Photographs by DP Studios
Like so many modern romances, Katie Warren and Pasha Alekseyev’s began online. The pair met via a dating app, though Katie was skeptical at first. Pasha, however, was determined, and he eventually landed a first date. The pair hit it off, deepening their connection over four years.
On Christmas Day 2018, the couple was celebrating at Katie’s family home in Newark, Del., when Pasha discreetly pulled aside her father and asked for his blessing. He popped the question at dinner. A year later, on Dec. 31, Katie and Pasha were married at St. Anthony of Padua Church in Wilmington. “I’ve always wanted to get married on New Year’s Eve,” says Katie.
A graduate of Padua Academy, Katie was conferred at St. Anthony’s. She also received her diploma there, later coaching soccer at the school. “It just has a special place in my heart,” she says.
Katie wore her late grandmother’s fur stole, while Pasha’s mother—who owns Salon Pasca in Wilmington—helped with Katie’s hair and makeup. Also on hand was Pasha’s aunt, who flew in from Russia for the occasion. A former jeweler in Russia before moving to the United States, Pasha’s father crafted the wedding band for his future daughter-in-law.
Surrounded by Christmas trees and poinsettias, the two were wed in an evening ceremony, the bridesmaids’ silver sequins matching the bride’s rhinestone Betsey Johnson booties. Later, guests headed to Deerfield Golf Club for dinner and dancing. As midnight approached, the newly married couple joined everyone in welcoming 2020 with confetti and a champagne toast.
Wedding date: Dec. 31, 2019.
Ceremony: St. Anthony of Padua Church, Wilmington.
Reception: Deerfield Golf Club (deerfieldgolfclub.com).
Number of guests: 165.
Officiant: Rev. Mark Wrightson.
Bridal gown: Kenneth Winston, L&H Bridal (lhbridal.com).
Bridesmaids’ dresses: Revelry (shoprevelry.com).
Groom’s and groomsmen’s tuxes: Formal Affairs Delaware (formalaffairsnewark.com).
Hair and makeup: Salon Pasca (salon-pasca.com).
Florist: Kirk’s Flowers (kirksflowers.com).
Cake: Desserts by Dana (dessertsbydana.com).
DJ: Wired Up Entertainment (justgetwired.com).
First dance: Frank Sinatra’s “The Way You Look Tonight.”
Photographer and videographer: DP Studios (dpstudios.tv).
Honeymoon: Antigua.
Careers: Katie is a nurse at Christiana Hospital; Pasha is a carpenter at Master Interiors.