An Italian Magazine Feature
Posted by Moscha on April 12th, 2012 | Leave a comment
Anytime StellaAndMoscha is featured on a magazine or a blog is like “over the moon excited” for us! It’s what gets us going! This time is for an Italian Magazine Feature -Oggi Sposi April 2012 issue. An interview by me and Stella about Destination weddings in Greece. Watching your work been published gives you the feeling like getting a good grade at school, been rewarded for your hard work, the opportunity to share your thoughts and maybe inspire and help brides-to-be with some more tips and ideas about destination weddings on the Greek islands.
I dedicate this post to my favorite wedding planner and great associate Andrea Naar Alba who made it all happen for us! If you are dreaming of Italy she is your woman for making dreams happen. You can access directly our interview with Oggi Sposi here in Italian a copy of the whole magazine Oggi Sposi magazine in Italian here (make sure you go to page 44-47) or read below the interview in English.
Getting married in Greece: Which are the main features of a “Hellenic” wedding?
A traditional Greek marriage is the celebration of the formal engagement. On the day of the wedding, the Best Man, accompanies the couple to the church, to be married. This ‘parade’ is usually escorted by local musicians serenading with particular ‘wedding songs’.
The Best Man with the Priest, are in charge of the ceremony. He places gold crowns or wreathes made of orange blossoms (or vine leaves in Santorini) on the heads of the Bride and the Groom. These crowns are lined with a silk ribbon and symbolize the unification of Husband and wife. From the rest of the day the newlyweds are honored as king and queen. The Wedding Reception is usually a huge dinner party that lasts all through the night – traditionally it was held at the bride’s home. The preparations for the feast took place days and weeks before the big day.
photo by Ipokratis Alexiou | Event Design StellaAndMoscha
In such a difficult moment for your country (as we do experience in Italy as well), are marriages (so weddings receptions) decreasing somehow or quite same numbers? Has the way of getting married changed due to crisis?
Indeed times are difficult and now more than ever people are working on specific budgets. Destination weddings are not only a trend of our times, but a great option for couples who are now more price conscious than ever. An overseas wedding allows couples to cut down on guest counts, cost on decoration, avoid pricy wedding venues, combine their honeymoon with wedding celebration and so many more.
Up to now weddings on the Greek islands have in no way decreased rather than increased since last year (according to Town Hall statistics).
Surely the digital world has helped a lot couples in so many ways. There are so many free online wedding software packages out there which help couples, with budgeting, vendor suggestions and many tips on wedding planning. Wedding blogs are now the one wedding planning stop shop for free inspiration on design, DIY Crafts (Do it yourself) and suggestions on all things wedding related.
Let alone Pinterest, Lover.ly, Facebook and the rest of social media, were a bride can gather her favorite design details, flowers, and wedding gowns on one board for inspiration. Couples now have more and more information on hand, choose DIY crafts to cut down on wedding decoration and choose Greek island weddings to combine their honeymoon, summer vacations and wedding all in one.
photo by Ipokratis Alexiou | Event Design StellaAndMoscha
How much in average does a wedding in Greece (Santorini) cost?
Couples are in charge of how much their wedding would cost them. There are a lot of special offers for simple celebrations for two that would start from €2,000 and can go up to €5-6,000 if the couple has specific requirements (such as all day long photo shooting at unique locations, special decorations, harpist, a sunset cruise etc).
For larger wedding groups of let’s say 50-60 one can expect to pay around €10,000 and this can go up to €20.000 again depending on choice of venue and other details.
photo by Anna Rousos | Event Design StellaAndMoscha
Does this present crisis period affect the couple’s choices in the wedding sector? For instance, does the Greek government help young couples, by giving any economical incentive to get married? Do you think the wedding is perceived as a “ray of hope” for families in such an unstable period for the country or not? Like: ”family” the only certainty for the future?
To our knowledge there haven’t been any special measures towards this – the reality is that couples in Greece seek alternative ways to celebrate their wedding that would still make it a memorable day but not costing thousands of Euros. Young couples move away from the classic hotel ballroom 5-course dinner and choose smaller neo- Greek style tavernas that give them the opportunity to celebrate as our grandparents did 2 generations back. This ‘going back to the root’s’ has not only been due to financial restrictions but is centered around trends for ‘all things vintage’ and for weddings that really stand out and have a unique concept.
photo by Ipokratis Alexiou | Event Design StellaAndMoscha
Destination weddings in Greece: Are there lots of foreign couples that choose your country (and Greek Islands) for their wedding?
Every year Greek islands have thousands of people visiting for their summer vacations as well as their honeymoon and wedding. The latest trend for couples is to combine their summer vacation on a Greek island as well as scouting different venues and locations for their wedding.
photo by Ipokratis Alexiou | Event Design StellaAndMoscha
Main countries they come from?
