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Marina Sorokoumova-Gullifa

Valeria and Alexey. Wedding in Rome and Tivoli. A festive day full of surprises

Wedding date: 24.06.2022

Location: Rome and Tivoli

Photo: Irina Morina

Video: Palm Films

Make up & Hair: Evgeniya Hathaway

Floral design: Skyflora

Event planner: @wowitaly_events

Text: Svetlana Vlasenko

Official Wedding in Italy

Valeria and Alexey. Wedding in Rome and Tivoli. A celebration day full of surprises

If we had to relive yesterday, we would choose each of you again. You are the best team anyone could ask for!

These words were said to us by Valeria the day after the wedding. They still warm our hearts and motivate us to conquer new heights in the event planning industry in Italy. But let’s go step by step.

Valeria and Alexey, two very warm-hearted people from the city on the Neva River, found us on Instagram. They checked out our profile and were surprised to learn that in Italy, you can organize not just a wedding, but an official ceremony with all the documents, stamps, and signatures. To hear the congratulations and “vi dichiaro marito e moglie” – “I declare you husband and wife” from a representative of the Italian municipality.

At the beginning, we always communicate with the newlyweds via video call to get to know each other personally. We did the same with Valeria and Alexey, and it was love at first call 😀 They liked our heartfelt approach to weddings and the full support at every stage of preparation. They immediately decided on our agency and began gathering the documents for the official ceremony. All that was left was to choose the location.

It should be noted that the couple are big fans of Italy. They had traveled to many places and were torn between a wedding in Sicily and one in Rome, where they had already been four times. Eventually, they chose the Eternal City.

Rome perfectly combines the opportunities of a large city with the charm of a small province. Here are the best vantage points for photo shoots with views of the most famous landmarks in the world. A rich selection of restaurants and shops. By the way, it was in the Roman shopping center Rinascente that Valeria bought her handmade wedding shoes from a Venetian brand. But few know that in addition to the capital’s opportunities, Rome can also give you the atmosphere of authentic small-town Italy.

Valeria and Alexey stayed in the center of the Eternal City. The wedding day began with the exciting preparations and writing of vows for the ceremony. They then set off, as they decided to have their official marriage at the Tivoli Town Hall.

Thirty kilometers from Rome is a town whose history dates back to the 13th century BC. This is Tivoli – one of the favorite and fashionable places during the Roman Empire. The town was famous for its fruit and olive orchards, and wealthy people built their villas here. Not much has changed to this day – the landscapes amaze the eye and heart, and the Villa d’Este with its Renaissance gardens is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is perfect for a wedding photo shoot.

The official ceremony at the Tivoli Town Hall always has an atmosphere of warmth and coziness. There are no crowds, no one rushes you, and the staff is wonderfully friendly. Our bride simply charmed the representative of the town hall, who, without stopping, complimented her, noting her fragility and femininity.

At the end of the ceremony, the newlyweds read the vows they wrote that morning. Every word came from the heart, and the tears in their eyes were the best proof of that. It was good that the couple brought us a gift of candies with the meaningful name “Happiness” – the sweet final note of our ceremony.

Interestingly, Valeria and Alexey chose an unusual musical accompaniment – a guitar. Their favorite song by The Verve “Love is noise” in rock style. The musician sang and played it live. Perfect!

After the ceremony, now husband and wife, they returned to Rome. The couple continued their photo shoot, even stopping by the Colosseum, how could they not? But what awaited them next was a real surprise – a romantic quest. We wanted so much to make this day unforgettable that we developed a route and came up with tasks especially for them.

First, they met in their favorite restaurant. They had told us that every time they came to Rome, they always went there. The Roman-style bread, or what is commonly called pizza, was already waiting for them fresh and hot. The person who takes the biggest bite gets to be the master of the house! Everyone tried to take a bigger piece 😀

Valeria and Alexey wedding in Rome and Tivoli

Then there were fun tasks, a treasure chest, and congratulations literally jumping out of the bushes. We have a lot of experience in conducting quests, and we did our best. Throughout the route, we captured photos and videos to make memories for the couple.

The festive day ended at the “de Russie” restaurant near Piazza del Popolo. There was a concert happening, and it felt like all of Rome was celebrating Valeria and Alexey’s wedding.

Every wedding, whether with guests or just for two, is special to us. Thank you, Valeria and Alexey, for trusting us and choosing our team. Their words of gratitude are the best reward for our work:

You are in our hearts, you are in our family archives! You are not just incredibly talented, you are the ones who make moments even more beautiful. Meeting even one of you is already a great luck. Thank you for being with us! Marina, and how do you manage to gather such amazing people.

Get a free consultation for organizing a wedding in Italy

Simply write to us or call at +39 334 840 20 86 (WhatsApp, Viber, Telegram) / hello@wowitaly-weddings.com

wowitaly_events

Intimate weddings & wedding weekends
A team you'll know by name
Not a vendor. Your people on the ground.
200+ weddings since 2016
Free Como guide ⬇️

Some places don’t just host your wedding They b

Sometimes you spend weeks looking for inspiration,

Or hire a wedding planner 😉 Let’s be honest,

After working with couples and living on the Lake

Let us redefine your destination wedding experienc

It all started six years ago when he walked into h

Looking for the best places to swim on Lake Como t

You hired a wedding team that brings the absolute

We are constantly hunting for jaw-dropping venues

Load More Follow on Instagram

21122022NOCOMMENTS

Marina Sorokoumova-Gullifa

Maria and Andrea: Russian loaf and Italian pasta at one wedding

Wedding date: 10.06.2022

Location: Rome

Photo: Juli Kundera

MUAH: Irina Kostenko

Wedding coordination in Italy: WowItaly

Text: Svetlana Vlasenko

Symbolic Wedding in Italy

Maria and Andrea: Russian bread and Italian pasta at the same wedding

“This was the best wedding I’ve ever been to. You are top-notch and amazing. Thank you!”

