This is an inspiring tale! It is the true story of an intimate vow renewal ceremony on the Island of Rhodes. Life as a celebrant in Greece is incredibly fulfilling. Meeting couples, learning their story, and then putting together a ceremony to celebrate a truly monumental moment in their lives! I regard being a celebrant as a vocation. It is not a job, it just doesn’t feel like work! It is of course a very important role to play. If the ceremony itself is small and intimate the choice of celebrant is key.
An intimate ceremony at sunset
A vow renewal ceremony in Rhodes.
Back on a lovely hot sunny afternoon in early October it was time for Paul and Sonia’s intimate vow renewal ceremony in Rhodes. Regular visitors to Rhodes for at least a decade, their hotel of choice the Dionysos hotel https://www.dionysos-hotel.gr/, where they are treated like old family friends rather than regular tourist visitors to the Island of Rhodes.
Both Paul and Sonia had sent me ‘their story’. Although we hadn’t met face to face, from the first minute I felt a connection. Life is funny like that; we had a lot in common. A love of Greece, family life, and similar in age, unlike most of the wedding couples, I meet. Many of whom tend to be a few decades younger than me! In which case I feel motherly towards them!
A sunset photo shoot at Kato Petres just outside Rhodes town.
A ceremony celebrating a love of Greece and intimate romance.
I had been worried about the weather forecast. We had experienced a pretty unexpected storm the previous week. The hotel had a ‘plan B’ in place but both Paul and Sonia were adamant; we would have the intimate vow renewal ceremony in the planned spot in the gardens of the Dionysos hotel come what may!
Of course, on the day, the weather was perfect just like it should be on the Island of Rhodes in early October. The hotel set the scene in a quiet corner of the gardens. The theme was classic Greece and intimate romance, with white lanterns, candles, stunning natural florals. The focal point was a small round table with a crisp, white embroidered Greek table cloth. Accompanying the couple were two good friends, there to support them on their special day.
A romantic rose ceremony.
Just a couple of kids who fell in love!
Celebrating thirty eight years of marriage, Paul and Sonia, chose to say some special words to each other. They exchanged words of commitment, renewing their vows. Their original wedding vows were made a lifetime ago. Then they were, as they said in their own words, ‘just a couple of kids who fell in love’. We included a ‘rose ceremony’ just before Paul and Sonia exchanged vows and rings, as a symbol of their love.
The intimate vow renewal ceremony in Rhodes was moving, and the Dionysos hotel a wonderful choice. We timed it all perfectly and after the toasts and a Greek canape or two, we set off to the beach to catch the sunset to have a photo shoot at the water’s edge. George Pagonakis, did a fabulous job, the sunset photos are out of this world!
‘Creating lifelong memories’ is my tag line, but in the case of Paul and Sonia, I found lifelong friends, I am looking forward to their next visit to the Island of Rhodes and catching up with their news!
All photographs are credited to George Pagonakis https://www.gpagonakis.com/
Venue and decor and florals all organised by the Dionysos hotel.
Are you planning to renew your vows in Greece? Would you like to learn more about how a celebrant can write a special ceremony just for you? With a celebrant you can even have a last minute wedding ceremony in Greece! https://www.grecianceremonies.gr/an-intimate-destination-wedding-in-pefkos-rhodes-greece/
Contact me to learn more info@grecianceremonies.gr
Grecian Ceremonies-Sarah Hatjipavlis-Celebrant in Greece
