Photography: Viktoria Vasilenko
Videography: Bogdan Sameliuk
Event Planner: @wowitaly_events
Venue: Villa Balbiano, Lake Como, Italy

When people imagine a wedding on Lake Como, they tend to picture the same things. Bright sunlight, deep blue water, mountains fading into a pale horizon. August at Villa Balbiano looked different this time around. The sky sat low all morning, clouds settled heavily over the peaks, and by the time the bride was getting ready inside the villa, it was already clear that the day was going to ask something of everyone involved — a particular kind of calm, a particular kind of flexibility, and a team that knew how to solve problems without the couple ever needing to know a problem existed.

That is exactly what happened.

Villa Balbiano is one of the most selective venues on Lake Como. It hosts very few weddings each year and approaches every aspect of event planning with a level of precision that leaves very little room for last-minute changes. Timings, positions, transitions between spaces — all of it is discussed and agreed upon well in advance, because the villa operates with the kind of standards that simply do not accommodate improvisation on the day itself.

So when it became clear that the weather would require adjustments, the WOWITALY team began working immediately — coordinating with the villa remotely, in real time, renegotiating the ceremony timing through calls and messages while the bride was upstairs with her hair and makeup, thinking about nothing except how her dress felt and how the morning was unfolding around her. The ceremony time was moved. The details were rearranged. By the time anyone who mattered needed to know, everything had already been resolved, and there was nothing left to do except enjoy the day.

This is what coordination actually looks like when it is done properly. Not the version that is visible and loud, but the version that the couple never feels, because everything difficult has already been quietly handled before they step outside.

Viktoria Vasilenko knows what to do with overcast light, and she knows it well. A soft sky without direct sun removes the harsh shadows that make outdoor portraits technically difficult, it gives white fabric a luminosity that bright sunlight often flattens, and it makes faces look warm and alive in a way that midday summer light rarely manages. She moved through the villa with the kind of focused quiet that good photographers bring to difficult conditions — finding the right angles, waiting for the right expressions, understanding that some of the most beautiful images of the day would come from moments nobody had planned.

Bogdan Sameliuk filmed everything with the patience and attention that the occasion deserved. The rain on the stone pathways of the villa, the long train of the dress catching the damp air near the entrance, the couple sharing a transparent umbrella in the doorway of the main building — all of it became part of the visual language of their wedding, and not a single frame of it looks like a compromise.

Villa Balbiano is not simply a beautiful backdrop.

It is a complete world.

Once the timing had been adjusted and the sky had lifted enough to make the terrace feel right again, the ceremony took place exactly where it had always been planned — overlooking the lake, surrounded by white florals, with the people who had traveled from different countries to be present for this specific moment standing close together in the garden.

The parents were nearby. The groom watched the bride walk toward him with the expression of someone who has been waiting for something for a long time and can barely believe it is finally happening. The ceremony script had been written entirely from the couple’s own answers to questions about their relationship — their memories, their habits, their words about what it means to belong to each other — and that specificity came through in every sentence that was spoken. After the ceremony came aperitivo in the garden, then dinner, then the part of the evening when nobody is watching the time anymore because the conversation is too good and the night is too warm and nobody particularly wants it to end.

Kristen sent a message to the team late in the evening, while the wedding was still happening, before the dress came off, directly from the villa.

“Thank you guys so much! You are the absolute best!!!! Are you kidding me!!!! You guys 😭😭 Thank you so much ❤️🥹”

There are many kinds of thank-you messages that arrive after weddings. The ones that come the same evening, while everything is still unfolding and the emotions have not yet had time to settle, are the ones that stay with a team the longest. It means that in the middle of the most significant day of her life, she stopped, picked up her phone, and wrote because she simply could not not write. That is the kind of response that makes the early mornings and the complicated negotiations and the real-time problem-solving feel entirely worth it.

Wondering what a wedding at Villa Balbiano or another iconic Lake Como villa actually includes — and what it costs? We have put together a full guide to our wedding packages, with everything laid out clearly and honestly.

