A Dreamlike Wedding by the Sea in Mykonos

Photography by La Dichosa.

As if emerging from a painting, Katerina and Alexi wed under an oceanic arch of cerulean hydrangeas and sparkling sky on the northern shores of Mykonos.

With the whitewashed stone exterior, an undulating ocean, and the surrounding rocky terrain as their backdrop, the setting was steeped in otherworldly tones and textures, evoking a feeling of awe from every angle.

From the three-course traditional Greek reception dinner alongside the infinity pool, to the artfully timed fireworks and musical sets throughout the night, the evening lingered into morning like an unscripted dream.

The wedding was poetically capture by La Dichosa.

mykonos wedding

Our Story

Names / Katerina & Alexi

Location / Mykonos, Greece

Wedding Date / September 23rd, 2023

Guest Numbers / 85

Budget / $100,000

How We Met

We met on the very first day of University! I had just dropped my bags off at the dorm, and on the way to the students union, fate intervened in the form of Alex, who stopped me in my tracks with a big smile and charming hello.

We got talking about our backgrounds and studies… and although it was a short encounter, there was something special about it. Alex would later tell his friends that it was love at first sight (!) and that one day we would be together.

Classes started and it was only a couple of months later that we went on our first date overlooking the beautiful Bath skyline. From that moment on, we have been inseparable. Graduating, starting life in London and exploring the world together.

Our Engagement Story

Our engagement in the Algarve was a dream (thank you, Alex!). It started with a lovely boat ride, where we spotted dozens of wild dolphins, followed by a visit to the Carvoeiro coast for swimming and cliff jumping. Already, this was my idea of a perfect day.

Alex suggested going to Ponta da Piedade, a beautiful cliffside sunset spot, for a late afternoon picnic. It was a beautiful setting as we walked past a lighthouse and set up in front of the sea. Despite the incredible spread and champagne he had bought, he didn’t seem to have an appetite and I was still completely oblivious to his romantic intentions.

Suddenly, he stood up behind me, and said, “rather than saying it, I want you to read it.” With a gentle gesture, he pointed to the left, and my heart skipped a beat. What?! A plane emerged from the horizon with a long banner trailing behind it. My eyes widened in disbelief as the words came into focus: “Kat, I love you, will you marry me?”.

What we love most about each other…

Our curiosity for life and support for each other’s dreams, no matter how wild they are, all while having fun along the way.

mykonos wedding

The Setting

Wedding Location

Located on the Northern shores of Mykonos, we came across a secluded haven – Mykonos Lolita. While other hotels in Mykonos can feel loud and exposed, here in Agios Sostis, there is privacy and calm.

We fell head-over-heels in love with this venue for two main reasons. First, the pure aesthetics of it. When entering the space, the first things you notice are the panoramic views of the sea, the gorgeous island light and the captivating Cycladic architecture. The showstopper is the ceremony area, which was unlike any I had seen before – a traditional little white church, with an amphitheater, overlooking the sea. I imagined how incredible it would be to walk down the aisle with those views. It felt magical and effortlessly romantic.

Secondly, taking this venue exclusive allowed all of our guests to stay in the same place over the weekend. We had friends and family traveling in from all over the world (26 countries across 85 guests!) so we wanted to make the most of it. Waking up to see all of our favorite people having breakfast together, both families merging as one for a dip in the sea, friends reconnecting over iced cappuccinos by the pool, was really fun. By the time it got to the big day, the communal warmth and familiarity had intensified tenfold, amplifying everyone’s emotions. It was surreal and very special.

Aesthetic

We wanted the atmosphere to be effortlessly elegant with a touch of playful charm. Slim Aarons’ iconic photography, blending style, nature, and leisure, served as the inspiration behind the ambiance we aimed to achieve with our design.

We wanted to elevate the scenery and chose hues of blue for the florals and bridesmaids dresses. The guests wore subtle pastel colors to keep a cohesive identity with the space.

Preparation

If I could describe the preparations with one word, it would be relaxed! I went for a swim by the beach with my girlfriends, we listened to music and drank champagne as we steamed my dress and veil. I did my makeup myself on the terrace and one of my bridesmaids helped me get into the dress. My family arrived with a beautiful surprise present and we did our first looks on the balcony.

Photography

We were lucky enough to work with Majo & Xavi from La Dichosa. When I first came across their Instagram I instantly fell in love with their editorial wedding aesthetic. Their photos look like paintings, with the coolness of the Slim Aarons era. They were without a doubt, the first vendor we booked.