Hearing such feedback about our work is always nice, but when it comes from someone who really understands event management, the words take on a special significance. Our bride Maria studied event management in London and approached the choice of wedding coordinator with great seriousness.

Maria and Andrea met at university. He was a professor, she was his student. Doesn’t that sound like the plot of a romantic movie? The girl dislikes her professor and complains that he’s always picking on her. The man falls in love with his student at first sight, but how can he attract her attention? This is not a made-up script we’re telling you, but the real love story of our heroes. Life sometimes offers more romantic moments than a book or movie. Andrea managed to win Maria’s heart, and they decided to celebrate their wedding in Rome.

Maria already had a clear plan for how her wedding should go. She chose the villa, the florists, and the photographer herself. She needed a coordinator to oversee the work of all the participants on the day of the ceremony. To learn more about the difference between a wedding planner and coordinator, check out this article on our website. The bride took this matter so seriously that she even interviewed several agencies. We were proud that she chose us, and we felt responsible. The wedding coordinator’s job is to ensure that all vendors do their work flawlessly and on time. We discussed all the details and the event’s timeline with the bride in advance. We wanted everything Maria had planned to come to life.

The symbolic ceremony took place at a villa in the suburbs of Rome. A few hours before the start, the florists began decorating the venue, and the sound engineer checked the equipment. While the newlyweds calmly prepared for the ceremony, the guests started arriving.

Maria and Andrea have many friends and colleagues across Europe, and Italian, Russian, and English were heard in every corner. Many guests couldn’t make it, so at the couple’s request, we conducted a live Zoom broadcast of the ceremony.

And finally, the host calls for silence. To soft music, the father walks his daughter to the altar and solemnly gives her hand to the groom. By the way, the ceremony was conducted by Maria’s professor and Andrea’s colleague from the university. In his festive speech, he recalled many funny moments, as their love story unfolded before his eyes.

After the ceremony, the newlyweds received congratulations and took group photos. According to Italian tradition, each guest receives a small wedding souvenir. Maria and Andrea’s gifts for guests were in the dolce vita style – sweet candies and a bottle of prosecco. During the congratulations, we took Polaroid photos of the guests and immediately got the printed pictures. We then attached the photos to the prosecco bags, making each souvenir truly unique and memorable.

While Maria and Andrea were on their photo shoot, the guests enjoyed an aperitif and left their congratulations in the guestbook. The newlyweds returned to their friends to the sounds of live music. A saxophonist was specially invited for this festive moment. They were greeted by the bride’s parents with a loaf of bread! After all, who will bite the biggest piece and be the master of the house?

The wedding dinner followed Italian traditions. Appetizers were followed by the first course, pasta, as is customary in Italy. This was followed by several types of hot dishes. The change of dishes was accompanied by congratulations from relatives and guests, as well as dancing. During this time, we decorated the villa courtyard with evening lighting and prepared the spot for the wedding dessert.

Before cutting the cake, the newlyweds opened a large bottle of prosecco, and then there was dancing. In Italy, by law, music can only be played until midnight. Afterward, everyone was given headphones for a silent disco, and the dancing continued until the early morning.

Among the guests were the groom’s grandparents. When we first met this Italian nonni couple, who are almost 90 years old, we couldn’t help but admire them. They didn’t fall behind the young ones – they drank, snacked, and even danced at the disco. All our team openly admired this couple and complimented them. It was clear that the elderly people appreciated the attention.

At the end of the evening, one of the young guests said to the elderly lady: “I sincerely admire you! My wife switched to comfortable shoes two hours after the ceremony, but you, signora, are still in heels!”

We thank Maria and Andrea for trusting our agency with the coordination of their wedding. We wish this wonderful couple, just like their grandparents, to live happily together for many years, enjoy life, and dance joyfully at the wedding of their great-grandchildren.

Get a free consultation for organizing a wedding in Italy

Simply write to us or call at +39 334 840 20 86 (WhatsApp, Viber, Telegram) / hello@wowitaly-weddings.com

wowitaly_events

Intimate weddings & wedding weekends
A team you'll know by name
Not a vendor. Your people on the ground.
200+ weddings since 2016
Free Como guide ⬇️

Some places don’t just host your wedding They b

Sometimes you spend weeks looking for inspiration,

Or hire a wedding planner 😉 Let’s be honest,

After working with couples and living on the Lake

Let us redefine your destination wedding experienc

It all started six years ago when he walked into h

Looking for the best places to swim on Lake Como t

You hired a wedding team that brings the absolute

We are constantly hunting for jaw-dropping venues

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Anna Stukova

Wedding of Evgeniya and Andrey. Enchanting Rome for two

Wedding date: July 30, 2021

Location: Rome, Italy

Photographer: Irina Morina

Stylist: Ruslana Redzhi

Flowers: Sky Flora Design

Videographer: Sylvestr Mytsyura

Official wedding organization in Italy: WowItaly Weddings

Official Wedding in Italy

Evgenia and Andrey's Wedding. Enchanting Rome for Two

Many couples from Russia dream of a wedding in Cyprus, but Russians living in Cyprus choose Italy!

First, because Italy offers a wide range of wedding locations in different regions of the country, and second, in Cyprus there is always a small risk that someone in a swimsuit will end up in the background of your wedding photos 😊

Evgenia and Andrey are from Russia, but they met in Cyprus, where they both live and work. A match in one of the dating apps led to serious feelings and a beautiful wedding in Rome! Initially, the couple wanted to get married in America, but due to the pandemic and visa issues, that plan didn’t come to fruition. However, as they say, everything happens for the best!

