Polina and Ibrahim Shaker were set up on a blind date on Valentine’s Day in London in 2015. They quickly fell in love and moved in together within three months. After seven years together, Ibrahim proposed to Polina on her birthday in Porto Cervo, Sardinia. Their small civil wedding in Gstaad was followed by a grand celebration in St. Moritz, planned with the help of Lanza and Baucina Creative. They chose to have their wedding in February, creating a winter wonderland experience that was different from the usual summer weddings.
Their wedding weekend began with a welcome dinner at Paradiso Mountain Club, where guests arrived via chairlift to a cozy slopeside chalet for an Alpine-style meal. The next day, Polina and Ibrahim wed on the ice rink of Badrutt’s Palace in a ceremony that featured a 15-person figure-skating routine telling the story of their romance. Polina wore a caped gown designed by her mother, while Ibrahim donned a Tom Ford tuxedo. The couple kissed under a heart-shaped arch lit with sparklers as the snow fell, surrounded by family and friends.
After the ceremony, guests enjoyed a black-and-white Winter Wonderland-themed dinner at the hotel. Polina changed into a ballet-core corset dress by Ulyana Sergeenko Couture and surprised guests with a performance by tango dancers. The after-party took place in the hotel’s cinema, transformed into a moody red nightclub. Polina changed into a velvet minidress by Nicole + Felicia Couture with white hand-made flowers on the skirt. Guests danced all night immersed in the folk-inspired decor, surrounded by red velvet couches, wooden bar, and cascades of flowers.
A few months after their wedding, Polina reflects on the day, saying that she remembers every moment vividly. She is happy that the wedding is over and is excited for what the future holds for their relationship. The memories of their magical winter wonderland wedding will stay with them forever.
