Lake Como · Legal wedding

The Road to a Dream Eight Years in the Making: Valeria and Alexey’s Wedding on Lake Como

A real wedding for two on Lake Como: an intimate ceremony inspired by cinema, Villa del Balbianello, and a love story that turned an eight-year dream into reality.

  • For twoFormat
The Road to a Dream Eight Years in the Making: Valeria and Alexey’s Wedding on Lake Como, photo 1

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.

The Road to a Dream Eight Years in the Making: Valeria and Alexey’s Wedding on Lake Como, photo 1The Road to a Dream Eight Years in the Making: Valeria and Alexey’s Wedding on Lake Como, photo 2The Road to a Dream Eight Years in the Making: Valeria and Alexey’s Wedding on Lake Como, photo 3The Road to a Dream Eight Years in the Making: Valeria and Alexey’s Wedding on Lake Como, photo 4The Road to a Dream Eight Years in the Making: Valeria and Alexey’s Wedding on Lake Como, photo 5The Road to a Dream Eight Years in the Making: Valeria and Alexey’s Wedding on Lake Como, photo 6The Road to a Dream Eight Years in the Making: Valeria and Alexey’s Wedding on Lake Como, photo 7The Road to a Dream Eight Years in the Making: Valeria and Alexey’s Wedding on Lake Como, photo 8The Road to a Dream Eight Years in the Making: Valeria and Alexey’s Wedding on Lake Como, photo 9

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 walks, 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.

The Road to a Dream Eight Years in the Making: Valeria and Alexey’s Wedding on Lake Como, photo 1The Road to a Dream Eight Years in the Making: Valeria and Alexey’s Wedding on Lake Como, photo 2The Road to a Dream Eight Years in the Making: Valeria and Alexey’s Wedding on Lake Como, photo 3The Road to a Dream Eight Years in the Making: Valeria and Alexey’s Wedding on Lake Como, photo 4The Road to a Dream Eight Years in the Making: Valeria and Alexey’s Wedding on Lake Como, photo 5The Road to a Dream Eight Years in the Making: Valeria and Alexey’s Wedding on Lake Como, photo 6The Road to a Dream Eight Years in the Making: Valeria and Alexey’s Wedding on Lake Como, photo 7The Road to a Dream Eight Years in the Making: Valeria and Alexey’s Wedding on Lake Como, photo 8The Road to a Dream Eight Years in the Making: Valeria and Alexey’s Wedding on Lake Como, photo 9

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.

The Road to a Dream Eight Years in the Making: Valeria and Alexey’s Wedding on Lake Como, photo 1The Road to a Dream Eight Years in the Making: Valeria and Alexey’s Wedding on Lake Como, photo 2The Road to a Dream Eight Years in the Making: Valeria and Alexey’s Wedding on Lake Como, photo 3The Road to a Dream Eight Years in the Making: Valeria and Alexey’s Wedding on Lake Como, photo 4The Road to a Dream Eight Years in the Making: Valeria and Alexey’s Wedding on Lake Como, photo 5The Road to a Dream Eight Years in the Making: Valeria and Alexey’s Wedding on Lake Como, photo 6The Road to a Dream Eight Years in the Making: Valeria and Alexey’s Wedding on Lake Como, photo 7The Road to a Dream Eight Years in the Making: Valeria and Alexey’s Wedding on Lake Como, photo 8The Road to a Dream Eight Years in the Making: Valeria and Alexey’s Wedding on Lake Como, photo 9The Road to a Dream Eight Years in the Making: Valeria and Alexey’s Wedding on Lake Como, photo 10The Road to a Dream Eight Years in the Making: Valeria and Alexey’s Wedding on Lake Como, photo 11

Videos from the wedding

Short clips from the day, with sound.

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