Real people. Real feelings. Real film.

My name is Sergei Checha.

I’ve been filming weddings for 15 years — across three continents, in a dozen languages, for over 400 couples. Along the way, the work has been recognized with awards for cinematography and destination filmmaking. But none of that is why people hire me.

I have spent years learning how to be invisible enough that the truth walks into frame on its own.

Friendship, Family, Love — these are not backdrops. These are the film.

What I make is not a recap of your wedding. It is a film about who you are. And who the people around you are — on the best day you’ve had so far.

I believe in the moment between moments. In the glance that no one else caught. In everything that happens when people stop performing and just live.

Every wedding tells a story that belongs only to these two people. My job is to find it. And make sure they never forget it.

EVERY STORY STARTS HERE:

Kieva & Daniel. Castello Lanza Branciforte, Sicily.

Her sister sang at the ceremony. That was the moment everyone forgot to breathe.

Kieva and Daniel got married in a real Sicilian castle. But it wasn’t the architecture that made this film. It was the people inside it. A sister’s voice during the ceremony. Tears that nobody planned. A party that went until nobody could anymore. Sicily does something to people. This wedding did something to me.

Domi & Duncan. Watkins Glen, NY.

No venue. No script. No pretense. Just the right people in the right place.

An open field, string lights, and a bonfire at the end of the night. The guests were the kind of people who don’t need to be told when to have a good time. There was more laughter than I could fit in the film, and more feeling than I expected from a day this loose and free. Some weddings are beautiful. This one was alive.

Kendra & Spencer. Villa Regina Teodolinda, Como.

Tears were streaming down his face during the vows. He didn’t even try to hide it.

Villa Regina Teodolinda, one of the most iconic luxury villas on Lake Como. Kendra and Spencer flew their closest people from California and gave them three days they’ll never stop talking about. Spencer cried through his entire vows. He didn’t mind. A dance floor that forgot it was a small wedding. Some places make people feel things they didn’t plan on feeling. These two did it.

Nivia & Kevin. Villa Mon Repos, Taormina.

The place is a movie set. They are the story.

Tampa to Taormina. Nivia and Kevin flew across the ocean to get married in a place that looks like it was built for the movies. Ancient church. The bay where White Lotus was shot. Shadows of The Godfather around every corner. I remember the way Kevin looked at her before she walked in. Like he forgot where he was.

A few things about me:

— O-1 Visa holder — US recognition of extraordinary ability in the arts

— Filmed weddings in 14 countries across 3 continents

— Multi-awarded: WEVSY, Inspiration Photography Film Awards, Love Stories TV Awards, Asia WPA — Best Cinematography, Best Destination Wedding, Best South Asian Wedding, and others

— Husband and father of two. I know what family actually means.