High-end jewelry designer and Paris Fashionweek’s rising star, Nigora Tabayer and Justin Chen, are married!
Our happy couple Nigora Tabayer and Justin Chen just got featured today on the first page of WedLuxe. They recited their vows in front of 60 family and friends at Villa Balbiano in Lake Como. The intimate ceremony was the culmination of a weekend that was all about elegance and statement style, in a setting straight out of a fairytale, with a stunning wedding wardrobe – the highlight of which was the bride’s two head-to-toe Dior looks: one for the ceremony in embroidered lace, long sleeves, silk skirt with a long train, topped with a classical cathedral-length tulle veil, and custom-tulle slingbacks, and one for the wedding party, a romantic, ruffled blush Hollywood-style gown, both with the signature of Maria Grazia Chiuri.
But way before here dress fittings at Dior, and Nigora’s epic walk down our crazy 75-meter mirror-covered fountain aisle bisectiing the manicured lawn, there was a meeting in Miami that started everything. Nigora crossed paths with Justin 3 years ago.
They met in Miami while she was waiting her table with her friend at the restaurant Faena. Justin was waiting for his table with his friends and during that time Nigora was telling her friend about her summer vacation in Italy, apparently Justin was listening their conversation and heard that she was in Capri then joined the conversation with the two girls because he also was just got back from Capri.
After their engagement and the big excitement she started to think about the wedding dress. Nigora knew she wanted a look that would be equal parts romantic and iconic, and ultimately turned to Christian Dior and Maria Garcia Chiuri to create two dream dresses for her and advise on Justin’s look who also got dressed in head-to-toe Dior.
Our beautiful couple loves Italy as they have had the best of holidays in Como and for this reason they have reach out to us. They wanted to make sure that their destination wedding was in a location with both beautiful water and mountains in the same location to have the perfect background. Being a luxury international wedding planner, we perfectly know that the picturesque and panoramic views of Lake Como call for the most beautiful and breathtaking destination for our couples and Villa Balbiano was the perfect venue for the fairytaile wedding of Nigora and Justin.
In 1982, Balbiano was bought by Michele Canepa, an elegant silk industrialist in the silk business, whose family has been in the business for generations, and who produces fabric for haute couture houses such as Oscar de la Renta, Chanel, and Lanvin. He beautified the gardens with new species of trees and flowers, some of which are quite rare. He also modernized the interior, leaving the original trompe l’oeil and pictorial sequences painted by the Recchi brothers in 1630, but adding abstract German paintings from the 1950s, 60s, and 70s. There are modern fabrics that come from Canepa’s factory and a magnificent ball gown mounted on the wall, made by his wife in the 80s for a museum competition with a Fortuny theme. The quintessential beauty of the landscape called for the quintessential beauty of roses. In fact, 25 thousand white roses were used for the wedding decoration.
On Sunday, 25th August, guests enjoyed an exclusive brunch and pool party at Villa Sola Cabiati. In the afternoon, each lady guest received her own hairdresser and make-up artist, a gift from the Bride who wanted to make sure they will all feel special and pampered. Around 4.30 p.m. , all guests exited their Villas and 4-star Hotels and were transported to Villa Balbiano on board private Riva boats arranged by the bride and groom. Upon their arrival at the pier the notes of the full-member Orchestra LNSO were already sounding while flutes of champagne welcomed them before the ceremony. Unlike what most of the guests had anticipated the ceremony was not held with a view towards the lake, but at the iconic fountain garden of the Villa. The 75-meter-long fountain was completely covered by a mirror aisle with roses on each side. Big rose-filled urns were also placed on the external sides of the aisle for a opulent touch.
Nigora came out of the main entrance of the pavilion and walked down the 75-meter mirror aisle escorted by her father. At the sounds of the 25-member National Latvian Orchestra she headed to Justin who was already at the altar waiting for her. She and Justin exchanged votes in front of the 60 highly selected guests and the couple was pronounced husband and wife at that perfect moment in Italy when the light looked the most magical.
After the ceremony all the couple’s guests were invited to the Italian garden with a breathtaking view of the Como Lake where they enjoyed canapes and champagne while enjoying the entertainment by Adriano Celentano’s cover band. Before dinner the bride made her first change by removing the top veil and the silk skirt revealing an evening lace dress.
A marquee of 270sqm with geometric shapes on the ceiling was created to host the event. Mirror finishes, big crystal chandeliers, thousands of white roses and muted colors tablecloths completed the decoration. The dinner began with the important performance of the famous American artist Robert Davi, who came to Italy exclusively to perform his famous “Frank Sinatra” show at the wedding.
In command of the kitchen was the exclusive VIP catering “Federico Salza” well known to have created the menu for George & Amal Clooney’s wedding. The chef presented a finely curated menu and exclusive dishes such as, Granceola Salad as a starter, Gnudi from Florence as first course and Lamb loin sliced with mint sauce as the main course. During the dinner the famous Italian band “Ricchi e Poveri” performed for the guests. At the end of the dinner, the bride made her second dress change, choosing a romantic, ruffled maison Dior gown in blush pink. To conclude the evening, an exclusive show of 100 drones flew over the waters of the lake, drawing the couple’s names and words of their love story. For the cutting of the cake (a typical Italian Milfeuille with custard of 120cm circumference) the guests attended an immaculate firework show that illuminated the entire Lake Como. Our beautiful couple and their guests continued dancing until late to the sound of Crazy and Fuck You from the famous Cee Lo Green who also came to Lake Como exclusively for Nigora & Justin’s wedding.
All this splendor would not have been possible without our trusted suppliers:
Decor: About You
Photographer: Bottega53
Stationery: Letterink
Marquee: Le Coperture
Makeup: Margo Holder
Hair Stylist: Paola Bianchera
Wedding Dress Designer: Dior Houte Couture
Wedding Shoes: Dior Houte Couture
Catering: Federico Salza
Entertainment: Next Level Agency