A Dreamy Island Wedding in Samos, Greece

Set against the minimalist architecture of Casa Cook Hotel in Pythagoreio, Anastasia and Kambiz’s wedding unfolded as a meditation on place and heritage.

The ceremony emerged beside reflecting pools, framed by spilling floral installations in a palette of cream, rust, and soft brown. Greek pottery punctuated the space, subtle in its symbolism, while the clean lines of the venue contrasted with the island’s ancient landscape. It was both grounded and otherworldly, an aesthetic of restraint that allowed Samos itself to carry the moment.

For the reception, the celebration shifted to the beach beneath a full moon. Long tables dressed in neutral linens, ceramic plates, and muted blooms radiated against the shoreline, accented by modern chocolate-brown table lamps and ethereal string lights overhead.

Our Story

Names / Anastasia & Kambiz Ghiam

Location / Samos, Greece

Wedding Date / July 10th, 2025

Guest Numbers / 150

Budget / $250,000

How We Met

I met my husband through one of my girlfriends while he was in Cleveland for residency. We were out for a girls’ night, and he stopped by to say hi to her. I remember thinking he was so cute and that I should set him up with one of my friends. I didn’t think much of it at the time.

A few months later, I was in LA visiting my best friend, and he happened to be there too, since he is from LA. We met up, hung out, and instantly clicked. We ended up having the same flight back to Cleveland. He made an incredibly bold move and switched my seat to sit next to him. We talked for the entire five-hour plane ride, and the rest is history.

Our Engagement Story

We got engaged three years into dating on New Year’s Eve in Milan. I was completely blindsided, which is funny because I thought I had the night all figured out. I had a hair appointment booked, a dress picked out, and I was ready. In my mind, I was sure he would propose that evening, but he had other plans.

That day, we set out on foot to explore the rainy streets of Milan. It was cold and romantic in that perfect wintery way. At one point, I noticed he seemed a little off, nervous and fidgety, and I thought, wait, is he going to do it now? Panicking because I was a mess from walking around in the rain, I ran to the nearest bathroom to “freshen up.” I had never seen him so nervous in my life.

He told me we should go grab a drink, so we set out to a local cocktail bar. As we turned a corner, he suddenly dropped to one knee right there in the rain and asked me to marry him. A small crowd of people nearby started cheering. Some restaurant guests and locals passing by even filmed it and later sent us the videos, which were so sweet and surreal to watch. It was raw, emotional, and completely perfect, my dream proposal.

What we love most about each other…

I could go on about the many things I love about my husband, but I think what I love most about our relationship is our ability to put each other first. From small gestures like having coffee ready in the morning to late-night talks about all of life’s stresses, we are truly and genuinely a team. Life can be hard, scary, fun, and exhilarating, and I love that we both have each other’s backs through every part of it. It is one of the most beautiful and underrated aspects of our relationship.

The Setting

Wedding Location

We hosted a multi-day event on the island of Samos, Greece, where my family is from. It is an incredibly special place, as I spent every summer there growing up and it is where my grandparents moved from to America. When I became serious with my now-husband and began bringing him with me on my summer trips to the island, I fell in love with the way he fell in love with it. There was a mutual understanding that this is home for us and, without question, where we would get married.

We kicked off wedding week with my bachelorette party. We reserved a classic Greek sailboat and took it out to the private island of Samiopoula off the coast of Samos. We had lunch, danced, and swam the day away. We finished the night at Pergamonto, a modern Greek restaurant in town, for an intimate girls’ dinner before the true festivities began.

We hosted a beach party for our guests two days before the wedding at Navagos Beach Bar. It was lighthearted, fun, and a great way for guests to get to know each other before the wedding. The night before the wedding, we hosted a welcome dinner at a classic Greek taverna called Symposium in the platea (city center) of Pythagoreio. The restaurant was cozy and quaint, perfectly Greek. We danced the night away with live music from a local band, a Greek family-style dinner, and local beer, wine, and ouzo from the island, and of course, breaking plates.

Our wedding took place at the beautiful Casa Cook Hotel in Pythagoreio. We chose this venue for its refined, minimalist aesthetic, which contrasted with the island’s ancient surroundings and lush landscape. The ceremony was held outdoors, framed by clean architectural lines, reflecting pools, and cascading floral installations, creating an atmosphere of understated elegance and tranquility. For our reception, we celebrated on the beach under a full moon. Our island truly shined that night.

Aesthetic

Our wedding aesthetic can be described as modern, Mediterranean, and authentic. We embraced the natural beauty of Samos. I have always been inspired by its authenticity, landscapes, and natural elegance. I am also deeply inspired by ancient Greek culture and mythology, which influenced the overall aesthetic of our wedding. Hera, the goddess of marriage and fertility, is said to come from Samos, so we incorporated small nods to her throughout the week.

