Inside: A Romantic Roman Wedding

We take a look inside Valeria Stepantsova and Artem Kontyaev’s enchanting Roman wedding—a breathtaking fusion of history, romance, and serendipity, where timeless elegance met spontaneous revelry under the golden glow of the Eternal City. Below we take a look inside a seriously Romantic Roman Wedding

The Story So Far

It was midnight in Mykonos Airport, over a decade ago, when I first saw him. He, however, didn’t see me. I was in a relationship at the time, but I noticed this strikingly handsome man and immediately thought he’d be a perfect match for my friend. We never exchanged words, but I never forgot his face—how could I?

Years later, our paths crossed once more—this time through a dating app. I recognised him instantly. Our first date took place in Green Park, London, after work, and just a few days later, we found ourselves deeply in love. Sitting on a bench in Hyde Park, I lay across his lap, gazing at the sky as we spoke about life. In that moment, we both knew: this was forever.

The Proposal

On New Year’s Eve in the English countryside, under a canopy of stars, he planned to propose. Waiting for a shooting star so he could “catch it” and transform it into a ring, we instead found ourselves under classic British cloud cover. So, in the quiet intimacy of our room, he asked me to be his wife.

The Ring

An emerald-cut masterpiece from G. Collins & Sons—the esteemed jeweller to the British royal family.

Venue

We envisioned an intimate celebration, surrounded by our closest friends, where we could all gather around a convivial table, feasting on exquisite Italian cuisine, laughing, crying, and dancing to reggaeton, all while feeling completely at home. Rome, however, chose us.

Initially, we imagined a Tuscan or Sicilian setting, but fate had other plans. Flight diversions repeatedly brought us to the Eternal City, filling our lives with serendipitous adventures. An open-air museum of passion, history, and artistry—there was no contest.

The Ceremony

The moment we arrived at Villa Aurelia, we knew there was no need to visit another venue. A 1650 Baroque villa, once owned by the Pope, with sprawling gardens, a centuries-old tree of extraordinary beauty, and breathtaking views over the city’s gilded rooftops, it was true poetry. The magic of the Eternal City unfolded before us, and we felt its presence in every stone, every archway, every whisper of history in the air.

The Reception

Dinner was hosted at Terrazza Borromini, perched atop the historic Palazzo Pamphilj. Overlooking the lively Piazza Navona, with Bernini’s Fountain of the Four Rivers below and the grandeur of Sant’Agnese rising before us, the setting was nothing short of cinematic. As the sun set, Rome glowed beneath us, its golden skyline a breathtaking backdrop to our celebrations.

The Recovery Brunch

The weekend of festivities culminated at Hotel de Russie, where our guests gathered in Le Jardin de Russie. Nestled between Piazza del Popolo and the Spanish Steps, this secret garden, once frequented by the likes of Picasso and Stravinsky, was a tranquil oasis to reflect on the days gone by.

Fashion

On the day of the wedding, I embraced every opportunity to dress up, wearing not one, but four different looks. For the reception, I chose a dress by Ila The Brand, paired with Gianvito Rossi heels and a Clio Peppiatt bag. For the ceremony, I wore an ethereal Peter Langner gown and veil, discovered by my best friend Tara, who knew me better than I knew myself. My dinner dress was by Danielle Frankel, followed by a sleek dancing jumpsuit from Galvan London, and finally, a late-night look from Retrofête. Each piece carried its own story, and together they wove the dream I never knew I had.

For the recovery brunch, I opted for a Rebecca Vallance dress, accessorised with a Loeffler Randall bag, The Row sunglasses, and Amina Muaddi heels.

Artem was every bit the timeless groom in a custom tuxedo by Sartoria Silvio Zanella, finished with Crockett & Jones shoes and a Patek Philippe watch. Styled by Grooms Counsel, he embodied effortless sophistication.

The Details

Every element of the tablescape was thoughtfully curated to enhance the beauty of our historic setting. We kept the aesthetic natural and authentic, with earthy tones and autumnal touches complementing the villa’s grandeur.

For our guests, we wanted gifts that were deeply personal. Each person received a handwritten love letter, recalling cherished memories and expressing our gratitude. But perhaps the most special keepsake of all was the collaborative painting we created on the final day. Each guest contributed a brushstroke, and today, this artwork hangs in our home, a beautiful reminder of the love that surrounded us.

Our wedding menu was an indulgence in homemade Italian delights, designed by Alfonso Muzzi Ricevimenti. From fresh pasta to classic tiramisu, every dish was a celebration of flavour and tradition. A gelato cart added a touch of playfulness, while a bottomless bar kept spirits high well into the night.

The music was curated with precision. As we danced our first dance to Fields of Gold by Sting, a light drizzle began to fall, as if orchestrated just for us. A live duo performed during aperitivo, setting the scene for an evening of pure joy. Later, we flew in DJ Fabi Hernandez from Colombia to deliver an unforgettable reggaeton set, while my best friend Marko Milicevic took over with a deep house set to close the night.

When it came to beauty, simplicity was key. My hair and makeup were perfected by Melania Mariano, and beyond that, no extensive pre-wedding rituals were needed.

One of the most treasured gifts we received was an ancient map of Rome, a beautifully symbolic gesture from my bridesmaids that will forever remind us of our serendipitous journey to this city.

Honeymoon

Following the wedding, we set off on a week-long road trip through Tuscany and Umbria, taking in the rolling landscapes and hidden villages of Italy. Later in the year, we embarked on a month-long adventure, exploring Indonesia’s surf breaks, New Zealand’s winding roads, and Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. As the founder of luxury travel agency Amaterra, curating our honeymoon was one of the greatest joys of wedding planning.

Advice

Take a moment, just the two of you. Our favourite memory was escaping in a vintage Alfa Romeo after the ceremony, with no phones, no cameras—just us, driving through Rome in our own little bubble. And if wedding-day nerves set in, a glass of wine before the ceremony is always a good idea!

And finally, trust in the unexpected. Three days before our wedding, thunderstorms were forecasted. Determined to shift fate, we followed an old Italian legend and delivered sixty eggs to the nuns at a monastery. Miraculously, the skies cleared, and just as our first dance began, the gentlest raindrops fell—cinematic perfection before the heavens opened and we danced in the rain, atop the tables, with thunder and lightning illuminating the sky.