We’re heading to the Latvian countryside today for a rustic summer wedding at a beautiful riverside manor House. There are gorgeous florals and the most romantic gown in lace and tulle, a simple and heartfelt ceremony and some wonderful Latvian traditions, too. Let’s meet our happy couple, shall we?!
Aisha and Christof are both doctors, and were married on the 14 July 2018 at Mazmežotnes muiža, Mazmežotne in Latvia. Aisha is originally from Latvia (with her parents hailing from Azerbaijan) and Christof from northern Italy, and they first met one another in 2011 while taking a Spanish language course in Alicante as part of their year long ERASMUS placement. They went back and forth between Italy and Latvia for over a year while Aisha finished her studies, and once she had also learned German, they both found a place to live and work together in Tirol, Austria. In August 2016 Christof asked Aisha to marry him while they were at his favourite Austrian lake.
Images by Paco & Aga Wedding Photographers
Following the ceremony, everyone enjoyed canapés and drinks outside and Aisha and Christof slipped away for some sweet and personal photos together. To capture their day, they chose Paco & Aga Wedding Photographers, who also happen to be their friends, too!
“These are the best photographers a marrying couple could wish for. We are lucky to be their friends (We met Paco and Aga during the same ERASMUS year in Alicante…).What we like the most about them is that they have these completely natural photos without making the couple or the guests pose. They find the perfect moments, photo angles and use light in any conditions.”
“The photos are full of emotion and life. Watching their photography is like revisiting the actual wedding, and they make a really really nice atmosphere by being nice, polite, funny. During our wedding we never had the feeling that we are being photographed yet still there are pictures of every single moment, they did not miss a thing.”
Sabina Nemceva styled Aisha’s hair into an elegant braided knot, while Julia Zolberga took care of the radiant and natural make-up. All that remained was for a few delicate fresh flowers to be added to Aisha’s hair to complete her look.
I absolutely love Katya Katya Shehurina’s creative, ethereal and beautiful designs, and the fact that the look of her creations can be altered with a simple slip change. Aisha chose the ‘Deliah’ gown from Riga boutique 6.Septembris, and she looked magical in it, with its lace and mesh illusion bodice and tulle skirt.
“I wanted something comfortable, light and delicate (also because of the nature/rustic wedding theme). The dress gave this effect of pure lightness, I actually felt like I was dressed in a cloud. It was conservative while still being sexy, interesting and delicate. This was the most comfortable dress I’ve ever had.”
Aisha wore sandals from Bobbies in a rich taupe colour, and for jewellery wore her engagement ring, a gold bracelet and diamond and pearl earrings.
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“I wore Chanel Chance Eau Vive; I just like it and it felt like a proper summer scent matching the dress (delicate, light).”
Christof wore a classic white tie three-piece suit from Marchi Cerimonia with a crisp white pocket square, and the groomsmen also wore suits from Marchi Cerimonia.
“We found the place outside of Riga, because we wanted the wedding to be more personal without any city noise. There was also a possibility to stay overnight for our guests…Latvia is known for nature, so we wanted the wedding to be green, natural and a bit rustic.”
To help them plan and style their day, Aisha and Christof secured the services of Inga from Bannte.
“Inga did a great job, really. I could recommend her to anybody. She understands what you need and sees your vision of the wedding.”
Aisha and her father walked together down the aisle to John Legend’s song All Of Me, with Aisha carrying a gorgeous bouquet of white peonies, lisianthus and roses, eucalyptus and olive branches (no florist details provided, sadly).
The couple had an official Latvian wedding ceremony, which meant that no vows were said, but rather instead simple promises to be for one another. They also exchanged rings from jewellers Vigorius, too.
The incredible venue space was decorated beautifully for the reception; festoon and fairy lights twinkling from the high wooden ceiling, hanging pots of ivy and potted palms on the floor, and the green scheme carried through in the sage green candles and table cloths.
As favours, Aisha and Christof had ceramic cups with their initials and wedding date made by Jasas Podi.
There was lots of fantastic live music throughout the day, some by friends as well as Light Music Band and DJ Arturs.
For their first dance together as a married couple, Aisha and Christof chose A Te by Lorenzo Jovanotti, performed by Christof’s cousin.
“It was always our song, the words are actually an anthem for love.”
At midnight it was time for Mičošana, an ancient and traditional Latvian wedding ritual symbolising the moment at which couples become married and say farewell to their childhood before more dancing and revelry into the warm summer night.
“Probably the evening was our favourite part of the day, when everybody was chilled, happy and just having fun, the guests were dancing nonstop to Azerbaijani, Russian, Italian and English music.”
Mesty Gourmet created a wedding feast to be enjoyed, and there was delicious cake, too from MiLu. The green and white handpainted tiers looked stunning!
“For the hot summertime we chose two flavours – lavender and pistachio cream – it was amazing. MiLu Kitchen can make every idea come true on a cake and it always tastes wonderful.”
Words of Wedded Wisdom
“Have a good breakfast and try to drink, you will not have a lot of time during the day with the whole ceremony, photo session and so on.”
“Enjoy the wedding day, really. By really, I mean, there is no more point being stressed and caring about some unimportant details. Anyway it is too late to change anything, so don’t have a headache. The time goes so fast, you will regret it if you don’t have fun.”
Aisha and Christof, thank you – what a treat this was – and thank you for sharing your beautiful summer celebration with us. Thanks also go to Paco and Aga for their lovely images. You can view more designs from Katya Katya Shehurina on our blog pages here.
Until next time!
With love,
Laura
Credits & Thanks
- Photography - Paco and Aga Wedding Photographers
- Venue - Mazmežotnes muiža, Latvia
- Wedding Planner - Bannte
- Aisha's Gown - Katya Katya Shehurina via 6.Septembris + Shoes - Bobbies
- Hair - Sabina Nemceva
- Make-up - Julia Zolberga
- Christof's Suit - Marchi Cerimonia
- Rings - Vigorius
- Favours - Jasas Podi
- Food - Mesty Gourmet
- Cake - MiLu
- Entertainment - Light Music Band + DJ Arturs
Laura Callan View all Laura's articles
Laura is a freelance writer and content creator who loves telling stories. She has keen eye for photography and art, and lives with her husband, cats, and huge amounts of books.