We kept the florals and color palette earthy and neutral, incorporating shades of sand, cream, terracotta, and soft browns. Our approach was rooted in subtlety and intentionality, allowing the beauty of the island itself to be the centerpiece of our celebration.

Preparation

I got ready in my villa with my bridesmaids. Since our ceremony wasn’t until early evening, we had a relaxed, carefree day together, enjoying champagne and lunch as we took in the peaceful island surroundings. It was the perfect laid-back hangout, exactly how I had envisioned spending the day with my closest friends.

I wore a Grecian-inspired maxi dress by Misha paired with a Juju Vera shell pendant, capturing my personal style while paying homage to my Greek heritage.

Photography

Kristin Piteo Photography, a dear friend of mine for years, photographed our wedding. I have always admired her artistic eye and ability to capture real, raw emotion. She captured the not-obvious moments, moments that were pure and authentic. She provided guidance but never posed us, and I look back at our photos and feel like I get to relive the weekend in its purest form.

Videography

We wanted our video to be lighthearted and fun, capturing the lively energy of our friends and family. We found Kostas Kastanakis through our wedding planner, Mosaique Events, and he was the perfect fit. I loved his attention to unexpected moments and his mix of modern and classic camera work, which captured the energy of our wedding week beautifully.

“Our wedding aesthetic can be described as modern, Mediterranean, and authentic. We embraced the natural beauty of Samos… allowing the beauty of the island itself to be the centerpiece of our celebration.”

Style Notes

Ceremony Décor

The ceremony decor was one of my favorite parts of the wedding. Cascading floral installations in earthy tones of white, cream, rust, and soft browns created a beautiful connection to the island’s natural palette. Reflecting pools surrounded the altar, capturing the Mediterranean sunlight. Greek-style pottery placed throughout the ceremony created a gentle contrast to the venue’s clean and modern ambiance. Guests were seated in cocktail-style groupings around the altar, creating a sophisticated and tranquil environment that felt authentically Greek yet contemporary.

Reception Décor

Our reception was held on the beach. We wanted to bring the elegance from the ceremony but loosen it up for guests to enjoy the party. The backdrop of the island, beach, and full moon provided stunning natural light. Tables were styled with long draping neutral linen tablecloths, earthy ceramic plates, and modern chocolate brown table lamps, accented by muted floral arrangements in warm, organic tones. Twinkling lights overhead created an intimate, magical atmosphere. We ended the celebration by jumping into the ocean with our closest family and friends.

Wedding Planner & Stylist

Mosaique Events was our wedding planner and stylist. She brought my vision to life, carefully curating every detail to reflect my ideas. She made the entire process seamless and has become a lifelong friend. I genuinely owe the beauty, style, and flow of our wedding to her.

Flowers

Our floral choices were inspired by the natural textures and tones of Samos: earthy, warm, and organic. We used creams, soft browns, rust, and subtle terracotta shades. My bridal bouquet was a delicate blend of orchids, hydrangeas, and amaranths in shades of white and off-white. Bridesmaids did not carry bouquets, allowing for a lively Persian-Jewish style aisle exit, which I wanted to feel loose and carefree.

Stationery

We worked with Minted to create a custom invitation suite and website, including a logo used throughout the wedding weekend. For menus, programs, and kippahs, we collaborated with Invitations by Azy in Beverly Hills to create custom designs.

Favors

Guests received welcome bags on arrival, including a custom Turkish towel with our wedding logo, a bottle of water with our logo, locally made ouzo and honey from Samos, and handwritten notes. We wanted them to feel appreciated for traveling to Greece to celebrate with us.

Cake

We opted for a massive baklava instead of a traditional cake. It was fun, interactive, and authentically Greek.

Food & Beverages

We had a cocktail hour before the ceremony, followed by a second cocktail hour after the ceremony with passed appetizers. The reception dinner featured a modern Greek menu served family-style, including fresh pita bread, olives, tzatziki, feta, amberjack crudo, farm-to-table risotto, beef short rib, fresh Bronzino, and more. Late-night offerings included mini lamb gyros and baklava.

“Planning a destination wedding requires give and take, trust, and coordination. I focused too much on tiny details, but what mattered most was the energy and positivity our guests brought.”

Fashion & Beauty Notes

Bride’s Dress & Shoes

For the ceremony, I wore the Rainey gown by Danielle Frankel. This sculptural, pleated silk dress felt effortlessly modern, yet timeless and elegant. The silhouette was fluid yet structured, reminding me of the ocean when I put it on. The unique pearlescent color was unlike anything I had seen before. I felt it was the perfect dress for a seaside wedding.

I paired the dress with Manolo Blahnik shoes. For the ceremony, I wore the classic Hangisli, a pointed-toe design with an elevated crystal embellishment, providing a sophisticated contrast to the simplicity of my gown.