About 90% of our clients are from abroad, from countries like the US, Japan, Germany, Qatar and Australia. Around 30% are second/third generation Greeks who wish to honor their inheritance and celebrate this very important day in their lives in Greece.
Why you think they choose Greece/Santorini?
The Greek islands are all about unique landscapes, great weather and being able to make the most of their unique open spaces. This gives you endless possibilities to create a one of a kind event tailored to every couple’s character.
There is certainly an island for every style of wedding. As for Santorini its “magical sunsets”, azure waters and spectacular views make it suitable for varied style of weddings. There are “many” Santorini Weddings: a couple can either celebrate on a white-washed chapel literally hanging of the cliff with a spectacular view of the Caldera. For beach lovers, why not organize a unique beach wedding on a black sandy beach with a reception dinner to follow full of lanterns and candles creating a truly memorable event? And how about a Castle wedding? Get married in one of the eldest churches on the island within the Venetian castle of Pyrgos and continue the celebration in a nearby Relais & Chateaux hotel experiencing a truly medieval environment.
Most suggestive venues in Greece
Islands such as Paros, Mykonos or Rhodes are the ones for a “cosmopolitan fete”, Sifnos, Folegandros and Ios for those seeking an Intimate Elopement, Koufonisia, Amorgos and Chalki for off-the-beaten track events and The Venetian Castle in Naxos for the Romeo and Juliet-style romantic.
Good reasons why to get married in Greece and Santorini
I can’t imagine there are a lot of people who say that their wedding day was one of the most relaxed days in their life. Couples choose to have a wedding in Greece to take the stress away from a big celebration back home. The weather is no issue to worry about – and all arrangements are well taken care of by so the couple just needs to pick the right location and venue.
An experienced wedding planner can guide the couple through the bureaucratic requirements; help find a dream location; arrange catering, flowers, musicians, hairdressers; in short, take care of every little detail so that after the to-be-weds arrive in Greece, all they need to do is relax, and enjoy. The beautiful landscape and environment is so relaxed so couples find it irresistibly inspiring and enjoy every moment. The combination of bright sunny days, blue domed chapels, azure waters, spectacular food is just hard to pass by.
photo by Ipokratis Alexiou | Event Design StellaAndMoscha
Are there Greek couples that choose Italy to get married?
There are certainly lots of Greek couples choosing to marry in Italy. Both countries share similar culture, beautiful unique landscapes, perfect food and great hospitality.
In your opinion, which are the most attractive factors of Italy, when choosing it for a wedding?
Unique landscapes, great people and perfect food!
Latest trend in wedding industry in Greece
Greek Style is “IN”. In recent weddings, they’ve noted “a huge trend for “All things Grecian”, whether in bridal gown fashions, jewelry or venue décor. Couples love the idea of introducing these into their wedding concept; they love the simplicity and elegance of a Grecian look. Grecian dresses and shoes as well as jewelry have dominated big fashion houses such as Dolce & Gabana, Versace and Diane Von Furstendberg. Our newly redesigned website and logo is inspired by the most well known Greek Meandros featured on most ancient Greek temples, urns and wall paintings
Today’s couples are increasingly ecologically-conscious too. They skip printing and mailing invitations, preferring customized e-invitations instead. Brides opt for silk or paper flowers in lieu of real ones.
photo by Ipokratis Alexiou | Event Design StellaAndMoscha
The menu is normally typically Greek or are they interested at different types of cuisines?
Couples often go local when it comes to selecting menu ingredients. They want to taste everything a Greek island has to offer. Many choices include Italian food which is so similar to Greek- Mediterranean cuisine which people love eating.
In order to “re-launch” your country, what do you think could be resolute? Greece could be again a great destination for honeymoons? For destination weddings?
Greece never stopped being a popular destination for honeymoons and Weddings. In fact we have seen increase in the past few years. It would certainly be useful to promote that it is an easy process when it comes to legalities; there is a false perception that couples are lost with beaurocratic processes which is certainly not the case when a local planner is hired. Greece can also serve a wide range of requirements; castle weddings, themed Grecian weddings, island & romantic weddings, beach weddings, resort weddings, mountain weddings, off- the beaten track weddings and boat weddings. Greece has so much more to offer in addition to Mama Mia style or beach weddings.
photo by Ipokratis Alexiou | Event Design StellaAndMoscha
Did you enjoy reading our interview? would you like to share with us some new trends about Destination weddings, has the crisis changed weddings in your opinion? Happy to read your thoughts!