The couple was ready to settle for getting married at the Russian consulate in Cyprus when Evgenia accidentally found our account on Instagram. At first, she couldn’t believe that a wedding in Rome was so easy and accessible! But after we had a call and chatted, we really liked each other!

The couple was thrilled by our package offer “Official Wedding in Rome”, which saved them from the hassle of paperwork and organization, leaving the bride and groom with only pleasant tasks.

The wedding day should not begin with rush. That’s why the most important day in Evgenia and Andrey’s life began leisurely and very Italian-style, with breakfast and a spa massage in a Rome salon. The ceremony was planned for the evening, as it is very hot during the day in July.

For almost two hours, our magical team from WowItaly Weddings worked on the bride’s look. Evgenia chose a very elegant and minimalist look that highlighted her natural beauty. When the bride was almost ready, the photographer entered to capture the final preparations.

What is the most exciting moment of the wedding day, besides the ceremony? Of course, the first look of the bride and groom! Andrey was waiting for his beloved on the terrace of a luxurious restaurant with a view of the Colosseum, and he couldn’t hold back his emotions when he finally saw her.

After a short photo session in front of the Colosseum, Evgenia and Andrey got into a car and headed to the official marriage registration ceremony in the picturesque town of Tivoli, near Rome.

There, in the town hall, in a room from the 18th century decorated with ancient frescoes and works of famous artists, the couple was in for a surprise! We organized a live-stream of the ceremony for the couple’s relatives from Russia so they could share this happy moment with them. The couple read their vows to each other, and after signing the official documents, they opened a bottle of prosecco to drink as a married couple.

The next part of the wedding day was a photo session in Tivoli, famous for its ancient Roman villas and medieval streets, where every photo looks like a postcard. Later, the newlyweds returned to Rome, where a continuation of the photo session awaited them in the most charming corners of the city.

The wedding day ended with a luxurious dinner for two at a Michelin-starred restaurant on the terrace of the famous Hassler hotel, where Hollywood stars often stay. There, with a view of the Spanish Steps, we left the happy couple to enjoy delicious food, wine, and each other’s company.

But the story doesn’t end there! On their first anniversary, Evgenia and Andrey returned to Rome to thank the Eternal City (and us!) for that unforgettable day filled with joyful excitement, smiles, and, of course, love.

Get a free consultation for organizing a wedding in Italy

Simply write to us or call at +39 334 840 20 86 (WhatsApp, Viber, Telegram) / hello@wowitaly-weddings.com

wowitaly_events

Intimate weddings & wedding weekends
A team you'll know by name
Not a vendor. Your people on the ground.
200+ weddings since 2016
Free Como guide ⬇️

Some places don’t just host your wedding They b

Sometimes you spend weeks looking for inspiration,

Or hire a wedding planner 😉 Let’s be honest,

After working with couples and living on the Lake

Let us redefine your destination wedding experienc

It all started six years ago when he walked into h

Looking for the best places to swim on Lake Como t

You hired a wedding team that brings the absolute

We are constantly hunting for jaw-dropping venues

Load More Follow on Instagram

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Anna Stukova

Wedding of Anna and Vitaly. Italian love vacation

Wedding Date: November 18, 2019

Location: Rome and Tivoli

Photographer: Irina Morina

Videographer: Sylvestr Mytsyura

MUA: Ruslana Redzhi

Guests: 5 people

Official wedding organization in Italy: WowItaly Weddings

Official Wedding in Italy

Anna and Vitaliy's Wedding. Italian Holidays of Love

Our acquaintance with Anna and Vitaliy started with a call: “Can you organize an official wedding in Italy in one month? If yes, we are your clients!”

This request was initially surprising, as it typically takes a month to get a family status certificate (Nulla Osta, which allows for an official marriage in Italy)…

But who doesn’t take risks, doesn’t drink champagne! And our couple was from Abrau-Durso😀. Two weeks later, we had the necessary document for the wedding, and the newlyweds had tickets to Rome.

Why the rush? This wasn’t the bride and groom’s whim. The reason was more than justified: Anna and Vitaliy’s families (and Vitaliy himself) are sailors. Late November is the most convenient time for those whose work is related to seafaring to gather together. The families were to celebrate this joyous event in the lives of their beloved children in one of the most romantic cities in the world, a city whose name already contains love (ROMA – AMORe)😍.

Rome… The city of the sun, the city of legend, the city of art, where every street and every stone is soaked in history. A city where the main values remain family and the joy of each day. It’s that same mysterious and enchanting tourist destination, the dolce vita…

Dolce vita was given to themselves and their parents by Anna and Vitaliy. Five days of Italian holidays, immersing themselves in the culture, history, cuisine, and atmosphere of the country. And on the second-to-last day – a true celebration of love, for which they came to Italy.

The morning of November 18 began with a delicious breakfast and the work of our magical stylist Ruslana Redzhi to create a delicate and sensual look for Anna. Just look at these shots, in which Princess Anna – the bride looked like someone of royal blood on her wedding day.

The meeting of the bride and groom took place under the admiring gazes of parents and close ones. Gentle touches, compliments, and his burning loving eyes…

At 11 a.m., in the registration hall in Tivoli, we were greeted by Signor Giovanni – the most charismatic registrar in Italy. Strict on the outside and incredibly responsive and kind inside😀.

Signor Giovanni always finds the right key to each couple’s heart, brings smiles and tears of joy with his heartfelt words, and even touches the male guests.

