by Robert Page | Monday 20th April 2026
a PECKFORTON CASTLE wedding |
THE BACKGROUND FROM KIERA + ANDRIY
VENUE
EXPERIENCE
We are having a mostly black and white theme, with lots of candles and soft lighting. Our flowers are burgundy, blue and pink, with hints of ivory and greenery. We want everyone to have a lovely day filled with laughter and memory-making. We have arranged for fish cake, lamb and crème brûlée as the wedding breakfast. For the wedding cake, we are having three different flavours: vanilla, carrot cake and sticky toffee pudding. We can’t wait to see what the hog roast is like for the evening buffet! We haven’t arranged any specific entertainment, but we have planned lots of dance floor props, think sunglasses and glow sticks.
We initially viewed Peckforton Castle as a suggestion from my dad, he suggested it as we really wanted to have a traditional chapel ceremony and then a civil ceremony and it was important for us that this happened on the same day and with no travelling needs. Peckforton Castle was perfect!
STORY
We met first at University, Anglia Ruskin University in Cambridge. We were part of the same rowing team, Andriy in his second year and me in my first year. Andriy was much more committed than me, I didn't train much but really enjoyed the social side! We didn't speak much at the time and I didn't rejoin the club in my second year, but I did have a little crush on him. In the February of my second year, Andriy's third year, we matched on tinder and went on a date. A few dates later he asked me if I 'wanted to make things more permanent' to which I said "yes", but was left wondering if this meant I had a boyfriend haha (this will make more sense later on...). After our time at University, we did long distance between Manchester and Cambridge, whilst was in third year. At the start of the pandemic we quickly moved in together in a flat in Manchester.
For work I’m an Optometrist and Andriy is a Conveyancing Paralegal. We both love spending our time in the evenings chilling out on the sofa watching a good series or heading out to one of the local pubs for a gin for me and a pint for Andriy. We have just moved to the city of Ripon before Christmas and are enjoying exploring the local area. Andriy is a keen guitar player and is a member of a band. Our perfect sunday (the only day of the week we get together between work) is having a nice lie in, having a walk out for breakfast and having a wander around a few shops then heading to the pub as above haha… we like a pub lol!
ATTIRE + ACCESSORIES
My wedding dress is from The Bridal Affair. Lisa made sure I had the best, most relaxed experience and helped me choose the dress of my dreams. Andriy doesn’t know what my dress looks like, but I’m so excited to see his reaction. It’s the exact opposite of what I thought I would go for. I initially thought I wanted an A-line Mikado dress with a long train and a fairly plain design. This is quite the opposite of the dress hanging on the back of the dressing room door, it’s form-fitting, with lace detailing around the neckline and a full lace train!! Not forgetting the cathedral-length veil (all top secret)! Andriy’s suit is a made-to-measure suit from The Edit Suit Co. He has gone for a black tuxedo with a thick shawl lapel. He loves the little details he was able to add, including having our wedding date and initials embroidered into the suit.
The wedding theme is taking inspiration from the castle setting, leaning into the reds with the flowers, but we wanted a really classic overall look. The best men are in tuxedos, and the bridesmaids are wearing black, with all our stationery and signage being black and ivory. Our wedding rings are from a jeweller in Birmingham, the same place my engagement ring is from. Andriy’s wedding ring has my birthstone on the inside of the band. I’ll be wearing my mum’s bracelet and my future sister-in-law’s tiara from her wedding day. My shoes are from Emmy London and have been personalised with Andriy’s birthstone in the sole of the shoe. Andriy’s shoes are Louboutins (he is very excited about this). He will be wearing a bracelet that was a gift from his cousin, who has sadly passed away, cufflinks from his father, and a ring that I got for him during one of our first Christmases together. He will also be wearing a gold chain necklace gifted by his grandmother from Ukraine.
PROPOSAL
On a trip to Florence, I initially thought he might propose when the trip was booked, but he was so good at throwing me off the scent that I convinced myself it wasn’t going to happen this time, and I didn’t even plan on doing my hair that day!!!!! Andriy had put together a trip itinerary and purchased a bum bag for the trip. He had never done this before, and I’d never seen him with a bum bag, but somehow I didn’t question it.
On the first day, our plans changed because it was a free gallery day, so we decided to prioritise this instead of the Boboli Gardens (I now know that this was a potential proposal spot). We visited a few wine windows and then headed to the gardens, which were closed by the time we got there. We decided to head to the original intended proposal spot, which was a viewing point overlooking the whole of Florence. It was warm, and the hill was steep. I’d had a few wines, got halfway up, and wanted to go back down, but Andriy marched me up that hill, and we were sweaty messes when we got to the top.
At the top, Andriy was like a deer in headlights. I thought it was just because he was tired and there were lots of people around, but little did I know he was planning to propose. I had told him in the past that I wanted a quiet, private proposal, and this wasn’t that at all. But he made it work and found a quiet corner overlooking farmland and vineyards instead of the city views. I wanted to sit down to take in the view, but Andriy made me stand up… again, I was none the wiser. He then got the box out of his little bum bag and started to get down on one knee. He had done similar jokey things like this in the past, and I thought it was just another one of those moments. I didn’t want him to embarrass us, so I actually said no four times as he was getting down on his knee.
I then realised that this was, in fact, for real. He asked me if I wanted to make things 'more permanent', and that was when I said yes. I cried. He says he didn’t cry, but I saw the tears. We called our families and enjoyed the sunset with a little bottle of fizz from the drinks van at the viewing point, soaking in the moment. It was perfect!
MOST EXCITED ABOUT
I am most excited about walking down the aisle and seeing Andriy waiting for me at the end. Andriy says he is most excited about spending the rest of his life with the woman he loves!
HONEYMOON
We don't currently have a honeymoon booked with the current political issues going on but we have booked a minimoon to go back to Cambridge for a few days in the week after the wedding which we are very much looking forward to. a trip down memory lane.
FILM
we want to have the special memories to be able to look back on in years to come and eventually show our children one day. It's super important to us that we can capture the day and the emotions and the special moments that photographs can't capture. I'm also really looking forward to watching the ceremonies and speeches back to be able to relive the best day.
special thanks...
a note from me...
Lovers // @kierastasiuk1 + @anders1903
Venue // @peckfortoncastle
Photographer // @jainebriscoepricephotography
Hair // @jameswilsonhairbridal
Makeup // @ehmakeupartistry_
Guys, wow, what a day! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for having me along to film your incredible wedding. It really was such an honour to capture! You two are so perfectly matched, and it was an absolute pleasure to be around you both. You were so easy to work with and threw yourselves into every part of the day. I hope watching it all back takes you straight back to one of the best days of your lives... reliving the moments you saw, the ones you missed, and the little ones you may have forgotten along the way.
R x
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