Paulette and Martin share a profound love for travel, food, art, and photography – Martin is a professional wedding photographer and founder of MW Photography, and Paulette is an interior designer. Their journey began when Martin moved from Argentina to Mexico and met Paulette at a photography company. Bonding over their shared interests, their friendship blossomed into love at a Christmas party. Despite a planned long-distance relationship, they stayed strong, and Martin returned to Mexico after six months to move in together.
After over seven years together, their relationship led them to a wedding celebration on the Aegean shores of Santorini.
Location: Santorini, Greece
Style: Ethereal, moody, sophisticated, otherworldly
Time of planning: 15 months
Number of guests: 28
Setting: Ceremony – seaside, reception – villa
Season: Spring
Location & Planning
When planning their wedding, Paulette and Martin knew they wanted something unique and personal, far from a traditional affair. Inspired by their first trip to Greece, they dreamed of an intimate destination wedding in Santorini. Its stunning views, white-washed houses, blue domes, and cycladic architecture deeply inspired their wedding aesthetic. They aimed to create a celebration infused with personal touches and the beauty of Santorini, making it a truly special and unique event.
Bridal Morning
Paulette began her day at the Divine Cave Experience, a venue chosen for its otherworldly aesthetic that echoed the arch theme.
Her bridal look was carefully planned, starting with a custom-made gown by Daniel Perez. The dress, inspired by Australian and Israeli designers, was made of tulle covered in Swarovski crystals, designed to sparkle against the Santorini sunset. It featured a detachable organza cape, adding versatility and comfort for the party.
She paired her dress with Alexander Wang Crystal Sandals and accessorized with handmade jewelry from Tilly Thomas Lux. Her engagement ring was by Emiliana, and the wedding bands were custom-made by Ingrata Fortuna featuring a salt and pepper diamond, each engraved with personal inscriptions, adding a deeply personal touch to their union.
"We engraved the insides of the rings and kept the inscriptions as a secret from each other until the wedding day, Paulette engraved in mine “You are my home, my home is you”. As for me, I engraved on her engagement ring the coordinates of the beach in Hawaii where I proposed and on the wedding band the coordinates of the exact location of our ceremony. We read the inscriptions after the ceremony."
Groom's Fashion
For his look Martin wanted something unique that he had barely ever seen before at other weddings. He chose a custom suit by Sereno del Sordo, a Mexican designer known for bold and unique designs. The suit’s lining featured a canvas with their dog’s faces, and Martin’s initials and wedding date were embroidered on his shirt and jacket. His accessories included a watch by Rolex, cufflinks, and a tie clip from Anavia Jewelry.
"Both our attires were designed along with the designers that custom made them. It was important for us to give relevance and somehow have a presence and representation of Mexico in our wedding and what better way to do it than through fashion. "
First Look
Paulette and Martin wanted to capture their first look in a setting that resonated with their love for architectural beauty.
"We chose Divine Cave as our first look spot for its otherworldly aesthetic and vibe. As an architectural designer, Paulette fell in love with the boutique hotel as soon as she found it on Instagram, and it was one of the first things we booked."
The Ceremony
The ceremony was held at the base of a cliff-side next to Cavo Ventus Villa, providing a breathtaking backdrop of the breathtaking views.
The decor was minimal and elegant, designed to let the majestic view of Santorini’s Caldera take center stage. A semicircle ground arch adorned with delicate dried and fresh flowers in neutral tones was created by Betty Flowers Santorini. “The result was a delicate floral infused with poetic decadence,” described the groom.
Authenticity in the ceremony was of utmost importance for the couple. They wanted the person marrying them to truly know their relationship, and there was no doubt in our minds that their closest friend Richie was that person, who has been with them since the beginning of this love story. He curated the most beautiful, meaningful, and poetic ceremony. All guests commented on how great he was, and the newlyweds were impressed with the love and detail he put into it.
"We asked him to write a uniquely beautiful and custom ceremony script, and it was spectacular. We could never have imagined such a beautiful, heartfelt ceremony, and we can’t thank him enough."
To make the wedding feel unique and personal, the couple asked their officiant to include a couple of traditions that would involve their families in the celebration of love. They had a ring blessing ritual where their mothers and daughter came up to the altar to hold the rings in their hands and give them a silent blessing. Additionally, they had a handfasting ceremony performed by their siblings and Martin’s father. “Having our families involved in this way made the ceremony even more meaningful,” Martin shared.
