A Pride & Prejudice Inspired Wedding Set in a Romantic 18th-Century Palace Garden

A poetic wedding of garden blooms, flickering candlelight, and Austen-era romance

The romance of Pride and Prejudice meets the refined elegance of modern minimalism in Kami and Leo’s unforgettable celebration, which unfolded at an 18th-century palace, a historical gem surrounded by a lush, manicured garden that feels timeless. During the outdoor ceremony, the couple exchanged vows beneath the open sky, beneath delicate panels of linen swaying gently from the trees. Guests later found their places by way of white linen napkins, each one lovingly embroidered with their name – a personal and thoughtful detail. As night fell, the celebration continued under the stars with a candlelit dinner surrounded by flowers and lush bushes, creating an almost secret garden atmosphere. Radiant in an off-the-shoulder ivory gown that seemed made for her, Kami echoed the poetic romance of her surroundings while exuding effortless grace. Every detail, from the wedding mood board to the final dance, was a masterclass in blending heritage, style and sentiment.

A Pride & Prejudice Inspired Wedding Set in a Romantic 18th-Century Palace Garden

Our Love Story

^{The Day We Met}

I was just starting an internship at my new job when my supervisor said, “Leo was impressed with how diligent you are.” That was the first time I heard the name of the man who would later become my husband—and, incidentally, the owner of the company. A couple of weeks later, my supervisor went on vacation, and Leo stepped in to cover for him for about a month. That’s when we started working side by side and getting to know each other.

Leo, however, has his own version of how we first met. He remembers seeing me in the parking lot the day I came in for my interview. I was standing there, clearly unsure of where to go, when he happened to walk by and paused behind me. “Strange,” he thought, “What’s such a young and striking woman doing in a gritty industrial zone like this? She must be here for us.” He smiled to himself—wisely, enigmatically—but didn’t approach. Leo lives by a personal motto: When fate is at work—step aside. When it rests—step in. He decided not to interfere, trusting that if it was meant to be, we’d cross paths again.

^{The Proposal}

That winter, we flew to Bali, and for two whole months, Leo was waiting for the perfect moment. At one point, I actually started to wonder if he’d forgotten his mother’s engagement ring back home. We hadn’t really discussed a proposal, but I had a feeling it might happen on this trip. We had already watched the sunrise from a volcano, sunbathed and swam on wild beaches, gotten caught in a mountain downpour, explored countless waterfalls, and spent dozens of cozy evenings with our closest friends. Still, none of those moments felt quite right to Leo.

He went with the helicopter ride. Everything was planned down to the last detail: a Bell helicopter, the most breathtaking view of the island, and—it just so happened—his birthday. I had invited a friend of mine who’s a photographer so we could capture the day properly. Picture this: we’re in the cabin, the noise is deafening, the radio in our headsets isn’t working, and I’m staring out the window. I turn around, and Leo is motioning wildly to the photographer (who’s juggling three cameras—film, digital, and her phone), signaling, “Start filming.” Somehow, she gets it. She picks up the phone, flips it horizontally, and hits record. And just like that, it felt straight out of a movie.

^{The Engagement Ring}

Leo gave me his mother’s engagement ring. When he told her he was going to propose, she opened her jewelry box and handed it to him, saying, “I never had a daughter before, but now I do—give her the ring your father once gave me. It’s a symbol of our family, our legacy.” It touched me to the core.

Our Wedding

^{The Vision}

Our biggest source of inspiration was the film Pride and Prejudice. Its visual language perfectly captured our vision of beauty. To stay organized amidst countless references and to help us assemble the right team, I created a full wedding mood board—covering everything from decor and dress code to the cake and our looks. Along the way, we discovered the perfect font pairings and layout, which we later used to design our invitations.

^{The Location}

The Gatchina Palace is a deeply meaningful place for us. When Leo and I had just started dating, our first trip as a couple was to Gatchina. It’s one of my most romantic memories—especially because I had never been to any of the towns in the Leningrad region before. Leo was the one who introduced them to me.

^{The Ceremony}

We explored other venues in St. Petersburg, but I never actually committed to meeting with any of their managers. In a way, I made a silent wish for everything to come together in our own garden. There were plenty of challenges—from the cost to the logistics, since the venue only provided the space and everything else had to be arranged from scratch.

^{The Cocktail Hour & Reception}

Highlights from our mood board included: round tables, solid-colored tablecloths, candles, a cigar bar, earthy tones, and a focus on natural materials—linen, cotton, metal, wood, and concrete. The guiding theme was less is more. We paid close attention to the details and how they worked together. For example, for the cigar bar, we found a vintage Limoges ashtray featuring a scene of a horseback hunt with hounds.

^{The Special Touches}

There’s a restaurant in St. Petersburg called Jolie Grand Bistro, known for its refined menu and beautiful interior details. We were inspired by their embroidered napkins, which are placed on the tables before guests arrive, and decided to create our own version: white linen napkins with our guests’ names delicately embroidered in shades of chocolate and cream. It was a thoughtful touch that beautifully replaced traditional table cards.

^{Our Favorite Moment}

Planning an outdoor wedding in St. Petersburg is always a bit of a weather gamble. No matter which date you choose, there’s a 50/50 chance it’ll rain. The forecast for our day wasn’t promising—cloudy skies and a high chance of rain. But when the ceremony began, I walked toward Leo, and as we exchanged rings, the clouds parted and sunlight broke through, shining right onto our hands.

Our Style

^{The Bridal Looks}

I had the perfect dress—as if it had been made just for me: Snow White by the Russian atelier brand Murashka. I saw it in a photo shared by the designer, and the very next day, I flew to Moscow for my first—and only—fitting ever.

Our Advice

^{For On the Day}

Your wedding day should feel easy, joyful, and truly yours—so prioritize comfort and peace of mind. Make sure to get plenty of rest the night before, enjoy a nourishing breakfast, and if possible, schedule the ceremony at a reasonable time—there’s no need to rush into the day. If you’re planning a “getting ready” or bridal morning photoshoot, think about doing it on a different day to keep the morning relaxed. Give yourself space to be present, soak in the moments, and actually enjoy the celebration you’ve worked so hard to plan.

A few extra tips for brides: delegate where you can, wear something that feels good and looks beautiful, keep a water bottle nearby, and have a small kit with essentials like tissues, a snack, and lip balm. And most importantly—let go of perfection. The best memories are made in the in-between moments, not in the perfectly planned ones.

A Pride & Prejudice Inspired Wedding Set in a Romantic 18th-Century Palace Garden