See our Lake Como wedding packages →

Simply write to us or give us a call +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

Photography: Kalibri Group
Hair and Makeup: Olga Goncharova
Flowers and Decor: Evgenia Kasyanenko
Videography: Alexey Zaries
Host and Music: Georgy Chkareuli
Venue: Villa Aura
Event Planning: @wowitaly_events

Daria and Ivan had long dreamed of a grand and beautiful wedding. Daria is from Kazakhstan, Ivan is from Russia, and they now live in Germany. They have been officially married for several years, yet bringing all their family and closest friends together for a celebration proved difficult. The pandemic changed everything and the event had to be postponed. When life finally returned to its familiar rhythm, the couple came to us, and together we began a journey that grew into a year and a half of preparation for their perfect day.

The location was chosen with intention. Villa Aura sits on the picturesque shore of Lake Como. Built at the end of the eighteenth century, it served for many years as a family estate, passed down from generation to generation. The care with which its owners preserved the architecture, the grounds, and the traditions can be felt in every corner.

This is why Daria and Ivan’s choice became symbolic. They decided to celebrate their day in a place filled with a living sense of family history and cherished values. It was the perfect setting to say “yes” to each other once again, this time surrounded by the people dearest to their hearts.

Daria’s morning began with a distinctive touch. She chose a pin-up look inspired by the golden era of femininity in the 1940s and 1950s. High heels, a graceful corset, curlers, and a playful mood created a sense of effortless retro chic. The shots taken on the small balcony overlooking Lake Como became the embodiment of perfection, where nature, style, and emotion formed a single story.

After the shoot, Daria changed into her wedding dress, and from that moment the day turned truly magical.

The groom spent his morning getting ready with his stepfather, a touching and genuinely heartfelt moment of support that often stays behind the scenes but carries immense meaning.

We arranged the first look on the grounds of the villa. Villa Aura seems made for moments like this. Its secluded garden corners, stone staircases, and paths leading toward the lake create the feeling of a private park. It was here that Ivan saw Daria in her wedding look for the first time.

His reaction was sincere: surprise, admiration, and emotions that cannot be hidden. For a brief moment, the world seemed to pause, leaving just the two of them in the villa’s green oasis.

While Daria waited for the ceremony in her room, Ivan welcomed the guests. We arranged a small welcome area by the garden with refreshing drinks, light appetizers, and warm conversations. Guests were invited to leave audio messages for the couple and solve a crossword about their story, a heartfelt and interactive way to pass the time before the celebration began.

The ceremony arch was designed in soft white and green tones, a light floral composition that blended gently with the natural beauty of the villa.

The groom was the first to walk out. Then, to the song Young and Beautiful, Daria appeared, accompanied by her father, while her niece carefully carried the veil. The ceremony was filled with emotion. The host shared the story of how they met, and the couple exchanged touching vows.

And then came a surprise Ivan truly did not expect. A friend of the couple, dressed in a Cupid costume, stepped forward with the ring box, showering the guests and newlyweds with petals. It sparked laughter and delight and instantly became one of the most memorable and vibrant moments of the entire day.

After the ceremony, the family photo session began—warm, sincere, and full of affectionate embraces. The guests were then welcomed to a prosecco tower overlooking the lake. The clinking of glasses and joyful chatter created a festive atmosphere that felt like the perfect beginning to the evening.

While guests enjoyed the aperitivo, Daria and Ivan slipped away for a moment of their own. They set off on a romantic boat ride, a quiet and intimate pause in an otherwise eventful day.

When the newlyweds returned, dinner began. The tables were lit with candles that cast a soft glow and created a warm, intimate atmosphere. Toasts followed one after another—heartfelt, sincere, sometimes emotional, but always spoken from the heart.

A group of Italian musicians added a special charm to the evening. They moved between the guests, performing iconic songs such as “Volare,” “Bella Ciao,” and “Mambo Italiano.” The guests sang along, clapped to the rhythm, and some couldn’t resist getting up to dance.

