As you now all know - Kirill and Melanie are already married as of January 31st, 2024. Kirill & Melanie went down to the courthouse on a chilly Wednesday afternoon in January. They legally were married in front of a Cook County Judge. They read their vows to one another. Though we wish everyone could have been there on this beautiful day, it was a very special and intimate moment & a testament to what we believe love is all about. Following the ceremony, we went to Gibson's Italia in the early afternoon and were the only ones in the place. We celebrated with the restaurant staff as they poured us free champagne and all the desert you can imagine. We are so blessed to have found each other, for Kirill already receiving his Green card, and now getting a chance to finally celebrate with all of our amazing friends and family. Thank you for your support along the way!

Melanie went to her friend, Shaina's, wedding in Greece July of 2022. At the rehearsal dinner, she met the man Shaina selected as her photographer - Kirill Samarits. Shaina was so impressed with his work and picked him out of a list of 20 other photographers. Further supporting the definition of 'fate'. Melanie's last night in Greece, she came back to Athens a day early to go on an official date with Kirill. Kirill took Melanie to dinner, the Greek Parthenon, & explored all of Athens on their very first night together. Cue the cliché 'The rest is history.'