That was the case again – the ceremony began with enchanting violin sounds and ended with the clinking of glasses filled with Abrau-Durso champagne and a warm Russo-Italian conversation that we didn’t want to interrupt… But we had to! Because we had a photo session in the atmospheric town of Tivoli and a festive lunch at Emperor Hadrian’s house😋.

A short rest, and then the newlyweds were walking around the Eternal City, where the majestic and ancient Colosseum became the witness to their love. Sincere congratulations from strangers, the love and care of dear people nearby – an incredible day, the atmosphere of which is best conveyed by these photos and videos…

The celebration ended in one of the best restaurants in Rome with a mesmerizing panoramic view, with warm words of advice from the parents, the clinking of glasses, and the chimes of the Roman church bells.

We wish you, dear Anna and Vitaliy, a long and happy married life. Smile, love, be a support and help to each other, just like on this incredible day, November 18, 2019, in Rome!

P.S. Until we meet again in the Eternal City!

Anna and Vitaliy's Wedding in Rome and Tivoli

Get a free consultation for organizing a wedding in Italy

Simply write to us or call at +39 334 840 20 86 (WhatsApp, Viber, Telegram) / hello@wowitaly-weddings.com

wowitaly_events

Intimate weddings & wedding weekends
A team you'll know by name
Not a vendor. Your people on the ground.
200+ weddings since 2016
Free Como guide ⬇️

Some places don’t just host your wedding They b

Sometimes you spend weeks looking for inspiration,

Or hire a wedding planner 😉 Let’s be honest,

After working with couples and living on the Lake

Let us redefine your destination wedding experienc

It all started six years ago when he walked into h

Looking for the best places to swim on Lake Como t

You hired a wedding team that brings the absolute

We are constantly hunting for jaw-dropping venues

Load More Follow on Instagram

13012020NOCOMMENTS

Anna Stukova

Sergey and Marina’s Wedding in Rome and Lake Albano. The Magic of Every Moment

Wedding Date: October 2, 2019

Location: Rome, Villa on Lake Albano, and Renaissance villa

Photographer: Irina Morina

Videographer: Sylvestr Mytsyura

MUAH: Ruslana Redzhi

Guests: 11 people

Wedding Organization in Italy: WowItaly Weddings

Symbolic Wedding in Italy

Sergey and Marina's Wedding in Rome and Lake Albano. The Magic of Every Moment

He is a serious and successful businessman whose professional activity hasn’t diminished his amazing sense of humor and generosity.

She is a master of sports in rhythmic gymnastics. Graceful, incredibly beautiful, with a sculpted figure like a statue, insightful eyes, and a charming smile.

Sergey and Marina live in Kharkiv and love to travel by car across Europe. They almost every year vacation in Italy, and when Sergey proposed to Marina, there was no question of where to celebrate the wedding. Of course, in their favorite Italy!

You can take the whole world, but leave me Italy.

Giuseppe Verdi

Sergey and Marina are real Italy lovers, and on their wedding day, they were ready to immerse themselves completely in the atmosphere of their beloved Italy.

The morning began with a symbolic ceremony in the open air by the picturesque volcanic Lake Albano, attended by their closest friends and relatives. Then, a walk through the Renaissance villa, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, among fountains, greenery, and cozy grottos. After that, a trip to Rome and a photo shoot against the backdrop of the main attraction of the Italian capital. The day ended with a dinner at a restaurant with a panoramic view of St. Peter’s Dome.

We admit, we even tried to persuade the couple to “lighten” the schedule, reduce the number of trips so that both the newlyweds and the guests wouldn’t get tired. To this, Sergey and Marina confidently replied: “They are our energizers – they’ll be happy!” And they were right! It turned out to be a fun, touching, and atmospheric celebration for everyone.

The personal meeting with Sergey and Marina took place at Marina’s house, WowItaly Weddings organizer and the bride’s namesake, in her Roman apartment. The couple was a bit late from shopping and kindly offered to drop by Marina’s place. “When I opened the door, there were two rays of sunshine standing on the doorstep,” says Marina of their first meeting. “They handed me a box of cookies, their eyes and smiles were shining with happiness, and I had the feeling that we had known each other for a long time and that old friends had come to visit!”

The weather forecast on the wedding day was discouraging – rain and thunderstorms all day. Our team even tried to move the ceremony to another date, but unfortunately not all the guests would be able to attend. However, Sergey and Marina were confident that October 2, 2019, the weather would not let them down: “We’ll leave everything as it is, we’re sure it will be great!”

And once again, the positive attitude of the young couple worked wonders. The heavens were on their side!

The forecasts were wrong, and the weather didn’t let them down. The rain started exactly when the couple got in the car to drive to the Renaissance villa. And it stopped, as if by magic, upon our arrival, giving us deserted alleys and incredible light for these photographs…

Villa d’Este – a green masterpiece, the prototype of almost all palace parks in Europe and Russia’s Peterhof, became the setting for such vivid, sincere feelings of Sergey and Marina.

Do you remember the fairy tale scene where the prince and princess dance in a magical forest, kiss… and nature around them comes alive? Every leaf and twig seems to start dancing along with the characters. This is the exact feeling when we admired Sergey and Marina during their photo shoot…

On Sergey and Marina’s wedding day, magic was in every moment!

Because these moments were filled with endless love and tenderness for each other, the rhythm of hearts beating in unison, sincere smiles, and the sparkle in happy eyes… We wish the couple to keep these feelings for many, many years and, of course, to keep coming back to their beloved Italy, which brought their fates and hearts together!

Our wedding was very active, we tried to visit as many sights of the Eternal City as possible on that day. Personally, both we and all our guests loved everything!

