusetts Greek Orthodox Wedding | Alexis and Rassem

Dec 2, 2015

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I am struggling to find the best words to write about Alexis and Rassem’s wedding because it is just so very special for me AND I just read their story again in their own words and giggled and laughed all over again. Rassem’s description of Alexis is completely accurate. I have known Alexis for about seven years now and can attest to the fact that her smile never leaves her face! Alexis was my first photography student to achieve a perfect score of 5 on her AP Studio Art portfolio and her talent has only increased…and her passion for food photography and wedding photography has never waned. Alexis is also so dedicated to improving the lives of the children she works with as well as improving her craft (because of course she works more than one job!).

When Alexis asked me to photograph her wedding, I was honored beyond belief. As the day drew closer, I was nervous about leaving my precious two year old for five days, but also excited about the chance to serve Alexis and Rassem. When I boarded the Amtrak, I cried a bit because I never realized it would be THAT hard to leave my family for a few days and yes, it was a lot harder than I thought, although the work time on the train was certainly helpful and my hubby and family confirmed my sweet little man did just great the whole time and even during our big phone call he was eager to say “bye bye,” which broke my heart a little but I was also so happy that he was doing so well.

The Big Day

Well, enough about me…on to what you are really here for…the wedding that rocked Boston! I could literally post hundreds of photos because the day was beyond exciting (and you really must read to the end to hear about something pretty special). I am going to keep it as short as possible, but really, it was incredible. I had a tight timeline but truly found it exciting having to be creative in new situations and a new place. I was awed by Alexis’ gorgeous, winter details and loved photographing that ring again as well! Time with the groom and his family before the wedding was so special when he opened the watch Alexis bought for him…he revealed that he had been eying it for a VERY long time. And it was also special because truly his family and friends were so warm and welcoming and I felt like I just walked into an extension of my own family! Rassem was so excited and I left with his best man and Ray, the videographer, to head over to Alexis’ apartment with even more excitement after spending that time photographing Rassem and his family and groomsmen.

Alexis was simply lovely, as expected…she wears a BHLDN dress like they designed it with her in mind. Her lovely and helpful maid of honor, Ashley, has been her faithful friend since as long as I can remember and her koumbara, Meredyth is also one of the warmest, sweetest women I have met in a bridal party. Alexis’ ladies and her mother (who still looks like her older sister even after raising FIVE children), helped her get ready and share that first look with her dad, a decorated soldier and beaming father. After such a sweet moment, Alexis also opened her gift from Rassem…so suited for her…a new lens for her camera (unfortunately a Nikon, friends. Boo. JK). I am pretty sure he knows his bride well! After his family came up and greeted Alexis, everyone was off to the ceremony.

The Ceremony

A Greek Orthodox ceremony is like no other…rich in meaningful tradition with the entire service sung by the bishops and priests. I highly suggest reading more about Greek Orthodox weddings! I watched several videos provided by Mary, their amazing wedding planner with Type A Weddings. Everything from the crowning ceremony to the escorting around the alter was steeped in their faith and the Greek Orthodox tradition. Alexis and Rassem’s koumbaroi served with grace, witnessing to their readiness for marriage. And later, they assisted in other roles as well as welcoming family and friends with the group photos in the church. Afterwards, Alexis and Rassem even braved the Boston wind and cold to take a few photos outside their beloved college chapel, the ideal ceremony site.

The Reception

The reception was also no less than incredible, held at their own church. Nothing gets a celebration started better than the festive beat of a talented lone drummer and some traditional Greek and Arab music played by their DJ. And of course both families could not have been more welcoming! Alexis and Rassem danced their way around the room and throughout the rest of the night, family and friends danced like nothing you have ever seen! And the reception was just as beautifully decorated as could be…reflecting Alexis’ lovely taste of course. From the moving speeches to the incredible gift of three songs sung by Alexis’ grandfather to the bride and groom…the importance of family and friends was front and center on their day.

You must take note of the photo of Rassem’s dad telling him something next to Alexis and the koumbari (Meredyth and Andy) right before the breaking of the bread. When I took this photo, I didn’t know at the time, but he was telling him that he basically needed to bring his best game and represent the men in his family because historically the women always pull the biggest piece. Turns out, Alexis is head of household and Rassem managed to pull the smallest piece possible!

What an Exit!

And that sparkler exit!!! All I can say is that these two looked amazing…just amazing!

I am still just awed by this wedding and at the incredible opportunity I had to serve these two and their delightful family and friends, all while having a bit of a Liberty High School reunion! So I will leave you with two things…1. The promise of photos to come from their casual Boston city sweetheart session the day after their wedding (it is pretty special!) and 2. Their story below in their own words! Enjoy!!!!

