Author: Claire Salisbury

Emotional Grey & Olive Vow Renewal – Emma & Matt

Couple kissing on beach, bride is holding a bouquet of olive leaves

A Greek island escape was the perfect setting for Emma & Matt’s emotional vow renewal with grey and olive details on a secluded Meganisi beach.

We felt incredibly blessed, happy and loved every minute of it; it really was an unforgettable evening!

Table on pebble beach draped with fabric and decorated with baskets of olive
Couple walking down steps to the beach

Emma and Matt have been married for 17 years and have a daughter together. Following Matt’s diganosis earlier in the year they planned a family holiday in Lefkas, and looked forward to the summer.

Matt’s illness taught us as a family a number of valuable life lessons to truly realise what is important and precious to us; to make every day count and to live our best life.  From this day on we chose to live by this to get us through what had become our new life in fighting this terrible disease.

Having had the most perfect wedding day we didn’t want to recreate another similar day and hadn’t planned on a vow renewal until we stumbled across Claire’s website.  The elegance and simplicity of each event she has created, the very personal touches and of course the stunningly beautiful choice of locations made us think we could have a different type of ceremony.  We instantly knew this was a perfect opportunity to celebrate our lives together, something really special and unique with the wow factor. 

olive stefana wedding crowns and baskets of olive on the beach
olive buttonhole close up

Inspired by a beach elopement, we chose to take a boat from Lefkas to the neighbouring island of Meganisi. A hidden and secluded bay, surrounded by pine and olive trees, was the backdrop for our special moment to renew our vows at the waters’ edge.

couple holding hands on beach with olive bouquet
couple and daughter reading vows at vow renewal ceremony
bride reading vow and reaction of groom smiling

Writing a vow renewal ceremony is an enjoyable task as it is heart warming to hear why couples love each other and how their relationships have grown. I ask them to write a few personal words about what they mean to each other and encourage the whole family to be part of the ceremony.

Emma told me; It really made us think about our life together, reflect on each other’s qualities, what we truly value in each other, our relationship and remind ourselves why we fell in love in the first place.

daughter doing reading to parents at beach vow renewal ceremony
parents and daughter with hands joined at vow renewal ceremony
girl with olive wrist corsage holding olive wedding crowns
daughter placing olive wedding crowns on heads of her parents
family vow renewal reaction laughing and hugging

The details

Inspired by Emma’s Jenny Packham gown with silver beading, the decor mood of their vow renewal was grey with olive details. Soft fabrics and tones of the dresses and decor, brought out the lush green of the olive bouquet and floral details. It was all design to blend wonderfully with the natural enviroment of the beach.

couple kissing on Meganisi beach with olive bouquet
couple sat on rocks on Meganisi beach with champagne glasses
close up of bride with silver dress holding an olive bouquet
close up of beading on bride dress
close up of bride holding olive bouquet with trailing ribbons

A note from Emma & Matt…

Our wedding day back in 2002 was a day to celebrate our marriage with our family and friends.  Our beach vow renewal was an intimate event with our daughter; just the three of us.  Sharing the photos with family and friends afterwards, we were touched by other people’s reactions, views on ‘How amazing it looked’, ‘Wow’,’So so special’, ‘What a beautiful thing to do’, ‘How did I plan all the little details in a matter of weeks?’ Well, this was all down to the talent, creativity of Claire at Lefkas weddings in truly creating a dream come true for us.

My biggest congratulations on this next chapter of your love story, Emma & Matt!

Do you love the idea of planning a vow renewal but not sure where to start? Contact me to discuss how we can plan it together.

The Wedding Team:

5 ways to use peonies for your destination wedding

Close up of pastel coloured peonies and rosesflowers on top of a wedding arch

If you love peonies as much as I do, here is some inspiration on how to use peonies for your destination wedding in the Greek islands.