Warm Island Greetings,
Top tips for couples planning a destination wedding in Greece
Posted by Moscha on March 15th, 2012 | Leave a Comment
The past few weeks a senior editor from Destination Weddings and Honeymoons has approached me and Stella. One of the main things we talked about was top tips for couples planning a destination wedding in Greece. Interested on finding out? Read our four top tips which may help you on your destination wedding in Greece:
photo Ipokratis Alexiou | Event planning and design StellaAndMoscha
Plan Early
The Greek islands are renowned for their unique landscapes, great weather and being able to host your ceremony in unique open spaces. Choosing to marry on a Greek island makes you a more adventurous out of the ordinary couple. Having in mind that Greece is not a country that invented destination weddings things here move at a more “glacial” pace if I could say. You should allow some more time for researching your preferred venue and getting answers from vendors/celebrants/priests. Also you should be thinking about giving enough time to your guests to plan their trip.
photo Michael Renga | Event planning and design StellaAndMoscha
Hire a wedding planner
Hire a wedding planner you feel comfortable with and trust. People tend to think that wedding planners are really costly and are only for the big weddings. This is a myth. A Good planner will preserve vendor prices, stick to your budget, present you with more ideas than one, manage your event logistics, keep everyone on schedule, and help you make good selections by presenting you with fine examined options. A Wedding planner will surely better communicate with vendors due to language difference. Let your wedding planner know what your expectations are before hiring her and choose your convenient mean of communicating with her, which makes you feel comfortable.
photo Ipokratis Alexiou | Event planning and design StellaAndMoscha
Set a budget
Before deciding on your favorite flowers, colors, and spending endless time pinning your favorite details you have to set your budget. This is probably the best and first thing you should do. There are many free online budget software out there, and even if you are not so tech savvy a simple calculator and a spreadsheet will help set you up. Your wedding budget will work as a tracking system for all things wedding related from vendors, to makeup and hair. This will help you not only keep track of what you spend but also decide on which items you want to spend more, which less and what things you might end up not needing.
photo Antonis Eleftherakis | Event planning and design StellaAndMoscha
Prepare for surprises
It is not often the case that rain might surprise you on your wedding day, or you might randomly meet a donkey gang on your way to your Greek island Chapel. Greek tradition has it that rain symbolizes lots of children and “donkeys” bring good fortune. Nonetheless a good wedding planner will guide you through the good months of hosting your Greek island wedding as well as warn you how to avoid unwanted surprises. Better than this is to stay calm and enjoy your day without planning too much.
photo Ipokratis Alexiou | Event planning and design StellaAndMoscha
Warm Island Greetings,
A beautiful wedding venue in Santorini
Posted by Moscha on March 9th, 2012 | Leave a comment
Last week you had a taste of a beautiful wedding venue in Santorini, Aressana Spa Hotel and Suites and a beautiful lemon inspired cocktail bar. Below you will find some more pictures about this venue and enjoy some of the most beatifull brides who chose Aressana Hotel as their accommodation and wedding reception. Enjoy!
Aressana Spa Hotel and Suites
Hotel Aressana is right in the heart of Fira town, Santorini’s city center. A five star design hotel in every sense, the Aressena Spa Hotel and Suites is a quiet and atmospheric haven, one of those town hotels from which one never ever wants to leave the cocooning privacy of its walls.
Strongly emulating the individuality of this island in the Cyclades, design elements feature geological material sourced from the stones from the volcano.
What about a wedding reception dinner by the pool?
Spoil yourselves before your i’do’s with Aressana’s signature massages and indulge into the jaguzzi and heated relax beds!
The outer veranda suitable for cocktails under the moon…
The Ifestioni Restaurant
photo by Giorgos Lizardos | Event Design StellaAndMoscha
This is one of our mostly favorite venues for several reasons:
- right next to the most beautiful central orthodox church of Santorini Mitropolis church, as well as next to Agios Minas traditional white washed chapel (convenient for an orthodox wedding).
- Suitable for a Cocktail hour on the outer veranda.
-A Beautiful wedding venue in Santorini suitable for a wedding reception up to 40 people at their Ifestioni restaurant.
-very convenient for families (not many stairs), large swimming pool, spa and gym.
