Hundreds of candles lit the walkway to this Athenian Riviera wedding

hanging wisteria installation

Each summer, Alexandra would bring Frank back to her ancestral home in Greece. Together, they fell deeply in love—not just with each other, but also with the calm, easy-going serenity of the Athenian Riviera. Even early on in their relationship, they knew Greece would be where they would one day marry. On the anniversary of their first trip to Greece 10 years earlier, Frank surprised Alexandra with a sunset beach picnic overlooking the Ionian Sea and proposed, setting the stage for their dream wedding. Over the course of a three-day celebration, Alexandra and Frank embraced the timeless allure of an elegant Mediterranean garden set against the picturesque backdrops of Athens at Island Art and Taste. They worked meticulously with planner Mando Metaxa to blend sophisticated elegance with romantic charm for their fairytale wedding, all captured by Aristotelis Fakiolas.

floral-inspired wedding invitations

Invitations: Science meets art

The stationery, designed by Marianna Konitopoulou of Bright White Design, was a work of art that echoed the elegance of the Athenian Riviera and paid homage to Alexandra and Frank's shared background in science. Featuring a beautifully intertwined DNA symbol with ethereal flowers and botanicals, the design also graced all the wedding signage throughout the event, creating a symbolic bridge between their scientific roots and the natural beauty of their surroundings.

white silk slip dress for bride

Rooftop welcome party

To welcome their guests, the festivities began with a rooftop event at Muse Athens overlooking the Athenian Bazaar and the Acropolis. Guests sipped cocktails and enjoyed hors d'oeuvres to the sounds of traditional Greek music while taking in panoramic views of the city and the Parthenon.

Citrus-inspired welcome dinner

Good food and Greek dancing

The night before the wedding, the couple hosted a dinner at Moorings, a seaside gem featuring fresh local seafood, Greek wine, and views of the open ocean. A lively performance by traditional Greek folk dancers added a joyful touch, offering guests the chance to learn Greek dancing before the big day.

Greek destination wedding

An alternative to the bouquet toss

On the morning of the wedding, Alexandra gathered with her bridesmaids at Somewhere Boutique Hotel for an intimate bridal party and bridal portraits captured by photographer Aristotelis Fakiolas. Embracing a beloved Greek tradition, she wrote the names of her single friends on the bottom of her wedding shoes; those whose names wore off by the end of the night would be next in line to marry.

6 foot wedding dress train

A six-foot-long train

Alexandra wore a breathtaking gown by Berta, an intricate masterpiece adorned with hand-stitched floral applique and a nearly six-foot-long train that was perfect for their enchanting fairytale wedding. Her look was elegantly complemented by hair and makeup artist Vassia Papakonstantinou.

Athenian Riviera church wedding

Greek church wedding white and greenery bouquet

rice toss

Traditional Greek ceremony

The couple exchanged vows at Faneromeni Church in a traditional Greek Orthodox ceremony. Frank awaited Alexandra outside the church, and together they walked in to receive their marriage blessing. Following tradition, guests showered the newlyweds with rice to bring luck and fortune in their new life together.

vintage VW exit car

The getaway car: Vintage VW

The couple departed in a flower-adorned vintage VW Beetle from Drive Vintage that whisked them away to the tip of the Riviera for a quiet sunset photo session before the reception.

vintage getaway car

Island Art and Taste

As the sun dipped below the horizon, the couple returned to Island Art and Taste Athens Riviera for the main reception, where the inherent beauty of the region was amplified to create a Mediterranean paradise. The venue was transformed into an ethereal garden thanks to Studio 7 Flowers, seamlessly blending elegant sophistication with romantic charm.

candlelit entryway

Let candles light the way

Floral arrangements by Studio 7 Flowers featured cascading wisteria, baby blue delphiniums, and white roses, while small ancient Greek statues nestled among the blooms added a timeless touch. At the entrance, a pathway lit by hundreds of candles led guests to an elegant tableau—a wooden French table crowned with a mirror and surrounded by hanging wisteria and chandeliers, setting a dreamlike tone for the evening. Crystal chandeliers hung from ivy-draped arches, and dangling white wisteria intertwined with olive branches created a canopy over the dance floor.

pink and blue pastel wedding reception

custom bar menu blue glassware

embossed wedding favor boxes

Provincial-style seating

Vintage French provincial-style seating from Zazoo Rentals lent classical elegance, inviting guests to relax and revel in the enchanting atmosphere. Each table was adorned with gold-accented chargers and silverware from White Lilac Rentals, dusty blue water goblets, vintage-style gold-rimmed glasses, and napkins embossed with the couple's initials.

candlelit reception dinner

The favors: Symbols of prosperity

At each guest's seat, a custom box embossed with the couple's logo held a wedding favor from — a light blue or white ceramic pomegranate adorned with a small evil eye charm, symbolizing prosperity and good luck for each guest to take home.

Greek dessert table

Traditional Greek desserts

Wooden tables displayed family photographs in gold frames, crystal jars filled with Greek wedding almonds, and traditional Greek desserts. A whisky station featuring provincial furniture and cascading ivy-wrapped chandeliers provided a picturesque spot by the ocean for guests to relax.

foam glow sticks

A grand finale of fireworks

The Passepartout Band provided an impeccable live performance, seamlessly blending American and Greek music that kept the dance floor lively all night. As fireworks lit up the sky courtesy of Nanos Fireworks, the evening truly came alive. Lanterns and candles illuminated tables and walkways, creating a romantic ambiance as the couple and their guests celebrated under the moonlit Athenian sky.

reception fireworks

After-the-fact advice from the couple

"Many people advised us to 'enjoy the day,' but what truly resonated was the suggestion to enjoy the day with each other. That simple shift in perspective was made possible by having a photographer and planner we completely trusted. They allowed us to relax, be present, and fully immerse ourselves in each other's love on our wedding day, without worrying about all of the details."

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