Destination Wedding in Greece: The Island of Santorini
It is still had to believe that all this really happened. It felt surreal when we found out Jan and Jon wanted to book us to photograph their destination wedding in Santorini, and it felt surreal when we were arranging the flights and hotels. It felt surreal while we waited at the airport, and it felt surreal even as we walked the narrow and ancient paths around Santorini. On the plane ride home, it was hard to believe it had all really happened, and going through the photos now, it’s hard to believe these memories are ours, and we aren’t accidentally remembering some incredible experience that someone else had. That’s how amazing this entire experience has been end-to-end.
When we first got an email from Jan, she was looking to hire us to photograph her wedding at Porta in Asbury Park. It didn’t take long for her to mention that the Asbury wedding was actually more of a wedding afterparty for their local friends and family, and that the real wedding would be in Greece! She explained that they were going to fly out with a handful of close friends and family and have a small, intimate ceremony in the village of Oia overlooking the waters of the caldera at sunset.
After picking our jaws up off the floor, we talked logistics and made the dream of shooting a wedding like this become a reality!
We arrived a few days early, as we always do for our destination weddings. This allows us to adjust for the time difference, scout locations and think through things before the wedding day itself. It also gives us a chance to get photos that really convey the setting of the wedding itself. The bride and groom were staying in the village of Imerovigli.
When the wedding day came, we arrived bright and early so we could have plenty of time to have fun with detail shots. We wanted to be able to capture the mood and spirit of the island while showcasing the beautiful elements that made our bride shine even brighter.
Everyone was in a good mood and perfectly relaxed. It was a very different vibe from your average wedding day morning. No chaos, no rushing. Jan and Jon were relaxing together when we arrived, and were putting the finishing touches on their wedding vows.
Eventually Jan headed off to have her makeup done, leaving Jon behind to finish handwriting his vows in the AirBNB they rented. They wouldn’t see each other again until the “first look.”
After makeup was all done, Jon headed down to start getting ready so Jan could take the room and finish her vows up.
It was our first time photographing wedding prep in a cave, but hopefully not the last time!
Sometimes the unplanned moments make for the best photographs. This was just a test shot for light, but her gaze, the softness in her hand and the gentle movement happened to line up perfectly.
That feeling when the bride’s eyes match the ocean. 😍
We planned the “first look” between the bride and groom for the roof, overlooking the waters of the Aegean Sea.
After taking a little time to do portraits around the AirBNB, we all hopped on a shuttle up to the village of Oia for the wedding ceremony.
We headed out to the main square of Oia to grab some quick wedding portraits of the bride and groom, and then headed back to Canaves Oia for sunset portraits.
The food at Canaves Oia was absolutely outstanding. Maybe it was being in the open air on the sea, or the candlelit ambience, or all the endless laughter, but it will definitely go down as one of the best meals of our lives.
We typically try to keep a quiet distance from our couples as they celebrate. While we want them to like us and enjoy our company, we also don’t want to detract in any way from their planned experience with their friends and family. However, on this night, Jon and Jan weren’t having any of that. They insisted we sit with them and had chairs brought for us. The demanded the cameras be put down and that we just relax and enjoy the incredible evening. Wine was poured and memories were made. We can’t thank them enough for that once-in-a-lifetime gift.
Their wedding was certainly one for the books, and one that we will always hold close to our hearts.
If you’re looking for passionate, creative photographers for your destination wedding, hit the button below and say hi! <3 <3 <3
Wedding planner:
Lydia Meritzi
Stella & Moscha
Tel +30 22860 23917 | +30 210 9919 349
Mobile +30 6948 685 832
www.stellaandmoscha.com
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Wedding venue:
Canaves Oia Suites
https://canaves.com/canaves-oia-suites/
Tel: +30 22860 71453
info@canaves.com
https://www.instagram.com/canavesoia/
https://www.facebook.com/canavesoia
AirBNB:
Villa Eros in Imerovigli, Santorini
www.airbnb.com