Photography: Viktoria Vasilenko
MUAH: Lidiya Malinovskaya
Flowers & Decor: Evgeniya Kasyanenko
Event Planner: @wowitaly_events

Sometimes the line between fiction and reality is erased by a single, accidental frame. Many years ago, Valeria watched Star Wars. The iconic kiss of Anakin Skywalker and Padmé on a balcony, the endless expanse of water, and an atmosphere too perfect to exist beyond a Hollywood set. At the time, Valeria was certain it was masterfully created CGI.

Only later did she discover the truth: that balcony was not imagined. It was real, tangible, and located on one of the most beautiful villas on Lake Como — Villa del Balbianello. What began as a cinematic moment slowly transformed into a personal dream, patiently waiting its time for eight long years.

To Change Everything for a Dream

For eight years, Valeria carried the image of Lake Como in her heart. During that time, she and Alexey met, fell in love, and began building their life together. Their original wedding plan was familiar and traditional: a civil ceremony, guests, and a banquet. Everything was nearly decided—until chance intervened once again.

Valeria discovered our website and learned that Lake Como was not only a place for romantic прогулки, but also a destination for an official wedding ceremony. A dream that had once seemed “just a dream” suddenly became real—and even more desirable. Alexey fully supported his beloved, and the couple made a bold decision: to cancel all their arrangements in Russia in favor of an intimate, truly personal wedding day in Italy.

A Sweet October on Lake Como

They chose a hotel right on the waterfront, where wedding preparations felt less like stress and rush, and more like an extension of their holiday. They now had their own little balcony for kisses overlooking Lake Como, and the perfect atmosphere for their first photographs.

October on Lake Como decided to play along. Instead of crisp autumn chill, the couple was greeted by gentle sunshine and pleasant +20°C. Valeria and Alexey walked to the ceremony location—a cozy park right by the water. Their entire “wedding procession” consisted of just two of their closest people: Valeria’s sister and her husband, who became the only witnesses to this intimate moment. For family and friends who remained in Russia, we arranged a live video stream of the ceremony.

The ceremony itself took place on an open balcony, seemingly suspended over the lake. At that moment, reality completely aligned with the cinematic scene that once inspired Valeria: official vows, signatures, and the exchange of rings accompanied by the soft sound of water below. Then came a boat ride, an aperitif, and a course set toward the iconic Villa del Balbianello.

Sailing past views once seen only on screen, Valeria and Alexey were now creating their own story—no longer spectators, but the main characters. The wedding day gently flowed into a stroll through the park and ended with a cozy dinner. In every moment of that day, Valeria felt that her dream had truly become reality.

Looking at Valeria and Alexey’s journey, one thing becomes clear: you should never settle for a “just good” option if your heart longs for something extraordinary. Don’t be afraid to reshape plans and let go of templates. Dreaming small is easy, but only bold, seemingly “impossible” dreams have the power to change your life. Dream big—and we’ll help turn those dreams into real memories.