Our Romanian Wedding Blessing

On Saturday 16th of July 2022, I had the pleasure of walking down the aisle with my husband again, but this time in Romania. We had always planned a wedding blessing to take place in Iasi, where George grew up and it was certainly worth the wait.

Getting Ready In My Parents Hotel Room
Leaving The Hotel To Go To The Church

Typically in Romania, the couple gets officially married at the Town Hall to obtain a marriage certificate, after which they can attend a religious blessing at the church. As we had already received our marriage certificate in London, we could get straight to the good stuff. Our blessing took place at Biserica Sf. Nectarie in the heart of Iasi.

We picked this church as his brother Cozmin sings there every Sunday, as did George when he was young. In Romanian orthodox blessing, you have Godparents who act as spiritual guides for your future married life. George’s brother, Cozmin, and his wife, Otilia, took on these roles and presented George and me with ceremonial candles adorned with dried flowers to symbolise the light of Christ, who is with the couple as they join their lives together.

Biserica Sf. Nectarie
Biserica Sf. Nectarie

In contrast to our British wedding, the couple enters the church together, followed immediately by the godparents, then the rest of the family and friends. During the ceremony, the priest present the couple with golden crowns, which the bride and groom wear for their prayers. It symbolises that they are the King and Queen of their newfound family. Next, the couple drinks three times from the same cup and bites a communion cracker three times, representing that they will share the same experiences moving forwards together. Finally, with their godparents, they walk three times around the altar to symbolise that their first steps have been taken in front of God and that they should remember his support when they face future hardships or temptation. Throughout our ceremony, the priest sang every single prayer accompanied by a fabulous choir. It was an intimate and spiritual experience.

After Our Blessing

We then visited the Opera House in Iasi to have some photographs taken and material filmed for a wedding film. George’s older brother Ionut organised this for us, as he is an opera chorus member and their audio engineer. It was a fantastic setting for the photographs, not only for our love of opera but because the temperatures were scorching, and we surely would have melted outside. Our videographers, Cristy and Axi, were phenomenal at making us feel at ease behind the lens. We felt like movie stars, and I can’t wait to see the final edit in September. Silviu, the photographer, was also excellent and very creative with his shots. We must treat ourselves to a digital photo frame to store all the memories.

On The Balcony At Iasi Opera House

We greeted guests with pink prosecco in the late afternoon at Bizantiq, our romantic evening venue. Love was certainly in the air thanks to the superb playing of a string quartet. The music did not disappoint all day, thanks to the careful planning from Ionut; there was a brass quartet, who played Romanian folkloric music, a traditional custom of wedding celebrations. A gypsy trio followed this with a vocal and dance performance, in which they invited my Dad and me to join in the dance. I was gifted a red belly dancing scarf embellished with golden charms. This moment was even more special as one of the dancers was Axi, who had spent most of the day with George and me. Finally, a DJ completed the musical menu, playing an eclectic mix of Romanian and British pop hits. I hardly left the dance floor! Thankfully the dancing was interspersed with delicious food to keep our energies high. We had a magical day, with special thanks to our families, whose support and love allowed this shared experience to blossom and sparkle.

The Location For Our Celerbratory Meal – Bizantiq in Iasi

Our Evening Fireworks

Upcoming Roles:

It is great to see auditions for opera productions starting to appear again after Covid forced so many Opera Companies to close or postpone their plans.

I am happy to announce that following the tour of ‘Bambino’ this Summer I am to play the role of Catherine in Gothic Opera’s production of ‘Le Loup-Garou’ in a Halloween double bill between 27th October 2022 and 1st November 2022.

I will also be taking on the role of Cathy in Keynote Opera’s production of a new chamber Opera, ‘Brontë’ based upon the play by Polly Teale, composed by Lisa Logan, with libretto by Polly Teale. The performances will be between 13th and 16th September 2023.

78 thoughts on “Our Romanian Wedding Blessing”

    1. It was lovely that the fifty-four people could go to the Wedding blessing reception and could celebrate with us together as they couldn’t all come to England for the Wedding last August. I also got to sample the customs and meet all the extended family which was wonderful.

      Best wishes
      Charlotte

      Reply

    1. Thank you Maria, It was quite a spectacle, the choir was just beautiful and the service very moving. It is nearly two years late but well worth the wait.

      Best wishes
      Charlotte

      Reply

    1. Thank you, Peter, they were taken on my Dad’s mobile phone. I can’t wait to see all the photographs and videos.

      Best wishes
      Charlotte

      Reply

    1. Thank you John, I was thrilled to have hair and make up ladies arrive early to make the transformation.

      Best wishes
      Charlotte

      Reply

  5. Oh, how wonderful, Charlotte! What a beautiful blessing in a beautiful place and church for a beautiful couple! You two are blessed. Wishes for a life full of love. Many hugs! xoxoxoxoxoxoxo

    Reply

    1. It was an amazing week. My wedding dress got two wears which I loved, I might even take the skirt off an have another skirt made to turn it into an evening dress for concerts. Hugs to you.