Later in the evening, I changed into the Harris gown by Danielle Frankel for our first dance. This strapless dress featured delicate hand-painted floral details and architectural draping reminiscent of ancient Greek statues. I paired it with strappy Manolo Blahnik sandals in a neutral tone. Both looks felt like a modern ode to my Greek roots, feminine and romantic without being overly sweet.

Bridesmaids Dresses & Shoes

I wanted my bridesmaids to feel confident and beautiful, so I let them choose their own dresses, shoes, and accessories. The only direction I gave was for a chocolate brown color palette. Their individual styles came through perfectly, and they looked amazing.

Wedding Rings

My engagement ring is an elongated radiant cut yellow diamond set in a yellow gold cathedral setting. It is the most special and unique piece of jewelry I own. To complement it, I chose a simple 4mm plain yellow gold band. My fiancé also chose a simple gold band.

Jewelry & Accessories

I kept my look clean and simple. I did not wear a necklace or bracelet. For the ceremony, I wore diamond cluster earrings from Verstolo with a pearl drop that complemented the dress’s pearlescent color. For the reception, I removed the pearls and wore the diamond clusters alone. I also added a classic graduating diamond tennis necklace for the evening.

Hair & Makeup

My goal was to feel like the best version of myself. I kept my hair down in a signature blowout style, perfected with soft waves and a deep side part. For makeup, the focus was on skin and eyes. My makeup artist, Katerina Theocharis, created a natural, glowy look with soft but impactful lashes to give me the dreamy eyes I envisioned.

Groom’s Attire

My fiancé wore a custom Loro Piana tuxedo from Cuffs in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, finished with a European-style bowtie. The groomsmen wore black tuxedos with dark brown bowties to match the bridesmaids’ dresses.

The Details

Honeymoon

We had a few nights on a mini-moon on the Greek island of Spetses, a car-free island known for its neoclassical architecture and historical visits from Jackie Kennedy. We stayed at the Poseidonion Hotel, a beautiful neoclassical hotel with over 120 years of history. It was a chic, relaxing getaway before returning to reality.

We are planning a more traditional honeymoon in October, traveling to France for several weeks to explore Paris, the countryside, and the south.

Wedding Songs

Our ceremony included a lively Persian-Jewish style walk-out, with the bridal party and parents dancing down the aisle to Greek, Persian, and Latin songs, creating an amazing energy for our guests.

I walked down the aisle with my father to a Greek love song called To Aroma. It was an emotional moment that I constantly replay.

Our first dance included a mix of Volare by Domenico Modugno, transitioning into the Gypsy Kings’ rendition. The dance floor filled with friends and family when the song shifted, creating a euphoric moment. The song holds personal significance because we have a tradition of staying in on Valentine’s Day, making homemade margaritas and fajitas while listening to the Gypsy Kings.

Entertainment

Our wedding music was a blend of Persian, Arabic, Greek, Latin, and house remixes. Our DJ from Athens kept the dance floor moving, and friends and family brought incredible energy throughout the night.

Celebrant

My father-in-law was our celebrant. He is a spiritual and heartfelt person, and there was no one better to capture the love of our day.

Readings

We wrote and read our own vows during the ceremony. I do not think there was a dry eye in the room.

Our Advice

A memorable moment…

One unforgettable aspect of our wedding week was the energy. It was inclusive, infectious, and magnetic. From the boat day to the beach party, the welcome dinner to the wedding itself, there was a beautiful sense of community that extended beyond our guest list.

At the welcome dinner, a live Greek band played outside the taverna. I took a break from dancing and looked across the street to see strangers joining in, Greek dancing with us. It was a surreal, joyful moment, showing that our celebration was authentic, connected, and deeply rooted in the spirit of Greece.

One thing I wish I knew before I started my wedding plans…

Planning a destination wedding requires give and take, trust, and coordination. I focused too much on tiny details, but what mattered most was the energy and positivity our guests brought.

If I could give other couples one piece of advice…

My wedding day was truly one of the best days of my life. Any stress or anxiety leading up to the day disappears once the celebration begins. Go easy on yourself, focus on what truly matters to you, and when the day comes, let go and enjoy every moment.

Sources of inspiration…

I drew inspiration from the island of Samos, Greek mythology, and my cultural heritage. I wanted to present my traditions in a modern, authentic way. I also used Pinterest to discover ideas and contacts for the wedding.

Our Contacts

Wedding Venue / Casa Cook Hotel

Wedding Planner & Stylist / Mosaique Events

Photography / Kristin Piteo Photography

Videography / Kostas Kastanakis

Bride’s Dress / Danielle Frankel

Bride’s Shoes / Manolo Blahnik

Jewelry & Accessories / Verstolo

Hair & Makeup / Katerina Theocharis

Stationery / Minted & Invitations by Azy

Florist / Felicia Floral Design

Cake & Catering / Casa Cook Hotel

Entertainment / Music Essentials

Honeymoon Destination / France: Paris, Countryside, St. Tropez