An Unforgettable Seaside Greek Wedding Weekend at Amanzoe Overlooking the Aegean

Perched above the Aegean Sea, where timeless architecture meets ancient olive groves and endless coastal views, Amanzoe became the heart of Elene and Craig's deeply personal wedding weekend. Every celebration was thoughtfully designed as an invitation into the Greece the couple knows and loves, from a joyful Mamma Mia! inspired boat welcome to an elegant reception illuminated by candlelight, sculptural white florals, and the property's iconic colonnades. Rather than overwhelming the setting, every design choice embraced its natural beauty to tell couple's story with quiet intention. Elene's bridal wardrobe reflected the same effortless sophistication, beginning with a romantic Leah Da Gloria gown before changing into a minimalist after-party look inspired by the graceful draping of ancient Greek sculpture. Captured with remarkable sensitivity by THE WED members Ratta Studios' Anna Roussos and Thanos Asfis, the celebration feels as emotional as it is visually striking — a beautiful expression of heritage, thoughtful design, and a love story that feels entirely its own.

Our Welcome Party

Venue

We wanted our guests' first experience of the wedding weekend to be more than simply arriving at our venue, so we invited everyone to join us for a Mamma Mia!–themed boat ride to Amanzoe. It was our way of introducing everyone to the Greece we know and love from the very beginning. With music playing, everyone singing, dancing, and taking in the crystal-clear turquoise water and dramatic Greek coastline, it quickly became one of the most memorable moments of the weekend. We wanted our guests to experience Greece not just as a destination, but as a feeling, so we knew the journey had to be part of the celebration.

Décor & Ambience

The Greek landscape became our décor. Between the turquoise water, dramatic coastline, sea breeze, and bright Mediterranean light, little else was needed to create an unforgettable atmosphere. To make the morning feel even more connected to the setting, we asked all of our guests to wear white while we wore shades of blue—our subtle nod to the iconic colors of Greece. As everyone stepped aboard, they were welcomed with blue-and-white floral garlands, inviting them to dance into the celebration from the very beginning. We kept the décor intentionally simple, with crisp white linens, soft pink florals, a few playful disco balls, and handheld fans that gave a subtle nod to our Mamma Mia! theme, allowing the natural beauty of the coastline to remain the true centerpiece.

The Dinner

For our rehearsal dinner, we wanted the atmosphere to feel intimate, elegant, and deeply personal. Rather than creating an elaborate setting, we let Amanzoe's beautiful architecture, soft candlelight, delicate florals, and breathtaking surroundings speak for themselves. We intentionally reserved the evening for our immediate families before welcoming all of our friends and extended family later that night.

It gave us the chance to slow down, be fully present, and share one last quiet moment with the people who had raised us, shaped us, and supported us long before we ever started planning a wedding. Looking around the table that evening, we felt so much gratitude. We'll always cherish having that time together before the celebration grew into the unforgettable weekend we shared with everyone we love.

Our Style

Every event throughout the weekend had its own personality, and for our Mamma Mia! welcome boat party, we wanted our style to feel playful, effortless, and unmistakably Greek. I wore a vibrant Aegean blue gown by Especia that echoed the sea surrounding us, paired with a beaded evil eye handbag as a subtle nod to my Greek heritage. Craig complemented the look in a light blue SuitSupply suit layered over a crisp white tee and paired with white sneakers, giving his outfit a relaxed European feel that perfectly matched the carefree energy of the afternoon. As soon as the sunglasses went on and the music started, the weekend officially began.

For dinner, I wore a sculptural ivory dress by Solace London that felt both modern and timeless. The clean silhouette let the setting speak for itself, while my shell clutch—an Amazon find I stumbled upon just days before the wedding—became the perfect playful nod to our weekend by the sea. Craig complemented the look in a tailored SuitSupply ensemble that struck the same balance of relaxed sophistication: polished without feeling overly formal.

Our Love Story

The Day We Met

Craig and I met in high school when we were just 16 and 18 years old. We had physics class together, and while we probably should have been paying attention, we were much more interested in getting to know each other. One day, he texted me asking what the homework assignment was. I didn't answer right away—I like to joke that I was playing a little hard to get—but thankfully, he didn't give up. A couple of months later, on November 14, 2010, he asked me to be his girlfriend outside my childhood home in New York City. Looking back, it's funny to think neither of us could have imagined where that moment would lead. We even used to jokingly change our Facebook relationship status to "married" because everyone said we acted like an old married couple. Over the next 15 years, we grew up together—through high school, college at Quinnipiac University, the start of our careers, family traditions, and every season of life in between. Standing at the altar didn't feel like the beginning of our story—it felt like celebrating everything that had already brought us there.