      Best wishes
      Charlotte

      Reply

  6. Congratulations again! After being made to wait so long, to get a bonus wedding ceremony on top is delightful. And more good news professionally on top of that. You must be buzzing!

    Reply

    1. Yes I am buzzing, we are nearly two years later for this blessing due to covid restrictions, it should have been August 2020. It was lovely meeting all our extended family. My Mum has even been learning Romanian on Duolingo. I missed audition season last autumn and with summer commitments had to turn down work. I kept myself busy however, continued taking lessons and learning new repertoire and have been preparing to create my own show.

      Best wishes
      Charlotte

      Reply

    1. Thank you Annette, we had the most superb week. I feel very blessed to have experienced this moment of a lifetime I wouldn’t have missed it. The festivities went on from 4pm to midnight, Iasi Opera House is beautiful and we even got to see a concert performance of Turandot the following evening.

      Best wishes
      Charlotte

      Reply

    1. Thank you Benn, the hair and makeup ladies arrived at 07:00 in the morning, now that’s dedication for you! Followed shortly afterwards by the videographer and photographer. I was very spoilt.

      Best wishes
      Charlotte

      Reply

    1. Thank you John, I let my hair down eventually when all the pins were popping out with all the dancing we were doing. So happy I took my short dress along it was very warm.

      Best wishes
      Charlotte

      Reply

    1. Thank you Mart, my Dad took most of the photos on his phone. We had a fabulous time.

      Best wishes
      Charlotte

      Reply

    1. Thank you David. The photographs really don’t do the church justice, the gold work was glimmering in the light outside and in. Just beautiful pictures all over the roof and every inch of the walls.

      Best wishes
      Charlotte

      Reply

    2. Thank you Shehanne, I haven’t stopped for a fortnight, we had a wonderful time.

      Best wishes
      Charlotte

      Reply

    1. Thank you, because of the family connection it was all very special, the choir sang throughout the service and George’s brother stepped in to sing the bass line.

      Best wishes
      Charlotte

      Reply

  14. Congratulations to you both! There’s so much love in this post. The photographs are so beautiful and you can see what a wonderful family you have. Thank you for sharing this, Charlotte. Wishing you and George all the best!

    Reply

    1. Thank you Herman, it was an amazing experience. Very spiritual and it meant so much to George and his family, we were sad to delay but the two years have passed in a flash of time.

      Best wishes
      Charlotte

      Reply

    1. Thank you, Timothy, it was a really lovely thing to be a part of. To be around all of George’s most important close family and family friends.

      Best wishes
      Charlotte

      Reply

    1. Aww thank you Sheila, my Romanian godmother got sick and couldn’t attend so I was thrilled that Otilia could step in and she was just amazing holding my hand and guiding me throughout the three days. My bouquet was arranged for me, and I just chose sunflowers because they are the primary flower I associate with Romania as the fields are full of them. You would have loved the festivities.

      Best wishes
      Charlotte

      Reply

    1. Thank you, Angela. I agree it was such a wonderful experience.

      Best wishes
      Charlotte

      Reply

    1. Thank you, Cindy, I got to wear my wedding dress twice how many brides get that experience hehe. I hadn’t realised I’d ripped the skirt dancing at my first wedding until we got it steamed. Easily mended. George always looks dapper in his concert tux.

      Best wishes
      Charlotte

      Reply

    1. Merci beaucoup mon ami. We had a wonderful week in Iasi, I got to experience the full cultural marriage and Cozmin thoughtfully put a translation on his phone for me to read.

      Best wishes
      Charlotte

      Reply

    1. Haha, now you say that…it certainly was “good stuff”.

      Best wishes
      Charlotte

      Reply

  22. How beautiful you look, Charlotte! The wedding blessing sounds amazing, and then the opera house and music and food – so magical and romantic!

    Are either of your upcoming performances near London? It has been far too long since I’ve seen you!

    Reply

    1. Thank you Cate, lovely to hear from you, it was amazing you would have loved the service. It was very magical and romantic.

      Yes the performances are near London, I will let you know more when I get the full details. We are starting the R&D this autumn for the Bronte opera they are both new contemporary operas which is very exciting.

      Best wishes
      Charlotte

      Reply

    1. A dream is a wish your heart makes, I couldn’t have wished for more. George was so thrilled for me to experience his culture and meet all his extended family and friends.

      Best wishes
      Charlotte

      Reply

    1. Thank you, Michael, you would have loved it. Some of the dancing was similar to Greek dancing in circles around George and me and the brass band.

      Best wishes
      Charlotte

      Reply

  25. How wonderful, Charlotte, and you made a beautiful bride! Gorgeous dress, too! Congratulations and wishing you both an abundance of happiness in your future together. You both deserve it!

