For the bride Maya, weddings had always been part of her life. As a professional photographer, she had stood behind the lens at hundreds of celebrations. When it came to her own, she wanted a day built around intimacy, presence, and the people who mattered most to her. Together with John-Michael, she chose to bring their closest forty guests to Santorini. With Purple Tree Photography, a team she trusted wholeheartedly, they created a gathering that reflected their story with a sun-soaked boat tour, handwritten letters for every family member, and chandeliers suspended over dinner tables set against the caldera.
Location: Santorini, Greece
Style: Romantic, Modern, Elegant
Time of planning: 2 years
Number of guests: 40
Setting: Resort
Season: Fall
Maya and John-Michael met on the dating app Hinge. Their first date was at a cozy restaurant in downtown Toronto, followed by a round of mini golf where each hole won came with a personal question. It was the perfect way to break the ice.
A year later, John-Michael planned a surprise proposal. Maya thought she was heading into the studio for a last-minute interview, but instead found a room filled with rose petals and candles. He dropped to one knee. After she said yes, he whisked her to dinner, where his family was waiting. Her parents flew in from New Brunswick that very morning to celebrate.
Planning & Vision
Maya knew that planning a wedding abroad would require an expert. For photography, Maya never considered anyone but Purple Tree Photography. Anastasiia and Lisa had been her longtime inspirations. Having them in Santorini meant complete trust in how their story would be told.
The vision came from Maya’s love for pink and white. Orchids and blush blooms framed the cliffside view without overpowering it. For planning, she entrusted Maria of Jasmine + Mint Boutique Events, whose expertise brought calm and confidence.
Welcome with a Boat Cruise
The day before the wedding, the couple gathered their forty guests for a private boat cruise around Santorini. With the Aegean sparkling under the sun, everyone lounged on deck, sipped white wine, and jumped into the sea. Maya, in a sleek white swimsuit, moved easily between quiet moments with John-Michael and bursts of laughter with her bridesmaids.
Music filled the afternoon. The playlist was pure joy. Mamma Mia on repeat, and soon the deck became a dance floor. Friends sang along, swayed to the beat, and let the salt air carry away any thought of the upcoming schedule. It was less about a pre-wedding event and more about beginning the celebration as one big family.
That evening, the party continued in Fira. The restaurant was draped in flowers with panoramic sunset views, and the rehearsal dinner unfolded with warm speeches and shared plates. Guests lingered over the glow of the evening, watching the sky shift from gold to deep violet.
Though the plan was to rest before the big day, the couple and their guests returned to the hotel for more dancing and drinks. Later, from her balcony, Maya noticed staff quietly clearing lounge chairs from the main terrace to prepare the ceremony site. That simple sight brought her to tears. Tomorrow, it would no longer be a hotel deck, but the place she would say her vows.
Bride's Morning & Fashion
The morning began by the pool, with bridesmaids in blush satin robes. Between laughter and light, Maya handed her family handwritten letters, a gesture that filled the start of the day with gratitude and emotion.
Her gown was found in a small boutique in Sussex, New Brunswick, during a visit so her grandmother could join. The moment she stepped out in it, her mother and best friend cried. It was the one. Only later did she notice the label: Jasmine.
Throughout her life, Maya noticed the name Jasmine appearing in meaningful ways. As a baby, she fell asleep to the Aladdin soundtrack. She dressed as Princess Jasmine for years and once waved back at Aladdin himself at Disney World. The designer’s name was Jasmine. The planner she trusted in Greece, Jasmine + Mint. Even the airline agent who helped her parents reach Santorini during a strike was named Jasmine.
She paired the gown with Stuart Weitzman shoes, Sand + Fog Santorini perfume, and an anklet chosen by her mother as her “something blue.” Hair was styled by Styled by Nadia, flown in from Toronto, and makeup by Renia Bledaki created a natural glow.
Before the ceremony, emotions ran high. Maya shared a quiet, tearful moment with her father, while her bridesmaids gathered close for one last embrace before walking down the aisle.
Groom's Fashion
On the terrace overlooking the caldera, groomsmen adjusted bow ties, buttoned jackets, and exchanged jokes that cut through the nerves of the day. John-Michael’s calm presence anchored the group, but even he couldn’t hide his smile as the reality of the ceremony drew closer.
The groom’s look for the day was classic and tailored. A custom black tuxedo from Suit Supply was chosen for its craftsmanship and clean lines. Beyond the sharp cut, it was the details that carried weight: his late grandfather’s cufflinks, a quiet tribute he carried into one of the most important days of his life.
The First Look
The first look was shared in front of their closest family and friends. This intentional choice turned the moment into something unforgettable. John-Michael was visibly moved seeing Maya in her gown, while Maya couldn’t stop smiling at how sharp he looked in his suit. It set the tone for the emotional day, filled with love.