They are loved by brides the world over, with pretty ruffles and large, full heads that make a perfect feature flower for any bouquet or table arrangement. Their colours range from white through to pastel pink, to burgundy and coral, making them a truly feminine bloom.

white peony, olive and lavender bouquet with peach peony and eucalyptus bouquet

Revered since ancient times, the peony gets its name from a Greek myth in which Paeon, physician to the gods,  angered his teacher Asclepius, the god of medicine and healing. When Asclepius  threatened to kill Paeon out of jealousy, Zeus saved him by changing him into  the lovely flower we know today as the peony.

Peach peony and eucalyptus bride bouquet

Peony destination wedding bouquets

Peonies are delicate and romantic-looking which makes them the perfect flower choice for any bridal bouquet. In the warm Greek sunshine they open fully into big, ruffled flowers that look beautiful in both traditional or hand tied bouquet styles.

bride holding white peony and eucalyptus bouquet

If you are after a more traditional look, peonies are ideal for a classic posy style bouquet. Either as a bouquet of full, white or pale pink peony blooms or with accents of your favourite bloom for a more personal touch.

Light pink peony bride bouquet

For Evaggelia, we blended white peonies with lavender and marguerite daisies.

White peony, daisy and lavender bride bouquet

Mixing the peonies with other summer wedding flowers is a great way to add more scent and colour to your bouquet – as proven by Lisa’s beautiful rose and peony bouquet

Pink peony, white rose and eucalyptus bride bouquet

Adding a couple of peonies to a simple bouquet and will instantly make it romantic. Here we mixed blush pink peonies with Protea flower to Ellie’s elopement bouquet and white peonies with succulents for Nina’s beach wedding bouquet.

Bride bouquet with pink peony and proteia flower and white peony and succulent bride bouquet

Georgina choose white peony and olive bouquets for her bridesmaids at their destination wedding in Parga.

In the small details

Use peonies for your destination wedding as buttonholes or as equisite, natural hair decoration for the bride and bridesmaids. See more details of Ellie & Jesse’s elopment here

Pink peony buttonhole and pink peony bride hair decoration

Your ceremony decor

Here we added peonies in the flower decoration on our wedding ceremony arches. They look stunning against the backdrop of the blue Ionian sea – don’t you agree!

Peach peony and white rose wedding arch flowers
Fuschia pink and pale pink wedding arch flowers

The table decorations

The peony’s versatility and symbolism make it a favourite choice for any centrepiece. At Jo and Richard’s intimate, vintage styled, wedding at Seaside Restaurant in Lefkada the table was dressed with mismatched china and glassware to display the pastel coloured peonies. Read more about this day on Chic & Stylish Weddings

Pastel pink and peach peony wedding flower decoration

Peonies for your wedding cake

In Greece, the cakes are usually decorated with gorgeous real blooms, turning your wedding cake into a romantic floral masterpiece.

Naked style two tier wedding cakes with peony flower decoration

Wedding Planner Tip: As peonies have a large head, you don’t need as many to fill a whole bouquet. Instead to reduce costs a little, go for the natural and wild look by adding a little extra foliage in to the mix. Or consider the minimalist look, with just one or two peonies for your bouquet.

Images by: Lefteris Kalampokas, Maxeen Kim Photography & Protography

Resources: The Secret Language of Flowers Interflora

Classic Blue – Colour of the Year Wedding Inspiration

Collage of nine pictures for wedding inspiration in classic blue colour

American colour company Pantone has chosen “universal favourite” Classic Blue, or Pantone 19-4052, as its statement colour of the year for 2020. They describe it as “a reassuring presence, instilling calm, confidence and connection”.

If I were to ask you to close your eyes and picture the Greek Islands, what would you see?

White sand? Feta cheese? Olive trees?

Yes, you may see sand, cheese and olives, but to most people, the first image that will pop into their heads will be of whitewashed walls and bright blue rooftops — the classic buildings of Greece, especially the Greek Islands, and the subject of posters plastered all over the walls of travel agencies around the world. 

