Photography: Viktoria Vasilenko
Flowers and Décor: Evgenia Kasyanenko
Videography: Ilya Oshchepkov
Host and Music: Georgy Chkareuli
Venue: Villa Overlooking the Bay of Portofino
Event Planner: @wowitaly_events
Why Italy? And Why Liguria?
At first, Artemiy and Victoria planned to have their wedding in Moscow. But then they thought, why not move the celebration to Italy? Many of their guests had never visited the country, and the couple wanted to give them a true sense of discovery — a “wow effect” filled with beauty, atmosphere, and emotion.
They were dreaming of something sunny, coastal, and picturesque — Italy, but in a way that felt different and unusual. That is how they discovered Liguria: seascapes that look as if painted by an artist, and the region’s famous cuisine with focaccia, fresh seafood, and its legendary pesto.
The spirit of Liguria is all about summer, freedom, sunshine, and breathtaking views. It was here that the couple found their perfect location — a villa on the coast overlooking Portofino, where they stayed with their guests for three days, creating a true wedding weekend.
A Civil Ceremony in Italy — A Meaningful and Symbolic Step
The couple decided that if their wedding was taking place in Italy, then the stamp in their passports should reflect that as well. Artemiy and Victoria’s wedding morning began with an official civil ceremony at an Italian town hall. An intimate moment, the signing of documents, smiles, emotions… and suddenly they were husband and wife under Italian law.
Return to the Villa and Getting Ready
After the civil ceremony, the couple returned to the villa, and the preparations for the main celebration began.
Victoria had a photo session with her bridesmaids and her beloved dog, Richie — the true star of the day. Richie posed, ran around, slipped into every frame, and added that warm, lively emotion to the bride’s morning that simply cannot be recreated.
The groom was getting ready with his brothers — sharp suits, laughter, anticipation, and support. And, of course, Richie, who managed to be everywhere at once, taking part in absolutely every moment.
A Villa Ceremony Overlooking the Coast
We designed the ceremony area to make the guests feel as if they were sitting in a theater, with the bride and groom as the central characters. Accompanied by live piano music, Artemiy was the first to walk out, followed by Victoria. This was their first look — they had intentionally chosen not to see each other beforehand. The emotional impact was even stronger because of it: Artemiy’s gaze filled with admiration and tenderness the moment he saw his bride in her white dress.
The couple exchanged rings, received congratulations from their guests, and the official part seamlessly transitioned into a beautiful photo session. The villa’s grounds are wonderfully diverse, which allowed us to capture both classic portraits and dramatic drone shots.
While the newlyweds were taking photos, the guests enjoyed an aperitivo on the terrace. For many of them, visiting Italy for the first time, this moment felt truly magical — a blend of flavors, sunshine, and sea breeze that created unforgettable emotions. Guests could not only savor the food but also make their own small keepsake from the wedding: there was a photo booth, a 360 camera, and an artist creating colorful portraits as souvenirs.
Dinner Under the Stars: Candlelight, Music, and Emotion
As the sun dipped below the horizon and the lights of Portofino began to shimmer, the atmosphere turned truly magical. During dinner, guests enjoyed not only Italian music but also heartfelt toasts and words of gratitude. After the cake cutting, the party moved to the dance floor, where the celebration continued until three in the morning — the perfect finale to a perfect wedding day.
Pesto Party: A Seaside Celebration Continues
The day after the wedding, following a leisurely lunch, everyone gathered for a seaside party — relaxed, joyful, and filled with sunshine. Guests could swim in the sea or the pool, sunbathe, unwind, and enjoy each other’s company. A live band once again brought the atmosphere to life, moving between the tables and performing beloved Italian songs.
We organized a special activity for the guests — a pesto-making workshop, since Liguria is the birthplace of this iconic sauce. Pesto is more than just something green and flavorful. It is a symbol of the region. The guests learned to prepare it the traditional way, by hand, following the classic recipe. And of course, the experience ended with a serving of pasta dressed in their freshly made pesto.
Artemiy and Victoria’s wedding was filled with sunshine, music, the sea, the flavors of Liguria, and emotions impossible to forget.
“We wanted it to be something exceptional… a journey for each of you!”
Get a Free Consultation on Planning Your Wedding in Italy
Simply write to us or give us a call +39 334 840 20 86 (WhatsApp, Viber, Telegram) / hello@wowitaly-weddings.com
