Sun-drenched and unapologetically joyful, George and Eleni’s four-day celebration in Crete was a masterclass in destination wedding design – layered with heritage, color and personality at every turn. Rooted deeply in place, the couple chose locations that reflected their long love affair with Greece, from a hilltop chapel overlooking the sea to a dramatic estate entrance transformed by a bold fuchsia runway that instantly signalled this was no ordinary wedding weekend. Décor leaned into texture and meaning rather than excess: hand-crocheted heirloom linens, lace, fresh produce woven through florals and handwritten details brought warmth and intimacy to events of impressive scale. Eleni’s bridal wardrobe echoed the same philosophy, moving seamlessly from vintage-infused craftsmanship to modern silhouettes designed for celebration and movement. Expertly brought to life by our members, wedding planner Gigi & Roses and photographer Jack Henry, the entire experience felt intentional, emotional and effortlessly alive, proving that the most memorable weddings are the ones that feel lived in, not staged.
Our Love Story
The Day We Met
It was 2015. I was living in London at the time and holidaying in Greece with my friend Natalie and her family. We had organised to have lunch at my favourite restaurant in Mykonos, Kiki’s Tavern, and as I walked in, this guy sitting in the corner of the restaurant wolf-whistled at me. It wasn’t love at first sight, but it also didn’t take long for me to fall head over heels. Even though I caught George’s attention that day, it took us about three years to truly choose each other, which by chance again happened in Mykonos. Greece had a way of pulling us together!
The Proposal
In true George style, he proposed on April Fool’s Day (thankfully it wasn’t a joke!). I woke up to find our puppy, Lillian, wearing the ring on her collar. George told me that Lillian wanted to know if I would be her dad’s wife. There was no way I could say no—to Lillian and, of course, to George!
The Engagement Ring
No matter what I might have wanted for an engagement ring, George was always going to design it exactly as he envisioned. He designed it entirely on his own: a round-cut diamond set in an asymmetrical gold band, surrounded by seven smaller diamonds. Knowing my love for numerology and having our sights set on a European wedding, the seven smaller diamonds symbolised July, the month our wedding would eventually take place.
Our Wedding
The Vision
We wanted our wedding to feel like a big, love-filled party where traditional elements met a twist and the night didn’t end until the sun came up. Every element was intentional and sentimental, weaving a story throughout each wedding-related event—from my bridal shower right through to our recovery party.
The Location
We met in Greece in 2015, fell in love in Greece two years later, then George finally decided he wanted to settle down with me (yes, you guessed it) in Greece in 2018. So there was never another option when it came to where we’d get married. My family has a home on the island of Crete, where we spent many childhood holidays. Being incredibly sentimental and drawn to things that hold emotional meaning, starting this next chapter together in Greece felt inevitable. Each venue across the four days reflected what we love most about Greece: great food, old traditions, dancing until the early hours of the morning and, of course, the sea. Our welcome party had a village vibe, with guests nestled among the vegetable garden and sunflower field of a traditional Cretan tavern called Gramvoussa Restaurant. We spent the night before our wedding with our closest family and friends at my favourite local restaurant, O Mylos Tou Kerata, and the day after the wedding we recovered by swimming, sunbaking, drinking and dancing at our local beach bar.
Our Team of Vendors
Planning four days of celebrations for 300 guests overseas is no small feat. I work in the event industry, so I was lucky to have an incredibly talented crew of Aussie friends and colleagues who were willing to travel to Crete for us, including our florist, stationery designer, photographer, videographer, content creator and makeup artist. Pairing that with the local knowledge and calming presence of my incredible wedding planner, Glykeria from Gigi & Roses, and her fantastic team, along with our Greek vendors, made the process of organising a destination wedding so much smoother and put my nerves at ease.
The Ceremony
When I was twelve years old, I attended my cousin’s wedding at a small chapel near our family home in Crete, perched on a hill overlooking the sea. I remember saying then that I would get married there one day. In 2023 (before we were even engaged), I took George to that chapel and told him, “This is where we’ll get married.” (Poor guy didn’t have much of a choice.)
Our guests spilled out across linen-draped benches, fanning themselves in the heat, watching as George sweated it out before my arrival. I made a traditional Cretan entrance, walking up the hill with my entire family following behind me. Leading the way were a lyra (like a violin) and laouto (like a guitar) player, singing folk songs all the way to the aisle. Standing there, marrying George in that exact spot, felt like a full-circle moment—my childhood dream of marrying the man of my dreams.
The Cocktail Hour
One thing we loved so much about our venue, Roxani Estate, was the dramatic hedge-lined driveway. We wanted something bold to contrast with the historic estate, so we created a fuchsia runway leading guests into cocktail hour. Halfway down the entrance, guests were met with a table of escort cards, each with a personalised note from George and me. While everyone listened to the ethereal music from Nandra, modern interpretations of traditional Cretan recipes were served, paired with Cretan-inspired cocktails such as a thyme-infused Paloma and a cucumber, mint and mastiha spritz, crafted by the Sidebar team.
The Reception
Never ones to shy away from the spotlight, we made our entrance by driving down the fuchsia runway in a vintage Porsche with “Grease” blaring from the speakers. The night unfolded with endless food, heartfelt speeches, happy tears and questionable dance moves. Greek food favourites featured heavily throughout the night, with our wedding cake being a giant portokalopita (orange cake), and late-night snacks included gyros and loukoumades (Greek doughnuts) to keep everyone going well into the morning. And so we did—serenading our guests (and each other), belting out Céline Dion at the top of our lungs.