We met on Instagram three years ago as I was starting That’s The One, and we instantly clicked over the desire to take a refreshed approach to weddings that felt modern and natural. Meeting in person felt like hanging out with old friends – we had a lot of things in common and it was great to hear their story. None of the photos were staged and we were told to simply be ourselves. It is incredible how effortless it is for them to capture special and authentic moments that often go unseen. We developed a true friendship and loved having them as guests at the party too!

Videography

At first we weren’t sure that we wanted a videographer, however having seen the footage now we are so grateful that we did. Being able to rewatch our vows, relive the guest speeches and see our first dance are priceless memories we will cherish forever.

We are grateful to have met Vic Rivero and his team, who intimately captured our wedding weekend. They are true professionals that put a lot of effort into documented everything on the day. We loved the romantic style of Vic’s videos and how they are able to work with specialist drones and 4K cameras to capture events from many perspectives. Their editing work is also top notch, as they very quickly take on any requests you have for the final cut.

Style Notes

Ceremony Décor

The wedding ceremony took place in front of the little white church overlooking the sea. We placed a grounded floral arch in ombre hues of hydrangeas in front of the “altar” and had white amphoras with compact arrangements of hydrangeas and delphinium flowers, which also lined the aisle walkway.

Simple, white cushions were organized along the amphitheater seats, making it feel like we were being hugged and surrounded by our loved ones on all sides.

Reception Décor

The wedding reception was set up by the infinity pool. We lined rectangle tables in a U shape family style. Tables were filled with candles, white tibet roses, white delphinium, and light blue hydrangeas. We had a backdrop of the church and our flower arch behind us. We made a last minute decision to add a rotating disco ball on the day, and I am so glad we did! It completely lit up the entire space with little sparkles and created a magical ambience for the evening.

We cut the wedding cake on the balcony in front of beautiful golden “great gatsby” fireworks, before heading to the dancing area which was set up under the stars. As the dancefloor was outdoors, we created a sense of intimacy with lights, a smoke machine and disco balls. It felt like we were dancing in the clouds and the party continued until sunrise the next day.

Wedding Planner & Stylist

Through my business, and the hundreds of planners that use our software to manage their events every day, I have gained firsthand insight into the extensive effort required to orchestrate a wedding. If your wedding also spans multiple days and is in a foreign destination, absolutely get a wedding planner!

We chose Ariadni, a Greek wedding planner based in Athens, to support us in sourcing local vendors and managing the execution of the weekend, which helped a lot.

Wedding planners do so much work behind the scenes to make the process enjoyable and feel seamless on the day. It was reassuring knowing the vendors we booked were trustworthy and that there was a team on the ground supporting our guests.

mykonos wedding

Stationery

Collaborating with By Chloe Louise, we commissioned hand-painted illustrations of our venue, along with a vibrant Cycladic-inspired scene. We loved By Chloe Louise‘s airy, fun and colorful style, which we felt perfectly complementing our overall Mykonos aesthetic.

Receiving these as digital files enabled us to utilize them across our e-card invitations, name cards, welcome signs, and newspaper design. I personally crafted everything on Figma and opted for a local printer in Athens.

Favors/Bonbonniere

We crafted a personalized newspaper titled “The Daily Veil – Kat & Alex are getting married!,” which was distributed to each guest’s room on our wedding day. This 16-page spread featured stories about us, our bridal party and family. We created puzzles, shared intriguing facts about our guests and included an itinerary with suggested nearby activities, adding a personalized touch to everyone’s experience.

Cake

A three-tiered vanilla chiffon cake with a whipped mascarpone, a light raspberry filling and fresh raspberries.

Food & Beverages

We designed a delightful three-course, sit-down reception dinner, served in a family-style manner. This entailed waiters serving our guests, while also placing generous platters of delectable dishes directly in front of them, allowing them to savor and serve themselves.

We wanted the food to feel refined, yet authentic and true for the region. For starters a range of Greek dips (olive, taramasalata, tirokafteri) were served, with traditional Greek salads.

For the main course, we served an array of dishes including prawns saganaki with feta, succulent lamb chops, sea bass paired with wild greens and spinach, and hearty orzo alongside locally sourced steamed vegetables. The team at Mykonos Lolita truly surpassed expectations, leaving a lasting impression on our guests who still rave about the unforgettable flavors to this day.

To kick off the festivities, we served refreshing palomas and spicy margaritas after dinner, igniting the party spirit, while our open bar kept the celebration in full swing.

mykonos wedding

Fashion & Beauty Notes

Bride’s Dress & Shoes

My wedding dress is from Scottish designer Stephanie Allin, who I got to personally meet at a fitting at Morgan Davies which was a personal highlight. I loved the cut and minimalistic draping on the corset and the incredible drama of the A-line skirt. Crafted from Mikado Silk, it strikes the perfect balance of lightness and structure.