Let’s look at how you can use some Classic Blue in your wedding inspiration…

Dresses and attire

An easy way to bring a pop of colour to your destination wedding in Greece, is with your choice of bridesmaid dress and groom and usher attire.

Bride and four bridesmaids in classic blue vera wang maxi dresses holding white and green bouquets

Lefkas Weddings bride, Jessica choose these stunning, White by Vera Wang, Classic Blue maxi dresses for her bridemaids at her June 2019 wedding in Parga. Image by Lefteris Kalampokas

Groom and bride on steps entering greek stone church with blue railings

Denise & Franz took time out from their six week cruise of the Greek islands to have a destination elopement in Meganisi. His summer tailoring in Classic Blue, was paired perfectly with tan accessories. Image by Maxeen Kim Photography

Floral accents

Floral arrangements are one of the best ways to bring your wedding colour palette to life.

At this gorgeous, spring wedding in Meganisi, bride Innes’ wanted to celebrate her Scottish heritage, by adding blue eryngium thistle to her white rose bouquet and the buttonholes. Image by Lefteris Kalampokas

bride bouquet of white roses and blue eryngium thistle with thistle buttonhole

The Classic Blue tones of delphinium and hydrangea filled these plush arrangements by my florist partners, Tasos and Christina, at this Orthodox church wedding in Lefkada.

Collage of six pictures for wedding inspiration of blue delphinium wedding flowers

Inspiration from the islands

The colours of the Ionian Islands offer so much Classic Blue wedding inspiration from the sparkling blue seas to the island architecture.

The gradient shades of blue of the Ionian sea, as it falls away from the white sand at Stravnam beach, inspired this first wedding mood board.

Collage of nine pictures for wedding inspiration in classic blue colour

My Meganisi blue mood board was inspired by the white washed buildings of Vathy harbour with their Classic Blue shutters and doors.

Collage of nine pictures for wedding inspiration in classic blue colour

If you would like to discover more about destination weddings in Lefkada, Meganisi and Parga you can browse my blog and galleries for inspiration!

All collage images via Pinterest, Stravnam beach image by Exclusive Meganisi

Beach Elopement Inspiration with Lefkada Embroidery

Beach wedding arch and table on the sand decorated with white and green flowers

This Lefkada beach elopement inspiration features a floral fantasy of white hydrangeas, island greenery, and endless romance!

All that was needed to add a touch of Ionian style to this elopement shoot were some unique details. Inspired by a tablecloth embroidered with the Lefkada stitch called Karsaniko, loaned to me by Christina at Gourioti Flowers, I sourced some hand-made jewellery created from peices of the same style and set to work!

Close up of white hydranges and roses on beach wedding arch in Lefkada

The floral arch for this beach elopement inspiration was created by my florist partners, Tasos and his mother, Christina. The base was long, feather like leaves of Greek eucalyptus studded with white hydrangeas, roses and chrysanthemums. We opted for a half moon style of wedding arch, to allow the brilliant, blue Ionian sea to be our backdrop to the initmate ceremony setting.

white and green half moon ceremony arch on the sand by the sea in Lefkas
Close up of white hydrangea and eucalyptus wedding arch flowers
Elopement ceremony table on the sand at Agios Nikitas in Lefkada

A tiny pop of yellow was added to the bouquet and table centrepeice with delicate marguerite daisies.

In the bouquet, I wanted to incorporate the silvery, green leaves of Dusty Miller. If you take a walk along the coast near Agios Nikitas, you can often find this growing wild, as it likes the west coast climate.

white yellow and green bride bouquet by greek door
white and yellow daisy buttonhole and groom holding crystal dish with sand and wedding rings inside

The tablewear had a touch of gold to bring out the colour of the Lefkada embroidery on the tablecloth. Paired with crystal flutes and candlesticks and a display of crisp, sweet merringues from the patisserie.

