A Two-Day Celebration in Athens Where Timeless Elegance Meets Ethiopian Tradition

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A Celebration of Color Cristina and Leben’s wedding was a breathtaking celebration infused with natural beauty and vibrant hues. On their first day, they exchanged vows in a stunning symbolic ceremony, embracing classic elegance. Cristina radiated in her exquisite wedding gown, while Leben looked effortlessly dapper in a timeless black tuxedo. Surrounding them, the vivid blue sky of Greece, the lush greenery of Island Art & Taste, and the rich tones of the meticulously curated florals created an ethereal setting. The second day brought another wave of color and culture, as the couple honored Ethiopian traditions amidst the picturesque backdrop of Pyrgos Melisourgou, a historic castle with endless charm. The vibrant florals continued to captivate, complementing the verdant landscape and the rich, regal tones of the couple’s traditional Ethiopian attire, creating an atmosphere that was both magical and deeply meaningful.

Timeless Elegance Meets Cultural Tradition. From the very beginning, Cristina envisioned her wedding as “a perfect blend of tradition, elegance, and simplicity,” and that vision came to life most extraordinarily. Their two-day celebration seamlessly combined modern sophistication with deep-rooted tradition, set against some of the most breathtaking locations in Athens. The first day was all about classic romance, as Cristina and Leben exchanged vows with the Athenian Riviera as their backdrop, followed by an intimate portrait session across the stunning grounds of Island Art & Taste. This day of elegance was flawlessly orchestrated by the brilliant Kostas Tsoukalas and his team at NAIDO Weddings, who brought Cristina and Leben’s dream to reality. The night culminated on the dance floor, where the newlyweds truly stole the show with their electrifying energy. The second day was a vibrant homage to their Ethiopian heritage, where Cristina, Leben, and their beloved guests donned traditional Ethiopian attire, radiating regal beauty. As the couple stepped forward in majestic black wedding capes, their guests erupted in applause, celebrating their union with heartfelt joy. A breathtaking portrait session at Pyrgos Melisourgou followed, capturing the essence of history, culture, and romance in every frame. The evening unfolded with an authentic Ethiopian feast, where guests indulged in rich, flavorful cuisine before dancing the night away to a mix of traditional and contemporary Ethiopian music. The atmosphere was **electric, emotional, and unforgettable—**a true reflection of Cristina and Leben’s love story.

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Leben and Cristina’s story has always been one that celebrates the love of their cultures. In the setting of Cristina’s birthplace of Iasi, Romania, Leben proposed in front of one of the city’s most iconic landmarks. The days that followed included much celebration with friends and family, along with a tour of the country. To bring the story full circle, their religious marriage was performed in the same city in one of the most beautiful churches in Romania.

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[section title=”The Fashion”]
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Simple and timeless elegance was the theme of the celebration. As such, the Monte gown from the Chosen by KYHA collection was the choice wedding gown for day 1. On day 2, a custom-made traditional Ethiopian dress adorned the bride.

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The groom wore a custom tuxedo from Suit Supply with Gucci loafers on day 1 and custom Ethiopian attire with Gucci sneakers on day 2