For my wedding shoes, I chose the “Reagan” heels from Bella Belle, which perfectly aligned with the minimalist and romantic aesthetic of my dress. The asymmetric bow at the vamp felt modern and the D’Orsay cut, creates a clean silhouette. This brand specializes exclusively in wedding shoes and they are fitted with added cushioning to ensure you can last in your heels all day.

Bridesmaids

Discovering Mottee Maids was such a blessing! Their collections offer flexibility, allowing bridesmaids to choose tops that suit their individual figures.

We selected pastel blue dresses adorned with matching embroidery on the top, but each bridesmaid with a unique cut. We felt this created a seamless blend of elegance and individuality, without feeling too forced.

Wedding Rings, Jewelry & Accessories

Our rings were made by Henry Pruwer, a bespoke diamond jewelry specialist in London. Henry has 25 years of experience and was very attentive with us. Alex in particular enjoyed learning about diamond sourcing and selection.

My engagement ring features a round diamond set on a sleek white gold band. To complement it, we opted for a minimalist diamond infinity band. Alex wears a timeless platinum wedding band, with a few heartfelt words engraved on the inside.

Hair & Makeup

Discovering the perfect makeup routine for my wedding day was a journey. I tried a couple of makeup artists in London and Mykonos and it always felt “overdone”. I came across Charlotte Tilbury’s instore “wedding day tutorial” and booked myself in for an appointment with one of my bridesmaids.

It was an immersive experience where I could explore different looks, try different products and ask questions. I purchased all the makeup we used from the final look – from the face creams to the lipstick and still use them today!

Doing my makeup on the big day was a cherished moment of relaxation amidst the commotion, and it felt incredibly relaxing to just sit down, prepare and take everything in.

Groom’s Attire

Alex wore a custom made two-piece double breasted Gieves & Hawkes tuxedo with a Turnbull & Asser shirt and bow tie. His shoes were from Church’s. The groomsmen all wore classic tuxedos.

mykonos wedding

“Slim Aarons’ iconic photography, blending style, nature, and leisure, served as the inspiration behind the ambiance we wanted for the wedding weekend.”

The Details

Transport

Mykonos is one of the Greek islands which has an international airport, so you can fly there directly or through Athens. Alternatively, if you are feeling more adventurous, you can catch a ferry from Athens or Santorini (although it will take you longer).

More generally, if you are making a holiday out of the trip and wish to do some island hopping there are many islands nearby (e.g. Paros, Naxos, Tinos, Milos) with multiple ferry connections between them all!

Wedding Songs

Kat: “Can’t help falling in love” by Kinna Grannis
Alex: Acoustic version of “Peaches” by Edward Ong

We had our first dance to Etta James’s “At Last,” which was mixed to merge into a higher-paced Avicii song at the very end. The finale involved the bridesmaids and groomsmen running onto the dancefloor, to join us and get the party started!

Entertainment

We created our own playlist for the DJ to play. In addition, we had a saxophonist and a drummer who each played 20 minute sets throughout the evening. This kept the momentum of the party going all night long!

Here are our Spotify playlists:

Celebrant

One of Alex’s closest friends from school, Alastair, was eager to officiate our big day! With our hearts set on a destination wedding, we opted to make our marriage official privately in London, reserving Greece for a symbolic ceremony to celebrate with our close ones. It seemed fitting to have someone who is truly close to us being the officiator, rather than a stranger.

Although Alastair had no prior experience officiating, he poured so much effort into our special day. From conducting intimate interviews with both of us and our inner circle to hand-writing the entire speech into a beautiful leather book embossed with our initials. It was a gesture that left us feeling profoundly touched and endlessly thankful.

Readings

Quote from my vows:
“Whatever souls are made of, yours and mine are the same.”

Our Advice

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

The guest experience is so important – from the way guests RSVP, receive updates, book their accommodation to how they are taken care of on the day.

Managing logistics for destination weddings is especially complex. One example is sorting guest accommodation. When I started my planning journey, the only way to manage room blocks was manually. We wanted our guests to feel taken care of, especially since they were traveling from abroad.

This inspired the accommodation section in That’s The One, which is oftentimes not part of a planners service. We have automated the room block process and make it super easy for couples to set up discounted rates and help them know where their guests are staying. These are just some ways we streamline the stressful parts of planning and enhance the guest experience.