GREEK TRADITION WAS MET WITH AFRICAN INFLUENCE
When Yelena and Petros started planning their destination wedding in Greece, they were certain that they wanted the celebration to be elegant and chic wedding concept, but to still have special classic wedding touches. With the help of la fete, the couple managed to create an awe-inspiring wedding of their dreams in Syros, Greece. Yelena and Petros had been to Syros before with some Greek friends and that is when they had fallen in love with the magical Greek island. So when the time came to begin planning their destination wedding, they knew that they wanted to share this magical place with their loved ones.
Syros is an island unlike any other. This picturesque cycladic capital is filled with cosmopolitan charm, iconic neoclassical architecture, and aristocratic romanticism. The iconic island was the perfect backdrop for this bespoke wedding where Greek tradition was met with African influence. The artful wedding invitations offered a true destination wedding vibe with a welcome message, maps and activity suggestions to make their guests feel truly like locals. The beautiful and stylish bride, Yelena, wore a stunning wedding dress with gorgeous detailing. The bride carried an exquisite bridal bouquet with an elegant mix of wabara garden roses in blush, creamy peach and ivory mixed with local greenery of olive leaf and eucalyptus. The handsomely dressed groom donned a striking navy-blue suit paired with a crisp white shirt and wore a boutineer that perfectly matched the pastel roses from the wedding bouquet.
For the wedding ceremony the couple selected chic pearl wedding crowns (stefana) tied with a lovely white ribbon. The lovely Orthodox wedding ceremony took place at the historic, Byzantine-style church of Agia Paraskevi in Alithini. This private church belongs to the shipowner, Athanasio Martino. The church’s spectacular location allowed guests to enjoy astonishing views of the entire island as well as the Aegean sea. During the ceremony, Yelena and Petros’ were all smiles and beamed with love. The ceremony was breathtaking, emotional and filled with smiles and tears of joy. Loved ones were honored to congratulate Yelena and Petros on this monumental day. The wedding ceremony was immediately followed by cocktails and an intimate reception. The one-of-a-kind wedding reception took place in the private courtyard of the Byzantine-style church of Agia Paraskevi.
At the wedding and reception venues, the la fete wedding planning team fulfilled the couples dream of an elegant and chic wedding. The private romantic sanctuary-style courtyard provided the perfect stage for the wedding party and the la fete team made sure that every detail was perfect and authentic to Yelena and Petros’ wedding concept. nder the guidance of la fete, the couple invited the extremely talented photographer, Giorgos Fasoulis. The unique wedding venue was truly a hidden gem, that provided a fantastic backdrop for the most incredible wedding photographs!
La fete attained an unparalleled romantic ambience with the wedding decor and tablescape. The pastel color palette set a sophisticated yet welcoming tone. The soft romantic lighting of bistro lamps and the shine of gold dotted added a little extra sparkle. The wedding party and guests’ tables were strewn with crisp white linen tablecloths and topped with lovely pastel-colored centerpieces. The centerpieces were composed of white, yellow and blush roses, baby's breath, white chrysanthemums. The elegant cutlery and crystal glasses reflected the warm candlelight creating the most wonderful atmosphere. A touch of luxury was added with rose-gold origami-style votive candle holders and elephants.
On the reception table, the couple created an installation of framed photos honoring lost loved ones. There were also cards asking guests to give their best marital advice to the couple. Some messages were heartfelt and some funny, but all with loving sentiment. Guests absolutely loved sharing their best marital advice with the bride and groom. These lovely sentiments will be a cherished keepsake for the couple for years to come! As a lovely touch, guests’ seating assignments were attached to a wire-frame wall by way of clothespins. The seating assignments directed guests to their assigned table. Each wedding table had the word ‘Love’ written into a different language.
When the couple arrived at the wedding reception they were greeted by loved ones fanning the couple with palm fronds. Palms are also considered to be symbols of good luck and longevity. At the reception, wedding guests enjoyed a traditional, locally-sourced Greek buffet menu and open bar that served cocktails and drinks throughout the evening. Dinner under the moonlight was the perfect opportunity for the newlyweds to welcome their guests and thank them for coming. Following dinner, the couple served an elegant two-tiered white and yellow wedding cake adorned with blush, peach and white roses as well as ivy. During the cake cutting there was a little extra magic with a firework display and sparklers glowing against the warm mediteranean sky.
What truly made this event shine was the after party. This magical Greek destination wedding party lasted until the early morning hours. Yelena and Petros and their friends could not have been happier. The incomparable DJ played a fantastic mix of international music while guests broke plates for good luck and danced the night away!
