Maria and Viktor

#WedwithCourtly: Maria and Viktor

In a lively part of Saudi Arabia, where diverse cultures blend, Maria and Viktor found love not only in their shared kindness but also in the magic of ordinary moments. Maria, a Colombian master's student at KAUST, met Viktor, a Slovak visiting researcher, at the gym, where their warm smiles and friendly personalities drew them together. Their connection deepened as they realized they worked just across the hall, leading to endless hours of meaningful conversation and laughter. When Viktor proposed on Maria’s birthday, they both knew they wanted a stress-free wedding experience, which led them to Courtly, a platform recommended by friends who had previously married through it. 

How did you two meet, and what was your first impression of each other?

Our love story began in Saudi Arabia at KAUST, a university for postgraduate students. I came from Colombia to start my master’s in August 2022, while Viktor, from Slovakia, was working as a visiting researcher at the time. We first noticed each other at the gym after work every day, and what stood out to me about him was how kind he was—so polite and always smiling at everyone. Funny enough, he says the same thing about me! In a place filled with people from all over the world, it was our shared kindness that first drew us to each other.

A few days later, we realised that not only did we work in the same building, but our offices were on the same floor, right across from each other! After that, we started hanging out after the gym (we always seemed to finish at the same time). We’d talk for hours, and before I knew it, Viktor became my best friend—the person I always wanted to share everything with. Even though we come from different countries and speak different native languages, it’s never been an issue for us.

Why did you choose to get married through Courtly, and what was the experience like?

After a year of being together, Viktor proposed on my birthday, August 5th. That’s when we started thinking about the best way to get married. A couple of friends recommended Courtly HQ, which they had used to get married a few years back. Since we’re from different countries, it seemed like the easiest and most convenient option, so we decided to go for it. It turned out to be a great decision! The process was smooth, the support was available 24/7 (which was helpful with the time zone difference), and everything went off without any problems.

What was the most memorable moment from your wedding day?

On our wedding day, we had a lovely ceremony with Laura, who was super friendly and made everything feel so special. Even though there was a small mix-up with the time, it all worked out perfectly. After the ceremony, we privately read our vows to each other, which was such an intimate and special moment—definitely my favorite part of the day. We received sweet messages from family and friends afterward and then went out for a nice lunch to celebrate.

How has married life been so far, and what are you most looking forward to in your future together?

We’ve only been married a few days now, but with our marriage certificate, we’ve already applied for a place to move in together, and we’re so excited to start this new chapter. In the future, we hope to finish our PhDs and maybe stay in the Middle East a little longer—or possibly move to Europe. We’ll see where life takes us!

Do you have any advice for other couples getting married soon?

If I could give one piece of advice to couples getting married soon, it’s to enjoy the process! Marriage is a big decision, but the day itself should be a celebration, not a stressful experience. I’m so glad we chose Courtly. It was all so easy and stress-free. Some people think getting married online won’t feel the same, but you can make the day special, no matter how you do it. For me, it was one of the best days of my life!