The Proposal

Craig proposed at Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve in San Diego, overlooking the ocean. Three years earlier, I had casually told him that if he ever proposed, that was where I hoped it would happen. I never imagined he'd remember. He planned the entire trip under the guise of celebrating my birthday, which was just two days away, and somehow convinced me to dress up for what I thought was simply a nice dinner. When we arrived at the overlook, everything suddenly made sense. He had arranged for a photographer to capture the moment, and in true Craig fashion, he remembered a conversation I'd almost forgotten. It was thoughtful, personal, and completely us.

The Engagement Ring

My engagement ring is from Kwiat, but what makes it so meaningful is the story behind it. Craig chose their "Mine to Shine" experience, which meant he hand-selected an ethically mined rough diamond and followed its journey through cutting and setting. He worked directly with Greg Kwiat to design every detail—from the band to the setting and the choice of metal—creating a one-of-a-kind ring handcrafted in Manhattan, the city where we grew up and fell in love. Knowing how much love and care he poured into every step makes it even more meaningful every time I look at it. In so many ways, it reflects our relationship—something that wasn't rushed but thoughtfully built over time.

Our Wedding

The Vision

We never wanted our wedding to feel like it belonged to one particular trend or moment in time. After nearly 15 years together, we wanted it to reflect a love that had quietly grown over the years—one that felt timeless, intentional, and deeply personal. Every decision we made came back to one hope: that years from now, we'd look back at our photos and remember not only how everything looked but exactly how it felt. More than anything, we wanted our guests to leave feeling like they had experienced something, not simply attended a wedding.

Our Team of Vendors

None of what we imagined would have been possible without Anna Sournabti and her incredible team at The Event Co. From the very beginning, Anna understood our vision in a way that made us feel completely seen. The Amanzoe team, especially Antiopi Stamatelopoulou and Sophia Makrogianni, welcomed us like family from the moment we arrived. Our photographers, Anna Roussos and Thanos Assisi, gave us one of the greatest gifts we could have asked for. They have an incredible ability to quietly blend into the background while capturing every emotion so naturally. Looking through our photographs feels less like revisiting our wedding day and more like reliving every emotion we experienced. They captured not only how everything looked but how it felt, and that's something we'll treasure forever.

The Location

Over the years, Craig and I have spent countless summers in Greece with my family, creating some of our favorite memories together. Although Craig is British American, he wholeheartedly embraced my heritage—from falling in love with the culture and traditions to converting to the Greek Orthodox faith. Watching Greece become as much a part of his story as it has always been mine made it impossible to imagine getting married anywhere else. As a Greek American, choosing Amanzoe felt deeply personal. My grandparents immigrated to the United States from a town just minutes away, so celebrating there was a meaningful way to honor where my family's story began while starting a new chapter of our own. Surrounded by timeless architecture, ancient olive groves, and endless sea views, everything felt deeply connected—to our families, our heritage, and the life we've built together. We couldn't imagine beginning our marriage anywhere else.

The Ceremony

We wanted our ceremony to feel as though it belonged to Amanzoe itself. Set at the heart of the property, the circular ceremony platform was surrounded by reflecting pools, with the resort's iconic colonnades, the mountains, and the Aegean Sea creating a breathtaking backdrop. Rather than filling the space with décor, we embraced its architecture and let the landscape take center stage.

A sculptural crescent of white florals echoed the curves of the platform, while the long aisle crossing over the water made the walk toward one another feel almost cinematic. There was a quiet grandeur to the entire setting—minimal yet deeply emotional. Standing there together, surrounded by everyone we love, the rest of the world seemed to disappear.

The Cocktail Hour

After the ceremony, we wanted everyone to simply exhale and take it all in. Cocktail hour was designed to feel relaxed and effortless. With a pianist and violinist playing in the background, signature cocktails in hand, and panoramic views stretching across the land and sea, guests wandered the terraces, caught up with one another, and soaked in the beauty of Amanzoe. It became one of those rare moments when no one was looking at the time—they were simply enjoying being exactly where they were.

The Reception

Our reception unfolded exactly the way we had hoped. It began with an intimate candlelit dinner, heartfelt speeches, and conversations that lingered between courses. Then, almost without anyone realizing it, the evening took on a completely different energy. The band started playing, napkins filled the air, and before long, every generation was on the dance floor together. Watching our grandparents, parents, siblings, and lifelong friends celebrating side by side was one of those moments we'll never forget.

