Abbie and Jordan, originally from the UK, were dreaming of a destination wedding on the sun-washed island of Crete. Planned and brought to life by Wedding Crete by Tati, their celebration unfolded as a refined white-on-white moment, light, calm, and intentionally understated. Decor was kept intentionally sparse, but nothing felt random. Instead of layering details, the design leaned into a few standout pieces, treated more like art objects. Each one had space to exist on its own, letting light, architecture, and scale do the heavy lifting.
Location: Crete, Greece
Style: Coastal, Minimalistic, Modern
Time of planning: 2 years
Number of guests: 36
Setting: Resort
Season: Summer
Abbie and Jordan’s story started in the most classic modern way: from a slight Instagram DM. One message turned into an instant connection, and from that point on, they were inseparable.
Their engagement happened during an early-morning trip to New York, on Bow Bridge in Central Park. Just after sunrise, with the city still quiet around them, Jordan proposed in a private, deeply personal moment. New York stayed with them as a shared memory, but when it came to the wedding, their vision was clear. They wanted warmth, sea air, and the feeling of being fully present with the people they love most. Crete became the answer.
Bride's Morning & Fashion
Abbie’s morning was calm and joyful, spent with her closest friends, champagne in hand, fully present in the moment. The bridal look reflected the same philosophy as the overall wedding: soft-luxury, zero-noise and costal ease.
She wore an Enzoani gown with a clean silhouette, paired with Jo Malone perfume, Next earrings, and a Swarovski necklace. Her beauty look, created by Natasha Makeup Artist, was soft and natural, perfectly in sync with the mood of the day.
Groom’s Fashion
Jordan opted for a relaxed yet polished look with a rented suit and accessories from Peter Posh, Dr. Martens shoes, and a Tag Heuer watch. The choice felt intentional and personal, modern tailoring without stiffness, perfectly aligned with the overall low-key tone of the day.
Ceremony
From the very first conversation with Tati of Wedding Crete, it was clear that Abbie wasn’t a traditional bride. Her references leaned toward clean architecture, pared-back beauty, and the calm, sun-washed landscapes of the Mediterranean. The goal was simple but precise: a wedding that felt modern, minimal, and completely white, without slipping into anything predictable.
The ceremony took place on a hotel veranda overlooking the Aegean Sea, where the standout design element was a bold, custom-made mirror arch by Rakintzis Events. Modern, reflective, and striking, it instantly set the tone and became one of the most talked-about details of the day. The aisle was lined with white Ecuadorian roses by Manfler Florist, reinforcing the white-on-white moment and the purity of the concept.
When Abbie walked down the aisle with her father, emotions ran high. Jordan couldn’t hold back his tears, and neither could many of the guests. Katie Jayne Morris officiated the ceremony and created a bespoke script blending sincerity with light humor. Traditional “I do” commitments were followed by personalized repeat-after-me vows, and a heartfelt reading delivered by Abbie’s sister added another layer of intimacy.
Reception & Decor
Straight after the ceremony, guests moved into reception zone accompanied by live saxophone from Nektarios Kostakis, setting a celebratory but relaxed tone for what followed.
The reception unfolded at a seaside taverna perched directly above the water, fully open to its surroundings. Without walls, or separations, just an uninterrupted view of the sea stretching out in every direction. The setting felt expansive and immersive, with the landscape doing most of the talking and the reception naturally blending into it.
The decor was simple and intentional. White linen covered the tables, keeping everything light and clean. Single roses added softness without trying too hard, while candles by Creta Candles warmed the tables as the sun slowly dropped.
Light wooden chairs brought an easy, natural texture, echoed again in the wooden ceiling above, tying the whole setting together. Palm trees surrounded the space, and colorful glass lanterns hanging overhead added just the right touch of character, subtle, sun-faded, and perfectly in place.
The first part of the reception felt quiet and intimate, centered around speeches, family moments, and that softly gathered energy where everyone feels close. Then the tone shifted.
Moments Together
Rather than following the usual timeline, Abbie and Jordan switched things up slightly. Instead of heading out for photos straight after the ceremony, they chose to step away later, once the first, quieter part of the reception was done. Speeches had finished, the atmosphere had settled, and the day had naturally slowed down.
At first, that choice might seem unexpected, but it made perfect sense. With a summer wedding in Crete, sunset comes late, and this small shift in timing allowed them to catch golden hour exactly when it peaked. The beach was calmer, the light softer, and the moment felt unhurried. No rushing between parts of the day, just the two of them and the right light at the right time.
Captured by Irini Koronaki, the resulting images feel warm and real: wind in motion, natural tones, a sunset. Less about posing, more about being present.
Into the Night
Only after sunset did Abbie and Jordan return to their guests. The timing felt intentional, almost cinematic. With the light fading and the atmosphere shifting, they stepped back into the celebration for their first dance, set to Stargazing by Myles Smith.
As daylight faded, the open-air setting took on a new dimension. A disco ball appeared above the reception space, catching the last traces of sun and scattering light across the tables, the sea, and the sky beyond. In an outdoor setting, far from any traditional dance floor, its reflections felt unexpected and almost weightless, turning the landscape itself into part of the design.
Music carried the night forward with ease. DJ and lighting by Highlights Event Solutions set the rhythm, while live saxophone by Nektarios Kostakis layered warmth and movement into the atmosphere. The dance floor filled naturally, the energy building without ever tipping into excess.
The cake was cut late, on the final stretch of daylight. High summer in Crete meant a sunset that lingered, and the couple let the moment breathe, closing the day softly rather than abruptly. It was a calm, considered ending, that perfectly aligned with the rest of the celebration.
Advice from the couple:
• Take in every second, spend as much time with your partner and enjoy every moment of your big day.
WEDDING PLANNER Wedding Crete by Tati | PHOTOGRAPHER Irini Koronaki | VIDEOGRAPHER Alex Iliakis (DG Films) | VENUE Grecotel LUXME White Palace | WEDDING CELEBRANT Katie Jayne Morris | FLORAL DESIGN Manfler Florist | CUSTOM ARCH Rakintzis Events | MUAH Natasha Makeup Artist | BRIDAL GOWN Enzoani | BRIDAL JEWELRY Swarovski, Next | BRIDAL PERFUME Jo Malone | GROOM’S SUIT & ACCESSORIES Peter Posh | GROOM’S SHOES Dr. Martens | GROOM’S WATCH TAG Heuer | DJ & LIGHTING Highlights Event Solutions | SAXOPHONE Nektarios Kostakis | CANDLES Cretan Candles