Wedding organization at the highest level! Everything we had agreed upon was confirmed. Help and support in any issues throughout the wedding day. No worries for the bride and groom (if there are guests, their questions are handled by the staff). We ordered photos and videos for the whole day. Great work! We want to express our gratitude for the organization and conducting of our wedding, no negative emotions or memories. Professionals at their job. We still communicate and are considering another celebration in our family in this city).

Thanks again to everyone who participated in this exciting day! Prosperity to your company!

Review from Sergey and Marina on the wedding organization

Get a Free Consultation for Organizing a Wedding in Italy

Simply write to us or call at +39 334 840 20 86 (WhatsApp, Viber, Telegram) / hello@wowitaly-weddings.com

wowitaly_events

Intimate weddings & wedding weekends
A team you'll know by name
Not a vendor. Your people on the ground.
200+ weddings since 2016
Free Como guide ⬇️

Some places don’t just host your wedding They b

Sometimes you spend weeks looking for inspiration,

Or hire a wedding planner 😉 Let’s be honest,

After working with couples and living on the Lake

Let us redefine your destination wedding experienc

It all started six years ago when he walked into h

Looking for the best places to swim on Lake Como t

You hired a wedding team that brings the absolute

We are constantly hunting for jaw-dropping venues

Load More Follow on Instagram

05012020NOCOMMENTS

Anna Stukova

The wedding of Olga and Nicholas in Rome in the Orthodox Church of the Holy Great Martyr Catherine

Wedding Date: October 18, 2019

Location: Orthodox Church of St. Catherine the Great Martyr in Rome

Photographer: Irina Morina

MUAH: Ruslana Redzhi

Wedding Organization in Italy: WowItaly Weddings

Wedding in Italy

Olga and Nikolai's Wedding in Rome at the Orthodox Church of St. Catherine

A folk saying goes: if your engagement ring suddenly becomes tight, it means a wedding in the Eternal City is coming soon! 😄

Olga and Nikolai have known each other since 1998. As they smiled while telling the story, it was love at first sight. But Olga and Nikolai didn’t marry immediately. After their first meeting, there was a long period of dates and courtship, followed by marriage and the birth of their son.

Over 20 years have passed since their first meeting, and 12 years of happy marriage. Each year spent together has strengthened their confidence in the right choice and deepened their desire to live a long and happy life, sealed with the vow “until death do us part…”

Olga and Nikolai decided not just to celebrate another wedding anniversary but to testify their love before God in the most sacred and pure place – in an Orthodox church. The couple took the ceremony very seriously, attending special preparation courses for wedding in Moscow, receiving communion, and getting the priest’s blessing.

The couple chose a special place for the ceremony. First, because they decided to get married in Rome, a city of significance for all Christians, regardless of denomination.

Secondly, the marriage was to be performed at the Church of St. Catherine the Great Martyr, equally revered by both Orthodox and Catholic communities.

Interestingly, the idea to build an Orthodox church in the Eternal City was born 100 years before Olga and Nikolai’s meeting. In 1898, at the initiative of Archimandrite Clement, fundraising began. The entire Russian Empire contributed to the building of the Orthodox church in Rome, and even Tsar Nicholas II personally donated 10,000 rubles.

Finally, in 1916, the required funds were gathered, but, as it turned out, too late – soon after, the revolution in Russia broke out, and the construction had to be postponed for 80 years.

In the late 90s, the Church of St. Catherine was finally built in Rome, and a significant contribution to this holy project was made by Metropolitan Kirill of Smolensk and Kaliningrad, the future Patriarch.

An interesting feature of the Orthodox church in the Eternal City is that it is located in close proximity to the Vatican and St. Peter’s Basilica. During the construction of St. Catherine’s Church, forced changes had to be made because, according to Italian law, no building in Rome can be taller than St. Peter’s Basilica. Since the church was to be built on a hill, the original design would have resulted in the church’s domes being higher than those of St. Peter’s Basilica. Therefore, the hill on which the church stands had to be lowered, so that the domes of the Orthodox church would not exceed the domes of the main cathedral in the capital of Catholicism.

The sacrament of marriage is an incredibly beautiful and touching ceremony that begins with the ringing of bells and the singing of the church choir.

Olga and Nikolai solemnly entered the church, holding lit candles. As the wax of the candles melts from the flame, so does the human life fade away day by day, bringing us closer to eternal life. But the flame of the candles also represents the fire of our souls, the passionate and pure love of the couple, the highest, spiritual light.

Their journey was blessed by Father Alexiy with incense, symbolizing that their life path should align with the commandments of the church, and that good deeds and thoughts, like the incense smoke, will rise to the heavens. For the sacrament of marriage, the rings are also of great importance as a symbol of the unbreakable and eternal union between the couple, a sign of love and loyalty.

The sacrament ended before the iconostasis. Olga and Nikolai stood on a white towel and before the entire Church confirmed their sincere and voluntary desire and firm intention to be husband and wife.

Afterward, a family walk around Rome. This is the cradle of European civilization, the home of the Vatican, a bustling modern city where romance and history can be felt by strolling through its beautiful squares and alleys.

Walking hand in hand through the charming cobbled streets, between great monuments, past facades in warm amber colors, stopping to savor the moment, reliving the romance of films like “Roman Holiday” and “La Dolce Vita”… And at the end of this magical day, raising a glass of Aperol, as amber as the sun, to meet the most magical sunset of their life.

We want to thank everyone, Marina, Ruslana, Father Alexiy, photographer Irina, the driver, and everyone who participated in the preparation. On this day, we didn’t think or worry about anything, just enjoyed the moment. Everything was organized clearly, calmly, and on time. It felt like the whole of Rome knew we were having a wedding and everywhere we went, they gave us the “green light.”

