I love hearing about the quirky ways people meet. For Polish-born Urszula Skrypak and her Russian hubby Daniel Prokopiev it was at a Sydney eye clinic – Daniel was having laser eye surgery and Urszula was his orthoptist. With a new set of eyes, Daniel left the clinic and would not see Urszula again for two years.

Then, nearing Christmas, 2006, he returned with his mum – this time she was the patient – and as he got chatting with Urszula and her boss, he discovered they were looking for a place to have their work Christmas party. Well, as fate would have it, Daniel owned a Russian restaurant and so he suggested, why not have the Christmas party there?

Urszula tells, “The night was full of fun, food and drink! Daniel and I had a few chats throughout the evening and even had a dance. At the end of the night he walked me out of the restaurant to my cab, asked if I would like to have dinner with him sometime and asked for my number. We went out a few nights later and hit it off straight away – we had so many things in common and from there our love for one another grew.”

Two years later the pair held a stylish Sydney wedding at the sophisticated Le Montage events centre. Guests were treated to fabulous entertainment – including Russian pop songs by last year’s The Voice contestant, Victoria Bolonina – and a surprise rumba from their professional ballroom dancing friends.

The bridal party dined together the night before the wedding, staying at the Sheraton on the Park – in separate suites of course. The next morning, in Polish tradition, the bride and groom met up for a ‘first-look’ with both sets of parents for a pre-wedding blessing.

The bride’s stunning accessories were from Deseo in Paddington; a Swarovski crystal hair comb with glamorous three-inch Spanish-inspired earrings.

A full Catholic mass was held at the lofty St Mary Magdalene Rose Bay, with organist and singer, Harrison Coll, playing arias for the congregation.

The flower girl’s ivory tulle dress with floral detail was from As if by Magic.

Urszula’s elegant gown was a Martina Liana fit-and-flare strapless style, with vintage embroidered Alencon lace over silk satin organza. She found it at Sydney bridal boutique, Fashions by Farina.

The couple chose a sapphire blue colour scheme, with full-length chiffon bridesmaid dresses from Paris in Paddington and matching groomsmen’s ties from Chorley’s Formal Hire.

Contrasting the vivid blue was Urszula’s bouquet, arranged with orange and yellow roses and green orchids. “I always wanted a bright bouquet,” she says.

Daniel wore a charcoal pure wool Zenetti lounge suit from Spurling Formalwear, with a Hugo Boss French cuff shirt and an ivory vest and cravat from Chorley’s Formal Hire.

His two groomsmen wore light grey Mackenzie three-piece suits from Spurling.

The couple entertained their 100 guests with a traditional Polish band and last year’s The Voice contestant, Victoria Bolonina, who sang Russian pop songs.

Later in the night, to their surprise, the lights turned down and out came their close professional ballroom-dancing friends to perform the dance of love – the rumba.

The impressive hazelnut chocolate cake was a dual effort from cake and pastry specialists, Choco Bean, and Bardwell Blooms, who decorated it with a cascading fresh-flower arrangement to mirror Urszula’s bouquet.

Photos courtesy of Eclipse Studios Photography.

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