After dinner, Daria and Ivan opened the evening festivities with their first dance, and the dance floor quickly filled with guests.

Daria tossed her bouquet, and Ivan continued the fun with a unique tradition. Instead of a garter, he tossed a “bouquet of socks.” The guest who caught the pair matching his own would become someone’s future lucky groom!

Simply write to us or give us a call +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

Photography: Ksenia Palchik
MUAH: Lidia Malinovskaya
Flowers and Decor: Yulia Della Bella
Event planner: @wowitaly_events

What are the most romantic professions you can think of? We believe that anything connected to aviation belongs on that list. After all, the love between a pilot and a flight attendant is a romance written between the sky and the clouds. Every flight is a new chapter. Sometimes turbulent, sometimes soft and cloudless, yet always real. He sets the course and she creates the atmosphere. He is responsible for altitude, she is responsible for lightness. Together they turn an ordinary journey into a story you cannot look away from.

This is the story of Yulia and Jean Marie. A girl from Latvia chose the profession of a flight attendant. A young man from France decided to become a pilot. And where did fate bring them together? Naturally in the sky. For them the clouds are not just scenery but their daily workspace. Distances are not an obstacle but a routine. This is what makes their love story even more beautiful.

They work in the same field, aviation. Airlines, flights, connections, layovers, business trips… and somewhere between all of that their feelings began to grow.

Yulia is bright and warm, someone who notices beauty in everything around her. Jean Marie is confident and calm, the kind of man whose presence makes you feel safe. He trusts Yulia completely and she brings light and colour into his life.

They travel a lot, both for work and for the joy of discovering new places. Dozens of countries, hundreds of airports, thousands of kilometres are already behind them. Yet for the most important day they chose a place unlike any other: Italy. More precisely, Lake Como. The beauty of nature, the energy of the lake and the mountains all echo Yulia’s character and harmonise with Jean Marie’s calmness. Lake Como became their conscious choice, not accidental and not tourist driven, but heartfelt.

The couple dreamed of a day without guests, without fuss, without a schedule measured by the minute. Just the two of them, their feelings and the atmosphere of a celebration that felt truly their own.

That day Yulia had another reason to be happy: it was her birthday. And the morning began exactly as a woman’s morning should begin, with a light and joyful mood and a glass of chilled champagne. Together we created the feeling of a beautiful morning in which every detail was thoughtful and every touch was both gentle and festive.

Just write to us or give us a call +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

Wedding date: June 21, 2025

Photography: @kalibri_group

MUAH: @irinakostenko__

Flowers&Decor: @alexafiorart

Flowers&Decor: @alexafiorart

Videography: @palm.films

Music: @georgeferdinand_official

Calligraphy: @valera_sha_design

Venue: @villabonomi

Event planner: @wowitaly_events

In a world with so much glitter and noisy décor, true luxury isn’t gold and jewels. It’s the emotions that can’t be faked and the genuine feelings lived in every glance. It’s laughter over a candlelit dinner, hands intertwined while dancing beneath the stars, and the memories that stay with you forever.

Lake Como knows how to make you fall in love. In its blue mirror, mountains and sunsets are reflected — and in the heart, the most touching stories. One of them is the story of Aaron and Katerina, a couple who brought together the groom’s Irish roots, the bride’s Russian soul, and a shared love for Italy in one celebration.

The venue for their celebration was Villa Bonomi — one of the most elegant villas in the world. Tucked among green hills with panoramic lake views, it unites architectural grandeur, the beauty of Italian gardens, and absolute privacy.

There’s no cold marble or cumbersome opulence here. Instead — the warm aesthetic of an Italian home, hand-painted furniture, details thought through to perfection, and a garden that is a work of art in itself. Panoramic terraces open onto the lake’s azure surface, and harmony and calm can be felt in every corner of the villa.

This is a place where nature and design merge into a single canvas, and every minute becomes part of a story you’ll want to tell again and again.