I used to think that only the very rich could afford such a thing, and that it required long preparation. Now I know that with the team at WOW Italy, a wedding in Rome is both real and accessible. Thank you for your work and warmth, you are amazing!

Review from Olga and Nikolai on the organization of the Orthodox wedding in Rome

Get a Free Consultation for Organizing a Wedding in Italy

Simply write to us or call at +39 334 840 20 86 (WhatsApp, Viber, Telegram) / hello@wowitaly-weddings.com

wowitaly_events

Intimate weddings & wedding weekends
A team you'll know by name
Not a vendor. Your people on the ground.
200+ weddings since 2016
Free Como guide ⬇️

Some places don’t just host your wedding They b

Sometimes you spend weeks looking for inspiration,

Or hire a wedding planner 😉 Let’s be honest,

After working with couples and living on the Lake

Let us redefine your destination wedding experienc

It all started six years ago when he walked into h

Looking for the best places to swim on Lake Como t

You hired a wedding team that brings the absolute

We are constantly hunting for jaw-dropping venues

Load More Follow on Instagram

05112019NOCOMMENTS

Anna Stukova

Anna and Ramin’s Wedding. A Celebration with the Closest on Lake Albano

Wedding Date: April 17, 2019

Location: Rome and a villa on Lake Albano

Photographer: Yana Shpitsberg

Videographer: Sylvestr Mytsyura

MUAH: Ruslana Redzhi

Flowers: Marina Sorokoumova

Guests: 14 people

Symbolic Wedding in Italy

Wedding of Anna and Ramin. A celebration with close ones at Lake Albano

Anna and Ramin are a charming young couple who dreamed of a beautiful symbolic wedding ceremony in Italy.

The WowItaly Weddings team was tasked with a difficult challenge — organizing a wedding at a villa with a beautiful view for 17 people. What’s difficult about that, you might ask, as there are many villas in Italy?

Indeed, there are many villas with beautiful views in Italy, but very few that rent out for small events. Additionally, if the goal is to find a villa at an affordable price and not an exorbitant one, the task seems almost impossible.

But not for our team. We successfully found the perfect place. The groom, bride, and their guests spent unforgettable hours at the villa near Rome, with a breathtaking view of Lake Albano and the green hills.

Let’s get to know our heroes better. Anna is a charming, delicate, and incredibly beautiful woman. She is also a professional sommelier. Anna, both for work and by heart, frequently visits Italy and is enchanted by this country. She has been to Rome, where she made some friends. It was these friends who suggested she contact the WowItaly Weddings team to organize her wedding in Italy.

Ramin is an intelligent, distinguished, and serious businessman, madly in love with Anna. As a true gentleman, he is ready to do anything for his princess! And so it was on this day — April 17, 2019.

Good morning – with croissants and coffee! The bride wakes up first, as she is greeted by our stylist Ruslana Redzhi with a suitcase containing everything needed to create her bridal look.

While Anna is getting ready, Ramin, along with the videographer, heads to a nearby bar. It’s an Italian tradition to meet in the morning at the bar for a cappuccino or espresso at the counter, to discuss the latest news and upcoming plans.

The long-awaited meeting of the bride and groom took place at a small church near the Pantheon. Rome, bathed in sunlight, where in April one can walk without a jacket. And our couple, Anna and Ramin, so young, beautiful, and happy! “Che belli” (How beautiful), “Auguri!” (Congratulations), “Siete belissimi!!!” (You are incredible!) – enthusiastic exclamations from Italians followed the bride and groom at every step.

And there were also dances on the Spanish Steps, tender embraces with a view of St. Peter’s Dome, a walk hand in hand through the Villa Borghese. And a stop at the viewpoint, where they had a moment to dream about the future with a view of the Eternal City. After all, this is the city where the word LOVE is already in its name (Roma = Amore).

Meanwhile, the guests were gathering at the villa located on the high shore of Lake Albano. In this incredibly picturesque area are cozy medieval towns of the Castelli Romani (Roman Castles) and the “summer residence” of the Pope (the pontiff’s countryside retreat).

Can you imagine that Rome began right here? According to legend, Aeneas founded his first settlement here when he fled from Troy with his father and son. Later, the descendants of Aeneas founded Rome (the famous Romulus and his brother Remus).

Lake Albano is unique because it is of volcanic origin, meaning there was once a large volcano here! The extinct crater was gradually filled with water – and thus, the lake with incredibly clear blue water emerged. On its fertile volcanic soil, the tastiest strawberries in Italy grow. This is where Anna and Ramin’s symbolic wedding ceremony took place in this wonderfully beautiful location.

They wanted to share this sunny day with their closest people — their parents, siblings, and dearest friends. These people became the officiants of this touching ceremony, during which Anna and Ramin exchanged their wedding vows.

“He who has seen Italy well, and especially Rome, will never again be completely unhappy. Oh Rome, you are the whole world!” – J. W. Goethe

We would just like to add: “Oh Rome, you are the whole world of Love!” True and sincere love, a long and happy family life is what we wish for Anna and Ramin, whom we look forward to seeing at their wedding anniversary in the Eternal City 🙂

This day, April 17, 2019, was filled with powerful emotions, heartfelt speeches, kisses, joyful dances, and, of course, delicious Italian dishes, as you would expect in Italy! To see how the day went for Anna, Ramin, and their guests, you can watch the video here:

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Wedding of Anastasia and Konstantin. Harmony of nature and art in a Renaissance villa

Wedding Date: March 31, 2019

Location: Renaissance villa in Tivoli, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Photographer: Oksana Savenchuk

MUAH: Ruslana Redzhi

Flowers: Marina Sorokoumova

Wedding Planning in Italy: WowItaly Weddings

Symbolic Wedding in Italy

Wedding of Anastasia and Konstantin. The harmony of nature and art at a Renaissance villa

As the French writer George Sand rightly noted, “Love is the happiness that is given to each other.”

