READING TIME: 4m 56s
PUBLICATION DATE: 05/22/2026
UPDATED: 05/22/2026
Victoria Kursova Olivieri has two university degrees — one in philosophy, one in languages — and neither of them pointed toward wedding planning. She had her own business, a clear professional trajectory, and no particular reason to change course. Then she got married, moved to Italy, and a colleague said something that changed everything.
"Vika, please marry my clients."
Victoria's response was instinctive: "Why me?" The answer she got back has defined her career ever since. "Because you're a perfectionist and very organised — I trust you."
That was 17 years ago. Today, PALAZZOEVENTI is a full-service luxury wedding and events studio based in Verona — the city of love, as Victoria is quick to point out — planning celebrations across Europe, the USA, the Middle East, and beyond.
Victoria's origin story is a good one precisely because it wasn't planned. "Life turned out differently, and I moved to Italy after getting married — which became one of the best decisions in my life," she says. What followed was a process of building something real around a shared vision with the right people. "Today, we are a strong team of professionals — more than just a team, really. Through every event we experience together, we've become like a family."
That word — family — comes up naturally and means something specific here. A team that has navigated fires, hailstorms, and international flight disruptions together is bound by more than professional courtesy.
After 17 years and hundreds of events, the question of what keeps a planner motivated has a real answer or it has a rehearsed one. Victoria's is real: "What I love most about wedding planning is the emotion behind it. From my first wedding, I realized how powerful the atmosphere is — full of happiness and love."
She's specific about where the satisfaction comes from. "I'm inspired by the opportunity to make people happy on one of the most important days of their lives and to become part of their story." But she also names something less sentimental and equally true: "At the same time, I enjoy the challenge. Every wedding is different, with a big team, clear responsibilities, and unexpected situations. Overcoming them helps me grow and constantly improve."
Both things are genuine — the love of the emotion and the love of the problem. The best planners tend to carry both.
PALAZZOEVENTI handles around 10 to 12 weddings per year and up to 15 to 18 events in total, including other projects. At that volume, a templated process would be tempting. Victoria has built the opposite.
Our planning process is fully tailored and flexible, adapting to each client and event,
she explains. It starts where it should — with the couple. "It begins with understanding the couple's vision, priorities, and expectations, followed by defining the concept, scale, and budget. We make sure everything is clearly aligned and agreed upon before moving forward, so there are no surprises."
From that foundation, the team moves through venue selection, aesthetic development, vendor curation, and full structural planning — timelines, logistics, coordination. "Throughout the process, we stay closely connected with the client, refining every detail. Our goal is to create a seamless experience where everything feels intentional and perfectly executed."
PALAZZOEVENTI is based in Italy but works worldwide. When asked about favourite venues, Victoria's answer reflects the same philosophy that runs through everything else she says: "We focus on working with a wide range of venues to continuously expand our knowledge and experience, rather than limiting ourselves to specific ones."
And when it comes to dream locations, the ambition goes further. "We would love to create a truly unexpected wedding in a non-traditional setting — something that goes beyond classic aesthetics and perfectionism. For us, a wedding is about creating an unforgettable life experience. That's why we're always open to exploring new places and redefining what a wedding can be."
It's the outlook of a creative team that hasn't stopped being curious — which, after 17 years, is not a given.
Ask any experienced planner what separates good from exceptional and they'll point to crisis. PALAZZOEVENTI has had its share — and the way Victoria talks about it says everything.
The first scenario: a major flight system disruption mid-event, requiring a complete real-time logistics overhaul. Rerouting guests and suppliers. Arranging alternative transport. Personally coordinating every arrival.
The second is harder to believe unless you were there. In Palermo, the day before a wedding, fire and dense smoke swept through the area. The following day — the wedding day itself — heavy hail flooded the venue and knocked out the generator.
"In those moments, our priority is always safety and control," Victoria says. "We immediately activated all backup plans — securing emergency support, bringing in additional equipment, restoring power, and quickly installing a rain structure to protect the space."
What makes the story remarkable isn't just that the event continued. It's HOW it continued.
We managed everything discreetly, keeping guests informed only when necessary and shielding them from stress. The event continued smoothly, and the guests were able to fully enjoy the celebration without feeling the impact of what was happening behind the scenes.
Victoria's summary of their role is precise and worth remembering: "That's our role — to solve problems before they reach the couple and their guests, and to protect the experience at all costs."
One project sits in a category of its own. The wedding of Cindy Bruna and Blondy Baruti was, by Victoria's description, everything a dream project should be — and then some. "It was an intense experience that required us to bring together all our expertise within a very short timeframe," she says. The celebration wove together French elegance and African heritage into something genuinely singular. "The ceremony beautifully combined Protestant and Congolese traditions, making it deeply personal and culturally rich."
The production involved transforming the entire venue into a winter setting using real fir trees, built entirely from scratch. "It was truly a dream project — working with an inspiring couple, incredible guests, and a stunning location."
Asked more broadly which wedding has stayed with her most, Victoria's answer is warm and consistent. "We believe every wedding is memorable in its own way."
On timelines, Victoria is direct: "Be precise and structured from the start. Every detail should be clearly planned and mapped out to ensure a smooth flow of the day." But she adds something that not every planner thinks to say: "At the same time, it's important to leave some space to enjoy the moment — a good timeline should guide the day, not rush it."
On planning overall, her position is clear. Our main advice is to work with a professional wedding planner from the very beginning. It may seem more cost-effective to plan everything independently, but in reality, it often leads to higher costs, more stress, and time loss. A planner brings experience, trusted connections, and efficiency — ensuring a smoother and more controlled process.
And on what becomes possible when you make that choice, Victoria closes with the line that feels most like her:
Never stop dreaming. If you choose the right wedding planner, you will discover that there are no limits — and that you can truly become the creator of your own unique and unforgettable day.
