Fashion stylist Olivia Kijo and Jan Furmanek, an orthopedic surgeon, met in high school—it was love at first sight. After more than six years together, he proposed at the end of their holiday on Fuerteventura Island in Spain with a ring inspired by Olivia’s grandmother’s old signet that Olivia’s friend had created.
For their August 2019 wedding, the couple chose to host the festivities in their hometown of Łódź in Poland. After the church ceremony, guests headed to Karol Poznański’s Palace for the reception. And to help set the tone of everything, Shini Park created simple yet classic wedding stationery.
Olivia had never been one of those women who had dreamt about their wedding dress for years. “The only thing I wanted was a minimal and timeless design with a twist,” she explains. An asymmetrical Stella McCartney gown turned out to be the perfect dress to wear down the aisle, and she paired it with a veil by Agata Wojtkiewicz, her favorite Celine Baroque pearl earrings, and Jimmy Choo sandals. Olivia admist that she broke Polish traditional rules, which state that wearing pearls and sandals for a wedding brings bad luck, but she often takes the road less traveled.
On August 10, 2019, Olivia and Jan’s ceremony was a celebration of 10 years together. “I felt so special, when I saw my fiancé at the altar waiting for me,” Olivia shares. And the couple couldn’t hide their tears when they exchanged rings. “I will remember these feelings for the rest of my life.”
Once officially married, Olivia changed into her reception dress from The Row. And at the palace, traditional Polish dishes with a twist were served, while a string quartet provided a lovely ambiance. Olivia’s friend Paulina Pyszkiewicz also arranged the florals with the bride’s favorite flowers. And vintage crystal vases that the bride collected from her grandmothers and friends, specifically for this day, were scattered around the room.
Then, the newlyweds then had their first dance to “You Only Live Twice” by Nancy Sinatra—one of their favorite love songs—and cut their champagne wedding cake.
Immediately after their wedding, the new Mr. and Mrs. headed to the west coast of the Untied States for a three-week honeymoon. Olivia adds, “It was the most romantic road-trip ever.”