And this happiness is even more poignant, brighter, and louder when experienced with your beloved in a special place. During the time of the Great Empire, they said: “Roma caput mundi est” (Rome is the “head of the world”, the center of the universe). And today, people say that Roma is the capital of lovers. Not Paris, not Verona, but Rome. If you read the name of the city backwards, you get the word “Amor”, which in Latin and many other languages of the world means “love”.

Love is what is literally in the air in Rome. And just near Rome is the cozy town of Tivoli, which is even older than its famous sibling. For romantic hearts, there is nothing better than the local breathtaking landscapes, secluded olive groves, narrow streets, and stones soaked in history…

What does “giving love” mean for our heroes Anastasia and Konstantin?

To love is to escape together to the city of love, Rome.Rent a cozy apartment near the Castel Sant’Angelo.Make delicious breakfasts for each other, drink champagne in the mornings, and then walk through sunny, blooming, and singing Rome in March.

To love is to give her two romantic ceremonies for her birthday. One in Italy in March, and the second in Norway in July.

To love is to arrange two photoshoots, as you both like. One to be held in a princess dress at a luxurious Renaissance villa. For the second, wear a lace boho dress and catch the sunset rays through the branches of olive trees.

To love is to write long vows to each other, to remember together how it all started, your feelings and experiences, to not be shy and share them in the most touching moment. To blush together, just like on the first day you met. To laugh a lot and smile at each other. And to shed a few tears… Of course, from happiness!

Then drink champagne with a bubbly star of luck…

To love is to dance to the music of a singing fountain with a 400-year history, under the rainbow of love, under the splashes of water and the chirping of green parrots. Felicita!

To love is to walk through a blooming alley, to catch the rays of happiness, to hold her hands in yours and be sure that now, together, you can conquer anything!

Marina, thank you so much! Our wedding was simply magical! Your team is so wonderful and professional! We had unforgettable experiences and a lot of pleasure! We are so grateful for the warm, homey attitude! We felt at home! Many thanks to your team! We hope for more future events together and will definitely recommend your team! Anastasia & Konstantin

Konstantin and Anastasia, thank you for true happiness and sincere love! Cherish, preserve, and definitely multiply them. Be happy forever, as you were on this beautiful, smile-filled day – March 31, 2019!

Get a free consultation for organizing a wedding in Italy

Simply write or call us at +39 334 840 20 86 (WhatsApp, Viber, Telegram) / hello@wowitaly-weddings.com

wowitaly_events

Intimate weddings & wedding weekends
A team you'll know by name
Not a vendor. Your people on the ground.
200+ weddings since 2016
Free Como guide ⬇️

Some places don’t just host your wedding They b

Sometimes you spend weeks looking for inspiration,

Or hire a wedding planner 😉 Let’s be honest,

After working with couples and living on the Lake

Let us redefine your destination wedding experienc

It all started six years ago when he walked into h

Looking for the best places to swim on Lake Como t

You hired a wedding team that brings the absolute

We are constantly hunting for jaw-dropping venues

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Irina and Bulat’s Wedding. A Tender Symphony of Love

Wedding Date: March 21, 2019

Location: Rome

Photographer: Irina Morina

MUAH: Ruslana Redzhi

Flowers: Marina Sorokoumova

Guests: 5 people

Symbolic Wedding in Italy

Wedding of Irina and Bulat. A delicate symphony of love

Can you guess which city connects Hamburg and Ufa?

Correct, Rome.

Because all roads lead to Rome. Because Rome is the city of love, in the name of which the word love is already embedded (ROMA = AMORe). And of course, the city-museum, a treasure chest of world masterpieces, great history, and family traditions. For example, did you know that the tradition of exchanging rings originated here during Ancient Rome?

But let’s get back to our heroes…

Irina was doing a prestigious medical internship in Germany. Bulat is a successful manager, spending a lot of time traveling between cities and countries.

They could have chosen any country in the world for their most important day, but in the end, it was “Rome and only Rome!” as Princess Anna from the movie “Roman Holiday” said. Our bride and groom confidently said “Si/Yes!” to a beautiful symbolic ceremony in Rome with a view of the Vatican.

Several months of preparations, coordinating details, and discussing the plan for the day (every moment had to be beautiful and memorable!). And then it came, such a sunny, clear, and warm day – March 21, 2019!

A walk through the empty streets of Rome in the golden rays of the morning sun, cozy streets bathed in greenery, delicious cappuccino by the Trevi Fountain, and the strong but gentle hands of the beloved…

Bulat and Irina chose very delicate, harmonious, and understated looks that perfectly fit the aesthetics of the Eternal City and were ideal for a photoshoot against the backdrop of architectural masterpieces of antiquity and baroque. Looking at them, it seemed that pleasant sounds of a captivating symphony filled the air. A symphony of beautiful, pure, sincere love.

After the photoshoot, Irina and Bulat arrived on the terrace with a stunning panoramic view of the Vatican and all of Rome, where they were greeted with applause from their parents. From the very beginning, the couple wanted to make this day a celebration not only for themselves but also for their closest and dearest people.

The ceremony itself began under the church bells of St. Peter’s Basilica. Incredible! And it was so soulful, warm, and natural that tears of happiness appeared in the eyes of all the witnesses of the ceremony…

Tender words to each other, gentle vows, surprises from the parents – everything on this day sparkled with happiness. Just like the sparkling champagne for the young couple’s love in the setting of the Eternal City!