    Reply

    1. It was lovely getting a second day to dress up in my original wedding dress. In the UK I kept my hair half up half down but in Iasi it was too warm so I had it put up. Thank you we had a lovely day.

      Best wishes
      Charlotte

      Reply

  26. What a magical wedding, Charlotte, and I must say the bride and groom looked spectacular. What a setting!
    Mazel tov! And you are going to be as busy as ever for the rest of the year. Your future looks bright (together) and I wish you all the best!

    Reply

    1. Toda, thank you Noelle. It was an amazing experience. I’ve been busy holding down two jobs this year whilst continuing with my musical development and the arts council project I’ve been working on. Just before we went out George won a big competition in the UK so we had both been hectic it was nice to take a break even though it was hectic.

      Best wishes
      Charlotte

      Reply

    1. Thank you Don. It is a lovely country with super warm and friendly people. I don’t think I sat down for more than half an hour all day long hehe.

      Best wishes
      Charlotte

      Reply

  28. Such gorgeous photos Charlotte, happiness is shining out of both of you, congratulations! And we’ll done on your two upcoming roles, 👏👏👏👏👏🥰😘

    Reply

    1. Thank you Gill, I have just over a month now in Scotland then straight back into rehearsals which I’m very excited about, then the R&D for the new opera. I’ll get Mum to show you the video and photographs when we get them.

      All my best always,
      Charlotte

      Reply

  30. You look ethereal in those pictures, and such a presence of the Holy Family in that picture – lovely. On the flip-side you have God parents, so I guess this means an end to all shenanigans. Good luck on your future roles. I am also of good word to know that after viewing your walking across fired coals with a carnation in your mouth without getting your wedding dress singed, you have are pre approved to play all gypsy roles in the EU for a period of not more than five years. There was some pushback on your not wearing a red dress, but objections were dropped after it was argued a wedding dress was a much more demanding encumbrance. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

    Reply

    1. It was a beautiful ceremony and I am so happy to have a few snap shots of the day to keep for looking back on in future years. I would have loved a costume change, any excuse to play fancy dress but I was very happy with the red sheer belt I was given to add a little gypsy flair to my attire. Thanks for your witty comment.

      Best Wishes,
      Charlotte

      Reply

    1. Thank you Hilary, it was a lovely week long family event. So grateful that my brothers, Tom’s wife Anna and my parents could take the time off with us.

      Last autumn I couldn’t audition because I was working full time from August to early December but I thought not to worry auditions would be open again from January but there were only a few paid work auditions this year, I had to cancel three auditions due to a fortnight ear infection and a situation out of my control and I was thrilled to get two out of the three that I attended.

      My opera production ‘Down the Rabbit Hole’ kept us busy, I also took full advantage of the training opportunities my Arts Council England grant awarded me, we managed to do primary research and development and it is in its second stage of development now. George has also got several concerts coming up as a result of his ROSL arts competition win. We would dearly love an agent to take over the finding of work element of our careers.

      Best wishes
      Charlotte

      Reply

    1. Thank you very much ♥️, it was a little line ‘Don’t Tell The Bride’ George and His family did the vast majority of the organisation. I absolutely loved it.
      Best wishes
      Charlotte

      Reply

  34. Charlotte what a beautiful blog. I’m so pleased you all had a great time.
    All of the photo’s are brilliant, what a beautiful church it’s amazing.xx

    Reply

  35. OMG!!!
    I go away for a couple of weeks, and come back to a Fairy Tale. What a beautiful wedding. You are the most beautiful bride, ever
    Give George a congratulatory hug for me.
    Give you a bigger hug for the wedding AND for the roles you have landed.
    WOW!!!!
    Resa
    ❦❦

    Reply

    1. I hope that you had a super holiday Resa, I’ve been in a whirlwind of activity myself, I caught up a bit on your graffitiglam blog, fabulous choices and I spotted your birthday, tried to leave a comment, the poems and pictures are just fabulous and I hope that you had a super day, sorry I‘m late to that party! Sadly we‘re nearly 500 miles apart right now, but he has a concert in Scotland soon so we should be able to meet up.
      Best wishes
      Charlotte 💋

      Reply

      1. Street Art Is a fascinating happening. I’m thrilled you like the blog. It’s strictly entertainment, and I’ve made so many friends!
        Your Romanian wedding was like a fairy tale. I just loved it!
        Ahh, I know what it’s like when work separates lovers. Norm was on the road with his bands a lot in the early days of our love.
        Then when he settled into scoring music for films he built an in home studio.
        At that point I was only home to sleep, because film days are long and demanding.
        Then there’s shooting out of town. I was away for almost 6 months on one project.
        Also I was sent to New York and L.A. a lot to do fittings on stars and promotions.

        Seeing & spending time together is a rich reward for all of our time away.
        However, our careers were important to each of us. Just like you and George.
        In our case “Absence made our hearts grow fonder”. 💞
        Resa
        💋

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