Stunning, Light & Airy Santorini Elopement with Peonies: Crawford & Dimitra

Words by Dimitra. Images by Sandy and Odysseas Photography.

As I am Greek, I was desperate for Crawford to visit and experience my culture and Greece’s beauty first hand. Santorini was our first ‘Greek trip’ together 7 years ago. We were in awe of its beauty and knew this would be where we would get married. Crawford fell for Greece instantly and every year we plan a new summer adventure on her islands.

We thought it would mean more to us to travel back to where we shared some of our first memories as a couple than be married in a venue in Scotland that did not have a special place in our hearts.

Finding the venue was tricky. There are many weddings and elopements that take place in Santorini and it can be difficult to find a venue unique to you. As we were eloping, we knew we needed a smaller balcony and did not want to get lost in a large hotel patio. We also did not want to be married next to a pool. We did not want a pool in all our photographs and we were very conscious of becoming a tourist attraction.

With all this in mind, we chose Canavas. I stumbled across the venue whilst looking through our wedding planner’s (the fabulous Maria Sila), previous weddings. We loved the intimacy of the space and that the view was completely uninterrupted.

My wedding dress was by Enzoani and purchased from Anne Priscilla Bridal in Glasgow. I wanted something classic that I would not look back, in twenty years, at our photographs and regret. I was also mindful of how hot it would be and needed something simple and without too many add-ons. I just loved the shape, elegance and simplicity. Oh, and the BOW.

We hired the truly wonderful Maria Sila, from www.tietheknotsantorini.com Maria and her assistant Miranda were so helpful and always kept in touch through email or Skype. They even went over and above in tracking down my Birth Certificate in Athens. I cannot explain how big a deal this is, as without this there would have been no wedding!

I am forever grateful to them for making our dreams a reality. They planned the whole day for us, sharing their amazing knowledge of local vendors and the island. Nothing was too much for Maria and Miranda. I honestly felt like they were family. I would never have found the wonderful Sandy, Odysseas, Bella and Eleni without them. They are just fabulous and I adore them.

Our florist was Betty Flowers Santorini www.bettyflowerssantorini.gr again, our wedding planner organised all our flowers and our wedding arch on our behalf. I just love peonies and wanted a little blush pink in my bouquet, however, we thought we would have David Austen roses instead but as always Maria came through and I had peonies.

Crawford and I went to School together but did not start dating until we had left school and I was in my final year of University. I was on my final teaching placement and, unbeknown to me, Crawford’s mum was the Head Teacher of the school. She quickly set to work and had a date planned within a week. 10 years later we are forever grateful to her.

Crawford proposed to me on my Name Day – St Dimitri’s feast day. My dad and I share the same name day and it’s always a time for celebration. Crawford had sought the blessing of my mum, dad and sister who were all delighted.

For both of us, seeing each other – our ‘first look’ was the most memorable moment of the day. I did not expect Crawford to get emotional, so that set me off too. Also, the sunset and when we realised we were MARRIED was magical.

We want to say a massive thank you to Maria for introducing us to Sandy and Odysseas Photography www.sandyandodysseas.com. They are the most beautiful people, inside and out, and work together perfectly! I am a little obsessed with them and their talent.

We loved how light and pretty their photographs felt. We were extremely nervous and did not want overly posed photographs. Sandy and Odysseus were so calming and completely allowed us to be in our newly married bubble.

Maria and Miranda sent me ideas of décor and we would email back and forth, I would attach photographs from Pinterest and they would let me know if our vision was within our budget.

I LOVED our wedding arch and our wedding table. The chairs are maybe one of my favourite things – the greenery is just gorgeous. I love all our photographs when we are sitting at the table. I actually thought everyone had left! The candles and petals just made everything feel truly magical.