Irina and Bulat’s review of the wedding ceremony organization in Rome, which speaks louder than any descriptions of this day:

We would like to express our immense gratitude to the WowItaly team for organizing the wonderful symbolic ceremony with a view of the Vatican!

We planned this event and contacted the agency six months in advance. We were anxious about the organization and wanted everything to go smoothly.

Usually, people describe their wedding day as hectic, stressful, and nervous. But not this day, thanks to Marina, Svetlana, Irina, and Ruslana! The feeling of joy and happiness stayed with us from the moment we woke up until the evening.

The words they prepared for us and our parents, the poems, the vows – they still echo in our souls. So touching and sincere that it made us want to cry with happiness.

Thank you so much, Marina, for being so responsible in your work, for the help, the answers to all questions, and for the little details that made the ceremony perfect!

Our relatives were also delighted with the organization!We will remember this day for the rest of our lives! Thank you for these wonderful memories!

Irina and Bulat, congratulations once again, and we dream of celebrating your anniversary in 20, 30, and 50 years in the city of love. Because Roma = Amore!

Get a free consultation for organizing a wedding in Italy

Simply write or call us at +39 334 840 20 86 (WhatsApp, Viber, Telegram) / hello@wowitaly-weddings.com

wowitaly_events

Intimate weddings & wedding weekends
A team you'll know by name
Not a vendor. Your people on the ground.
200+ weddings since 2016
Free Como guide ⬇️

Some places don’t just host your wedding They b

Sometimes you spend weeks looking for inspiration,

Or hire a wedding planner 😉 Let’s be honest,

After working with couples and living on the Lake

Let us redefine your destination wedding experienc

It all started six years ago when he walked into h

Looking for the best places to swim on Lake Como t

You hired a wedding team that brings the absolute

We are constantly hunting for jaw-dropping venues

Load More Follow on Instagram

26122018NOCOMMENTS

Anna Stukova

Wedding of Elizabeth and Anatoly. Dolce Vita Forever

Wedding Date: October 10, 2018

Location: Rome and Tivoli

Time for wedding preparation in Italy: 6 months

Photographer: Yana Shpitsberg

MUA: Ruslana

Hair: Inna

Guests: 12 people

Honeymoon: in Sicily

Official Wedding in Italy

Wedding of Elizabeth and Anatoly. Dolce Vita Forever

From the very beginning, Elizabeth and Anatoly wanted their wedding to take place in the country of art and love, Italy. They even tried to organize their most important day on their own, but faced many problems. It’s amusing, of course, but Italians still think that all Russians are oligarchs! 🙂 For your requests, they will offer the most expensive and luxurious options.Yes, indeed, it requires a special approach, the right words, and preferably in Italian.

The couple also tried to plan their wedding in Italy through a Moscow agency, but they realized that organizing a wedding in Italy directly, without intermediaries, was the most optimal and comfortable option.

Elizabeth and Anatoly arranged a true Roman holiday for themselves, their parents, and close friends. They rented a large apartment with a terrace and panoramic views of the Castel Sant’Angelo and the Vatican, relaxed on the beach near Rome, and even swam in the sea in October! In general, it was a real dolce vita in a family circle before the most important and best day.

Wedding Day

On October 10, 2018, as if on order, it was very sunny and warm, a comfortable +24 degrees. The sound of the bells heralding the departure with the father to the registry office, the anxious anticipation, and the official wedding ceremony in the 18th-century hall. Smiles of friends and tears of happiness from the parents…

Then there was a photo walk for the newlyweds and a mini-excursion for the guests in the small cozy green town of Tivoli. Tivoli is the city of fountains and luxurious imperial villas, a city beautifully located on a hill among olive trees. It is a city that can be clearly seen even from the Pope’s apartments.

There was also a lunch with a view of the waterfalls and the Temple of Sibyl from the 2nd century BC. It was a heartfelt celebration in their new status and a rest before the walk, photoshoot, and the quest-excursion in the Eternal City.

Elizabeth and Anatoly were immediately excited about the idea of organizing an exciting quest in Rome for their guests. While the couple was walking through the city with the photographer, the guests, divided into two teams, solved riddles about Rome, discovered secret places, and learned the history of the city in an unusual, engaging format.

Guests received surprise gifts not only at the end of the quest but also in the panoramic restaurant with a view of the Eternal City. Here, Elizabeth and Anatoly were waiting for them with their first dance as husband and wife, glasses of champagne, and a magnificent dinner with a view of St. Peter’s Basilica and n number of delicious Italian dishes 🙂

This day was very warm, but not only because of the thermometer readings. It was warm because such loving close people were around, because the bride and groom enjoyed every second with each other and the beauty of the Eternal City. This day, the wedding day of Elizabeth and Anatoly, was full of smiles, lightness, kindness, and sincerity. Here’s what Elizabeth herself writes about this day:

Marina, good morning! We’re finally alone and realized what a miracle has happened to us!

Thank you so much for helping to create such a wonderful celebration. Everything was really perfect, like in fairy tales and dreams: tender and romantic, yet clearly planned.

Please send my big thanks to Inna, Ruslana, Yana – I thought I was such a picky person, but they did everything perfectly. And to the girls who organized the quest – the guests were simply thrilled! This really was a day to remember for a lifetime, and we want to replay it endlessly in our memories❤ thank you for your help, without you, nothing would have worked out.

Thank you so much, Elizabeth and Anatoly, for your trust! May your love grow stronger every day, just like good Italian wine improves with time!