Best of Wedding Photography

Photographer: Athanasios, www.happybridegroom.com

As the title states, this is a Do It Yourself wedding in Santorini.

Kate and Aaron were looking for a wedding photographer serving Santorini island.

It was essential for them to have a photographer that knows the place well as they were organizing everything themselves. That was a “so-called” DIY wedding.

They picked me…..since I am posting their wedding portraits photographs!

How they met

Kate told me their story…

“About ten years ago, we met at the local restaurant I used to work at; we were a young age of 15. From there, Aaron came in each week for about a month until he built up the courage to ask for my number, and the rest is history.

Their trip to Greece – Europe

We decided to elope in Greece as we were already planning our first Europe trip and thought, why not get married there. The more we thought about planning a wedding, it just wasn’t quite for us. So here we are, exchanging our vows with one of the most picturesque backdrops in the world and couldn’t be happier.”

Aesthetics and style

Kate and Aaron is a lovely young couple of high quality and stylish aesthetics!

They come from Australia, and they are still in Greece at the moment having a wonderful time at Milos island.

Their decision to do a DIY Santorini wedding proved to be a stylish choice!

Island hopping 

kate and Aaron, I wish you an amazing time at your staying in Greece. More photographs from your wedding and the Santorini wedding portraits photo tour will be uploaded on a later stage.

Your wedding photographer….. Athanasios

Videography

DIY Santorini wedding…Photographer and Videographer at the same time. Kate and Aaron informed me that although they give priority to photography, they would also appreciate some simple videography footage. Something within a small budget. We agreed that I would be able to shoot some footage after completing the photographic session at each area we were visiting. I was pleased with the results that you can see a bit further down.

Here is the link to their movie (videography)

When needs are simple, and footage is needed only for the creation of a short movie (similar to this occasion), I can act both as a wedding photographer and as a wedding videographer as well.

Attire plus more

Honeymoon photographer in Halkidiki Greece

Photographer: Athanasios, www.happybridegroom.com

The above title, Honeymoon photographer in Halkidiki Greece, explains what this post is all about.

Portraits of a lovely new married couple that decided to have a portraits photo session during their honeymoon in Halkidiki.

Bert and Ans

I received an email from Bert and Ans asking me regarding my availability for a honeymoon photo session.

They were already at Halkidiki on their honeymoon when they searched google for a Halkidiki honeymoon photographer. My website came up and made a “click” to them.

I am glad that it did!

Photography availability and arrangements

As it happened, I had availability just for the next day, and that suited Bert and Ans schedule.

So, we arranged everything as swiftly as it could have been arranged.

Their honeymoon portraits photo session was arranged and booked!

Golden hour Photography in Sani

During our conversation, I realized that they were very familiar with photographic language and terminology.

They mentioned bout the “golden hour,” they knew about the “blue hour.” Somebody knew about photography and portraiture.

That was Ans (sorry Bert, I had to be honest 🙂

Sani was the best location to combine nature, sea, sunset time (golden hour), and a variety of landscapes.

Colour and Black and white wedding and honeymoon photography

I had a conversation on that subject with Bert and Ans, and since my view is that some photographs stand out better in color while black and white fit better some other images, I deliver all photos in both formats. I always do that, no matter if it is about wedding photography, anniversary or honeymoon portraits, elopements, or any other event in Greece or anywhere else.

Halkidiki honeymoon Photographer, wedding photographer in Greece, Santorini, Mykonos and Greek islands

As a wedding and events photographer, I offer my services in Greece and Greek islands, Santorini, Mykonos and obviously in Halkidiki

Credits to…

• Ans Dress by Ladybird
• Shoes by Silvana
• Bracelet by Abrazi, Earrings by SYTTD (Say Yes To The Dress)
• Bert Suit by Benvenuto
• Shirt by Eterna
• Tie by Profuomo
• Shoes by Van Bommel

Jonathan and Keleen love adventures. To them, life itself is a beautiful adventure that you should share with your better half. And that’s precisely how they feel about weddings too. That’s why, during a romantic cruise in Europe that eventually brought them to the legendary Greek island of Mykonos, they decided to elope. And although the decision was taken on the spur of the moment, they couldn’t have made a better choice. Mykonos, the crown jewel of the Cyclades, is famous not only for its golden sand beaches, charming traditional architecture, and fascinating mythology but also for its fabulous nightlife and glamorous parties. Keleen fell in love with the Mykonian windmills, the iconic landmark of the island, so a good part of the wedding photoshoot was done there. I hope the result was worthy of her expectations!

