Pack your bags pretties because we’re headed across the world to a little place called Mykonos. It’s the Greek island that brings all your Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants travel dreams to life plus backdrop to this INSANELY dreamy wedding day. MykonosWedding by Aikaterini planned, Anna Roussos photographed, and you might never convince me to leave all that’s waiting in The Vault.
From Mykonos Wedding…Tom & Kylene chose Mykonos as the island that suits them both best for their happy and original spirit. They flew their friends and family from the US and from Athens, Greece, to make this dream come true.
It was a warm day and for a May wedding it couldn’t have been a better weather situation. Kylene and her bridesmaids were prepared in the private villa where the couple was staying during all their stay on Mykonos island. Tom and his groomsmen were prepared in a luxury suites hotel near by. A small chapel with magnificent views to the sea, provided the perfect scene for their Christian Orthodox ceremony.
All guests upon arrival found their seats on the outdoor space of the chapel, around the orthodox ceremony table waiting for the couple to make their entrance. Traditional musicians lead the way for the arrival of the groom first and later of the bride. All Greek Christian Orthodox ceremony customs took place. The two large beautifully decorated candles symbolizing the light preceding each one of the couple for all their life together. The ‘koufeta’, the sugar covered almonds, that symbolize the joys and sorrows of marriage as well as fertility. The rice and the rose petals that were thrown to the couple during the ceremony which symbolize abundance and a life strewn with rose petals and the single glass filled with red wine that sealed their love and union. ‘The two that became one for the rest of their lives’.
Kylene’s parents and sisters, were beaming watching her marry the love of her life, and wishing them well. The bride’s so cute little dog pet starred during her entrance and ceremony, wearing bows that matched the whole wedding concept.
Following the ceremony, guests arrived to Nammos Beach Restaurant for the reception and were invited to enjoy a cocktail on the beach lounge especially prepared, with carpets covering the sand, making it a convenient floor to the ladies with high heels. Signature cocktails and drinks were served and while guests where relaxing after the overwhelming ceremony, another overwhelming event was about to happen. The couple arrived by sea, standing on the bow of a stylish polished motorboat, decorated with flowers. None of the guests was expecting anything like this, everyone stood amazed watching the couple as the boat was approaching.
The dinner was delicious as expected, followed by speeches from the family and guests and a few hours of energetic music and dancing. Food, music, champagne, and exquisite sweet surprises to keep the guests entertained through out. The bride, wore a lovely open back dress, embellished with shining elements, custom made by a friend. The groom wore a Hugo Boss tux as well as his groomsmen, showcasing the groom’s style and personality. The flowers chosen to match the classic style, were white and pink roses with olive leaves that made a lovely statement in the bridal and bridesmaids bouquets and in the table centerpieces.
From The Bride…A few months into dating, my Greek-American boyfriend and I went on our first trip together to Greece. It was during that trip that we said our first ‘I love you’s’, wrote our names in the white volcanic rock in Santorini, and he brought me to see the church where he said he someday would like to get married.
It was a magical trip trip where I fell in love with not only my future husband, but Greece itself. Fast-forward three years and I was back in Mykonos, Greece with all of our close friends and family walking up to that same church to meet my awaiting fiance.
Planning our wedding, however, was not quite as magical as that first trip to Greece. Of course I had my Pinterest boards full of inspiration, bookmarked wedding blogs, and dogeared magazine pages, but I quickly learned that planning a wedding in Greece would not be as easy as I had imagined. Coming from the US, I was not accustomed to the slower pace of life that Greece operates under,as well as different legal requirements for the ceremony and lack of resources on the island.
I was lucky enough to schedule my dream photographer from Greece, Anna Roussos, found a fantastic florist (Studio 7) who was just opening a shop on Mykonos, and hired an excellent wedding planner (MykonosWedding by Aikaterini) to help with all the details, who knew everyone involved and coordinated everything in such a way I never had to worry about anything.
In the end, we had the most beautiful Greek Island wedding I could have hoped for. The weekend started out with a welcome party at our villa with traditional Greek food catered from one of our favorite little restaurants. This was a great night for our extended families to meet for the first time.
The next day was our Greek Orthodox wedding ceremony at a small church atop a hill overlooking the Aegean Sea, complete with traditional Greek musicians to accompany us up the path. Our reception followed at Nammos Restaurant on Psarrou Beach with the most delicious dinner and even some Greek dancing which continued late into the night. The weekend wrapped up with a wooden boat sailing trip to the Island of Delos where we explored the ancient ruins, then returned to Mykonos in time to watch the sunset over the famous windmills.
Photography: Anna Roussos | Event Planning + Design: MykonosWedding by Aikaterini | Floral Design: Studio 7 | Invitations: Aerialist Press | Ceremony Venue: Orthodox Church | Reception Venue: Nammos | Bride's Shoes: Louboutin | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Monique Lhuillier | Hair + Makeup: BeautyWorld Mykonos | Groom's Attire: Hugo Boss | Groomsmen Attire: Hugo Boss | Hotel: Greco Philia
