Dancing Under the Aegean Stars with Botanical Cocktails and Venetian Charm

[section title=”The Planning”]
[field title=”Wedding Colors”][/field]
[field title=”Design / Vibe / Vision”]

The wedding’s design focused on the island’s natural colors, featuring green shades, white, organic linen, and wood. These hues complemented the stone and ochre palette of the locations under the Aegean sun. The wedding embodied simple elegance, achieved through 18 months of planning that emphasized tasteful setups and structures.

Every detail was thoughtfully imagined and artfully brought to life, creating a celebration that felt deeply personal and effortlessly elegant & authentic. Guests were welcomed with a handpicked menu showcasing authentic Cretan delicacies. Signature cocktails—crafted with local botanicals and inspired by meaningful moments in the couple’s journey—added a personal, elevated touch. The décor struck a perfect balance between rustic charm and refined elegance, effortlessly complementing the venue’s timeless Venetian architecture. As day turned to night, the celebration came alive with an unforgettable entertainment lineup: three live bands and a DJ created an ever-evolving soundtrack that kept guests dancing under the stars well into the early hours.

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[field title=”Proposal Story”][/field]
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[board_carousel title=”Getting Ready”]

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[board_carousel title=”Bridal Portraits”]

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[section title=”The Fashion”]
[field title=”Wedding Gown”]

The bride chose an effortlessly elegant satin gown in a soft off-white hue, its natural creases adding organic texture and quiet sophistication. The silhouette honored the formality of the Greek Orthodox ceremony while remaining refined and contemporary. She paired the look with light gold Jimmy Choo heels—subtle yet statement-making—and a sheer veil edged in delicate lace, perfectly marrying old-world romance with modern grace.

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[field title=”Bridesmaid Dresses”]The bridesmaids wore elegant, long gowns in various dusty blue tones, featuring a mix of satin and matte fabrics, with some adorned in delicate floral patterns. Their attire beautifully mirrored the serene blue skies and tranquil waters of Crete.[/field]
[field title=”Groomsman Attire”]

The groom and groomsmen looked impeccably stylish in dark blue tuxedos with black collars, paired with classic white shirts and bow ties. The groom added a personal touch to his attire with custom cufflinks engraved with his initials, exuding sophistication and elegance that perfectly complemented the wedding’s refined aesthetic.

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[board_carousel title=”Wedding Party”]

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[board_carousel title=”Ceremony”]

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[board_carousel title=”Cocktail Hour”]

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[section title=”The Details”]
[field title=”Food & Drink”]

With the groom’s Cypriot and Greek heritage and the bride’s Texas roots, the couple aimed to offer their guests high-quality, family-style dining with diverse Greek and Mediterranean flavors. The welcome table invited guests with an authentic Cretan touch, offering an array of the island’s delights. No one could resist the famous “kalitsounia” cheese and spinach pies, a staple of Cretan hospitality, alongside bowls of marinated olives and platters of local cheeses that celebrated the region’s rich dairy traditions. To complete the experience, raki shots added a bold and festive note, creating a warm, convivial start to the evening’s culinary journey. The dinner menu, curated to celebrate the blending of cultures, was a feast of flavors served under the open Cretan sky. Guests savored tender Greek chicken and pork skewers, accompanied by warm pita bread and a vibrant array of classic dips, including tzatziki and hummus. Traditional favorites like moussaka and soutzoukakia delighted the palate, their rich, comforting aromas wafting through the air and offering a true taste of Mediterranean warmth. For dessert, guests enjoyed freshly fried loukoumades and chocolate truffles with the couple’s initials, creating unforgettable sweet memories of the wedding. The drinks menu also featured four signature cocktails served from two wooden, elegant bars. Each cocktail was designed to reflect a personal touch from the couple. “Pavloma,” a captivating mix inspired by the groom’s name and the classic Paloma, offered refreshing citrus notes, and “The Light and Stormy,” a bold yet smooth vodka-based drink. For the bride, “Ali’s G&T,” a delightful gin and tonic infused with berries and rosemary, became an instant favorite. Finally, the “Mastiha Mojito,” a creative spin on the traditional mojito using Greece’s cherished mastiha liqueur, added a unique Mediterranean flair to the bar menu.

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[field title=”Florals & Decor”]

The bride envisioned a beautiful wedding aisle adorned with lush greenery and delicate baby’s breath arrangements, complemented by a fully green arch and white, fluffy flowers decorating the ceremonial candles. Above the reception tables, cascades of greenery were elegantly suspended from custom frames, intertwined with festoon lights and lines of hurricane candles, creating a warm and enchanting ambiance in place of traditional centerpieces. To ensure comfort and a seamless flow throughout the event, a cozy lounge area with armchairs and coffee tables was thoughtfully arranged, along with cocktail tables scattered around the bar zone. For the energetic indoor party, the historic olive press building was transformed with disco balls hanging from its arches, adding a lively and glamorous touch to the festivities.

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[field title=”Wedding Cake”]At the start of a warm May party in Crete, a rustic-style cardamom cake with orange zest, pistachio filling, and vanilla bean buttercream was cut, decorated with fresh wild flowers. [/field]
[field title=”Readings, Ceremony Music, Reception Songs”]

Ali and Pavlo exchanged vows in the Greek Orthodox church, embracing a traditional ceremony conducted in Greek. The occasion featured meaningful Greek elements, including lambades (ceremonial candles), stefana (wedding crowns), and a shared glass of red wine with their best man, symbolizing unity and blessings. Guests received booklets explaining the significance of Greek wedding traditions, with the ceremony ending in a joyful shower of rice—an age-old gesture for prosperity in marriage. The ceremony’s ambiance was elevated by a string trio playing timeless classical pieces. As the reception began, the lively notes of a Greek bouzouki set the tone for dancing. Before the DJ took over, attendees were treated to a local rock and pop band performing an international repertoire, ensuring a vibrant and unforgettable celebration.

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[field title=”Special Detail #1″]The couple chose to make their entrance to Metohi Istoria Estate reception in a classic, vintage summer vehicle—a white Suzuki Jimny Jeep—that perfectly complemented the charm of the occasion.[/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #2″]

The stationery of the couple was designed by the Cypriot company Amber n’Dust, where menus and ceremony booklets were printed on exquisite handmade paper in a subtle pinkish light shade. This thoughtful detail added a touch of elegance and personalization, perfectly harmonizing with the romantic and charming ambiance of the wedding celebration.

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[field title=”Special Detail #3″]After midnight, the celebration shifted to the venue’s historic Old Oil Mill—an atmospheric stone-walled space affectionately dubbed the “Rave Cave.” Designed for the younger crowd, it pulsed with energy as a Miami-based DJ spun cutting-edge beats deep into the night. Disco balls cast shimmering light across the Venetian arches, while custom lighting synced to the music set the tone for an unforgettable after-party. The couple and their friends danced beneath the glow, ending the night in true high-style revelry.[/field]
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[board_carousel title=”Couple Portraits”]

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[board_carousel title=”Reception”]

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