At Villa Balbiano, elegance met spectacle as Angelina and Vladyslav welcomed their close ones for an intimate summer wedding. The ceremony unfolded on the panoramic side of the villa, with a mirrored aisle reflecting soft pastel blooms and the view of Lake Como beyond. Guests watched as the millefoglie cake was assembled live during dinner, and the evening continued with dancing and live music inside the villa’s grand halls. Every detail felt deliberate—timed, placed, and designed to match the atmosphere of one of Italy’s most iconic venues.
Location: Villa Balbiano, Lake Como, Italy
Style: Opulent, floral, intimate
Time of planning: 2,5 months
Number of guests: 30
Setting: Villa
Season: Summer
Angelina and Vladyslav’s love story unfolded over a year and a half, leading to a romantic proposal on the white-sand shores of the Maldives. For their wedding, they imagined something intimate, elegant, and deeply personal—surrounded by their closest family and friends in a place that felt both meaningful and breathtaking. “Only 2.5 months, thanks to our wedding planner Julia of JS Wedding & Events, who miraculously found an available date and resolved all the difficulties, making the impossible possible, because Villa Balbiano is the most sought-after on Lake Como, the most beautiful, historical place. We were lucky to celebrate our wedding there,” they shared.
Bridal Morning
Angelina spent the morning inside the golden interiors of the villa, preparing for the day in rooms that reflected the grandeur of her celebration. She began her bridal portraits under crystal chandeliers and carved mirrors, surrounded by opulence and history. Her dress, custom-designed by Adamaris Bridal, went through three complete transformations—style, fabric, and structure—before she felt it was truly hers. The final look featured a sculpted silhouette with dramatic floral sleeves and a sheer illusion panel, giving the appearance of a daring slit while remaining refined. A cathedral-length veil added softness, flowing behind her through the villa’s storied halls.
She paired the dress with Jimmy Choo heels, diamond jewelry from BVLGARI, and two monochrome bouquets—one with white hydrangeas, and another with white peony roses. Inna and Mariia Fedkovych created her makeup and hairstyle, keeping the look polished and radiant. Everything about her styling—clean, sculptural, and confidently elegant—reflected the bold beauty of the setting.
Groom's Fashion
Vladyslav spent the morning in the garden of the villa alongside his groomsmen in a relaxed and upbeat atmosphere. He wore a sharp black tuxedo with a classic white shirt and black bow tie, adding a polished vest for a touch of formality. His look was timeless and clean, fitting the setting without overshadowing it. Surrounded by palm trees and laughter, he set the tone for the day with ease, confidence, and style, with bright red soles peeking out with every step.
Ceremony
The ceremony took place on the panoramic side facing Lake Como’s endless blue waters and dramatic alpine backdrop. A mirrored aisle ran through the center, reflecting the sky above and adding a dreamlike dimension to the setting. Lush clusters of white hydrangeas, roses, and baby’s breath lined both sides, with pastel accents in soft peach, dusty pink, and pale blue scattered throughout the altar. Towering floral columns surrounded the couple in full bloom, while crystal chandeliers hung from modern black arches, adding a hint of grandeur and glow to the outdoor space.
The ceremony opened with soft violin music—Angelina walked down the mirrored aisle to “Con te partirò” by Andrea Bocelli. At the altar, they exchanged vows in a modern symbolic ceremony, with Nika Konstantinova as their officiant. Every word echoed in the stillness of the lakefront. The mirrored aisle not only framed the moment but also caught the movement of her veil and gown in reflection—visually expanding the intimacy of their vows.
The highlight came just as they were pronounced husband and wife—a burst of multicolored fireworks exploded from behind them in broad daylight, painting the sky with vivid plumes of pink, blue, green, and yellow. The moment was brief, bold, and unforgettable—just like the ceremony itself.
"We will remember for the rest of our lives this beautiful colored firework that bursted when we were announced as husband and wife. It was an enchanting moment."
Boat Ride
After the ceremony, Angelina and Vladyslav embraced one of Lake Como’s most beloved wedding traditions—a private ride across the water. Stepping onto a classic wooden boat, they left the villa behind for a few quiet moments together, with the wind catching her veil and the mountains reflecting in the waves. It’s a timeless ritual for couples marrying in this region, offering not only a scenic escape but a symbolic pause—a chance to take it all in before the next chapter of celebration begins.
"Every moment was unique and unforgettable."
