From Chance Meeting to Happily Ever After: Marianna and Nikita's Passion-Filled Italian Wedding at Castello Monaci

Love Story

Marianna and Nikita's love story began on a fateful day in March 2022. As Marianna recounts, "Nikita's best friend Invited him to the afternoon opening of a new restaurant, and so my Italian friend invited me, and so our common friends introduced us."

The spark was instant, and their connection deepened quickly. "The next day, Nikita invited me for a dinner date," Marianna shares with a twinkle in her eye. "Our first kiss was during the Batman movie to which he obviously took me for a second date."

Their whirlwind romance led them to move in together after a year, and on October 14, 2023, Nikita surprised Marianna with a magical proposal. "I didn't expect it at all!" Marianna exclaims. "I thought he took me just for dinner in front of Burj al Arab. At some point, I saw that he was acting a bit agitated. Then at some point from absolutely nowhere, he got down on his knees with a ring. Of course, I was in shock, but there was only one answer for me - yes!"

“We are inseparable like two best friends, and in love like in a romance novel,” the couple states.

Marianna and Nikita's wedding was a beautiful celebration of their love, set in the picturesque city of Lecce, Italy. The couple chose the magnificent Castello Monaci as their venue, creating a truly fairytale atmosphere for their special day.

With 140 guests in attendance, the couple wanted to ensure their wedding was a true reflection of their love story and shared values. "The vision of our wedding was to make people feel that they are in Italy: traditional, local yet chic and to be a representation of our main key values; family and friends," Marianna explains. The couple embraced an old-style Italian wedding concept, staying true to the authentic beauty of South Italy. "We tried to keep all the authentic beauty of the place," Nikita adds, his eyes sparkling with the memory.

When asked about their inspiration during the preparation, the couple couldn't stop praising their wedding planner. "The wedding planner (Victoria - founder of Impression Villas & Weddings since 2012), she was just amazing, so professional," Marianna gushes. "She gave us many ideas to entertain our guests, between local food, dance, and games."

As for the key moment they'll remember from their wedding, both Marianna and Nikita light up at the mention of their surprise dance. "Our surprise dance, no one expected," Nikita chuckles. "We performed a dance inspired by pulp fiction and other mixed songs, which got the most applause from dear guests." This surprise dance became a symbol of their relationship – unexpected, full of life, and bringing joy to everyone around them. It perfectly encapsulated the spirit of their wedding: a celebration of love that was traditional yet full of personal touches, just like the beautiful Italian setting they chose for their special day.

Morning details

The couple paid great attention to every detail of their wedding, starting with the invitations. "The invitation was designed by our common friend Kate who is amazing graphic designer," Marianna shares with a smile. "She made every detail in our wedding." Kate's artistic touch didn't stop at the invitations. "We had amazing white and blue wedding stationery for our first day in a very classic design," the bride adds.

When it came to choosing their wedding rings, Marianna and Nikita embraced a beautiful Italian tradition. "Wedding rings was gift from the mother and father of Marianna as a tradition in Italy," Nikita explains.

Adding to the sentiment of family heirlooms, Nikita's mother presented Marianna with a stunning piece of jewelry. "Mother of Nikita gifted me an amazing necklace of diamonds from Florence," Marianna recounts.

These morning details set the stage for a day filled with love, tradition, and family. Each element, from the carefully designed stationery to the meaningful jewelry, contributed to the romantic atmosphere of their special day.

Bride getting ready

Marianna's preparation for the big day was nothing short of spectacular. She reveals, "My wedding dress was designed by me, and made by an amazing Lebanese atelier called Bride Avenue in Dubai. It was made all by hand in full lace, really Italian style with “Madonna veil” which is very topical of old south Italy wedding."

When asked about how she found this atelier, Marianna's eyes light up. "I found this amazing atelier in Dubai, Lebanese are the best on wedding dresses, they were so kind to me and they completed my dress in 4 months, was just amazing!"

The bride-to-be got ready in a private villa inside Castello Monaci, surrounded by her closest friends and family. "I had a villa inside Castello Monaci the venue of the wedding, just for me and my best girls, my mother, and the mother of my husband," Marianna reminisces. "We were getting ready all together with some champagne and dessert and of course some music."

Marianna's final look was a perfect blend of elegance and personal touches. "I had Casadei shoes, “Madonna veil” in lase, and a perfume from my brand called “Amore”," she shares, her voice filled with excitement.

The floral arrangements added another layer of beauty to the day. "The flowers were amazing," Marianna gushes. "White rose and blu ortensie, and my bouquet was full of white rose and white ortensie, and for my 5 bridesmaids the bouquet was blue ortensie."

Groom getting ready

Nikita's preparation was equally special. He chose a traditional Italian suit manufacturer for his attire. "Nikita went to a very traditional Italian suit manufacturer called Del Plano in Milan, made by hand," Marianna shares.

The groom and his groomsmen also had a separate villa within Castello Monaci. Nikita spent his morning "with all his best man and his father and close man members of his family, smoking some cigars and having drinks," creating lasting memories before the ceremony.

First Look

The first look was an emotional moment for both Marianna and Nikita. "Inside the Castello, I had my first look with my father, and it was very emotional," Marianna recalls. "I also had a first look with my bridesmaids, and everyone got very emotional."

When asked about his first thoughts upon seeing Marianna, Nikita's words were filled with awe: "I was in shock how beautiful she was, she looked like a queen, I was feeling starstruck by the bride."

Marianna's thoughts were equally heartwarming: "I felt so lucky to realize that I was about to marry the man in front of me."

Ceremony

Marianna and Nikita's wedding ceremony was filled with heartwarming traditions and special moments. Embracing an Italian custom, the couple chose not to sleep together the night before the wedding. The ceremony took place in a breathtaking setting. "The ceremony was outside in a romantic garden with a view of the castle," Marianna describes.

The couple selected meaningful songs to accompany their processional. The groom walked down the aisle to 'What a Wonderful World,' and the bride walked to 'Until I Found You’.

Marianna and Nikita also included their loved ones in the ceremony. "The sister of my husband, girlfriend of my brother, 2 best friends, and my very close cousin," were the flower girls, Marianna reveals. As for the ring bearer, the bride recalls: "Antonio, a small boy, son of one of my cousin, he was super cute and dressed also in a black tie."

One of the most touching moments came when the couple read their personal vows to each other. "When we read our letters to each other, it was not easy not to cry," Marianna admits, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. The combination of traditional Italian elements, personalized touches, and heartfelt expressions of love made Marianna and Nikita's ceremony truly unforgettable.

Photoshoot after the ceremony

Wedding Venue & Decor

Castello Monaci provided the perfect backdrop for Marianna and Nikita's dream wedding. The couple chose a classic color palette of baby blue and white for their decor, creating a timeless and elegant atmosphere.

Reception

The reception was a true celebration of love, food, and culture. The couple's first dance was to the romantic Italian song "Mi sei scoppiato dentro al cuore" by Mina, setting the tone for an evening of joy and celebration. The menu was a gastronomic delight, featuring luxurious items like black caviar, champagne, lobster pasta, and risotto with champagne. “Everyone was super professional, just perfect,” the bride recalls on working with vendors.

As we conclude this beautiful love story, we can't help but feel inspired by Marianna and Nikita's romantic journey. Their wedding at Castello Monaci was not just a celebration of their love, but a testament to the magic that happens when two hearts find each other. May their love continue to grow and flourish, just like the beautiful Italian landscape that witnessed their union.