Location: Santorini, Greece
Setting: Hotel
The number of guests: 17
How long did the couple plan the event: 8 months
Wedding theme/style: An earthy tone wedding theme with rustic elements for a cozy and intimate atmosphere.
Michelle, who grew up in Florida, pursued her dream of becoming a veterinarian and eventually moved to Los Angeles, California, searching for new experiences. It didn’t take long for fate to intervene—within just two months of her relocation, she met Collin. Collin, a Los Angeles native who works as a middle school science teacher, became Michelle’s trusted guide in navigating the city’s treasures.
The couple eagerly shared their story: “We met on the dating app, Hinge, and connected through our shared love of bird-watching. For our first date, we met in Malibu for a pancake breakfast and then went bird-watching at a lagoon. We quickly realized how much we had in common and how much fun we had together, so after that first date, we just kept going on more dates. We went to national parks, museums, and new restaurants; Michelle was exploring her new home, and Collin was re-discovering the place he grew up.”
A few years later, Collin and Michelle went to Iceland. They rented a camper van and spent two weeks driving the Ring Road around the whole country. One day, they planned to visit the Látrabjarg cliffs to see puffins. Collin, wearing a surprisingly nice shirt for bird watching, was eager to make the day special. Captivated by the puffins, Michelle took a few moments to shift her focus. When they finally had a quiet moment together on the grassy seaside cliff, Collin got down on one knee and proposed. Michelle, of course, said “yes.”
The theme of the wedding revolved around branches and natural hues, reflecting their passion for nature and birds. “Being in Santorini for our wedding perfectly captured our love for travel and adventure as we started the new adventure of our life together,” shared the couple. The stunning backdrop of Santorini added a touch of magic, perfectly aligning with their adventurous spirits.
Michelle’s wedding morning was filled with anticipation, love, and excitement. She was thrilled to finally marry Collin and to have both of their families together in such a beautiful place.
Her hair and make-up were done by the talented professionals in Santorini. Michelle opted for an updo to avoid her hair being blown around by the wind. She shared her thoughts on her dress choice: “Since we were marrying in Greece in the summer, I wanted a light dress that was simple, but elegant and could easily be carried on a plane. The dress is from Grace Loves Lace.“ To navigate the many steps and uneven ground in Santorini, she chose pearl sandals from Dolce Vita.
Michelle’s accessories held special meaning from her loved ones: a beautiful locket from her mom, intended to be passed down to future generations with a photo of herself and Collin inside; an emerald ring, a cherished family heirloom from her grandmother; and pearl earrings from her best friend, perfectly matching her shoes for the wedding day.
The wedding came together perfectly. Collin was excited to be there with their closest family and to marry Michelle. Knowing that it would be hot and that it would be a more laid-back, intimate wedding, he opted for a nice navy suit from Banana Republic because he thought the dark blue would look nice with the white stucco of Santorini. His shoes were also from the Banana Republic. For accessories, he picked out a nice tie from Nordstrom to match the suit’s material.
Michelle and Collin’s wedding ceremony in Santorini was truly breathtaking. The couple exchanged vows on a stunning terrace overlooking the crystal blue waters and iconic cliffs of the island. The ceremony was adorned with a beautiful floral arch, perfectly framing the couple against the expansive Aegean backdrop. Guests watched joyfully as Michelle and Collin celebrated their love in such a picturesque setting, culminating in a joyful exit surrounded by cheers and rose petals from their loved ones.
After the wedding ceremony, the time Michelle and Collin spent taking photos was truly special. “This was the first time in the day when we were able to be just the two of us, away from our guests. Erica & Manu took us to these spectacular cliffs at golden hour, which gave us a view of the island that we wouldn’t have discovered otherwise,” shared the newlyweds.
Michelle and Collin’s dream Santorini wedding was beautifully preserved by the talented photographers and videographers Erica & Manu. They captured stunning photos of this intimate celebration and created a video highlighting the vibrant Santorini colors, the picturesque surroundings, and the deep love between the newlyweds and their guests. Their expert and creative vision ensured that every moment of this special day was immortalized in the most breathtaking way.
The reception space was unforgettable. Set against the stunning backdrop of the Santorini sunset, the long dining table was elegantly arranged with neutral tones and lush greenery. Delicate white flowers in simple yet sophisticated vases complemented the serene sea view. The couple entered with radiant smiles, and their joy was tangible as they shared a sweet kiss by the beautifully decorated cake table. The intimate setting allowed for heartfelt moments, including the first dance surrounded by their closest family and friends against the panoramic scenery of the Aegean Sea.
The evening was full of warm and touching moments. The couple loved having a live musician at their wedding. He played an acoustic guitar and sang beautifully, adding a very romantic and calming presence to the ceremony, their first dance, and dinner. A special highlight was when he overheard the bride’s mom talking about ABBA all night and serenaded her with “Dancing Queen.”
"Our wedding was unique in that it was an intimate event with just our immediate family in attendance. We wanted to have an intimate wedding because we wanted to really be able to celebrate our marriage with the people we love most."
Advice from the couple:
• Get a wedding planner. Our planner, Ellie Skourti, was amazing. She is kind, organized, and helped us with every aspect of our wedding day and even the days before and after the wedding. Planning can be really stressful, and it shouldn’t take away from the joy of a couple’s engagement or wedding day. Having a planner made it so that both we and our families could relax and have fun without worrying about the details. Having a wedding planner was especially necessary for us to get married abroad. Since we couldn’t visit our venue, taste the food, or see any arrangements ourselves before the wedding, we really trusted in our planner’s guidance.
PHOTO & VIDEO Erica & Manu Wedding | PLANNER Hera’s Weddings | FLORIST Red Box Days | VENUE Cocoon Suites | HAIR Rena Scourti | MAKEUP Renia Bledaki | DRESS Grace Loves Lace | SUIT Banana Republic | WEDDING SINGER Michalis Karamolegos | CANDLES Idea Candles | CAKE Petranart Santorini | RENTALS Santorini White Knots | ART DE LA TABLE Spark Events Rentals
