On the picturesque Greek island of Sifnos, where every wave whispers of ancient gods and quaint monasteries rise from rocky landscapes, Kristina and Max's wedding was an effortlessly chic affair that celebrated the country's raw beauty and culture. The island, where the sea meets the sky, is steeped in unspoilt views of the horizon, creating an atmosphere of divine solitude and intimacy for their celebrations. In keeping with local tradition, Kristina arrived to their ceremony on a fishing boat, donned in a Murashka gown evocative of a Greek goddess. It's here the couple exchanged vows by a 16th century monastery overlooking the Aegean Sea, and celebrated into the night with an elegantly understated white-wash reception. A poetic ode to nature, culture and authenticity, beautifully captured by our talented member, Vladimir Zakharov.
Our Love Story
The Day We Met
Max and I met seven years ago in London, where I was studying graphic design at Central Saint Martins, and Max was getting his Master's degree at Imperial College London. We became friends through a shared group, both in different relationships at the time. For three years, we bonded over music, philosophy, and supporting each other. Our friendship slowly turned into something more. After Max moved to Munich, he returned to London for a work trip. We met up for drinks, both single, and our conversation led to the realization that our friendship had blossomed into love. The rest is history.
The Proposal
In 2023 we were on an island-hopping trip in the Cyclades, Greece. During our first stop in Santorini, Max proposed at sunset at Pacman Restaurant. The setting was perfect, with electronic tunes and a private terrace. I had a feeling he might propose, and I always told him that it should be intimate and ideally recorded. So we're so glad there's a hidden video because we were so overwhelmed with emotions and pure adrenaline that neither of us remember exactly what we said, but there were definitely tears of pure happiness! That little detail meant so much to me. Afterwards, we called our closest family and friends to share the joyful news. It was one of the happiest days of our lives!
The Engagement Ring
Max spent months researching the diamond market, speaking with gemstone professionals, and exploring different designers. I think he's practically a pro in the field by now, haha. He knew I loved a cushion-cut diamond on a thin gold band, but he added a custom twist to the design that I absolutely adore. I'm so grateful he decided to personalize it, adding a unique touch while keeping it classy.
Our Wedding
The Vision
After the Santorini proposal during our 2023 island-hopping adventure, our next stop was Sifnos. Drunk in love and still buzzing from the proposal, we began speculating about how cool it would be to have the wedding on this lesser-known island. We both love rawness and authenticity, and we have a passion for discovering hidden gems when we travel — we can’t sit still, haha. We had a clear vision for our wedding: it was inspired by the island itself: essence of Greek gods, endless churches and monasteries, with rocky landscapes, the sea, untouched nature, incredible food and traditional elements.
Our Team of Vendors
We worked together with the local wedding planners called I Love Sifnos, who were fantastic to work with. Being locals, they had excellent relationships with all the local vendors such as catering, florists, etc., they helped to bring our vision to life. Our photographer, Vladimir Zakharov, did an amazing job capturing all the special moments throughout our wedding day. Meeting him in person in London beforehand made everything feel more familiar and comfortable on the big day. He went above and beyond to capture not just the wedding itself but also the intimate moments Max and I shared in the morning by the sea and chapel. Vladimir has a true talent and a cinematic vision that brought our memories to life.
Our videographers, Kamil and Dima, were with us for two days, filming both the rehearsal dinner and the wedding day. They were incredibly collaborative and attentive, thinking of every little detail. The team was so inspired by the island that they fully immersed themselves in capturing speeches and moments, yet they were almost invisible throughout the events — true professionals! As a graphic designer, I took on the task of designing all of our stationery, including the website and save-the-dates. I had a clear vision of what I wanted, and it was a fantastic project for me to work on. It allowed me to infuse our wedding with a personal touch and bring my creative ideas to life.
The Venue
Having visited the island before, we had a clear vision of what we wanted for the wedding: nature, a white Greek church, and the sea. Established in the 16th century Chrisopigi Monastery, situated on rocks jutting into the sea, was the perfect spot. We befriended the priest of the church during our first visit, and we were thrilled when he gave us permission to hold the wedding not inside the church, but on the rocks next to it, just as we envisioned it. There is something magical about the aura there.
The Ceremony
To add a touch of local tradition, I arrived at the ceremony spot on the rocks by fishing boat, accompanied by my dad. It was a truly special moment, allowing us to share our thoughts and emotions while we were alone at sea. Max became very emotional seeing me arrive this way, creating a unique and visually stunning moment that surprised our guests.
The ceremony itself was incredibly beautiful, with 50 of our closest friends and family from around the world standing on the edge of the rocks, witnessing us make our promises to each other. A saxophonist played in the background, adding to the special atmosphere. It was truly unforgettable.
The Reception
The reception and dinner were held at Panagia Vou Nou, another monastery located on the hills overlooking the ceremony spot. This venue is a true hidden gem, featuring an open-air terrace shaded by pine trees. We chose to keep the decor minimal, as the location's natural beauty spoke for itself. We added floor candles around the perimeter, candles on the tables, and a few delicate white flowers to enhance the ambiance without overpowering it.
