HARITINI AND BILL

Getting Married in a Beautiful Domaine, a few minutes out of Athens, Greece

THE WEDDING STORY

Destination weddings are great. In my opinion, getting to a destination and inviting all your friends to celebrate this love party with you, is the sweetest idea of all. But not only destination weddings are the ones that matter. Every wedding is important and unique, in my opinion.

Haritini and Bill firstly met at Meganisi Island, a small island near Lefkada Island in the Ionian Sea, where Bill comes from. They have both been visiting Meganisi every summer, but they didn’t want their guests to be in trouble or travel all the way to Meganisi. So they decided to get married in Athens, where they both live and work.

THE BRIDE AND GROOM”S FASHION

Our beautiful bride looked amazing in her full of Swarovski fine rocks, Mairi Mparola fairy tale gown and walked in a hand made Greek hills in pale colours, hand crafted by Thomas Shoes. A true lady would never leave to church without wearing her fine Jewellery. Haritini jewellery and stones were created by Frangos Jewellery, maybe the oldest  silversmith shop in the capital of Greece. The bride’s magnificent make up and hair styling was work of the talented and amazing professional ‘George Marascas’. The groom’s fashion was a mix of classy night James Bond chic tux, created by the very famous Papadogamvros, and a pair of shiny Carlo Pignatelli’s, the fanciest Italian men shoes.

THE DECORATION

The wedding decoration was a beautiful production between ‘Peony and Porcelain Events’ and ‘NEDA Decorations’ and what blew my mind was the fresh fruit decoration in all the greenery and purple flower drops, with grapes and figs being the centre theme in every table. The cake was a polygon masterpiece, created by Alexander Pavlov, owner of the famous Greek Patisserie ‘Pavlov’s Lab’ and all the invitation suit and papergoods was a creation of Pavlos Leventelis, owner of ‘Atelier Invitations’.

WEDDING GHURCH and THE WEDDING VENUE, THE CEREMONY and THE RECEPTION

Weddings in Greece are usually about scoring a venue with great outdoor facilities to host a couple’s guests, given that everyone arrives at a warm-weather country, famous for its jaw-dropping views and sunset vistas. Having that in mind, our beautiful couple decided to have an all inclusive wedding, where the ceremony and reception would take place in the same venue. The wedding ceremony took place at the beautiful Middleage styled ‘ St. Constantine and Helen’s ’church, the domaine’s private church. The weather was ideal, sunny but not that hot for those early September days.

Ending the ceremony, the couple’s guests followed the cocktail hour, outside Domaine Karras’ beautiful reception venue where a jazz band played Bill and Haritini’s favourite Thelonious Monk tunes. Soon, their beloved guests were kindly asked to place themselves at their tables and the entrance went on. But there was a huge surprise they both were not aware of. Entering the venue they thought that they would hear their chosen song, but things did not go according to their plan. Thanos Kalliris, one of their most beloved, and famous, singer, was there singing. They both started shaking their bodies to Thanos Kalliris’ beat and the party begun and carried on until morning.

I really admire such weddings. And I mean the weddings that are full of surprises, nice tunes, party beats and happy faces.

POST WEDDING PORTRAIT SESSION or NOT?

Haritini and Bill, on their wedding day, decided to have a next day portrait session. This was an excellent choice and an option I always advice my couples to take, especially if they choose to exchange their vows during sunset. I know that if you choose to have your wedding ceremony half an hour before sunset, you will not have to let yourself get hot and sweat. Although people in Greece tend to desire that choice, the disadvantage is crucial. The disadvantage would not be other that after the ceremony, there will not be enough light or time to have the wedding portraits so a post wedding portrait session is a ‘one way road’.

NEXT DAY PORTRAIT SESSION at CAPE SOUNIO and THE ANCIENT TEMPLE OF POSEIDON

Returning back to Cape Sounio, after all that years, was a so romantic way of Bill, to remind Haritini about their first date. This is the place where Bill asked Haritini to be his girlfriend and such stories are the best thing a romantic photographer, like me, can hear. In a happy though shy way, the groom shared with me: ‘I loved her from the very first time we met. We were friends, but we both liked each other for a long time. After some time, I found some courage and asked her to jump in my bike and follow me in a romantic ride to the Athenian Riviera. When we finally reached Cape Sounio, I just could not wait. I kissed her!’ And like this, their fairytale love journey began.

Ten years later, after their wedding, they invited me to be the one to capture all the feelings and happy faces. They said it was important to them but I didn’t know anything about it. When the time came and he shared with me the beautiful story behind Cape Sounio, and why the location was so important to them, I felt so powerful that I wanted to create the best gallery I ever made. Such stories are a true inspiration for artists. And so I did.

As featured on Love 4 Weddings

Planning, Design :Peony and Porcelain Events
Bridal Outfit : Mairi Mparola / Thomas Handmade
Groom’s Attire : Papadogamvros / Carlo Pignatelli
Cinematography : Konstantinos Liopetas
Florals : Neda Decorations