Apéritif
During the cocktail hour, guests mingled in the shade of Villa Balbiano’s garden, surrounded by classical lounge furniture and soft arrangements of peach and ivory roses. A live saxophonist added a relaxed, elegant soundtrack to the moment while the catering team served an abundant Italian antipasto spread—tables overflowed with wedges of cheeses, ribbons of prosciutto, salami, and vine-picked tomatoes.
Behind the scenes, JS Wedding & Events worked quickly to transform the ceremony space into a fully re-set reception area, using the short window of an aperitif to transition seamlessly into the next chapter of the day.
Decor & Setting
For the reception, the ceremony space was seamlessly reimagined into an open-air dining setting that preserved its lakeside beauty while elevating it with mirrored round tables, crystal glassware, and plush cream seating. Oversized floral arrangements filled every table, echoing the aisle flowers and tying the entire day together. Tall taper candles in clear holders added height and rhythm across the tablescapes, while glass chargers and illustrated menus brought a touch of custom detail.
Above, crystal chandeliers suspended from curved black arches cast a warm glow over the dinner, catching the light as the sun dipped behind the mountains. The mirrored aisle remained untouched, still reflecting clouds and flowers, and now leading straight to the couple’s lush sweetheart table framed by a sea of blooms.
“Our wedding planner came up with the idea to hold the reception in the same place where the ceremony was held in order to preserve the beauty of the decor and the stunning panoramic view.”
Reception
The dinner unfolded with heartfelt toasts, laughter, and slow sips of wine as plates were filled with Italian cuisine. Angelina and Vladyslav’s friends and family raised glasses to their love in an atmosphere that felt both festive and refined.
For their first dance, Angelina and Vladyslav returned to the mirrored aisle, this time as husband and wife. Framed by glowing florals and a panoramic view of the lake, they swayed in the center of the setting that had just held their vows. Soon after, ten guests joined them on the aisle, turning it into an impromptu dance floor filled with movement and celebration.
Private Moment
Later in the evening, Angelina and Vladyslav slipped away from the reception for a private walk through the gardens of the villa. The bride changed into a new look: a dazzling mini dress adorned with delicate beading and soft white feathers, paired with strappy heels and a floor-length detachable train that flowed behind her like a ribbon. Her hair was swept back into a half-up style, revealing crystal earrings and a subtle glow. The mood shifted from formal to playful as the couple laughed and kissed in front of the villa’s iconic facade, capturing a carefree pause between the day’s formalities and the party to come.
"Julia's professionalism and friendly relations during preparation helped us avoid stress and make our dream come true."
Night Celebration
As the sun set over Lake Como, the evening celebration began with a champagne tower lit by candlelight at the villa’s entrance, setting the tone for what was to come. Guests gathered around as the couple raised their glasses and swayed to the music under crystal chandeliers. With the formality of dinner behind them, the atmosphere shifted to something more relaxed and festive, filled with dancing, laughter, and the glow of red lights inside the villa. A live painting slowly came to life nearby, capturing the joy of the evening in soft, layered brushstrokes.
For the cake moment, Angelina and Vladyslav joined the pastry chef from Classeventi to assemble their millefoglie live. They piped fresh cream, layered it with berries, and sliced into the finished cake together—just as a burst of golden fireworks lit up the sky behind them. It was a show and a shared memory, cheered on by their guests and surrounded by the same lush florals that had framed the day from the start. “For us, this was so much better than a traditional wedding tiered cake,” shared the couple.
Inside the frescoed halls of Villa Balbiano, a live performance by famous singer Monatik kept the energy high. Max Galkin, their host, led the crowd with humor and charisma while their friends surprised them with funny pre-recorded videos that were streamed for everyone to enjoy. It was a finale full of character, fun, and movement—an ending that felt as rich and vibrant as every moment that came before.
"It was truly the best day of our lives. We were immensely happy."
PLANNER Julia Solodchenko of JS Weddings & Events | VENUE Villa Balbiano | PHOTOGRAPHERS Wedlifer, Danilova Photography, Vadim Pastukh | VIDEOGRAPHERS Kryvonos Movie, Firm Films | FLORALS White Pepper Studio | MUAH Inna IG Makeup Italy, Fedkovych Wedding | BRIDAL DRESS Adamaris Bridal | CATERING Classeventi | DECOR & FURNITURE Confetti Decor | RENTAL Memorable Rental | BOAT Cantiere Cadenazzi | HOST Max Galkin | BAND Monatik | ENTERTAINMENT Joy Entertainment | ILLUSTRATOR Inna Illustrator | OFFICIANT Nika Konstantinova | SOUND & LIGHTS Blunotte Eventi | DJ Prohor Music