Their path began in London, at the legendary The Ned, where jazz and cocktails set the scene for their first meeting. The pandemic only strengthened their bond: “spy” meetings through Hyde Park, baking together, Zoom quizzes, and endless conversations about everything.

They discovered new countries together, but Italy always lived in their hearts — a place they wanted to return to again and again. The proposal came in Tokyo, in a secluded room of a restaurant in Ginza: glasses of champagne, soft light, gifts from the chef, and a moment that had everything — love, excitement, and a hush as if the whole world had disappeared. From that day, they both knew their “Si” would be heard on the shores of Lake Como.

Day 1: Welcome Dinner

An evening on the terrace of Villa Bonomi at sunset. Italian wine, dishes with nods to Russian traditions in a contemporary interpretation, heartfelt toasts, and those first minutes when everyone realizes something special is beginning.

Day 2: The dream wedding

The gardens of Villa Bonomi turned into a living Monet painting: gentle pastel tones, watercolor lightness, the couple’s monogram at the ceremony area and even on the ice cubes at the aperitivo, playful caricatures for guests, the sound of saxophone, an elegant dinner in the glow of glass and candles, and dancing to live music until the fireworks.

Day 3: Pizza Party by the pool

A DJ, cocktails, laughter, and swims in warm water. The carefree atmosphere of Italian dolce vita.

Day 4: Breakfast and ciao-ciao!

A warm morning, fresh pastries, hugs, and the bride’s tears — she didn’t want the magic to end.

A wedding in Italy isn’t a date on a calendar — it’s a journey you live through together. The story of Aaron and Katerina is proof that you can unite different cultures, beloved traditions, and stylish aesthetics to give yourselves and your guests four days that will stay in your hearts forever.

«Guys, I will write a proper thank you once we regain a bit of normality, but just wanted to say massive thank you. This is something out of this world, and everyone, literally everyone said that the wedding team has totally outdone themselves. You are simply amazing, and made this day incredible!» — a note from the bride, Katerina.

Just message 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

Photography: Kseniia Palchik
Videography: Vladimir Tsar
Flowers & Decor: Evgenia Kasianenko
MUAH: Anastasia Kataurova
Host: Konstantin Novikov
Calligraphy: Valeria Shalaevskaya
Venue: Regina Teodolinda
Event planner: @wowitaly_events

When two people from the world of IT come together not just to build careers, but to create a life side by side, it becomes a story of understanding and a longing for something genuine and heartfelt. Elizaveta and Gennady speak the same language — the analytical one — yet they experience the world in completely different ways: his practical, measured approach blends seamlessly with her romantic, intuitive one. And as Elizaveta admits, it is this very balance that makes their partnership so strong. They share a love for culinary discoveries, are passionate seekers of new desserts, and, of course, devoted travelers. So it comes as no surprise that the path to their dream wedding led them to one of the most beautiful — and delicious — countries in the world: Italy.

At first, the couple planned to hold an “Italian-style” wedding near Moscow and even began searching for the perfect villa. But one day Elizaveta came across an article about weddings in Italy — and everything changed. “Why recreate the Italian atmosphere when we can simply be in Italy?” they thought. And that decision became a turning point. Lake Como, lush greenery, the mountains reflected in the water, authentic Italian cuisine — everything came together to form the perfect vision of their day.

“From our very first call with Marina, Sveta, and Katya, we instantly clicked! Incredibly smooth communication and an absolutely professional team — that’s how I would describe our planners. Throughout the entire preparation process, we were in constant contact. They kept detailed checklists and budgeting documents, created a shared space with everything we needed, and guided us through every step. They supported and advised us while preparing the documents for our legal ceremony and assisted with visa arrangements for us and our guests.”

Elizaveta chose an old money concept — a style of understated elegance where every detail speaks of refined taste and quiet confidence. The couple dreamed of being surrounded by water and greenery on their special day, and Villa Regina Teodolinda became the perfect choice. Intimate and charming, with its own private pier, the villa was named after a queen who loved to spend time there. What could be a better embodiment of “quiet luxury”?

