1. Real Weddings

A Rustic, Boho Wedding at Shishki Hotel in Zagorshchnya, Belarus

Inspired by their romantic Alps engagement, Katya Marakhovskaya (24 and a lawyer) and Nikita Marakhovski (24 and a software engineer) planned an intim

Inspired by their romantic Alps engagement, Katya Marakhovskaya (24 and a lawyer) and Nikita Marakhovski (24 and a software engineer) planned an intimate wooded wedding at the country restaurant at Shishki Hotel in Zagorshchnya, Belarus. “We wanted to transfer this beauty of nature, simplicity and freshness of the greenery into our wedding decor,” Katya says. “The palette we chose consisted of dusty gray, misty blue, olive and brown colors, which are very simple and natural but very elegant and stylish.” Sixty guests joined the couple for their nuptials. The ceremony took place among the pines with a lake as the backdrop. The ceremony site didn’t need much decor—wooden chairs, blue ribbons and an altar cloaked in blue cloth and embellished with blooms. After Katya and Nikita exchanged vows, guests sipped celebratory cocktails as they listed to romantic saxophone music and enjoyed a cigar bar on the dock. During the couple’s tented dinner reception, a traditional Belarusian meal was served. “We also got a surprise from the chef: a roasted turkey flambe,” Katya says. “The reception was full of warm words, crazy dances and good music performed by an amazing band.” —Marissa Hermanson

“We thoroughly prepared all the details and symbols for our wedding,” Katya says. “We got inspired by our venue, all these pines and the lake. Our symbol was a pine, which was watercolor painted.” Katya put much thought into her bridal look as well. She donned a pair of sky blue Badgley Mischka heels as her something blue.
Bridesmaids donned convertible dresses in dark olive and gray that could be styled in a variety of ways, while groomsmen sported light gray pants, vests and knitted ties to match the bridesmaid dresses.
“I wanted my bouquet to be green with some pale colors and a little bit messy—in a good way—since my wedding look was simple but elegant,” says Katya, who carried a bouquet filled with cream and blush blooms, greenery and blue thistle.

“I fell in love with the wedding dresses of one Belarusian brand even before I started preparations for my wedding,” Katya says. “They stood out by their originality, grace and fantastic colors.” On her wedding day, Katya donned an A-line gown with an ivory pearl-embellished top and a blue tulle skirt.
Katya and Nikita exchanged vows among the pines at Shishki Hotel in Zagorshchnya, Belarus, with a lake as their backdrop. Their altar was draped with blue fabric and embellished with blooms.
Chairs lining the aisle at Shishki Hotel in Zagorshchnya, Belarus, were simply tied with light blue ribbons.
After exchanging vows, the newlyweds celebrated with family and friends with dinner and dancing in a tent overlooking the lake. Tables were cloaked in gray linens and topped with greenery. Romantic bistro lights and greenery were strung across the tent.
Katya and Nikita's romantic sweetheart table at Shishki Hotel in Zagorshchnya, Belarus, was draped in etherial linens and decorated with lush greenery.
As gifts for friends and family who joined them on their special day, Katya and Nikita made wooden coasters and decorated them with their names and their wedding date.
A seating chart was creatively displayed using potted plants and rustic shelving.
“Our first dance was simple and romantic,” Katya says of dancing to Frankie Valli’s “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” with Nikita at Shishki Hotel in Zagorshchnya, Belarus.
Katya and Nikita’s three-tier naked cake was embellished with berries and blooms. “It was as delicious as it looked,” the bride says.
“The most important thing is to do everything with love and pay attention to every detail,” Katya says. “This day should be magical, since it will remain in memories for you and all your guests.”