REAL WEDDINGS

Inspirational Stories From Real Long Island Weddings

Long Island Real Wedding Zorana & Dejan

11.10.2019

By Ivette Manners
Photography By Déjà Vu Studios

Bride and Groom at the church altar with king and queens crowns.
Dejan invited me to dinner at Grimaldi’s, our favorite pizzeria in Dumbo, but I hesitated at first because I had a terrible cold and it was a bitter January day. However, he was persistent and I gave in,” says Zorana. “While dressing for dinner, I noticed that he was acting a bit strange. He was being a little too nice for all the fuss I was making over what I should wear and I thought hmm, maybe he’s going to propose.”

While waiting on line outside of the restaurant, Zorana and Dejan felt the frigid wind blowing from the East River. “It was the most unforgiving winter night,” says Zorana. Half an hour later, they were finally escorted into the warm and buzzing restaurant. Zorana was happy to be there because Dejan had read that Grimaldi’s offered gluten-free pizza and Zorana recently learned that she could no longer eat gluten, so she was excited to be able to eat her favorite pizza again. However, when the waiter arrived to take their order he informed them that they must have been mistaken because they didn’t serve any gluten-free dishes. “I felt bad for Dejan because he looked completely gutted at the fact that his plan for our romantic evening was falling apart,” says Zorana. “We left the restaurant and started walking to the car, but Dejan stopped and asked if I wanted to take a walk to the carrousel since it was only
a block away and we didn’t 
get a chance to go to Dumbo often." At that point, Zorana was sure that he was planning on proposing, so of course, she agreed. When they got to the carousel, Dejan tapped Zorana on her shoulder and when she turned around she saw him standing behind her with a ring box in his hand. “I knew it was coming,” says Zorana. “After I said yes and kissed him, we ran back to the car and went to another Italian restaurant that served gluten-free dishes to celebrate.”

Zorana and Dejan decided on a traditional Serbian wedding, complete with a Kum and Kuma (the best man and maid of honor to the couple/godparents to their future children); a flag bearer; Cuture (wooden flasks) which wedding guests customarily drink Rakija (fruit brandy) from; and lots of Kolo (circle dancing). Zorana walked down the aisle in a Hayley Paige sequined gown, jewel-encrusted Manolo Blahnik heels, and sparkling jewelry from Two by London; and Dejan waited at the altar for her wearing a classic tuxedo and custom shirt. Instead of bridesmaids and groomsmen, their bridal party consisted of three adorable flower girls and three charming ring bearers. After the I Do’s, everyone headed to Westbury Manor for the reception. The spacious ballroom was decorated in an autumn English country theme with centerpieces featuring blush, burgundy, and violet-hued flowers, along with small white pumpkins and votive candles on the tables.

Their celebration kicked off with a cocktail hour and an open bar that lasted throughout the night. “Westbury Manor gave us so many options to choose from while planning our reception menu,” says Zorana. After dinner, the couple cut a three-tier, vanilla wedding cake, from Francesco’s Bakery, with whipped cream icing and alternating raspberry cream and fresh cream-and-raspberry fillings. 

The guests danced to music played by DJ Spaz, a well-known Serbian-American DJ from Chicago whom the couple flew in for their party. Another great detail Zorana and Dejan decided on was having a photo booth. “It was a highlight of the event,” says Zorana. “We went back and forth on whether or not we should have one, but it turned out to be so much fun.”

“What I loved the most about that day was being able to share the night with all of our friends and family,” says Zorana. “I didn’t expect to be overcome with emotion seeing all the people we care about together in one room.”

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Dejan invited me to dinner at Grimaldi’s, our favorite pizzeria in Dumbo, but I hesitated at first because I had a terrible cold and it was a bitter January day. However, he was persistent and I gave in,” says Zorana. “While dressing for dinner, I noticed that he was acting a bit strange. He was being a little too nice for all the fuss I was making over what I should wear and I thought hmm, maybe he’s going to propose.”

While waiting on line outside of the restaurant, Zorana and Dejan felt the frigid wind blowing from the East River. “It was the most unforgiving winter night,” says Zorana. Half an hour later, they were finally escorted into the warm and buzzing restaurant. Zorana was happy to be there because Dejan had read that Grimaldi’s offered gluten-free pizza and Zorana recently learned that she could no longer eat gluten, so she was excited to be able to eat her favorite pizza again. However, when the waiter arrived to take their order he informed them that they must have been mistaken because they didn’t serve any gluten-free dishes. “I felt bad for Dejan because he looked completely gutted at the fact that his plan for our romantic evening was falling apart,” says Zorana. “We left the restaurant and started walking to the car, but Dejan stopped and asked if I wanted to take a walk to the carrousel since it was only
a block away and we didn’t 
get a chance to go to Dumbo often." At that point, Zorana was sure that he was planning on proposing, so of course, she agreed. When they got to the carousel, Dejan tapped Zorana on her shoulder and when she turned around she saw him standing behind her with a ring box in his hand. “I knew it was coming,” says Zorana. “After I said yes and kissed him, we ran back to the car and went to another Italian restaurant that served gluten-free dishes to celebrate.”

Zorana and Dejan decided on a traditional Serbian wedding, complete with a Kum and Kuma (the best man and maid of honor to the couple/godparents to their future children); a flag bearer; Cuture (wooden flasks) which wedding guests customarily drink Rakija (fruit brandy) from; and lots of Kolo (circle dancing). Zorana walked down the aisle in a Hayley Paige sequined gown, jewel-encrusted Manolo Blahnik heels, and sparkling jewelry from Two by London; and Dejan waited at the altar for her wearing a classic tuxedo and custom shirt. Instead of bridesmaids and groomsmen, their bridal party consisted of three adorable flower girls and three charming ring bearers. After the I Do’s, everyone headed to Westbury Manor for the reception. The spacious ballroom was decorated in an autumn English country theme with centerpieces featuring blush, burgundy, and violet-hued flowers, along with small white pumpkins and votive candles on the tables.

Their celebration kicked off with a cocktail hour and an open bar that lasted throughout the night. “Westbury Manor gave us so many options to choose from while planning our reception menu,” says Zorana. After dinner, the couple cut a three-tier, vanilla wedding cake, from Francesco’s Bakery, with whipped cream icing and alternating raspberry cream and fresh cream-and-raspberry fillings. 

The guests danced to music played by DJ Spaz, a well-known Serbian-American DJ from Chicago whom the couple flew in for their party. Another great detail Zorana and Dejan decided on was having a photo booth. “It was a highlight of the event,” says Zorana. “We went back and forth on whether or not we should have one, but it turned out to be so much fun.”

“What I loved the most about that day was being able to share the night with all of our friends and family,” says Zorana. “I didn’t expect to be overcome with emotion seeing all the people we care about together in one room.”

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