Wedding Photographer |Keeping it Traditional with Saša and Marija | Hamilton, ON

A traditional Croatian wedding in Hamilton pulls out all the stops and the photographers work over time to capture all the fun!
 Dramatic Photo - Bride and Groom on Stairs - Wedding Photography by Dragi Andovski - Hamilton, ON Monogram Wedding Details - Wedding Photography by Dragi Andovski - Hamilton, ONBride and Groom Kiss Under Veil - Wedding Photography by Dragi Andovski - Hamilton, ON Gorgeous Bride from the Groom's Perspective- Wedding Photography by Dragi Andovski - Hamilton, ON
Sasa, Marija and I met through a photographer-friend of mine, Moussa Faddoul from Fotoreflection. Creating relationships with other photographers has been very beneficial for me. There are only so many days in a year and when potential clients book their weddings, sometimes their wedding day lines up with another couple’s wedding day. Having other photographers to refer clients to, and vice versa, has been super helpful in a pinch. I’m so glad I was able to meet and work with Sasa and Marija, not only were they a fantastic couple to work with, but I was able to speak Croatian again!
 Beautiful Bride on the Streets of Hamilton - Wedding Photography by Dragi Andovski - Hamilton, ON Bride and Groom from Above - Wedding Photography by Dragi Andovski - Hamilton, ONHandsome Groom Celebrating - Wedding Photography by Dragi Andovski - Hamilton, ONBride and Groom Photo with Dramatic Architecture - Wedding Photography by Dragi Andovski - Hamilton, ONBride and Groom Photo with Background of Greenery - Wedding Photography by Dragi Andovski - Hamilton, ON
Get the Party Started!
As soon as Sasa, Marija and I started talking about their plans for their big day, I knew right away what I was getting into. A traditional Croatian wedding is nothing like the average Canadian wedding. The Croatian community starts their wedding super-early and it carries through until late in the night. Drinking, fun and shenanigans are happening throughout the day. Everyone is in a great mood and the party spirit is electric.
 Traditional Croatian Wedding Morning - Wedding Photography by Dragi Andovski - Hamilton, ON Groom and His Mother - Wedding Photography by Dragi Andovski - Hamilton, ON Traditional Croatian Wedding Musician - Wedding Photography by Dragi Andovski - Hamilton, ON The Groom's Family - Wedding Photography by Dragi Andovski - Hamilton, ON Wedding Gifts - Wedding Photography by Dragi Andovski - Hamilton, ON
Up Bright and Early
We started the party at 7am at the groom’s house with Sasa and his friends and family. The drinks were poured and everyone was getting into the spirit of the day. Once everyone was ready, we took off to the bride’s house in a parade down the street. In traditional Croatian culture, it’s the job of the groom to “buy” the bride from her family and take her to the church to be wed. The groom isn’t allowed to see the bride during this time. Even though Sasa had to use the bathroom to freshen up while we stopped at her family’s house, he wasn’t allowed to peek at Marija. I caught a glimpse of Sasa in the bathroom while Marija was in the room next to him. Neither one of them knew where the other was at first, so I took the opportunity to take Sasa’s photo with Marija in the background. They had fun with it and they got a little closer without actually seeing one another!
 Wedding Details - Gorgeous Shoes - Wedding Photography by Dragi Andovski - Hamilton, ON Wedding Details - Wedding Gown - Wedding Photography by Dragi Andovski - Hamilton, ON Wedding Details - Wedding Gown - Wedding Photography by Dragi Andovski - Hamilton, ON Bride Peeking Out The Window Before Getting Ready - Wedding Photography by Dragi Andovski - Hamilton, ONBride at the Window on Wedding Morning - Wedding Photography by Dragi Andovski - Hamilton, ONBride and her Sweet Niece - Wedding Photography by Dragi Andovski - Hamilton, ON Unique Wedding Gown Image Under the Veil - Wedding Photography by Dragi Andovski - Hamilton, ON
A Beautiful Ceremony
The traditional Croatian wedding ceremony in the church is quite strict. The party comes to a halt during the ceremony in recognition of the the serious commitment between the bride and groom. The Holy Cross Croatian Parish Hall in Hamilton is beautiful and the details have been paid special attention to. There were so many opportunities for photos!