They decided to write their own vows: “I started writing mine when we began dating six years ago,” Martin said. “Paulette started writing hers a few months before the wedding but finished them that morning, which is a perfect example of our personalities.” Paulette likes to joke about hers being the best, as she managed to make everyone cry, even herself, which is rare for those who know her.
The Moment Alone
After the ceremony, the couple took a moment alone to soak in the significance of their day.
They took their time to find the right photographer, which was no easy task. As the head of MW Photography, Martin holds high standards. Lately, the couple found Anna from Ginger’s Eyes through their wedding planners, Julia & Evita, and were captivated by her unique, ethereal, and artful way of portraying the world. “Her cinematic yet editorial style made us feel like the protagonists of a love film,” Martin said. “We were so excited to have her as our wedding photographer, and she did not disappoint!”
“As a wedding photographer, I know how important your photos are; it’s the only thing that’s left after the day passes.”
The Decor & Setting
The reception took place at Cavo Ventus Villa, stunningly decorated with professional Julia & Evita’s planning.
The design premise started with the arches, representing the iconic domes of Santorini. “We opted for a three-arched structure that housed our dinner with our closest ones,” Martin explained. These arches formed the core of the reception setup, creating a focal point that encapsulated the intimate and ethereal mood they aimed for.
“We all sat at one long table under these arches adorned with cascading string lights and crystal chandeliers.”
The off-white waterfall amaranthus swayed gently in the breeze above their heads, while white candles of varying heights covered the tablescape, enhancing the magical atmosphere of the evening.
“It was definitely a ‘wow’ moment when we first saw the final result of so many months of planning and designing along with our wedding planners, Julia and Evita.”
The Party
The evening continued with a sumptuous dinner catered by Mario Restaurant Catering, followed by heartfelt toasts and the couple’s first dance.
The dance floor was covered with cascading string lights, adding a whimsical touch to the celebration: “We also added disco balls because, in our opinion, they cannot be left out at a party!” Martin noted.
As a delightful surprise for the guests, Greek dancers took the floor after the first dance, infusing the celebration with the lively rhythms and traditions of Greek culture. “The Greek dancers got everyone up and dancing to those joyful chords,” Martin shared.
Guests joined in a circle, attempting Greek dance moves, and then participated in the euphoric tradition of plate smashing. “We could see everyone’s faces light up as they smashed those plates hard on the ground,” Martin recalled. Following tradition, the bride and groom danced on top of the smashed plates while guests clapped to the rhythm of the music.
The celebration continued under the twinkling lights, creating unforgettable memories. As a photographer, Martin even ensured that every moment could be captured uniquely by adding disposable cameras to their photography station, allowing family and friends to help preserve their special day in a timeless manner.
The night culminated in a spectacular display of fireworks, illuminating the Santorini sky and providing a perfect ending to an enchanting three-days celebration. “To be able to spend those days among the persons that we love, being in Santorini all together, celebrating our union, was something unique and unforgettable,” Martin concluded.
"With our loved ones, we made a voyage that will forever live in our memories, to one of the most magical islands in the world, Santorini."
Advice from the couple:
• Arrive Early for a Destination Wedding: If you’re having a destination wedding, arrive well in advance to recover from jet lag and finalize details. This also gives you a chance to enjoy a mini vacation with your guests, making the experience even more memorable.
• Do It Your Way: Ignore others’ opinions and celebrate in a way that feels right for you both. Make it authentic and meaningful. Skip traditions that don’t resonate with you and embrace any unique ideas you have. The goal is to create lasting memories through your photos, videos, and experiences.
• Let Things Run Their Course: Don’t stress over things you can’t control, especially the weather. Stress and anxiety can ruin the fun. Trust the professionals you hired and let them handle the details while you enjoy your day. Something might go “wrong,” but marrying your person is more important than any hiccup.
GROOM MW Photography | PLANNER Julia and Evita | PHOTOGRAPHER Ginger’s Eyes | VIDEOGRAPHER Steo Colombo | VENUE Cavo Ventus Villa | FIRST LOOK VENUE Divine Cave Experience | FLOWERS Betty Flowers Santorini | MUAH Julia Popova | HEADPIECE & EARRINGS Tilly Thomas Lux | RINGS Ingrata Fortuna | DRESS Daniel Perez | SHOES Alexander Wang | SUIT Sereno del Sordo | ACCESSORIES Anavia Jewelry | CATERING Mario Restaurant Catering | SAXOPHONIST Christos Sax | DJ & LIGHTS Santorini Events | RENTALS Maison Trilogue, White Lilac Rentals, Spark Events Rentals | STATIONERY Sintinta ST | NEON SIGN Illuminography
