Lefkas Weddings - Romantic Celebrations in the Ionian
Romantic Celebrations in the Ionian
Menu
Skip to content
  • Home
  • About
  • Galleries
  • Services
  • Blog
  • Testimonials
    • Press
  • Contact

Author: Claire Salisbury

Postponing a destination wedding from a real bride

13/03/202129/12/2021

Micro weddings, elopements, and creative postponement plans were some of 2020’s unexpected top destination wedding trends. It is nearly the start of the 2021 wedding season and as we all know, the Covid situation is not completely back to normal.

Remaining positive right now is key for me and my brides, so we continue with planning as usual, especially as the main summer period looks promising for everyone. If the situation arises with their wedding date that postponing their destination wedding is the best path for them, then I am always available to chat and explain what options are available.

Lefkada wedding planner Claire Salisbury of Lefkas Weddings in a green dress reading ceremony script with wedding couple on a beach

For me personally, I am looking forward to seeing each day we are planning come to life and have the couple and the guests add those final two ingredients for a fabulous day; love and laughter. Moments like Connie & Rich’s beach wedding ceremony [above] are what makes being a Lefkada wedding planner such a rewarding job.

If you and your partner are in the middle of postponing your destination wedding or on your second or third reschedule, and wondering how to proceed with your wedding in Greece then read on to find out how one of my UK couples made the journey from postponement to ‘I Do’.

What is it like to postpone a wedding?

Connie & Rich offered to share their personal experience with you of what it felt like to postpone their wedding in Meganisi from May to September 2020.

How did you feel when you realised that your original date in May would need to be postponed? 

Devastated! For us, postponing our destination wedding was a decision we had to make just six weeks before the wedding date. So much preparation, strict dieting etc all felt like a wasted effort!

Why did you choose to move from May to September over a 2021 date? 

We wanted to marry as soon as possible, especially hearing that a second spike in the virus was a possibility. We initially considered the end of June but decided to wait until September and went with the first available date we could and we are so glad we did!

Did you ever consider cancelling the Greek plans altogether? 

Never! It was Greece and Meganisi in particular, or not at all.

How easy was it to rearrange travel and wedding plans? 

Rearranging the wedding plans was fairly easy for us as Claire, our wedding planner, did all of the hard work for us! It was harder however trying to get our guests to RSVP to a new date with all of the virus uncertainty, and we understood that and that some of them were still waiting on refunds from their original accommodation and flights before they rebooked. Completing the passenger locator form each time a flight changed was definitely not a highlight but we did it!

Did the postponement impact with the guest list? 

We were originally having 51 guests and we ended up with 18. Our best man (my brother), who was going to give me away could no longer make the new date which was devastating. Nevertheless, we had a beautifully intimate day and wouldn’t change it for the world.

Did you have to make any changes to your plans because of Covid?  

We promoted our maid of honour to “best woman” to make a speech as our best man couldn’t be there and I asked my mum to give me away in place of my brother. Aside from that, we were very lucky that little else had to change. 

How did you stay positive throughout? 

It was difficult but the minuscule number of cases in Lefkas (and Greece as a whole) certainly kept us hopeful and keeping in touch with Claire our wedding planner who arrived in Greece in June from the UK also kept hopes up.

Were you nervous to travel and did you feel safe in Greece with the measures? 

We weren’t nervous at all to travel, especially not to Greece where cases were so much lower than in the UK. It felt like a relief to be leaving the bad news for a couple of weeks, to be honest. We felt very safe in Greece with the measures in place; all restaurant staff wore masks and you needed to wear masks in the shops etc but it felt less scary than at home. On the island, everybody ate outside anyway, and the weather was so much warmer so it just felt like a better place to be.

Any advice for another couple thinking to plan a wedding in Greece in the current world situation? 

Do it! For us, it felt much more likely that we would get married in Greece than we would have at home in the UK. When I arrived at the beach I felt so content! I wasn’t at all nervous, just happy to see Rich waiting at the arch (with our family and friends around him) and the surrounding beauty of Zorbas beach.

Connie & Rich

micro beach wedding in greece by planner Lefkas Weddings

More details and photographs from Connie & Rich’s beautiful Meganisi wedding day coming soon on the blog!