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[section title=”The Details”]
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A Culinary Celebration: Cristina & Leben’s Wedding at Island Art and Taste. When Cristina and Leben envisioned their wedding day, they dreamed of an experience that would immerse their guests in the warmth of Mediterranean hospitality. Set against the breathtaking backdrop of Island Art and Taste, their wedding was a symphony of flavors, textures, and aromas that perfectly complemented the beauty of the Greek Riviera. From the moment guests arrived, they were greeted with elegant welcome cocktails and a curated selection of Greek-inspired canapés that set the tone for the evening. Signature drinks, crafted with locally sourced ingredients, included a refreshing citrus-infused spritz and a delicate rosé sangria, offering the perfect balance between sophistication and summer indulgence. During the cocktail hour, a beautifully styled Greek mezze station featured an array of delicacies: fresh vegetables, artisanal dips, marinated olives, and handmade breadsticks, alongside Evrtylanio prosciutto chips, caramelized onion foam, and smoked fava with truffle. Guests delighted in the artistry of crostini topped with red fava, smoked octopus, and chili oil, all thoughtfully paired with crisp white wines from local vineyards. For dinner, Cristina and Leben embraced the essence of Greek gastronomy with a sumptuous buffet that showcased the region’s finest ingredients. The salad bar was a vibrant display of seasonal greens, heirloom tomatoes, creamy myzithra cheese, and aromatic herbs, while the pasta and risotto stations offered a live culinary experience, featuring freshly prepared beef-stuffed makarounes and a fragrant shrimp risotto with star anise and feta croutons. Seafood lovers were enchanted by the seafood carving station, where chefs expertly prepared marinated anchovy, roasted octopus with balsamic, and calamari with thyme chutney. The highlight of the evening was the BBQ stand, where guests witnessed free-range chicken with sun-dried tomatoes and feta cheese sizzling over open flames, alongside the rich, smoky aroma of lamb spit-roast on vine leaves. No Greek wedding would be complete without a decadent selection of traditional desserts. A live loukoumades station brought a touch of nostalgia, serving golden, honey-drizzled Greek donuts topped with walnuts and cinnamon ice cream. Guests also indulged in mini syrupy pastries, walnut pie, and classic galaktoboureko, rounding off the night with espresso and Greek mountain tea. Cristina and Leben’s wedding was not just a celebration of love—it was a culinary journey, carefully curated to honor the flavors of Greece while providing an unforgettable experience for every guest. Island Art and Taste created an extraordinary feast, proving once again that the heart of every celebration is found in the joy of sharing exceptional food, fine wine, and unforgettable moments. Day 2 food was a tribute the Leben’s Ethiopian culture with the following: Kitfo – Chopped prime beef seasoned with Ethiopian butter and mitmita served Ethiopian cheese Beef Alicha-Beef with garlic, onions and curry Yibeg Tibs- Tender cubed lamb cooked with herbs, onion and berbere Gomen Besiga- Collard greens with cubed beef cooked with onions and spices Shiro Watte- Ground seasoned chickpeas in berbere sauce Doro Watte- Chicken with hot red pepper and herbs sautéed in Ethiopian butter Aliciha Watte- Beef with turmeric sauce with garlic and onion

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[field title=”Florals & Decor”]

A Blooming Dream: The Floral Elegance of Cristina & Leben’s Wedding. Cristina and Leben’s wedding was a breathtaking floral masterpiece, meticulously designed by Avraam Avanoglou, the visionary behind Fiorentino. Every petal and bloom was carefully selected to evoke a sense of romance, vibrancy, and timeless elegance across their two-day celebration in June. The floral palette was a mesmerizing blend of cerise hydrangeas, pink chrysanthemums, hot pink and salmon roses, delicate pink dahlias, and lush salmon-coral peonies, beautifully complemented by cerise anthuriums and striking purple Phalaenopsis orchids. Bougainvillea cascaded effortlessly, adding a touch of Mediterranean charm to the setting. For the bridal bouquet, an exquisite combination of roses, clematis, lisianthus, ranunculus, waxflower, oxypetalum, and delphinium came together to create a lush and ethereal arrangement. The wedding décor carried this enchanting aesthetic forward, with roses, clematis, lisianthus, waxflower, and delphinium interwoven with pink and light blue hydrangeas, scabiosa, and limonium, adorning the ceremony and reception spaces. The result was an atmosphere of floral poetry—romantic, lush, and utterly unforgettable.

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The day 1 vanilla wedding cake included a cascade of florals, which complemented the bride and groom’s elegant reception. Day 2, Greek-inspired desserts were abundant in nature, showcasing the bride’s sweet tooth

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[field title=”Readings, Ceremony Music, Reception Songs”]

Their traditional Romanian Orthodox religious ceremony was accompanied by an angelic four-piece men’s choir from the church. Their party music selection on both days was upbeat and kept the bride, groom, and guests dancing all night long. Stargazing by Myles Smith kicked off the night while the party continued with Romanian, Ethiopian, and Latin songs.

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Louis Vuitton Attrape Reve perfume for the bride, Givency Gentleman for the groom.

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Surprise Ethiopian dance was led by professional performers on the second day of the celebration.

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Custom fans kept the guests cool in the Greek sun.

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