Landscape image of beach elopement tablescape in white and gold set for two people
Lefkada embroidery tablecloth with vase of white and green flowers
Beach elopement tablescape with white and gold flatware
Crystal candlesticks and glassware on embroidered tablecloth on beach in Lefkada

Whilst you do not need all the elements of a standard stationery set for a destination elopement, you can still have pretty details, such as an announcement note and vow cards for your ceremony.

To illustrate our stationery, the geometric design of this famous stitch was copied on to pale lemon card and paired with a grey envelope.

Close up of vow card and Lefkada Karsaniko embroidery on a white tablecloth
Flatlay of beach elopement stationery on the sand
beach elopment inspiration stationery close up

The west coast of Lefkada is perfect for a destination beach elopement. I chose Agios Nikitas, a traditional village which has a smooth, paved pedestrian street winding down to the white, stone beach. You wind your way past white-washed houses with wooden shutters and gardens bursting with flowers: all adding to the romance of the setting.

Beach wedding decoration at Agios Nikitas Lefkada

Do you love this shoot’s unique take on a beach elopement? Then keep an eye on my blog for more inspiration soon!

Thank you to everyone who helped with this beach elopement inspiration at Agios Nikitas:

  • Planned and styled by Claire at Lefkas Weddings
  • Photography: Maxeen Kim Photography
  • Floral design: Gourioti Flowers
  • Sweet Treats: Patisserie Il Sapore
  • Hand-made jewelley: Paradise Gifts, Lefkada

Destination Vow Renewal at Seaside Lefkada

Couple smiling at each other with sea in background

The elegant atmosphere of Seaside Restaurant was perfect for the intimate and personal Lefkada vow renewal of Brian and Siobhan.

Brian contacted me a few weeks before their family holiday to Lefkada, Greece. He wanted to arrange a surprise vow renewal for his wife Siobhan, as this year was their 30th wedding anniversary. The holiday was especially important as the family had been separated for a while as their daughters had been travelling.

They were all looking forward immensely to reconnecting as a family, during a relaxing week in a luxury villa on Lefkada, where they had passed a previous, enjoyable holiday together.

Brian told me he is not known for planning surprises or events so he wanted to take the lead and make all the arrangements for a memorable evening with their daughters.

When the evening arrived, Siobhan thought it was just a dinner at their favourite restaurant on the island. She was completely blown away as Brian revealed the real purpose of the evening and the surprise was met with lots of happy tears and joy!

Owner of Seaside, Kostas, appeared with champagne and the photographer Maxeen and I revealed ourselves, as not just fellow guests at the next table, but part of his special plan!

Bride with excited smile walking by sea with groom at surprise vow renewal

The white Phalaenopsis orchids were the standout highlight of the vow renewal ceremony. Paired with eucalyptus, olive fabric and gold geometric details it was stunningly elegant on the Seaside Restaurant terrace.

Decorated table with vase of orchids on terrace by sea for vow renewal ceremony
Gold pestal vase with white orchids and olive on table with candles

The ceremony included the re-confirming of their wedding rings. A ring which Siobhan thought was safely at the jewellers back in the UK being cleaned! She was surprised and delighted to find it presented to her by Brian, for this second, meaningful moment in their life together.

close up of wedding rings with orchid flowers at Lefkada vow renewal
Vow renewal ceremony by the sea with vows

Including the family is always an important part of vow renewals, and as they all love Greece I added an exchange of olive wreaths called stefana. This fun ritual was led by daughters; Tierney and Ailis, who followed this with a poem entitled ‘Thirty Years’, they had written especially for their parents about their respect of their relationship and the love of the family.