His Side:

Her smile…One day in September 2011, my phone rang. It was a girl named Alexis, who attended the same school I did, asking if I had a book she could borrow for one of her classes. I told her that I would need to check at home if I still had it. I knew who she was; a young, beautiful girl, who I had noticed before in the cafeteria and in the chapel. Her smile never left her face. She was energetic and so cute and beautiful!

Now I had her phone number! We began texting back and forth. I loved how she talked. Although she was not yet 20 years old, she was more mature than any other girl her age. Almost a month after we started chatting, we realized that both of us like to drink tea, so I asked her to go to Starbucks with me to have a cup of tea. It was not a date and I just wanted to know her more. After a few trips to Starbucks and hanging around together, I started falling in love with her. She was always calm and happy, rarely getting upset and becoming more and more beautiful to me everyday!

The age difference was an obstacle in the beginning. She was 20 and I was 31. We wanted to make sure that what we had between us was love regardless of the age difference. We kept going out “secretly” until the end of January 2012 when our relationship became public.

After a year and a half, I moved to New Jersey for work and it was too hard to be away from her. It was then that I really understood how blessed I am to have her in my life. The long distance relationship taught me how to love and appreciate her more. I knew that she is the one I want to spend my life with and achieve salvation with. Through the many ups and downs of our relationship, she was always the one more mature and wise; even when she is upset, I’ve never seen anger on her face.

On May 17, our graduation day from Hellenic College Holy Cross, I proposed to her with the help of Tiny, the goat and she said “yes”! Now here I am writing my side of the story of how we met. By the way, she might write something different, but my version is the more accurate one 😉

I will propose to her and ask her to marry me everyday. She brought peace, stability, and more importantly, love to my life. She opened my eyes to so many things that I was not aware of. I love her so much and I thank God that He had our paths cross.

Her Side:

We had already been on the same campus for a year. I had no interest in him at all -not even as a friend. My vision of Rassem was nothing more than a gifted chanter, who was also extremely proud of himself.

The beginning of our relationship is blurry. In a very quick three months we went from being mere acquaintances to being inseparable. I remember getting his phone number from someone to ask if he had a Byzantine history book I could borrow for the semester. Although he told me he would check the following weekend when he went home, I never heard another word about it. A few weeks later, I received a random text from an unknown number saying, “Hiiii.” A couple awkward texts later I discovered this was Rassem’s unsaved number. I didn’t (and still don’t) understand why anyone would text “hi” -and nothing else- in hopes of starting up a conversation through text message. Luckily I was already on my way to bed, so I was able to shut down the conversation quickly. Phew!

He kept texting me. He persisted in starting awkward conversation through text messaging and embarrassing me anytime I walked in a room with “HELLO TO THE MOST BEAUTIFUL GIRL IN THE WORLD!”…seriously, who does that?

All of a sudden we were at Starbucks having tea. It started off terribly. He saw that my nails were painted red and joked, “How did you know that red is my favorite color on girls!?” Really, terrible. Despite this rough start, we somehow managed to fill two hours with conversation. I remember nothing we talked about then, but know this to be the start of our friendship.

For the next few weeks we talked nonstop and saw each other every chance we got. One night, after the usual pot of tea, hours of laughing and talking, he told me, “I wish you were three or four years older…” At that moment, I wished he were three or four years younger. I’m still not sure how or why this changed everything, but it did. We were together after this. Just together.

Before our senior year at HCHC, he was moved to New Jersey. It didn’t seem too terrible in the beginning. We saw each other every couple of weeks during the summer. It wasn’t until the fall, when I was waiting in the security line, ready to board my flight to Greece, that everything hit me. The feeling of separation flooded my entire being. I was watching my best friend walk away and it would be months before I saw him again. Even once I got back to the States, I wouldn’t be able to see him anytime I wanted. We lived apart now. I just stood there. I just stood there and cried hysterically in the middle of the busy, crowded JFK airport. I prayed that the time would go by quickly and it did.

“Graduagement” was perfect. The forecast had been calling for rain, but it turned out to be the most beautiful day. Our families were together for the first time. We were able to sit across from each other and make weird faces until we received our diplomas. He surprised me with “Tiny”, the muffin goat who helped him propose in front of our beloved HCHC chapel. The entire weekend was filled with food, family and our closest friends. Just perfect.

Rassem, I cannot wait to stand next to you in the chapel and hold sweaty hands. I can’t wait to argue about plastic vs. glass/wood, how to fold socks and whether or not it’s pasta or “bread”. Thank you for the past three years of patience and love, and also, sushi. May God grant us many more.

I love you, My Sweet.

P.S. Yes, you’re my artichokie 🙂

P.P.S. It’s pasta.