A real wedding in Aressana Spa Hotel and Suites
Check out the pictures from a real Greek Orthodox wedding followed by their twin’s baptism at the hotel.
photo by Ipokratis Alexiou | Event Design by StellaAndMoscha
A traditional Greek dance entrance by the bride and Groom accompanied by Greek musicians.
photo by Ipokratis Alexiou | Event Design by StellaAndMoscha
Their dessert table and cocktail held at the outer veranda after the wedding.
photo by Ipokratis Alexiou | Event Design by StellaAndMoscha
White Grecian Wedding
A glamorous “white inspired” wedding which has been featured on Lela New York, One Stylish Bride and Two Bright Lights described as “My Big Fat Traditional Greek Wedding” a “Candlelight Wedding in Greece” and a “White Grecian Wedding”. The Bride has chosen Aressana Hotel for the accommodation of her family and friends as well as for her preparation on the day of the wedding. Mitropolis Church is right next to Aressana Hotel so Nicoleta did make a grande entrance! You may also check the pictures of this Luxury wedding in Santorini here and on our Weddings in Santorini – Destination Weddings in Greece – Wedding Designers. The Wedding reception was held at La Maltese Estate for which we will talk about on one of our following posts
photo by Ipokratis Alexiou | Event Design StellaAndMoscha
photo by Ipokratis Alexiou | Event Design StellaAndMoscha
Enjoy your weekend!
Warm Island Greetings
Trends in Greek Destination Weddings
Posted by Moscha on March 8th, 2012 | Leave a comment
Last week Angelike Contis contacted us for an an upcoming special Greek Wedding Issue article she was putting together for the Greek-American paper “The National Herald”. She was interested on trends and tips for planning a destination wedding on a Greek island, a wedding in Santorini, trends in Greek destination weddings, interesting past experiences StellaAndMoscha has had as wedding planners and many more.
You may access the full article here and read all about destination weddings in Greece and share your comments below. If you want to access the full issue of The National Herald click here.
A big thank you to Angelike and National Herald for this feature and wish they keep featuring many more great articles!
photo by Giorgos Lizardos | Event Design StellaAndMoscha
A Greek island gem San Nicholas Cave House Villa
Posted by Moscha on February 4th, 2012 | Leave a Comment
Last week we had the pleasure welcoming -on the Greek island-Santorini- a beautiful lady from Japan Sayo Aizawa! Aizawa is a popular Japanese model from Hokkaido. A special thank you to Media Co FSS for making it all possible!
photo taken from my iphone
The reason i am sharing this experience with you is because Aizawa gave an interview earlier this year in one of Japan’s largest TV Channel Sky TV. On her interview she quoted that “Santorini is one of her favorite places on earth”! Do you blame Her? More surprisingly, the TV producers, not only they agreed with her moreover they organized a cast to visit Santorini island and show the rest of Japan a “winter” taste of Santorini and a Greek island gem San Nicholas Cave house Villa.
photo by http://www.absstudio.gr/| design StellaAndMoscha
Aizawa except from her stunning looks, is a very warm sweet kind hearted personality! She visited our brand new Signature property San Nicholas Cave house in Imerovigli and had a small talk about what this hidden Greek island gem has to offer.
Aizawa was excited when she saw the spacious open wardrobe which you can see right below.
the Master bedroom at San Nicholas Cave House Villa photo by http://www.absstudio.gr/ | design StellaAndMoscha
Aizawa was over the moon happy when she saw the inside jaguzzi at the well-apointed bathroom offering a soothing spa experience.
Inside Jaguzzi photo byhttp://www.absstudio.gr/|design StellaAndMoscha
San Nicholas Cave house villa-a true Greek island Gem
This extraordinary home has been restored to welcome new guests with effortless elegance and magnificent views. Years of meticulous research were spent to preserve the structure’s authenticity. Skilled local craftsmen recreated its traditional Santorinian architectural style, elements of the cave were incorporated into the design, and eco-friendly materials were used throughout.
the Master bedroom at San Nicholas Cave House Villa photo by http://www.absstudio.gr/ | design StellaAndMoscha
Arrange your Wedding, Honeymoon or rehearsal dinner barbecue with a view
Between its spectacular Caldera scenery, gracious living spaces and verandas, the Villa is ideal not only for honeymooners but for entertaining as well. Your wedding or dinner reception can be arranged with all food, drink and equipment provided.
With its traditional wood fire Santorinian oven, the Villa’s lower terrace is ideal for a rehearsal dinner barbecue. While your guests marvel at the changing face of the sky, sea and Caldera during one of our Santorinian sunsets, a professional griller can prepare a variety of delectable foods.
a wedding reception at San Nicholas Cave House villa photo by http://www.absstudio.gr/| event design StellaAndMoscha
While on San Nicholas Aizawa was over the moon when she saw the beautiful handmade wedding bouquet made from silk satin and Swarovski brooches by Emici Bridal. This was my wedding bouquet, which is now used as a decoration, and held it for what she quoted “bring her good luck”!
photo taken from my iphone
Enjoy some more pictures from San Nicholas Cave House Villa by clicking here
Warm Island Greetings,
Honors
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