Best of Wedding Photography

Who says impulsive decisions can’t be great? Here is a beautiful story to prove that this isn’t necessarily true.

Valerie and Chad are one of the loveliest couples I have come across in my career as a destination wedding photographer. They are young and sweet and so much in love! When they left the Windy City to go on a romantic cruise that would eventually take them to the Greek islands, little did they know that they would return to the States married! But this is exactly what happened. Because the moment they saw before them the breathtaking scenery of Santorini, with the whitewashed Cycladic villages perched on the imposing volcanic cliffs against the backdrop of the merging colors of the Greek sky and the Aegean Sea, they instantly fell in love with the island. And they decided that this was the ideal place to elope!

There is undoubtedly something irresistibly exciting and adventurous about an elopement wedding; and it takes heart and courage to defy convention, abandon customs and forget that the rest of the world exists to pledge your love and devotion to your soul mate in an intimate ceremony at an idyllic place of your choice. No guests, no crazy parties or carefully preplanned group events and activities, no time-consuming preparations and, what is more, zero stress! That’s why more and more couples consider this the best way to tie the knot. The next big decision is the choice of the ideal place. And I believe Santorini qualifies as one of the best wedding destinations not only in Greece but worldwide too. It’s the stuff dreams are made of. And Valerie and Chad were determined to have a dream wedding.

Apart from determination, however, spur-of-the-moment weddings require the fastest possible coordination of all sorts of minor details: venue choice, bride and groom attire, make-up, hairstylist, ordering a wedding cake, finding the photographer who will capture these unique moments forever. But where there is a will, there is a way; and eventually, all practical details were taken care of. The wedding preparations were made in record time, and the wonderfully simple private ceremony took place outside the little chapel of St. Irene, under glorious sunshine, with the infinite blue sea as a background and a symbol of unending love.

The newly-weds, absolutely free from stress and distractions, were able to enjoy every moment, and the absence of haste and pressure guaranteed a smooth and relaxed shooting that was more fun than work. Their happiness and tranquillity are reflected in the photos, most of which were taken in the winding cobbled streets, among the dazzling white traditional houses, since Valerie, as a designer, was particularly interested in Cycladic architecture.

All in all, it was a wonderful, unforgettable wedding, and I feel fortunate and honored to have been there to immortalize the memories of Valerie and Chad’s big day.

Photography by Thanasis Kaiafas

Sifnos, which is rightly called the gem of the Cyclades, may not be one of the most famous Greek islands but it is one of my favorite summer destinations. It is always a pleasure to stroll the narrow cobblestone streets of the picturesque villages under the dazzling sunlight and rediscover the beauty of the golden beaches and the emerald waters of this unspoiled little paradise that have more churches than any other island in the Cyclades: 360, almost one for each day of the year. And the pleasure is even greater when I have the chance to be near such amazing people as James and Lina. The memory of the three fabulous days I spent with them, and their guests as their wedding photographer will remain in my heart forever.

The pre-wedding parties, with lots of music and dancing, put everybody into the right mood for enjoying and celebrating the big day. The beautiful religious ceremony took place in a little-whitewashed chapel overlooking the Aegean blue. The bride was stunning in her refreshingly simple white lace wedding dress, and the bridegroom was evidently moved. They both looked radiantly happy when they posed for their first pictures as a married couple after the traditional rain of rice… And there was more music and dancing among the trees and under the stars at the reception, where we all had the chance to congratulate the lovely couple and wish them a lifetime of happiness and love. Dear Lina and James, may your years together be full of sunshine, like your wonderful wedding day!

Photography by Thanasis Kaiafas

Life’s big moments are even better when shared and celebrated with those we love. This is particularly true of weddings; that’s why Keke and Christos wanted to make sure that on their big day they would be surrounded by all those who were dear and important to them. And they made it happen: guests flew from practically all over the world to be there and celebrate with them the beginning of their new life together.

Planning an overseas wedding is no easy thing, especially given the couple’s heavy work schedules and frequent business trips. It took a lot of time and effort, plus long Skype calls with Keke, to organize everything. But it was worth it. And the pictures are here to prove it!

