In 2015, a mutual friend played Cupid and set up Polina and Ibrahim Shaker for a blind date on none other than Valentine’s Day in London. Talk about taking a leap of faith! And it paid off; within three short months, the couple had moved in together, embarking on a journey that would shape their future.
Fast forward seven years, and Ibrahim decided to pop the big question to Polina on her birthday, surrounded by her family at their home in the idyllic setting of Porto Cervo, Sardinia. While everyone was in on the surprise, Polina was genuinely taken aback, making the moment all the more special.
The couple opted for a two-part celebration, starting with an intimate civil ceremony in Gstaad before going big in St. Moritz, a place close to Polina’s heart due to her family’s long-standing skiing tradition there. With Lanza and Baucina Creative’s help, they envisioned a fairy-tale winter wonderland wedding during the unconventional month of February, creating lasting memories against the backdrop of snowy alpine landscapes.
The festivities kicked off with a warm welcome dinner at Paradiso Mountain Club, perched atop Corviglia. Guests embarked on a chairlift ride to the venue, where they savored a traditional Alpine meal after partaking in bullshots at the base.
On their wedding day, Polina and Ibrahim chose a unique setting: the ice rink of Badrutt’s Palace. Their love story came to life through a figure-skating performance choreographed by Olympic medalist Ilya Averbukh, culminating in Polina being escorted onto the ice by her father as the waltz from Sleeping Beauty filled the air. The bride looked ethereal in a caped gown designed with love by her mother, who ensured every stitch embodied serenity and elegance. Ibrahim awaited his bride under a heart-shaped arch alit with sparklers, donning a dapper Tom Ford tuxedo. Their kiss beneath the falling snow created an unforgettable moment witnessed by their dearest family and friends.
The celebration continued inside the hotel with a black-and-white Winter Wonderland-themed dinner. Polina dazzled once more in a ballet-core corset dress by Ulyana Sergeenko Couture, adorned with beaded gloves featuring personal symbols that told their love story. The guests were treated to an unexpected tango performance before proceeding to the after-party.
For the final act of this magical day, the couple transformed the hotel’s cinema into a sultry red nightclub. Paulina changed into her third ensemble—a Nicole + Felicia Couture velvet minidress adorned with handmade white flowers—matching the venue’s moody ambiance. Folk motifs, plush red velvet couches, wooden accents, and cascading florals set the stage for a night of revelry that immersed guests in an atmosphere of passion and festivity.
Months later, Polina reminisces about her wedding day with fondness, cherishing every moment imprinted on her memory. Though the memories are forever etched in their minds, she eagerly anticipates the future and the new chapters yet to be written as husband and wife.