We started searching for the dream location that would meet all the couple’s requirements, and it wasn’t easy! After we found the place, the couple flew to Italy personally to spend a few days in the mountains and check out the location for the upcoming wedding.

Maria, the owner of the restaurant, warned us that in mid-September, at an altitude of 1600 meters, there could be negative temperatures and snow.

“What jokers these northern Italians are!” – we thought, but three days before the wedding, we were surprised to see the forecast showing -3 and snow!

The majestic Dolomites seemed to be testing our couple’s strength and the seriousness of their intentions. Although this was completely unnecessary, since Nika and Nikita had been together for 7 years, and Nikita had proposed to his beloved back in 2017. The couple passed the test, and on the wedding day, magically, the weather was warm and sunny.

 

The official ceremony took place at the town hall in Corvara in Badia, near Bolzano. The mayor pleasantly surprised all of us with her excellent English and very un-Northern warmth and hospitality. She was pleasantly shocked that a young couple from Latvia chose to have their wedding not at the world-famous Lake Como, but in a small town hidden in the mountains.

“It’s as if you’re getting married in the Dolomites, and instead of church domes, ancient mountains rise above you,” she said.

 

 

After the official part, the newlyweds stayed in Corvara in Badia to take memorable photos, while the guests went to the restaurant for a traditional Italian aperitif. Although the couple had been together for many years, not all the guests knew each other, so we organized an icebreaker game and a photo session with instant photos.

After the aperitif, a festive lunch followed, and then the restaurant owner took the newlyweds, along with the photographer and videographer, high into the mountains for an unforgettable photo session. While Nika and Nikita enjoyed each other against the breathtaking backdrop of the Dolomites, the guests enjoyed wine and cheeses.

 

 

And then came the moment we always wait for, holding our breath – the wedding vows moment. Just before sunset, everyone gathered on the restaurant’s veranda for the symbolic ceremony, during which the newlyweds exchanged vows of fidelity and lit a fire, symbolizing the family hearth. Nikita didn’t just vow, he shared their love story with us:

Ti amo. Tre secondi per dirlo. Tre ore per spiegarlo. E una vita intera per provarlo. I love you. Three seconds to say it. Three hours to explain it. And a lifetime to prove it.

 

 

3 seconds passed at the very beginning, I don’t even know what came first, the start of the relationship or the confession. We were sitting in a teahouse, the soft light and seclusion seemed to encourage expressing what was already obvious. If I remember correctly, you didn’t answer my confession, I think you would have considered it premature to say it before fully feeling what I had already felt at that time. The more valuable it was to meet someone for whom words are not empty.

3 hours of explanations could be skipped, they weren’t needed, and I thank you for the clarity of intentions that we’ve had since the very beginning.

A lifetime to prove it also started right away. And in your eyes and behavior, I felt apprehension. Too serious intentions, too openly speaking about it, too sure that I was ready to build a family with you. I wasn’t worried about this at all and knew that over time you would be convinced: everything I say is true.

Today, September 16, 2022, 7 years and 1 month since we started dating. Today is exactly 5 years since I proposed and you said yes. Even then, you seemed to be surprised, thinking it was still too soon. Well, who knew that from the proposal to the wedding, a considerable amount of time would pass.

Given that we are standing before each other and making vows, there is no doubt left. But you know, I wish for us that throughout our life together, you remain the same flirt, and I keep proving to you tirelessly: I am sincere, I love you, I’m serious, well, how much more serious can I get? 🙂

I vow to tell you the truth, even if it’s not always pleasant. (For example: your mascara is running :D)

I cannot vow eternal love, that would be deceitful. I cannot vow that we will be together and love each other after death, because no one knows what will happen after it.

It’s better to gather with all of you many years from now and make sure everything is going as it should. What I can definitely vow is that I loved you before this day, I vow that I love you here and now. I vow that I will do everything to love you more and more, and do everything for you to keep loving me.