Solvieg + Archie by Maria Bryzhko

The overall result was natural, warm, and effortlessly elegant — just what we had envisioned.

Tell us a little about yourselves, what you do, what you love…

We’re a young couple based in London, with family spread across Norway, Italy, and the UK. Our lives are a beautiful mix of cultures, languages, and traditions — something that constantly inspires us. We love long summer nights, hiking adventures, and exploring new places together, usually through food! We’re both big foodies and find a lot of joy in sharing a great meal.

How/where/when did you meet – and what were your first impressions?

We met in London, now 6 years ago, at Work — quite unexpectedly, I found out his dad grew up in my same Italian hometown, and it felt like destiny.

My first impression was that he had this calm, kind energy that instantly made me feel at ease. He says he remembers my laugh first — and the fact that I argued passionately about how much I dislike English food! From that night onwards, things just flowed naturally.

Tell us about the vision you had for the mood and style of your wedding. (theme, key styling elements, florals, colour palettes etc.).

We wanted our wedding to have a strong identity and truly reflect the blend of our three cultures: Norwegian, Italian, and English. It was held intentionally on the 21st of June — the summer solstice — as a celebration of light, sun, and nature at its most vibrant. The day brought us everything: sunshine, summer rain, even a few dramatic rumbles of thunder during the ceremony, as if nature itself wanted to be part of our story. It felt symbolic, reminding us of life’s beauty, unpredictability, and strength — all qualities that also define our relationship.

What styling and visual elements worked best for you? (could be things, the florals, particular hire products or your marquee, etc., something the stylist created or simply just the scenic beauty of your location or the existing design of your venue).

Images of Norwegian nature at this time of year were a constant reference point — both for inspiration and nostalgia. I wanted to evoke that feeling through wild berries on the tables, an ancient wedding chest repurposed as a leggio during the ceremony, and, of course, the timeless beauty of the villa itself. Every floral element was seasonal and locally grown, as though picked fresh from a nearby garden that very morning. The overall result was natural, warm, and effortlessly elegant — just what we had envisioned.

What did you enjoy most about the planning process, and do you have any tips for couples starting their wedding planning journey?

If you’re a control freak like me (the bride), let that go as soon as you can. Truly. No one really tells you this, but a wedding is a co-creation with your vendors — and if you’re lucky, as I was, you’ll fall in love with the final result. Trust the process and lean in. On the day, walking through each room of the villa and seeing everything come to life was magical. Every detail — the flowers, the lighting, the hair and makeup — came together beautifully. Chef’s kiss!

Tell us about your vendors. Were there any standout suppliers you would like to make special mention of?

Where to begin! Maria and her partner, our photographers, were incredible — so patient, so kind, and clearly passionate about what they do. Our hair and makeup team were also an absolute star; it felt like spending the morning with close friends. And the florists… they truly exceeded all expectations. I couldn’t have been happier. Each vendor brought their own magic to the day, and together they created something beyond what we’d imagined.

Tell us about your main outfits, what was unique, and is there a story?

I’ve never believed in having multiple outfits for a wedding. I wanted to fully live in my dress — to experience every moment in it. The only thing I changed was my veil, swapping it later for a soft chiffon silk scarf. It felt natural, elegant, and just right for me. My dress itself was timeless yet modern — something I hope will always remind me of the joy and simplicity of that day.

Tell us about your wedding and engagement rings.

My engagement ring is a family ring from Archie’s side, which belongs to his great-great-grandmother. It’s a beautiful ring from 1885 and I feel honoured to be wearing it. Archie’s grand mum gave it to him as a green light, almost to go ahead and propose. Our wedding bands are classic golden bands; we wanted to keep them timeless.

What were one or two elements that were most important to you both that you were happy to spend a little more on? (food, photography, florals, the venue, your outfits?).

Food and venue were the two key elements we wanted to secure and gravitate the rest of the day around.

Was there a favourite moment (or two) that you will treasure always?

During our vows, there was a truly magical moment when the sky rumbled with thunder and the bells of a nearby church rang at the same time. It felt cinematic — like nature was joining in. Another unforgettable moment was walking down the aisle to Slipping Through My Fingers by ABBA. It was emotional, beautiful, and perfectly captured the mix of joy and nostalgia that filled the day.”