Elie and Alya and their family and friends travelled from Lebanon and Belgium and many other corners of the world to celebrate their destination wedding on the Athenian Riviera, at the Grand Resort, Lagonissi. They planned the wedding ceremony overlooking the crystal-clear blue waters, with the one of a kind views only found in Greece. From our first chat, Alya, the bride to be, told me straight away that she would like me to create her ceremony for her wedding in Athens, and she started to tell me a little of her story and that of her fiancé Elie. What a story, a fairy tale come true, a soldier and his princess, how they fell in love, tying the knot in Greece, and living happily ever after!
The wedding planning journey wasn’t always smooth, complicated paperwork requirements, for travel, passport issues, and all leading right up to the very last minute, but every time we spoke together both Elie and Alya were calm and totally confident that ‘everything would be fine in the end’! Documentation sorted, everything else going to plan, except the weather! Gale force winds forecast for the day of the wedding, can happen in Greece, but on this particular occasion, the day of the wedding the forecast was right, the winds were incredible. The Grand Resort, did a great job of maneuvering the venue to an area a little better sheltered, but the wild waves off the coast resembled the rough North seas, rather than the picturesque blue waters expected.
One day before the wedding ceremony, just as I was in the process confirming all the final details with the couple, there was a forest fire, very close to the hotel. With the high winds and forest fire, I did wonder at one point if the wedding would be able to take place at all. With a fortunately fast response from the Greek fire service the fire was out, but the winds remained.
Next problem, would my flight be able to depart Rhodes for me to get to the ceremony? After all a wedding ceremony does need a celebrant! After a sleepless night and continuing winds, I started my journey. Now at this point it is important to note that Aegean pilots have nerves of steel, and their flights are rarely cancelled, they work on the theory that there will be a ‘window of opportunity’ to land! So yes, I got there, teeth gritted, bouncing all the way! First job on arrival check the ceremony area! Well if I was to tell you that on arrival at the venue, there were twenty of the around 130 chairs literally flying around. A team of hotel staff, armed with ropes, string, and unlimited tape, spent the entire day holding everything down, they even managed to lay a lengthy white carpet for the bride’s entry, and the massive wedding arch was tied down, from all angles!
The ceremony had been timed to coincide with the sunset, and just as the clock turned to 18.00, the winds died down, it was like magic, just like it was meant to be, and the whole scene was set, just as planned, overlooking the by now, so much calmer Greek seas. The bride made a magnificent entry, bringing tears to the eyes of her handsome groom. The floral decorations were stunning, the guests colourfully and elegantly dressed, and the bride and groom, a perfect prince and princess! Just before the couple exchanged their vows, we had a rose ceremony, Elie, the groom, gave a pink rose to his parents, and Alia, one to hers. All parents were very moved by this gesture, they were unaware of the plan. Pink roses are known as the ‘thank you rose’ and the couple wanted to show their love and gratitude to their parents for their total support and unconditional love.
Elie and Alya exchanged vows, they were the most beautiful, intimate vows, really, they are amongst the most emotional and lovely words, that I have ever had the privilege to hear. They had written their own vows and had us all once more in tears!
With the sun just setting, Mr and Mrs Nassar the newly-weds and their family and friends went on to party the night away to celebrate. On this day back in mid-September we were reminded of the true force of nature and our inability to command the weather! However, in the end, it really was the perfect day; a magical, enchanting wedding at the Grand Resort Lagonissi, out on the stunning Athenian Riviera!
Photographer Nikos Kokkinakis, Akzot Photography
Are you planning a wedding on the Athenian Riviera? Contact me to discuss ideas or to learn more about how a celebrant can enhance your destination wedding in Greece. info@grecianceremonies.gr
Grecian Ceremonies – Sarah Hatjipavlis – Creating lifelong memories.