The Special Touches
Sentiment sat at the heart of every detail across our wedding journey, from our engagement and bridal party proposal dinner to my bridal shower and the days of the wedding week. Each event was woven together by family history and our love story, modernised in our own playful way. After George proposed, my grandmother gifted me her hand-crocheted tablecloths and other beautiful handmade pieces, which naturally became the foundation of our design. Doilies, lace and crochet featured throughout—from the backdrop of our speeches, created entirely from my grandmother’s tablecloths, to the finer details on the tables.
George’s bow tie featured my mother-in-law’s hand embroidery, and rather than traditional calligraphy, my father-in-law wrote our names to use across all designs, along with small annotations included on our menus, giving everything a handwritten and personal feel. In the week leading up to the wedding, we hand-tied lace into every menu alongside my family in Crete. My amazing florist, Matt, attended the local produce market with my mum to source fruit and vegetables, which he then wove through the floral arrangements.
Our Favorite Moment
Even with 300 guests, we wanted everyone to feel genuinely seen. Each escort card included a personal note from George and me, which in hindsight was slightly unhinged but completely worth it. What truly stood out was seeing our guests over the four days using the pieces we’d gifted them in their welcome packs—from customised hats and tote bags to towels, hair clips, hand fans and electric fans. Watching guests wear them, carry them, rely on them in the Cretan heat, and then continue to use them throughout the trip—and even back home—was incredibly special. It was a reminder that the most meaningful details aren’t always the loudest ones; they’re the thoughtful, practical touches that make people feel looked after long after the celebration ends.
Our Style
The Bridal Looks
Every bridal look was centred around the idea of old meeting new. I wanted each outfit to feel intentional and personal rather than on-trend. For the welcome party, I wore a custom dress by Les Fleurs Studio, created using my grandmother’s hand-crocheted doilies. It felt incredibly special to wear something made from pieces that had lived in her home for decades. I paired this look with vintage Chanel heart-shaped earrings and vintage fuchsia Jimmy Choo heels—a playful nod to the runway and dance floor that would feature later in the week.
Trying on wedding dresses was fun, but nothing ever truly felt like me. I was drawn to Lillian Khallouf for her bold designs and knew she would create something quintessentially Eleni. Continuing the lace story, we designed a structured strapless bodice as the base, layered with a sheer, soft tulle floor-length gown with hand-stitched folds to create a whimsical look. I wanted the train to look as though I had walked through a forest of lace, collecting delicate leaves along the way. My second look was an evolution of the first—the same lace bodice remained, while the long sheer layer was removed and replaced with a mini version, perfect for dancing the night away. For the recovery party, I wore a gown by Greek designer Di Petsa, known for her signature “wet look” designs that trace the curves and lines of the female body like a goddess. It felt like the perfect closing look—barefoot by the sea, where it all began.
The Groom Looks
Wedding fashion isn’t just for the bride! George knew from the outset that he wanted to wear what should be a staple in every man’s wardrobe: a classic tux. For the ceremony, a Dior tux was the only option, paired with a Valentino shirt featuring lace detailing on the chest and cuffs (he understood the assignment). This was accented with a Celine pearl brooch and pink Hermès pocket square to tie in with the pink carpet. My mother-in-law customised George’s Tom Ford bow tie with an embroidered “e,” and although his Saint Laurent patent leather and velvet derby shoes weren’t very summer-conscious, he cooled himself down while waiting in the Grecian sun with his Nigo x LV pink fan. After the formalities, he changed into a more relaxed Saint Laurent beige suit paired with a blue and white striped Saint Laurent shirt. He added a pop of pink and purple with a Hermès pocket square and Prada flower brooch. The brooch went missing during the night, only to be found underfoot by our wedding planner, Gigi! Not caring too much that Miu Miu is a womenswear brand, he opted for this season’s brown coin loafer, making it easier to dance the night away.
Our Bridesmaids’ & Groomsmen's Looks
I wanted my girls to look ethereal and goddess-like while still feeling like themselves. Rather than identical dresses, we focused on creating a look that felt cohesive yet personal. Each dress had the same soft, slightly sheer pleated skirt, with the top designed to suit their individual shape and style. George chose sage linen suits for the boys, and they each selected a custom lining. Matt from By Magnolia created beautiful buttonholes made from a combination of vegetables and florals to give the suits a pop.
Our Advice
For the Planning Process
Be clear on your non-negotiables early. Write a list of what truly matters to you as a couple and let those priorities guide every decision. Once you know what you care about most, the rest becomes easier.
For On The Day
Everyone says it goes fast, and they’re absolutely right. Even with four full days of celebrations, it felt like a beautiful blur. Make a conscious effort to stay close to one another. It’s easy to be pulled in different directions, but those simple moments between the two of you are the ones you’ll remember most.
For Post-Wedding
Book the honeymoon! Even if it’s something small, you need time to decompress. The wedding high is real, and so is the comedown. Giving yourselves space to slow down together makes all the difference.
Vendors
Photographer: Jack Henry
Videographer: Somerset Phaedrus
Content Creator: Madeline Anne
Venue: Roxani Estate
Wedding Planner: Gigi & Roses
Florist: By Magnolia
Stationery: Xela Studio
Cake: Barbara’s Delights
Catering: Bourdakis Catering, Sidebar Catering
Music: Nandra, Christos Riganas, FiloXenia Band
Hair: Michalis Tsotras
Makeup: Alex Perrin
Style
Welcome Party Dress: Les Fleur Studio
Ceremony Dress: Lillian Khallouf
Recovery Party Dress: Di Petsa
Shoes & Accessories: Saint Laurent, Amina Muaddi
Groom Suit: Dior, Saint Laurent
Bridesmaid Dresses: Nelder Jones
Groomsmen Suits: Zink & Sons
Flower Girl Dress: Lillian Khallouf