Scene Together: Couples on Their Wedding Days

Sofya Sokolenko & Kelton Johnson

Married October 15, 2022

Born and raised in St. Petersburg, Russia, Sofya relocated to St. Petersburg, Florida at the age of twenty to pursue a Bachelors degree in economics at the University of South Florida. She had previously graduated from St. Petersburg State University of Economics in Russia, all while performing and teaching ballroom dancing.

Kelton has been in the Bradenton/Sarasota area his whole life, and graduated from Riverview High School in 2011. After graduation, Kelton tried a couple of different career paths but ultimately found his passion in the field of Dentistry. He now manages a dental technology lab at World Class Dentistry in Sarasota.

Both Sofya and Kelton enjoy spending time outdoors doing water sports, lounging in the sun, watching a polo match, or simply reading together. All-around wellness and staying active is a priority for the couple.

When Kelton’s mother, Dr. Jill Morris, suggested he try ballroom dancing (she herself was a competitive dancer) he decided to give it a shot. As it turns out, he had nothing to lose and everything to gain, as this was how he met his future bride. Sofya was his first dance instructor. The couple hit it off right away and the rest, as they say, is history.

Kelton planned a surprise engagement at a local restaurant, where he told Sofya they would be celebrating a friend’s birthday. Sofya was caught completely off-guard when Kelton got down on one knee professing his love for her and asking her to be his wife. Sofya’s engagement ring was personally designed by Kelton without any input from his bride-to-be, a detail Sofya loves and appreciates very much.

Originally the couple had planned to get married in Russia, but after a lot of debate, it was decided that it would be too complicated to get their guests there, so they moved the venue to Kelton’s mother’s property. One week before the wedding, Hurricane Ian caused so much damage to the property that it became clear that they had to relocate again. That’s when their caterer, Michael’s On East, came in to save the day. They had an opening in Michael’s Wine Cellar on their wedding date and everyone scrambled to make it work. The new venue ended up being perfect, setting the romantic scene with dim lighting, hundreds of votive candles and fresh floral arrangements in shades of dusty pink. Of course, the couple took to the dance floor, where they showed off ten months of practice with a waltz to “Perfect” by Ed Sheeran. The night felt magical, and all in attendance had a wonderful time creating memories that will last a lifetime.

Officiant: Daniel Bilyeu

Photographer: John Joseph Revisky

Catering: Michael’s On East

Wedding Cake: Cakes by Ron

DJ/Singer: Jonathan A. Cortez

Wedding Planner: Choreographed Events (Maria Brady)

Lighting: Affairs in the Air

Flowers/Decor/Furniture: SoStaged Events/
Taylored Thrones

Hair and Makeup: Ana Molinari