If it is true that our friends define us, then Keke and Christos are very lucky indeed; for no distance could prevent their friends from coming to Greece to share the couple’s happiness and wish them a lifetime of love and joy. Costa Navarino, near Pylos, in southwest Peloponnese, was an excellent venue combining luxury, sophistication and a stunning natural landscape of rolling hills, endless golden beaches, and crystal clear azure waters. The carefree beach party at the sandy beach of Romanos was followed by a dinner party in Yalova with lots of music, dancing and mouth-watering dishes that culminated in a hilarious speech session. The atmosphere was jovial and relaxed during the bride and groom preparations at the Romanos Resort, and then the beautiful bride, wearing an exquisite Vera Wang wedding dress and Badgley Mischka shoes and accompanied by musicians and family, walked to the Monastery of Zoodochos Peghe, where the religious ceremony took place. The wedding reception at the Westin had it all: laughter and tears, fun and emotion, singing, dancing, and of course plenty of food and alcohol. Everything was perfect to the smallest detail: the Tiffany wedding rings, the elegant decoration, the classy invitations, the bombonieres (favors) and the fans (made by Keke herself!). The wedding shooting was concluded at the serene green setting of the golf course the following day.

It is always a delight to be in the company of such awesome people as Keke, Christos and their friends, who gave me the chance to share those amazing three days with them and, with their warmth, kindness and enthusiasm, made me feel I was one of them and showed me the meaning of genuine friendship.

Photography by Thanasis Kaiafas

If you are into romantic, dreamy weddings, youthful, fresh style, feminine, ethereal, free-flowing wedding dresses made from natural fabrics, floral patterns, headbands and flower wreaths, livened up with casual gypsy touches, in other words if you are fascinated by Boho style, you are looking at the right blog post!

The idea of a Boho style wedding theme shoot came up during a conversation with Maria about Kelly and Stan’s Elopement and the legendary natural beauty of Santorini was the ideal setting. The talented team of Tie the Knot in Santorini created a perfect wedding inspiration décor with their choice of color and flower combinations. The pleasant, relaxed atmosphere, the fabulous weather, the breathtaking landscape and Marianna’s radiant face and captivating beauty ensured the result we all wished for.

It was a most fulfilling and exciting experience, and I hope I can do this again in the future.

Photography by Thanasis Kaiafas

It is true that the wedding destinations chosen most often by couples wishing to realize their dream of getting married in Greece, the land of ancient myths and legends, are the Aegean islands and certain mainland coastal resorts. But Athens, the oldest continuously inhabited European city, famous not only for its rich history and great monuments but also for its vibrant nightlife, does have its charm. This is one of the reasons Nayia and Nick chose to have their dream wedding in the Greek capital.

The preparation of the bride took place in the luxurious environment of King George Hotel, a historic landmark in the center of the city that never sleeps at night. Nayia and her six bridesmaids, who were photographed first in flower-patterned robes and then in their cute bridesmaid dresses, drank champagne, exchanged jokes and turned a traditional process into an experience to remember. And the bride was simply stunning in her splendid wedding dress and her gorgeous Louboutin bridal shoes. The groom, who got ready in a classy downtown flat, and his groom mates had an equally good time. They were all very handsome in their tuxedos and the groom’s presents: cufflinks with the face of Alexander the Great and socks with the UK national colors.

The wedding was held at the imposing church of Agios Dionysios Areopagitis, in Kolonaki, a trendy upmarket district of Athens. The bride was chauffeured to the church in a stylish white Rolls Royce, while a limousine had been hired for the bridal party. Nayia’s sister welcomed her at the stairs with a sign reading “Here comes the bride.” A Byzantine choir sang during the ceremony, creating a wonderfully peaceful atmosphere, and when the newlyweds made their exit, they were showered with rice, according to the old custom symbolizing prosperity, fertility, and good luck.
The venue chosen for the wedding reception was Island Private House, a chic seaside event complex half an hour from the city. The beautiful decoration was set off nicely against the slightly overcast sky. Nayia and Nick’s wedding vision was planned, coordinated and executed by the Event Company and videography by George Zorbas, while their elegant wedding invitations were created by Atelier Invitations.

Dear Nayia & Nick, thank you for trusting me to capture the most memorable moments of your big day. I wish you endless happiness and a wonderful life together!

Photography by Thanasis kaiafas