Sonya and Henry’s wedding in the picturesque town of Perast, Montenegro, perfectly balanced modern minimalism with the timeless charm of a historical setting. Nestled along the stunning Bay of Kotor, Perast’s captivating scenery set the tone for an intimate celebration that felt like a scene from a classic romance. With a clean white palette and warm splashes of orange, yellow, and pink, every detail was thoughtfully curated to highlight the natural beauty of the surroundings. The couple’s personal touches added a heartfelt and unique flair to a day that felt effortlessly elegant and deeply meaningful. From their touching first dance to the stunning architectural scenes, their wedding was a true reflection of their love story—authentic, beautiful, and unforgettable.
Location: Perast, Montenegro
Style: Hertiage Grand Perast Hotel
Time of planning: 8 months
Number of guests: 75
Setting: Modern, minimalist, ‘warm summer sunset’
Season: Fall
Sonya and Henry’s love story developed naturally over the years, beginning as close friends during their Master’s in Architecture course in London. “We spent a lot of time together. It was always very natural and real because we had no pressure to be liked in a romantic way,” Sonya recalls. However, after finishing their course in 2019 and no longer seeing each other daily in the studio, the distance revealed the truth: there was something more between them. That summer, they spent countless hours together, talking for hours, exploring art exhibitions, and even traveling to the US. Moving in together a few months later felt like the most natural next step.
Henry’s proposal in November 2022 was an intimate and personal moment during their trip to Vietnam. After a day at the beach in Hoi An, back in their hotel room, Henry handed Sonya a list of things he wanted to do on the trip. As she read it aloud, she got to number three: “Ask you to marry me.” It was a quiet moment, just the two of them, with no grand gestures or fancy outfits—just pure love and authenticity, just as their relationship had always been.
The Location & Vision
Sonya and Henry celebrated their love with a modern, minimalist wedding in Montenegro, in the charming car-free town of Perast. Overlooking the stunning Bay of Kotor, Perast provided the perfect setting for their destination wedding. “Since this was a destination wedding, we wanted to make sure there was a sort of Mamma Mia vibe to it,” the couple shared, hoping to create a relaxed atmosphere where guests could easily meet, explore the town, and enjoy the things they love most—food, architecture, and spontaneous dips in the sea.
Before the wedding day, the couple spent some quiet moments together, captured beautifully by Stefan Stević. The photoshoot perfectly reflected the essence of their day—intimate, simple, and effortlessly elegant, with the stunning backdrop of Montenegro setting the scene for the memories they created.
Day 2 - Wedding Day
Couple's Morning
In keeping with their minimalist wedding concept, Sonya chose an understated yet elegant dress for the ceremony, with a ‘nude’ makeup look. “I wanted to look the way Henry fell in love with me,” she shared. To add a touch of romance, she wore a super long, light veil that flowed effortlessly, adding just the right amount of texture and grace.
The dress-shopping experience was particularly meaningful to her. “I bought the dress with my grandma, my mum, my sisters, and my little niece in my hometown in Saint Petersburg, Russia,” she recalled. The moment was special, not just for the dress itself, but for the memories it created.
It was very special to me, as it has been very difficult for us to meet in the last years and for me it was about memories and the process.
Ceremony
A month before their wedding celebrations, the couple already had a civil ceremony. “We wanted the ceremony to be quite casual and personal,” Sonya shared.
The setting was perfect—an old church with charming green doors, right in the heart of a square near their hotel. The ceremony itself was conducted by their sisters, who, without planning it, both wore the same light blue dresses. Adding to the sweetness of the day, Sonya’s niece played the role of flower girl, bringing even more warmth and intimacy to the celebration.
We both felt extremely nervous, but managed to get through our vows without breaking up or crying (almost).
Boat Ride
After the ceremony, the couple took a moment for themselves, heading to the serene Saint George Catholic Monastery island, located just opposite Perast, for a quick photoshoot. It was a peaceful and intimate time for them to process their emotions and simply enjoy being alone together before rejoining their guests.
Their photographer Stefan Stević not only captured the breathtaking beauty of the island and their love but was also by their side throughout the entire wedding weekend. With a keen eye for detail and using both film and digital photography, he preserved every meaningful moment, making the memories of the day even more special for the couple and their guests.
Reception & Décor
The original plan for the reception was to have the table set up outside in the square, but just after the ceremony, an unexpected storm rolled in. The dark, dramatic skies created a unique atmosphere, though it meant relocating the reception indoors. Luckily, the guests still had time to enjoy champagne on the terrace, taking in the stunning views of the bay, before the downpour hit.
The historic architecture and stunning landscapes naturally called for a minimalist design, allowing the beauty of the surroundings to shine. A clean white base served as the foundation of the palette, with subtle accents of orange, yellow, and pink adding a soft yet vibrant touch.
Because we are both very visual people, we wanted to use some color to describe feelings of warmth, comfort and happiness.
The reception began with the newlyweds being showered with warm wishes, followed by an emotional dance between Sonya and her father. This moment was particularly special for Sonya, as her father spun her around just like he used to when she was a little girl. It was a heartfelt and nostalgic moment that added extra sweetness to the celebration.
They also created a personalized wedding poster, which guests could ‘win’ by answering trivia questions about the couple. The poster was designed by their friend Emma Vol, a graphic designer based in LA. It meant a lot to them that Emma was involved, as she knew them as friends who have always supported each other. “It was really special because Emma has seen our relationship grow and understands how much teamwork and mutual support are at the core of who we are,” shared Sonya. This personal touch added an extra layer of meaning to the day.
The Party
The second half of the reception was truly special. Sonya made a stunning outfit change, wearing an elegantly structured corset paired with a flowing skirt—perfect for the lively party and their first dance. The newlyweds had taken a few dance lessons beforehand, and their chosen song, INXS’ “Never Tear Us Apart,” made for a truly memorable performance. The cake mirrored the wedding’s warm, minimalist palette with its simple white base adorned with delicate flowers in soft, warm tones, beautifully tying the whole aesthetic together.
“Married to my best friend” is truly about us.
Advice from the couple:
• Allocate some time, special moment where you can be alone with each other during the day. It could even be a couple of minutes. Maybe you can walk out on the balcony or take a quick stroll. Just pause, look at each other, and realize that this day, your families, your friends – all of it is because, at some point, you found each other.
PHOTO Stefan Stević | VENUE Heritage Grand Perast | WEDDING AGENCY Pasternak Wedding | WEDDING PLANNER Miss Lider | DECORATION Serafima Decor | STYLING Dasha Bloom | DJ Anastasia Pavlova | FIRST DRESS Unona Factory, Aurora Salon SPB | SECOND DRESS Muse | HOST Natalya Karcha
