Location: Santorini, Greece
Setting: Private Villa
Wedding Season: Spring
How long did the couple plane the event: 1 year
The number of guests: 85
Wedding theme/style: A spring glamorous wedding adorned with white and green hues and accented by touches of gold.
Aleksia and Brady first met in high school and began dating during their senior year in 2012. They have been together ever since. The two knew they wanted their intimate wedding to take place in Santorini, with more family members attending, as the bride is originally from Greece and has family that resides there. Although Brady is of Irish and French-Canadian background, he fully embraced the experience and culture, resulting in a fantastic wedding.
Ensuring all their guests felt comfortable and could savor the splendor of Santorini before the wedding was a top priority for the couple. “Prior to the wedding, we hosted a welcome party to greet all our guests and get the nerves and excitement under control. It was the best decision we made. It allowed us to connect with our guests, leaving plenty of time to relax and have fun on the wedding day. We had our photographer Eva Rendl capture the event which was an awesome way to kick things off!”, Aleksia says.
Aleksia and Brady rented a villa for the days leading up to the wedding and had their bridal party stay with them. Celebrating with their closest family and friends in Europe was an unforgettable experience, which was a first-time experience for some of them.
Aleksia’s wedding morning started with her bridesmaids helping her get ready for the special day ahead. Aiming to look breathtaking on her special day, she entrusted Marianna Nomikou with creating voluminous Hollywood waves that perfectly complement her chosen strapless, mermaid-style dress from Boston Bridal Atelier. The gown, adorned with a detailed corset, lace top, crepe bottom, and a buttoned train, exuded elegance and grace. Voulas Makeup finished her stunning bridal appearance with glamorous makeup, ensuring that Aleksia made an absolutely captivating statement as she walked down the aisle to meet Brady.
Brady chose a classic and flawlessly tailored black suit with their initials and the wedding date embroidered on the jacket, adding a personal touch to the ensemble.
Aleksia and Brady’s wedding ceremony was truly touching and emotional, captivating the hearts of all the guests. The picturesque ceremony setting overlooking the sea was beautifully adorned with numerous white flowers by Maria’s Flowers.
With their bridesmaids and groomsmen by their side, the newlyweds felt even more joyful on their wedding day. Aleksia and Brady aimed for an elegant and timeless theme, choosing black tuxedos for the groomsmen and pretty, neutral colors for the bridesmaids. They particularly liked the long white stem roses, as they added a clean and classy touch to the overall look.
It was clear to the couple which destination to choose: “Santorini was always on our bucket list. We traveled there for a wedding prior to ours and we fell in love with the island. A big deciding factor? Santorini is known for its breathtaking views and sunsets, making for incredible photos and everlasting memories with our friends and family,” shares Aleksia.
The mesmerizing beauty of Santorini set the stage for the couple’s cherished moments, beautifully captured by photographer Eva Rendl. She skillfully conveyed the atmosphere of this Greek-inspired wedding, portraying its lively dances, vibrant colors, and stunning scenery. She immortalized the love between Aleksia and Brady against the backdrop of Santorini’s breathtaking seascape, creating timeless memories for the couple.
The wedding took place at a stunning Cavo Ventus Luxury Villa in Akrotiri, renowned for its breathtaking views of the Aegean Sea and volcanic Caldera. The reception, overlooking the cliff, offered an enchanting backdrop for the celebration. As for the party favors, Aleksia and Brady aimed for meaningful gifts. They opted for the traditional Greek evil eye keychain, elevating its appearance with a white evil eye accented with gold trim. Each favor carried the message, “The Evil Eye is believed to keep us safe from jealousy and harm, so they are given to bless and protect those you love,” adding the perfect final touch to the table setting.
With their planners at Gold Weddings Santorini, the couple decided to incorporate some extra special details. They arranged a Polaroid station to provide an interactive experience for their guests, allowing them to capture and relive the night’s moments. In addition, a cigar bar was added to elevate the wedding experience. Moreover, they set up a special table to showcase photos of their absent loved ones, creating a heartfelt tribute to honor their memory.
The reception started with a lively dance of the newlyweds, and everyone immediately joined in.
The reception was absolutely enchanting. Aleksia and Brady were deeply moved to tears by the heartfelt wishes and felt surrounded by love. Eva Rendl, beautifully captured these precious moments as the newlyweds celebrated their dream wedding day in Santorini.
The wedding night carried on with lots of joy, including a delightful surprise of fireworks. For late-night bites, the newlyweds treated everyone to a gyro station. They also infused traditional Greek music into their wedding – whether Greek or not, everyone was encouraged to join in for lively line dancing. And to add an extra fun twist, everyone took part in the Greek tradition of plate smashing. It was a night to remember for every guest and the newlyweds.
Advice from the couple:
• Try not to worry about things that are out of your control – more often than not, things will go as planned. If things don’t, only you will notice!
PHOTOGRAPHER Eva Rendl | PLANNER Gold Wedding Santorini (Alexandra) | VIDEOGRAPHER Magic Videography | WEDDING VENUE Cavo Ventus Luxury Villa | FLORALS Maria’s Flowers Santorini | MAKEUP Voulas Makeup | HAIR Marianna Nomikou | SIGNS Illuminography | INSTALLATIONS Weddings & Whimsy | CATERING Spicy Bites Catering | DJ & LIGHTING Multimedia Events | FIREWORKS Skylight Events
