I’m so happy, says Ukrainian bride

A UKRAINIAN couple were married in Henley two years after fleeing the Russian attack on their homeland.

Svitlana and Bogdan Karashevskyi’s wedding ceremony was held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in front of 15 friends and family on Friday.

The couple, who have been together for four years, walked down the aisle together and followed tradition by wearing Ukrainian national dress.

They were married by the parish priest, Father Michael Doyle.

He spoke about their courage to start a new life with their hosts, Rosie and Jeremy Brazil, in Newnham Hill, Highmoor.

He then blessed the couple with holy water.

Tearful guests clapped and smiled as the couple signed the marriage documents and then celebrated with champagne in the church grounds.

Mrs Karashevskyi, 29, a nail technician, said: “I was so excited. Walking down the aisle, I was so happy and nervous.

“My husband is the best of the best — he is perfect for me.

“It was so hard to repeat Father Michael’s words because I was nervous. I would lose my voice and I just sat and tried to remember the words I was supposed to say. Me and Bogdan did some practice [of the vows] so we could get it right.

“Father Michael has been lovely and very kind to us when we were planning our wedding here. I feel proud. I feel very appreciative towards the English people and this church and what they have done for us. It was a lovely ceremony and I am feeling so happy.”

Mrs Karashevskyi, née Korovina, had planned to wear a wedding dress she bought in Poland but because it was not ready in time she opted for a Ukrainian tie-neck blouse embroidered with a floral pattern and white trousers.

She walked down the aisle holding a bouquet of white roses and lilies.

Mrs Karashevskyi said: “We decided to go for the traditional clothes of our country because my wedding dress was not ready.”

The couple will have another ceremony in Warsaw at the end of the month with about 60 guests, including friends and family who were unable to get UK visas to attend the wedding in Henley and their parents.

Speaking at the service, Father Doyle said: “I was very impressed in listening to Bogdan and Svitlana about the contribution to their life over the last two years of Rosie and Jeremy.

“With great generosity, they opened up their home to this young couple. To have a secure home here in England because of the kindness of these two generous people, they had the possibility to think about settling down in the midst of a lot of darkness and chaos in the world.”

Svitlana and Bogdan came to Henley in 2022 under the Government’s Homes for Ukraine scheme.

Last year, Bogdan proposed to Svitlana in front of Big Ben on a day out with Mr and Mrs Brazil in London.

Mrs Brazil said: “It’s a triumph of hope and resilience given what’s going on in their country and the fact that they managed to stay so positive.

“They’re so much in love and they’re having to do everything in a language that is not their first language.

“But they’ve taught themselves English, they’ve got themselves jobs. They’ve never asked for anything from the state and they’ve just managed to assimilate themselves into a new country. The friends that are here, some of them are new friends that they’ve made in the UK from work and just from finding people because they’re so likeable. It’s a beautiful moment and we are just so happy and a little emotional.

“I don’t have a daughter so it was like watching my daughter getting married. It was just beautiful. We do truly love them.”

Mr Karashevskyi, 30, a welder at BMW Oxford, said: “I’m feeling very happy. My favourite moment of the ceremony was when I put the ring on Svitlana’s finger.

“We are very excited because we’ve been waiting for this moment for a long time. We hope it will be a very good celebration and that next time Svitlana’s dress will be ready. Our wedding in Poland will be traditionally Ukrainian with Ukrainian music and all of our family.”

After the service, the couple hosted a buffet of traditional Ukrainian food, music and drinks at the Brazils’ home.

They were joined by Svitlana’s sister, Valentyna Korovina, who also moved to Henley under the Ukraine sponsorship scheme.

The couple made all the food for the big day and spent their wedding day morning finishing preparations.

Ms Korovina said: “Svitlana is very happy now. I can’t even tell you how hard it was for them to move here.

“Without all the people who she met in England who helped her, she wouldn’t be able to continue her life so well as she has.

“When she first moved it was like her life had stopped and then she started a new life.”

The couple plan to have their honeymoon in Greece in August.

They will continue to live with Mr and Mrs Brazil in Newnham Hill, where they have their own annexe.