Afterward, they headed into Fira for portraits with Purple Tree Photography. Anastasiia and Lisa guided them through the winding streets and rooftops, capturing Santorini in all its brilliance. The images from that session became some of the most striking of the day. They are bright, cinematic, and completely true to lovebirds.
Ceremony
The ceremony unfolded on the balcony of the Exclusive Pool area at Rocabella, framed by the endless blue of the Aegean. White rounded chairs were set in rows facing the beveled podiums, each adorned with soft pink and white florals. The setting was minimal but striking, letting the sea and sky carry most of the weight.
As the “Turning Pages” by Sleeping At Last began, Maya walked down the aisle with her father. Her mother and grandmother were already in tears, and it took everything for her not to break down before reaching John-Michael. Meeting his eyes at the altar became an anchor, grounding her in gratitude for the moment, the man waiting for her.
Since their legal papers had been signed in Canada, they asked John-Michael’s aunt to officiate, making the ceremony feel deeply personal. His younger cousins read a passage, their voices trembling with emotion, before the couple exchanged vows they had written themselves.
Everywhere you looked, emotions were rising. Parents wiped their eyes, friends held each other’s hands, and even the groom’s normally stoic grandfather was visibly moved. Guests later said they had never been to a wedding that felt so intimate and heartfelt. The magic wasn’t only in the setting, but in the closeness created the day before on the boat tour. By the time Maya and John-Michael said “I do,” everyone truly felt like family.
Moments Together
After the ceremony, Maya and John-Michael stole away for portraits at sunset, letting the cliffs of Santorini wrap around them. She slipped off her heels without hesitation, climbing rocks for the perfect shot, while he steadied her hand.
Throughout the day, Maya had been intentional about pausing. More than once, she took John-Michael’s hands and asked him to stop, breathe, and look around. Those quiet interludes became some of their clearest memories, the kind you can’t stage, only live.
It was in these pauses, against the vast Aegean and fading light, that the couple truly felt the weight of everything they had built: the years of love, the serendipitous connections, and the forty people who had become part of their story.
Reception & Decor
The reception took place on the same terrace, reimagined with two long tables facing the caldera. Six crystal chandeliers were suspended above, turning the open-air setting into something striking at sunset.
Each place was styled with pink charger plates, matching glassware, and custom serviettes chosen by Maya and her mother-in-law. Orchids and blush blooms in bud vases ran between candles, tying the design together.
The couple entered to “A Sky Full of Stars” by Coldplay, heading straight to the cake table. What began as a sweet tradition turned playful when Maya smeared a piece on John-Michael’s cheek. Their first dance followed, set to “Beyond” by Leon Bridges. The choreography they had practiced for months melted into the joy of being in the moment.
Speeches carried the evening forward. The best man had the room laughing, the maid of honor brought everyone to tears, and both sets of parents shared words that blended humor with deep love. One of the most memorable came from Maya’s mother, who told the story of the “Jasmine coincidences” that had followed her daughter’s life and appeared again throughout the wedding. She ended by holding up a custom Aladdin blanket featuring Maya, John-Michael, and their dog Teddy, which left the entire room in stitches. Later, the dance floor opened with “Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!” by ABBA.
When the sun set, the terrace shifted once again. The chandeliers came to life, their glow amplifying the view of the caldera and turning the space into something almost surreal.
Dinner matched the setting. Beautifully plated dishes and a menu were as thoughtful as every other detail of the day. Every element had been carefully considered, from the fabrics on the tables to the flavors on the plates.
For Maya and John-Michael, the night closed not with grandeur but with gratitude: for the place that welcomed them, for the people who traveled across the world to be there, and for the chance to celebrate a love story that had always felt a little bit like destiny.
Advice from the couple:
• Hire a planner. You will never regret it. Even if you think you’re an expert (like I did!), having someone guide you and manage the day-of details is everything. I didn’t feel stressed on our wedding day because I knew Maria was handling everything.
• Build a relationship with your photographers. I had the unique privilege of working with friends, but that trust and connection made me feel completely at ease. And the photos? I was over the moon. When the day is over, the photos are what will immortalize it forever—make sure you love them.
• Hire a videographer. If you’re on the fence about video—do it. Magic Videography was
incredible. He captured all the little movements, glances, and silly moments that photos can’t. We’re so grateful to have that footage.
• Be present. Take a moment to pause, breathe, and take it all in. Those are the moments you’ll remember most.
PHOTOGRAPHER Purple Tree Photopraphy | VIDEOGRAPHER Magic Videography | PLANNER Jasmine + Mint | VENUE Rocabella Santorini | FLORALS Wedding Wish Santorini | GROOM’S SUIT Suit Supply | MUA Renia Bledaki | HAIR Styled by Nadia | RENTALS Santorini Events, Idea Candles, Maison Trilogie