Olive stefana on table at vow renewal ceremony
couple with olive crowns at vow renewal ceremony
Daughter removing olive crowns from her parents heads at vow renewal ceremony
Couple looking emotional as daughter reads poem at vow renewal ceremony
Couple emotional as daughters read to them at vow renewal ceremony
Family ceremony with all members holding hands
Family drinking champage and laughing together by sea
View of vlyho bay in Lefkada with yachts
Table with grey linen at gold vase with white orchids

Their dinner table featured an identical floral arrangement as the centrepiece with white flatware and black stem glasses on dove grey table linen.

Gold pestal vase of white orchids

We had a fabulous evening thanks so much! It was a beautiful service and moment for the four of us. Brian & Siobhan

Couple with foreheads touching and eyes closed by the sea at Seaside Lefkada

If you are considering your own luxury vow renewal in Lefkada or Meganisi and looking for a planner, send me an email here with all the details of your day. I would love to help bring your special day to life.

Thank you to my wonderful team of suppliers who helped me this memorable Lefkada vow renewal happen.

Persephone’s Bouquet: 5 Flowers For Your Wedding From Greek Mythology

Beautiful Bouquet with Flowers inspired by Greek Mythology

From purity to passion, flowers have many meanings throughout Greek myths and legends. So why not draw from these beautiful stories, specifically that of Persephone, and include 5 flowers for your wedding from Greek Mythology

Each flower I have selected for you is associated with a legend and together they form the flowers of Persephone’s bouquet. These are the flowers the goddess Persephone and her companion Nymphs were gathering in a springtime meadow when she was abducted by the god Hades; rose, crocus, violet, iris, lily and larkspur (Source: Homeric Hymns).

Pink Garden Roses at a Villa in Greece

Rose. Aphrodite the goddess of love is credited with creating the rose from her tears over the mortally wounded Adonis and the goddess of flowers, Chloris, was said to breathe roses as she spoke. Throughout the ages writers, poets, artists, and others have used the rose as a metaphor for undying love, beauty, and passion. They are the perfect wedding flower being both ideal for classic and contemporary styles of bouquet and arrangements.

Lily. Associated with Hera, the Greek goddess of marriage and created by Hera in the legend of Zeus and his son by the mortal woman Alceme. The lily symbolizes purity and refined beauty and based on the colour or type, the lily can convey different meanings; white is for modesty and virginity, orange is for passion and yellow for gaiety. A much sought after choice for bouquets due to its luxurious and elegant appearance, Calla, Stargazer and Casablanca lilies are all ideal for a destination wedding in Lefkada.

Iris. The goddess Iris, a messenger to the gods was thought to use the rainbow as a bridge between heaven and earth. By some accounts, the ancient Greeks believed the rainbow was actually the flowing, multi-coloured robes of Iris. Others believed the beautiful multi-coloured flowers were also part of her robe or the flowing veil from her dress. Thus, these flowers were named to honour the Rainbow Goddess and bring favour upon the earth. Typically purple or blue, although they can be found in yellow, pink and red also, they are a pretty flower to combine in a bridal bouquet.

Violets. Greek legend tells of a nymph named Io, who was beloved by Zeus. To hide her from Hera, his wife, Zeus changed Io into a white cow. When Io wept over the taste and texture of the coarse grass, Zeus changed her tears into dainty, sweet-smelling violets only she was permitted to eat. They are a perfect Spring flower for a wedding bouquet, bridesmaid posy, in centrepieces and to decorate cakes.

Larkspur. Similar to the Delphinium, the larkspur is a pretty cluster of many flowers on a long stem. According to Greek mythology, larkspur flowers came forth from the blood of Ajax, who killed himself after he could not obtain the protective covering of the slain soldier Achilles. Thus, larkspur is often known as ‘the knight’s spur,’ and a flower that has existed for thousands of years. Arrange these blooms with other flowers for a wild flower and rustic floral theme.

I hope this has inspired you to add some mythical charm to your wedding bouquet and centrepieces. If you are dreaming of your own gorgeous destination wedding in Lefkada and would like some help bringing your dreams to life, contact me. I would love to discus your wedding with you.

Photography: Maxeen Kim Photography