The Special Touches

We wanted every detail to feel personal and tell a small part of our story. Instead of a traditional seating chart, we invited guests to "Take a Seat in Our Sweet Story." Each guest received a jar of organic honey from Amanzoe's own beehives with a destination on the label that led them to their table. Every destination represented a place that had shaped our relationship—from where we grew up to some of our favorite memories together. Our flowers carried just as much meaning. We chose orchids, calla lilies, and hydrangeas because they're the flowers Craig has given me every year on our anniversary. It was a quiet tradition woven into the day, and every time I looked around the room, I was reminded of all the years that brought us there.

Our Favorite Moment

One of our favorite memories happened completely unexpectedly. At the height of the reception, a rainstorm caused the power to go out, cutting off the music and microphones mid-song. For a brief second, everything stopped. Then someone started clapping, another person joined in, and before we knew it, the entire dance floor was singing, dancing, and keeping the celebration going without any music at all. Even the band paused for a moment, smiling as they watched everyone keep the celebration going. Looking back, that moment captured everything we had hoped our wedding would be. It was never about perfection—it was about joy, connection, and celebrating with the people we love. The rain became part of the story, and somehow the most unexpected moment of the weekend became the one we'll remember forever.

Our Style

The Bridal Looks

For my ceremony, I wore a Leah Da Gloria gown from her Celebration collection. I was immediately drawn to the way it balanced romance with structure. The strapless silk mikado corset bodice flowed into a full skirt adorned with delicate 3D floral appliqué, creating a silhouette that felt both timeless and sculptural. It embodied everything I had imagined for my wedding day—elegant, romantic, and effortlessly classic. For the after-party, I wanted my final look of the weekend to feel elevated yet relaxed. Inspired by the graceful draping of ancient Greek sculptures, I chose a minimalist satin gown with soft folds that echoed the timeless architecture surrounding us. It felt sophisticated without being overly formal and allowed me to dance, celebrate, and fully enjoy the final hours of our wedding with the people we love most.

The Groom Looks

Craig wanted something timeless with a subtle twist, so he chose a custom dark forest green three-piece tuxedo from SuitSupply. The rich green felt classic while offering a softer alternative to traditional black, complementing the natural tones of the Greek landscape and the elegance of the venue. To complete the look, I surprised him with a vintage Rolex Oyster Perpetual featuring a small-seconds dial—a wedding gift that felt both meaningful and timeless, and one we hope will become a family heirloom. Later in the evening, for the after-party, he removed the jacket to reveal the tailored double-breasted waistcoat beneath, creating a more relaxed look that was perfect for dancing late into the night.

Our Bridesmaids' Looks

We decided not to have a traditional bridal party. Instead, the women standing beside me were my sisters-in-law and close family members. Rather than asking everyone to wear the same dress, I assigned each person a color palette—sage green, espresso brown, or black—and let them choose a silhouette they felt beautiful in. It created a look that felt cohesive without being overly coordinated while still reflecting each person's individual style. More than anything, I wanted the people closest to us to feel like themselves.

Our Groomsmen's Looks

Craig also chose not to have traditional groomsmen. Instead, our four brothers stood beside us, each wearing a classic black tuxedo from SuitSupply. We loved the contrast they created against Craig's deep forest green three-piece tuxedo, subtly distinguishing him while keeping the overall look timeless and understated. It felt elegant, cohesive, and true to our vision while allowing the focus to remain on the people who have been with us since the very beginning.

Our Advice

For the Planning Process

Stay true to your vision, and don't be afraid to dream bigger than you think is possible. Some of our favorite moments came from ideas that initially felt a little ambitious. Most importantly, invest in a planner you trust—especially for a destination wedding. We truly couldn't have brought this weekend to life without Anna and The Event Co. They became so much more than planners; they were our partners, our problem-solvers, and the calm presence that allowed us to truly enjoy every moment. They transformed what could have been a stressful process into one that felt seamless from beginning to end.

For On The Day

If we could give one piece of advice, it would be this: Invite fewer people and celebrate for longer. Rather than trying to fit everything into one day, create a wedding weekend that allows you to spend meaningful time with the people you love. And throughout it all, remember to pause. Take a few quiet moments together to look around, soak it all in, and appreciate what you've created. Those moments became some of our most cherished memories.

For Post-Wedding

We spent over a year planning one incredible weekend, but we've realized the goal was never just the wedding—it was building a life filled with experiences we'll never forget. Keep planning the trips, saying yes to spontaneous adventures, celebrating the little wins, and making memories together. The best chapters are the ones that come after "I do."