A Classical Elopement in Venice, Italy

The historic buildings of Venice were a grand backdrop for Anna and Emilio’s intimate elopement. The soft gray Italian winter sky added to the beauty of the floating city wedding which was held beneath original wooden ceilings and terrazzo floors at the poetic Aman Venice.

After the ceremony, the couple celebrated at the classical Gritti Hotel’s Longhi bar. The bride wore an elegantly simple satin gown with seductive cutouts designed by Maison Margiela paired with embellished Jimmy Choo pumps and a long white cashmere coat.

The Venetian wedding was beautifully captured by photographer Nastia Vesna.

Our Story

Names / Anna Zubkova & Emilio Lari

Wedding Date / February 23rd , 2023

Location / Venice, Italy

Guest Numbers / Elopement

“We organized a very private super small ceremony. We stayed at the stunningly elegant Aman Venice. This aristocratic palazzo boasts a secluded location and a rich history, making it a prime example of understated grandeur.”

How We Met

We met on a winter evening in Milan, and Emilio immediately noticed my eyes. He complimented me, saying they were enchanting. At the time, I didn’t think much of it, but things changed a year later on New Year’s Eve.

When I saw Emilio again that night, I was also struck by his blue eyes. I felt compelled to return the compliment, and that was the beginning of our love story.

Our Engagement Story

Winter has always been a special time for us, when the most important moments of our lives seem to take place. On December 31st, almost three years into our relationship, Emilio surprised me with a ring. We were in Lisbon, preparing for a gala dinner, and as I was selecting jewelry to wear, Emilio approached me and said, “Love, I have something better.” And that something better was a beautiful ring that would signify our love and commitment to each other.

What We Love Most About Each Other…

What I adore about Anna is her enchanting sense of style, her breathtaking beauty that takes my breath away, and her boundless kindness that warms my heart. But what truly captivates me is her infectious humor and wit, which she shares with the world as the reigning meme queen.

His kindness and respectfulness toward others never fails to inspire me, and his cute, childlike play brings a smile to my face even on the toughest of days. He is also incredibly generous, always giving of himself without hesitation, and his unwavering ability to almost fix anything amazes me time and time again.

The Setting

Wedding Location

Our wedding location was in Venice Italy at the Aman Venice.

Aesthetic

We went for the classic look when choosing our aesthetic for the wedding. Our day of love can be best described as an elegant and refined wedding.

Photography

After considering many wedding photographers, Nastia Vesna stood out as the perfect choice for us. From the moment we started talking with her, we felt an instant connection. She listened attentively to our desires and captured the emotions of our special day with great sensitivity. We feel incredibly grateful that she was a part of our wedding, and her stunning work has left us overjoyed with the memories she’s preserved.

Style Notes

Ceremony Décor

On February 23, we organized a very private super small ceremony. We stayed at the stunningly elegant Aman Venice. This aristocratic palazzo boasts a secluded location and a rich history, making it a prime example of understated grandeur. Emilio and I really love this place. Across from Aman is the Palazzo Cavalli, a 16th-century building that served as the perfect backdrop for our ceremony. The classical Venetian-style halls with original wooden ceilings and terrazzo floors added to the timeless beauty of our special day.

Reception Décor

After the ceremony, we celebrated at the Longhi bar in the Gritti Hotel. The engraved glass walls, red marble floors, and reproduction Louis XIV chairs are perfect representation of the Grand Venetian style. Our love for the city and its history shone through in our choice of locations, as we wanted every moment of our day to reflect the beauty and grandeur of this enchanting city.

Flowers

The beautiful bouquet I carried on my wedding day was gifted to us by our dear family friends Numero Nove, who have been running a successful flower business in Milan for over two decades, creating stunning compositions for renowned hotels like Bulgari, The Mandarin Oriental and many others. Knowing my love for orchids, they made sure to include them in the bouquet while keeping it compact and easy for me to carry throughout the day.

“Our love for the city and its history shone through in our choice of locations, as we wanted every moment of our day to reflect the beauty and grandeur of this enchanting city.”

Fashion & Beauty Notes

Bride’s Dress & Shoes

My wedding dress was by Maison Margiela – the Hammered Satin Gown in ivory.  I chose a discreet bias dress. This cut emphasizes the lines of the body and creates smooth curves. On the one hand, this is a simple classic model, but at the same time, the wedding dress has interesting details: cut-outs on the side with mesh and a beautiful cut out on the back.
I wore this with a tailor-made wool/cashmere coat.

My wedding shoes were Jimmy Choo Ivory Satin Pumps with crystal embellishment.

Wedding Rings, Jewelry & Accessories

My Engagement ring was a platinum round cut diamond solitaire with a platinum half circle diamond pavé.  Emilio’s wedding band was a 2mm platinum ring.

Hair & Makeup

I opted for a low bun in keeping with my signature minimalist aesthetic. In everyday life I often put my hair in a bun. For me there is nothing more elegant than neatly collected hair. I chose natural makeup with eyeliner accents and mascara.

Our Contacts

Wedding Venue /  Aman Venice

Photography /  Nastia Vesna

Bride’s Dress /  Maison Margiela

Bride’s Shoes /  Jimmy Choo

Hair /  Luigi Marchiori

Florist / Numero Nove