Location: Santorini, Greece
Setting: Villa
Wedding season: Summer
Number of guests: 81
Wedding theme/style: Elegant, classic, fresh, minimalist.
James and Claudia, both from Sydney, Australia, attended the same school in different year groups, and they only started talking to each other after Claudia finished school. When the proposal time came, Claudia got COVID, forcing them into lockdown and delaying James’s proposal. Once they were out of quarantine, James popped the question during their usual morning walk at their favorite spot.
They wanted to tie the knot in their dream location, Santorini: “We traveled to Europe in 2018, and it was on that trip that we decided it would be a dream come true to get married in there, specifically Greece as all of James’ family are from Greece,” shares the couple.
Claudia and James decided to have their love story captured by White on Black Studio, a renowned team known for expertly showcasing authentic love stories in Greece, Europe, and around the world. The result was a beautifully crafted film capturing the couple’s special moments against the stunning backdrop of Santorini, complete with plenty of tears of joy, love between the newlyweds, and joyous celebrations with their closest family and friends.
Claudia had a wonderful morning with her bridesmaids as she prepared for her wedding day. She chose a simple yet elegant makeup look by Brittany Mason and had her hair styled in a beautiful bun, enhancing her breathtaking bridal appearance.
Claudia selected a light and elegant A-line dress by Australian designer J.Andreatta, complemented by a classy, long veil that perfectly suited the chosen location. She was surrounded by love from her loved family and bridesmaids on the morning of the wedding.
James wore a stylish suit from Brent Wilson and spent his wedding morning enjoying a breathtaking sea view.
The ceremony took place against the stunning backdrop of Santorini and was incredibly moving. As Claudia made her way down the aisle to the tune of Percy Sledge’s “When a Man Loves a Woman,” James couldn’t hold back his tears. The heartfelt vows they exchanged deeply touched their beloved family and friends. To conclude the ceremony, the newlyweds joyously celebrated to the lively beat of Red Hot Chili Peppers’ “Can’t Stop.”
The newlyweds were so happy to be surrounded by their loved ones: “Everything was amazing; coming from Australia, not many of us or our guests had the chance to go to a wedding in Europe, and not being able to travel for three years, it created such an exciting and surreal vibe.”
Following the ceremony, the newlyweds strolled through the lively streets of Santorini. The talented photographers at White on Black Studio captured breathtaking portraits under the Greek sun, reflecting the couple’s love and joy, resulting in enchanting photos.
With the assistance of their planners Julia & Evita, the couple’s dream wedding became a reality. The venue exceeded all expectations, providing everything and more that they could have hoped for. The breathtaking location, stunning views, and ideal layout of Cavo Ventus made it the perfect setting for their special day. The decision to incorporate a color scheme of white, blue, and gold added an elegant touch, perfectly reflecting their vision for the reception space.
“A special touch was our personalized thank you notes to our guests. Each guest had their name placed on the night of where they would be sitting, and we wrote a note on the inside with some special words to the guest,” Claudia shared.
The reception started with lively dancing that had everyone on their feet. The couple was showered with love, making their reception truly unforgettable. From the heartwarming first dance and cake cutting to the touching well wishes from family and friends who had traveled all the way from Australia to celebrate their love, every moment was filled with happiness and emotions.
One particularly special moment was related to Claudia’s parents. In June 1987, they went on their honeymoon to Santorini and purchased a bottle of Ouzo in a blue glass bottle with a part of the Santorini volcano on it. They never opened it until Claudia’s dad shared the story with her on their wedding day. It was a sweet surprise to Claudia and James that they could open and share a drink from this 36-year-old bottle steeped in sentimental history.
As the night progressed, the newlyweds and their guests took to the dance floor. The couple convinced an Australian Greek band to travel from Australia to Santorini, having previously enjoyed their live performances. The band’s mix of English and Greek music set the perfect party atmosphere, bringing everyone together and creating the lively vibe they were looking for.
“Everything really came together perfectly; the planning with Julia and Evita, the venue, food, photographer, and videographer, and music was perfect and more than we expected,” Claudia and James added.
Advice from couple:
• Definitely get a planner (Julia and Evita!) and trust that they will create your dream wedding – organizing a wedding from a different country comes with challenges and stress, but with the right people working with you, it makes it much more streamlined.
PHOTO & VIDEO White on Black Studio | PLANNERS Julia & Evita | FLORALS Betty Flowers Santorini | VENUE Cavo Ventus | BRIDAL DRESS J’Andreatta | MUAH Brittany Mason | SUIT Brent Wilson | CAKE Alexandra’s Cakes | DJ & LIVE MUSIC FiloXenia Band | SOUND SYSTEM & LIGHTS Santorini Events | ACOUSTIC SINGER Irwan Easty | CATERING & CHAIRS, TABLES Spicy Bites Catering | STATIONERY Xelastudio | CANDLES Idea Candles |