The Special Touches
We wanted to include our guests as much as possible in the wedding. One of Max’s oldest friends served as our officiant and delivered a beautiful speech as he married us. Another friend, Anna Nikolina, who is not only a close friend of mine but also an amazing resident DJ at Mandrake Hotel in London, played a gorgeous set for the party. We also had Max’s younger sister act as the ring bearer, while my younger brother was in charge of distributing disposable cameras to capture candid moments. After dinner, we had a traditional Greek plate smashing, which was such a fun moment. Everyone let their inner child out, and it was a highlight of the evening.
Our Favorite Moment
We were overwhelmed by the number of toasts from our closest friends and family. We didn't expect so many people to want to share, and it was incredibly touching. Some speeches made us cry, others made us laugh, and the entire experience was filled with pure love. We also set up an album with Polaroid cameras and pens next to the bar area. By the end of the night, the album was completely filled. We haven't opened it yet; we're saving it for our first wedding anniversary as a special moment and present for both of us.
Another life hack we discovered was having the catering team bring out chicken skewers at 2 am while everyone was dancing and having fun. It was a lifesaver! Guests were eating the skewers while dancing, which was hilarious and kept the energy up. Max had a special moment when his best friends stole him away for a few minutes after the speeches. They went behind the monastery and made a pledge to maintain their friendship, especially now as we all get older and busier. It's a great piece of advice to always leave some time during the day for meaningful connections, just as you usually would.
Our Style
The Bridal Looks
I stumbled upon a Russian wedding atelier called Murashka, and their dresses are true masterpieces. The name "Murashka" translates to "goosebumps," which I found to be such a charming detail. I'm all about brand uniqueness and the stories behind them, and one of their dresses perfectly fit the raw, authentic Greek goddess by the sea vibe I was going for. The team tailored the dress for me within a week, which is rare in the wedding dress world. For shoes, I chose Jimmy Choo heels, which are honestly the comfiest. They were perfect for walking on the rocky terrain where the ceremony took place. As my second dress, I wore a short draped dress by Paris Georgia, which is a New Zealand brand. It was comfortable and perfect for the Greek-inspired style.
The Groom Looks
Max's suit was made by SuitSupply. He chose a white top and black bottom tuxedo, which wasn't his first choice, but as soon as he tried it on, we knew it was perfect. We decided against bow ties for the men, keeping the dress code more relaxed since we knew it would be hot and it didn’t match the style we were aiming for. Max’s best man, who is a gem stone specialist, added a small but significant detail: an 18karat gold pin and with 3 gemstones, the constellation is set to show an 8 in the sense of eternity. Max also completed the look with black loafers by the Spanish brand Magnanni.
Our Bridesmaid’s and Groomsmen’s Looks
We set a dress code for all our guests that reflected the tones of the island, aiming to enhance rather than overshadow the natural colours. The chosen palette included olive, branch, sea foam, and sand tones, with a strict no-black policy.
Our Advice
For The Planning Process
Start your planning early. We started 9 months prior, which was sufficient but ideally, I would recommend at least a year. Being organised is crucial — having your vendors lined up and keeping detailed spreadsheets can make a big difference. Our ceremony was held on monastery grounds, which came with specific restrictions. For instance, we couldn't place chairs due to the rocky terrain, and setting up a tent in case of bad weather wasn't an option. We had to get creative, using cushions, sun umbrellas, and providing water to ensure our guests' comfort. Another piece of advice is to ask how many people plan to give toasts. We underestimated this, and while we were grateful for the kind words, it did take a while, especially with translations into two languages.
For On The Day
Max was an incredible support. On the morning of the wedding, we took a moment for ourselves and went for a swim. We chatted and made sure we were both in the right state of mind to be fully present for the day. I reminded myself that morning that I was responsible for how I handled the day. I knew some things might not go as planned, so I decided to let go. Meditation truly helps with this kind of mindset. Despite some hiccups during the wedding (it got windy towards the evening so the candles kept blowing off), I chose to focus on the beauty, significance, and gratefulness of the moment. I wanted to remember every single detail, emotion, and word.
For Post-Wedding
Overall, we had the most amazing experience. We weren't sure if our friends and family from different circles and countries would connect, but by the end of our three-day celebration, everyone had blended beautifully. On the final day, strong winds canceled our villa pool party plans, but we spontaneously went to the old town of Apollonia. A local taverna welcomed our group of 40 without hesitation, and it turned out to be perfect. So it’s a little reminder that not everything might go as planned, but it might turn out to be even better! A tip for future brides: take some time off after the wedding. We were emotionally and mentally exhausted, and it's important to recharge before moving on to the next thing. Planning a wedding is a huge project, and you need time to recover and regain the energy back.
Vendors
Photographer: Vladimir Zakharov
Videographer: Mp4.Films
Drone Shots: DimaVlada Movies
Wedding Planner: I Love Sifnos
Florist: Eleanthos
Stationery: Katou Studio
Cake: Yellow Bicycle
Catering: To Steki
DJ: Anna Nikolina
Hair: Katerina Kolaraki
Makeup: Athena Beauty & Care
Style
Welcome Dinner Dress: Galvan London
Wedding First Dress: Murashka Wedding Atelier
Wedding Second Dress: Paris Georgia
Wedding Shoes: Jimmy Choo , Reformation
Bridal Jewelry: Completedworks
Wedding Ring: De Beers
Groom's Suit: SuitSupply
Groom's Loafers: Magnanni