Jonathan and Keleen chose St. John Hotel for their intimate wedding ceremony. I had the chance to take some great photos of the groom during his pre-wedding preparation. Then it was Keleen’s turn. She was so natural and relaxed during the bridal makeup and hair styling that she didn’t have to pose at all for her awesome photo portraits.

The “first look” photos were taken inside St. John Hotel, on a magnificent white terrace with spectacular views over the beach of Agios Sostis and the infinite Aegean blue. And then it was time for some amazing photos in front of the emblematic monument of Panagia Paraportiani, a dazzling white complex of five little chapels built between the 15^th and 17^th centuries. Paraportiani, which is dedicated to the Virgin Mary, is very popular among couples from all over the world who come to tie the knot in Mykonos and one of the most photographed spots on the island. If you asked me what made Jonathan and Keleen’s photos so vibrant, lively, and unique, I would say that it was their cheerful disposition and playful mood. They saw the photoshoot as a carefree game and played hide and seek in the labyrinth of the picturesque narrow alleys and whitewashed houses of Chora, enjoying every moment like two happy children without a care in the world.

The quiet private wedding ceremony took place inside the hotel, at the church of St. John, a cute white chapel. Love was palpable in the air, and one look at this beautiful couple would be enough for everyone to understand why they didn’t need anyone else around them that day…

Jonathan and Keleen, thank you for choosing me as your wedding photographer and for your trust and all your positive energy. May your life be always as sunny and bright as that magical day in Mykonos!

Photography by Thanasis Kaiafas

Santa Irini Chapel – The most beautiful elopement venue in Santorini

What are the essential ingredients of a perfect elopement? That’s easy: you, your sweetheart, lots of vibes of love in the air, and an idyllic place of your choice. Oh, and your wedding photographer, who will witness this intimate celebration of love and narrate your unique story through pictures capturing the feeling and atmosphere of your big day forever!

Luke and Kelsie were aware of the importance of the place they would choose for their elopement. And they chose well. The volcanic island of Santorini (named after a chapel of Santa Irini at the time of the Crusades) is one of the most romantic places, and therefore one of the most popular wedding destinations, in the world. The combination of striking blue and luminous white in an extraordinary natural setting of rare beauty provides the ideal backdrop for any elopement.

And they couldn’t have found a more ideal venue than Santa Irini (Saint Irene), a charming little chapel overlooking the infinite blue of the Aegean Sea and the caldera, just a few minutes away from the traditional settlement of Fira (an alternative pronunciation of the ancient name Thira), the capital of the world famous Greek island.

The story of Kelsie and Luke, both from Knoxville, Tennessee, started to unfold in 2008 as a friendship, which blossomed into true love in 2014 and, after an unforgettable romantic proposal, brought them to Santorini, the brightest jewel of the Cyclades.

During their preparation, the bride and groom found time to write letters to each other, which they exchanged and read after the first look. The intimate and serene ceremony at a terrace with breathtaking, panoramic views was exactly what this sweet couple had dreamed of: simple but beautiful. And a mere look at them would be enough for anyone to see how deeply in love and perfectly matched they were. That’s why my camera lens fell in love with them!

The floral decoration and overall wedding planning by Tie The Knot in Santorini were impeccable. Kelsie and Luke exchanged vows, cut their wedding cake, and danced for the first time as a married couple on the private terrace against the background of a stunning seascape. And a sudden shower didn’t spoil their mood at all; after all, in most cultures, rain on your wedding day is believed to be a sign of good luck!

Photography by Thanasis Kaiafas