Destination Wedding – Paros, Greece

Stephanie and Jamie got engaged in July of 2023. They immediately knew their wedding needed to be the party of the century! As some of the most popular people I’ve ever met, their hometown of Chicago was going to see a guest list of nearly 400 people. Budget projection and venue tours were the very first to-do on our list. Steph and Jamie were very clear in their priorities: GREAT people, GREAT food, and a PARTY that no one would ever forget. The idea of a destination wedding came when the bride realized she’d never be able to spend quality time with 400 guests, really wanted their day to feel intimate, intentional, and authentic.

We explored various locations, and quickly decided on Europe. We narrowed it down to Italy or Greece and after lots of comparing, budgeting, and discussion, we determined Paros was the PERFECT spot to celebrate! Once the island was decided, we found the venue- The Secret View. The venue offered stunning views of the Aegean Sea, mountains, and a rustic, earthy, elegance that resonated with the couple completely. I was absolutely enchanted by the venue’s tiny chapel and impressive scenery, though a bit terrified that it is 100% outdoor with zero indoor accommodation. Thankfully, the venue owner was extremely helpful in selecting a perfect date of August 31st, 2024.

Stephanie and Jamie opted to host a ‘wedding weekend’ rather than just a wedding day and treat their guests to an incredible 3-day experience. It started with a welcome party at a beachside bar and ended with a pool party hosted at a private villa – I’m talking celebrity status type of weekend! The entire weekend could not have been more idyllic. 100 of Steph and Jamie’s nearest and dearest made the trip to celebrate in Greece and what a celebration it was!

The design of this wedding was EVERYTHING! Steph wanted an eclectic, authentically “Greek”, colorful, rustic vibe and I think we absolutely nailed it! I’ll let the photos by Bailey Pianalto Photography speak for themselves, but seriously, I still get emotional looking back on this day. One of the best decisions we made in the design process had to have been the flower baskets. We had 10 giant wicker baskets overflowing with blooms that welcomed guests immediately upon arrival, then lined the curved aisle, and later placed around the reception area. These baskets are now my secret design weapon; the versatility and impact was worth every penny, and I’d do it again in a heartbeat. Another really impactful design element was the color scheme – multiple shades of blue, white, peach, and hot pink. We started with the idea of blue and white (but that was a little too obvious) adding the additional colors really made the floral “pop” amongst the scenery and created a gorgeous balance for the space.

Stephanie and Jamie shared their vows as the sun set over the Aegean Sea committing their love to one another while the charming blue and white chapel served as their backdrop. The ceremony was officiated by the groom’s childhood friend and was all the things Steph and Jamie: warm, loving, and full of heart.

From the ceremony, guests immediately went into cocktail hour as a three piece band played traditional Greek music and Mario’s Exclusive Catering provided the most gorgeous, delicious mezze table. Guests were enveloped in the atmosphere of love- every sense was ignited: the scenery, the flowers, food, drink, music- it truly felt like we were walking in a dream or on a movie set. So many guests paid their compliments to our team for planning the “best wedding ever” and I couldn’t help but agree. The night continued with even more authentic Greek cuisine (served family style), heartfelt speeches, Greek dancing, and a DJ that had the dance floor packed until 2 a.m.

I never would have dreamed we’d be celebrating one of our wonderful couples on a tiny island in Greece, but there we were. It was a major “pinch me” moment and I’m so overjoyed with how perfect it truly was. My heart is now longing for more destination weddings. I love finding inspiration within the local culture, infusing meaningful elements into the event, and sharing it all with the people you love most.