 Presenting the Bride to Her Parents - Wedding Photography by Dragi Andovski - Hamilton, ON Bride Embracing Her Parents - Wedding Photography by Dragi Andovski - Hamilton, ON Bride and Her Mother - Wedding Photography by Dragi Andovski - Hamilton, ON Bride and Her Father - Wedding Photography by Dragi Andovski - Hamilton, ON Bride and Her Bridesmaid - Wedding Photography by Dragi Andovski - Hamilton, ON Joyful Moment for the Newlyweds - Wedding Photography by Dragi Andovski - Hamilton, ONTraditional Croatian Flask - Wedding Details - Wedding Photography by Dragi Andovski - Hamilton, ONBride Sneaking Up On Groom - Wedding Photography by Dragi Andovski - Hamilton, ONThe Bride is Ready! - Wedding Photography by Dragi Andovski - Hamilton, ONBride and Groom Embrace - Wedding Photography by Dragi Andovski - Hamilton, ONCeremony Photo Under The Veil - Wedding Photography by Dragi Andovski - Hamilton, ONBride and Groom Down The Aisle - Wedding Photography by Dragi Andovski - Hamilton, ONBride and Groom Down The Aisle - Wedding Photography by Dragi Andovski - Hamilton, ONFinishing Ceremony - Happy Couple - Wedding Photography by Dragi Andovski - Hamilton, ON
After the ceremony, the party took to the streets again. We headed to Hess Village where the photo shoot was scheduled to take place and once we were there, 20-30 of us headed into a bar that wasn’t open to the public at the time. Everyone was open to the picture-taking process and after we had all the scheduled pictures taken, the group marched over to a fire truck that had been called on scene for a fire down the road. The group thought it would be fun to get some photos by the fire truck as well.
 Wedding Details - Rings with Bouquet - Wedding Photography by Dragi Andovski - Hamilton, ON Wedding Details - Rings in front of Drinks - Wedding Photography by Dragi Andovski - Hamilton, ON Bride, Bridesmaids and Cute Toddler Flower Girl - Wedding Photography by Dragi Andovski - Hamilton, ON Quiet Moment Between Bride and Groom - Wedding Photography by Dragi Andovski - Hamilton, ON The Bridal Party on the Streets of Hamilton - Wedding Photography by Dragi Andovski - Hamilton, ON The Bride and Her Ladies - Wedding Photography by Dragi Andovski - Hamilton, ON The Wedding Couple and The Event In The Street - Wedding Photography by Dragi Andovski - Hamilton, ON The Wedding Couple and The Event In The Street - Wedding Photography by Dragi Andovski - Hamilton, ON
Two is Better Than One
The whole day could not have been possible without my assistant, Erika and the second photographer Branko helping me alongside. While I was with the bride first thing in the morning, Branko was with the groom. Having a second eye to keep up with everyone is helpful and gives another perspective on the day. The whole day was laid back and enjoyable for everyone!
The Wedding Couple's Entrance - Wedding Photography by Dragi Andovski - Hamilton, ON Celebrating the Bride Traditionally - Wedding Photography by Dragi Andovski - Hamilton, ON Happy Groom Traditional Dancing - Wedding Photography by Dragi Andovski - Hamilton, ON The First Dance - Wedding Photography by Dragi Andovski - Hamilton, ON The Beautiful Couple In The Spotlight - Wedding Photography by Dragi Andovski - Hamilton, ON Wedding Details - Gorgeous Wedding Cake - Wedding Photography by Dragi Andovski - Hamilton, ON
Photos taken by Dragi Andovski, published ©2015 DA Photography
2nd Photographer: Branko Stojanovic
3rd Photographer and assistant: Erika Alvarenga
Wedding Ceremony & Reception Location: Holly Croatian Parish Church and Hall, Hamilton, ON
Wedding Photography Location: Hess Village, Hamilton, ON
3,961

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.