A Soulful September Wedding at Montreux Palace: Olga & John’s Destination Celebration in Switzerland Written by: Simon Gori, Lovely Words

On 21 September 2024, sixty guests from around the world gathered on the lawn of the Montreux Palace, overlooking the shimmering Lake Geneva, for a ceremony that was as heartfelt as it was unforgettable. Led by celebrant Simone Gori of Lovely Words, the ceremony began with a soulful live performance of Debussy’s Clair de Lune by Esprit Duo — the perfect introduction to a day filled with intimacy and intention.

Olga, ever thoughtful, had included a moment of quiet stillness before the vows, inviting everyone to be fully present with open hearts and minds. Passing the couple’s rings through the hands of their guests created a sense of shared blessing and provided a tactile reminder that everyone present was an integral part of their journey.

As the couple shared the story of their love — from their first meeting at a hurricane commemoration gathering to a spontaneous, starry-lit proposal in the Caribbean — tears, laughter and knowing smiles rippled through the crowd. The deeply personal and emotional vows marked the ceremony's emotional peak, after which the newlyweds led their guests into a sun-kissed autumn reception accompanied by Mendelssohn’s Wedding March.

With golden September sunlight dancing on the lake, guests enjoyed Swiss-inspired aperitifs and seasonal snacks in the palace gardens. The atmosphere was a harmonious blend of natural beauty and sophisticated hospitality, something Switzerland does so well.

Later, inside the palace’s grand ballroom, the celebration took on a new form. Olga, whose style is as bold as it is sophisticated, changed into a second outfit — a fashion-forward moment that she embraced with confidence and joy. Photographer Rebecca Carpenter captured every glance, laugh and stolen moment, telling the story of the day through her lens. She later said: “Olga and John: what a couple, what a wedding, what a day! I don’t think I’ve laughed so much at a wedding in a long time. Olga has the most infectious personality; she is a joy to be around and an absolute joy to photograph.”

The night continued with heartfelt toasts, an elegant dinner and a lively party led by DJ Lewis Larke. The celebration was brought together by flowers from Garden Centre Brönnimann, chic stationery by Aimée Willow Designs, and glamorous hair and makeup by Coiffure du Palace, creating an event that was both deeply personal and delightfully stylish.

Olga and John’s wedding is a testament to the enchantment of a destination wedding in Switzerland. It's not just the alpine scenery or the opulent venues, such as the Montreux Palace — although these certainly help. It's the chance to celebrate your love in a place that feels both extraordinary and deeply grounding.

Olga, a former litigator who now runs a global executive coaching practice in Hong Kong, is no stranger to attention to detail or deadline-driven organisation. However, planning a wedding from abroad presented some unique challenges. However, with superb assistance from the in-house team at the Fairmont Le Montreux Palace and her celebrant, Simone Gori of LOVELY WORDS, everything came together exquisitely on the day. Even the sun smiled down upon the union one last time before being replaced by autumnal grey.  

Whether you want a lakeside ceremony, a mountaintop vow exchange or a chic city soirée, Switzerland offers a harmonious blend of elegance, intimacy and natural beauty — ideal for couples like Olga and John, who want their wedding to feel meaningful, memorable and unmistakably 'them'.