Chapter Five: The Relationship Turns Serious
Carlo: Sofia was delighted by the fact that love had found me. She was especially touched to learn that Mariam is a mother – family, for her, is the ultimate value – and she instantly warmed to the woman I had chosen. My own mother, a Neapolitan by birth, couldn’t help drawing parallels between our worlds. Italy and Georgia share a rhythm of life: the neighborly warmth that spills across balconies, conversations called from window to window, the instinct to welcome a guest as if they were kin. In the small rituals of daily life – a crowded kitchen, a table that always seems to expand to fit one more plate – our cultures feel almost like reflections of one another.
Mariam: I spoke to my family about Carlo only after we had moved beyond the early stages of dating, once our relationship had taken on a more serious meaning. At that point, I felt it was time for him to meet my son, my grandmother, my father, and my brothers. Naturally, their first reaction was surprise — it wasn’t an easy story for them to absorb all at once. What moves me most is the bond that has blossomed between Carlo and Deme – a connection that feels rare and unshakable.
It’s worth noting that our personal journeys have been remarkably alike – perhaps one of the very reasons we found such harmony together. Everything we have lived through has given us the foundation on which to build a marriage that feels solid and enduring.
Neither of us was able to hold on to our first marriages, but those chapters gave us something priceless: our children – Demetre, Vittorio, and Beatrice.
Chapter Six: A Tale of Two Proposals
Carlo: The first time I proposed was pure impulse, just before a flight to Europe. We were standing in Tbilisi airport, boarding about to begin, when I turned to her and asked, “Will you marry me?” She said yes without hesitation – and it became one of the happiest moments of my life.
Mariam: Before his flight, we sat in a café over coffee. At one point, I leaned into him, and he wrapped his arms around me with such tenderness. Then, quite suddenly, he asked, “Will you marry me?” I hadn’t expected a proposal in that moment – he didn’t even have a ring. Yet, in my heart, I was already ready to spend my life with Carlo, so of course, I said yes with joy.
The second proposal came later, this time steeped in tradition and accompanied by the most exquisite ring. He asked me once again to be his life’s companion – this time in Rome, just before Madame Sofia’s birthday.
Chapter Seven: Preparing for the Wedding
Carlo: I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to Click Events for their exceptional professionalism. A special compliment goes to Maka and Sopho – we now consider them practically part of our family. Without them, it would have been impossible to plan an event of such scale and beauty.
Mariam: For our wedding theme, we chose Georgian culture, with the ceremony steeped in traditional elements. Many of our guests were visiting Georgia for the very first time, and we wanted them to discover my homeland through this celebration. Though we are a small nation, our history is ancient and endlessly rich – a heritage that deserves to be shared with the world. On a personal level, I see it as my mission to be a cultural ambassador for Georgia, to let the world hear our story – even if it’s through my own wedding and love story – and to show what Georgia and its people truly are.
Carlo: Our first wedding took place in Georgia on July 26, with nearly three hundred guests in attendance. A second celebration is planned for this autumn in Geneva, where my mother will finally be able to join us in person. For the Georgian wedding, we welcomed fifty guests from abroad, which meant every detail had to be orchestrated to perfection – from hotel reservations and airport transfers to entertainment and leisure. My wish was for my friends to feel the same sense of wonder I experienced during my very first visit to Georgia.
What awaited them was an unforgettable gastronomic journey, paired with performances by some of the country’s finest singers – their voices carrying both modern melodies and timeless classical pieces. Dancers in vibrant costumes brought Georgian folklore vividly to life. And, as you know, we also embraced the spiritual essence of the occasion, sealing our vows in the sacred beauty of a church ceremony.
One of my greatest joys was seeing how enchanted our guests were by the cultural experience they found in Georgia. They fell in love with my second homeland – amazed by its deep spirituality and the warmth of its people. In my eyes, it was an incredibly successful wedding, one that served almost like a calling card for the country – because every single guest left with the desire to return.
Chapter Eight: Georgian Dance and Carlo Ponti’s Personal Transformation
Carlo: I’ve always been a man of strict discipline. I like everything to be organized, precise, and executed to perfection.
Mariam: I approached the wedding preparations with a deep sense of responsibility — especially when it came to the Georgian dance performances. But, to be honest, it was Carlo who showed even greater discipline in that regard.
Carlo: To synchronize our steps with the music, I even drew diagrams – mapping each movement to match the musical beat. I was delighted to learn that the Sukhishvili troupe later used my chart as a model for working with other couples.
Learning the dance gave me the chance to experience the many layers and profound meaning of Georgian culture. Within it lies the country’s moral code and its values: love, strength, resilience, dignity, grace, and elegance. I believe these values are something Georgia can teach the world. It is a nation rich in spirit, with lofty ideals. Mariam embodies those values – they are deeply rooted in her, the very essence of what I would call the Georgian soul.
As a musician, I naturally perceive culture through a musical lens, and in learning the dance, I came to understand the unique character and richness of Georgian music as well.
We were fortunate to have the guidance of Sukhishvili dancers Giorgi Manjgaladze, PuskaGamakhurdia, and Ninuka Sharashidze in preparing our wedding performances. Throughout the process, we exchanged knowledge with one another – it was an extraordinary experience.
I don’t think I will ever be the same artist I was before. In conducting, one of the most important elements is one’s stance. After learning Georgian dance, I stand differently on stage. Usually, when you step onto a stage, no words are needed – your presence alone speaks volumes. Musicians can sense who you are, what you represent. It’s almost telepathic. From now on, I will walk onto the stage differently – like a Georgian dancer.
Chapter Nine: An Invisible and Visible Bond with Georgia
Carlo: It is a great honor for me to be bound by invisible threads to such an exceptional and culturally rich country. Three of the most significant moments of my life have taken place here in Georgia.
In 2016, I had the opportunity to work with two of the most remarkable Georgian artists – Nino Surguladze and Nino Ananiashvili. I conducted a performance at the Opera and Ballet Theatre, a unique fusion of Jean Cocteau’s The Human Voice and Fellini’s La Strada. The entire creative team from Italy came to Georgia and worked tirelessly alongside their Georgian colleagues. My mother flew in to attend – it was her very first time in Georgia, and she fell in love with this magnificent country at first sight.
Then, in 2021, I met Mariam – my life partner.
And now, most recently, I celebrated my wedding here. So many precious memories bind me to this land and people that it is impossible for me to feel like a stranger – I consider myself at home.
What inspires me most is a core Georgian principle, the very essence of its communication: If you come as a friend, I will greet you with a full cup; if you come as an enemy, I will raise my sword. Georgians are a strong people – and they are fully aware of their strength. That alone commands respect.
There is also a quality that sets Georgians apart from other nations – their absolute candor. If they do not like you, they will let you know. They will say plainly when they believe your actions are wrong. They are transparent and direct; there is no flattery, no empty praise.
Chapter Ten: Plans for the Near Future
Mariam: Carlo gives me the freedom of choice and respects my personal space – something that reveals itself in many ways, even when it comes to planning our future.
When my husband suggested that we move to Geneva, despite my previous attempt at living in Switzerland, I had to turn him down. It was simply too hard to be away from my family, my friends, and the familiar rhythm of my homeland.
He understood my decision, and we agreed that I would move to Geneva only when I felt ready for such a significant change. To be honest, I prefer life in Georgia… and who knows? Perhaps in time Carlo might even change his mind about where our home should be.
Interview: Tatuli Gvinianidze
Photo: Frame me / Marina Karpiy
Event Organizer: Click Events / Click Wedding