Elizaveta and Gennady decided that their passports should also reflect the place where they were getting married — Lake Como. And just like that, one festive day turned into a true Italian holiday.

Day 1

The official ceremony took place at the Italian town hall. The couple chose to experience this moment entirely on their own, so they met the rest of the guests already as husband and wife. They celebrated this milestone with a boat ride across the lake and an evening visit to a historic bar in Como.

Day 2

The day when the magic happened!

The bride’s morning unfolded gently — breakfast, meeting with the stylist, and a soft, intimate bridal boudoir session. The ceremony was planned for the afternoon. Guests were welcomed with refreshing drinks, live music, and entertainment. Everyone mingled cheerfully, filled out the guest book for the couple, or recorded audio messages for them as keepsakes.

And then, finally, the melody of Young and Beautiful by Lana Del Rey begins to play, and the guests see the bride for the first time. Elizaveta descends toward the ceremony area, feeling a touch of nervousness. But Gennady is already waiting for her there, dressed in an elegant white tuxedo — her husband, her steady support — and suddenly there is no reason to worry at all.

Everything flies by in a single breath. A heartfelt ceremony with one of the most breathtaking views imaginable. Then a light aperitivo and warm congratulations before the newlyweds depart for a romantic boat ride, just the two of them. Meanwhile, the guests continue to enjoy themselves. They will welcome the bride and groom again at dinner — and after that, everyone will dance the night away under the stars.

“During the wedding dinner, as we looked around at the décor with the view of Lake Como and the surrounding mountains, seeing each other’s happy faces and those of our guests, we realized just how right we were to trust our wonderful planners. They poured so much effort and love into our celebration — we are endlessly grateful to them for that 🤍 It was the happiest week of our lives!” — shares the bride, Elizaveta.

And in these words lies everything one needs to know about their story. Because when a dream is brought to life with love and true professionalism, it becomes exactly what people call a dream wedding.

Just write to us or give us a call +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

When it comes to a dream wedding, the first question that comes to mind is – where? Elizabeth and her mother Viktoria were confused. It was up to them to decide which landscape would be the backdrop for the happiest day. Just in time, they received advice from a close friend: “No matter how much you spin the globe, there’s no place better than Lake Como on Earth!”

Every couple planning to get married asks the same question: “What is our dream wedding like?” Sometimes, the source of inspiration can be found in an unexpected place.

While planning their wedding, Nelly and Stas initially couldn’t imagine how or where this important day for them should take place. Nelly started collecting moodboards (from English moodboard – mood board) on Pinterest and later noticed that almost all the selected photos were connected to the same location – Lake Como in Italy.

In winter 2022, Nelly and Stas went to the lake to celebrate New Year’s with friends and also to see if this place was “the one.” The reality fully matched their expectations – they literally fell in love with Como and its atmosphere. From that moment, there were no more doubts, and preparations for the wedding began, lasting almost a year.

Nelly shared their wedding day in Old Money style on Lake Como with one of the leading wedding media, Weddywood. The full text is on the website Weddywood, here we’ve collected the main moments of Nelly’s story.

As William Shakespeare wrote, “All the world’s a stage.” In this world, everything that happens by chance is not truly accidental if the role is destined by fate itself.

One of many working days. Lunch break, business lunch. Everything would have been usual for Andrey, if not for… a girl of stunning beauty and grace nearby. Andrey couldn’t take his admiring eyes off her, and at the end of lunch, he asked for her phone number.

It turned out the girl’s name was Kristina. Just one year after their accidental meeting, she became his wife.

Kristina and Andrey began preparing for their wedding in February 2023, six months before the ceremony. This is quite a short time for an international wedding – with guests, entertainment, and decorations. Usually, weddings like this are organized at least a year in advance, but the couple turned to the WowItaly team, for whom even the impossible becomes possible.