Planned by Lefkas Weddings with Maxeen Kim Photography

Leave a comment
Share
  • Pin it
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Email

5 Expert Hair Tips For Your Destination Wedding

06/02/202111/03/2021

From picking the right hairstyle to figuring out when to touch-up your roots, I asked one of my Lefkas Weddings hair stylists, Effie Katsabiri, for the best bridal prep advice to give your hair some extra love in the months leading up to your Greek island wedding.

Here are Effie’s 5 Top Tips for gorgeous destination wedding hair:

1. It’s all in the Prep

Around 3 months before, start with hair masks to get your hair in great condition for your big day. “From experience, I can say that hairstyles hold longer in hot and humid weather when hair is healthier. A hair mask will deeply hydrate your hair, making it look healthy and feel silky”

Bride and bridesmaids in floral dressing gowns drinking champagne on villa balcony in Greece

2. Highlights and Colour

Finalise your hair colour goals at least 6-weeks prior to your departure. “This allows time for things to settle in and makes sure this is the hair colour you truly want for your wedding day. It will also give you time to try on your dress or suit with that hair colour to make sure it’s right.”

3. Cut and Trim

If you have been growing your hair or need a trim, book this is for around one month before the wedding. “This gives your haircut a chance to settle down and enough room to grow a tiny bit if you aren’t totally happy with the cut… and don’t do any drastic changes!

4. Curl Control

“I would recommend that brides or grooms with curly and textured hair should prep their hair with leave-in conditioners, and products that aid against frizz and humidity.”

Bride iwht shoulder length wavy hair holding tropical bouquet

4. On The Beach

When you arrive in Greece for your wedding you’ll be enjoying lazy beach days and fun in the pool which means washing all the sand and seawater out of your hair. For this reason, it’s tempting to shampoo daily on holiday however Effie recommends “Try to simply rinse chlorine or salt water out of your hair with water and try not to shampoo more than 3 times a week because washing your hair every day, if it is not used to it, will strip your hair of its natural oils and leave it feeling dry, brittle and damaged.”

What About Choosing The Perfect Wedding Hairstyle?

Effie advises “First you want to think about the neckline of the dress to make sure your hairstyle compliments it. I like to know what time of day and where the wedding will be; maybe you are travelling on a boat, you will be in the sun or the shade? These details can be important because I want you to have a style that will last all day.

For the trial, if you are wearing one, you should bring your veil or headpiece so we can try it in the hair. And the last thing I find very helpful is to have some inspiration pictures to show me what is in your mind. I work with Claire’s brides from many countries and languages so a picture can say many words!”

Hair sylist finishing bridal bun up do

As a destination wedding planner, I almost always suggest a trial for hair and makeup so there aren’t any surprises and miscommunications the day. This is your opportunity to express exactly what you want and receive their expert opinion, so you can relax and focus on other things the morning of your wedding.

… and Effie’s top wedding day tip?

Put a few hairpins, mini hairspray and mini brush in your bride or bridesmaid bag for touch-ups!

bride and bridesmaids sat on bed in dressing gowns drinking champagne

BIO: Effie has been a freelance hairstylist for over ten years and styles both local and destination brides. She speaks both Greek and English and has been part of my Lefkas Weddings team for over four years styling my beautiful brides and bridesmaids on Lefkas and Meganisi.

IG: @effiekatsabiri

For more wedding inspiration from destination weddings in Lefkada and Meganisi browse my Galleries pages.

5 Expert Hair Tips For Your Destination Wedding
Share
  • Pin it
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Email

How To Use Pantone 2021 Colours Of The Year In Your Wedding

02/01/202117/01/2021

Pantone, the authority on colour, have selected not just one colour for their 2021 colour of the year but two: Pantone Ultimate Grey and Pantone Illuminating yellow.

According to Pantone, this combination of a soft grey and a bold and bright yellow is a pairing of colours which convey a message of strength and hopefulness. By choosing two standalone shades Pantone aims to highlight how different elements come together to support one another.

“As people look for ways to fortify themselves with energy, clarity, and hope to overcome the continuing uncertainty, spirited and emboldening shades satisfy our quest for vitality. Illuminating is a bright and cheerful yellow sparkling with vivacity, a warming yellow shade imbued with solar power. Ultimate Gray is emblematic of solid and dependable elements which are everlasting and provide a firm foundation. The colours of pebbles on the beach and natural elements whose weathered appearance highlights an ability to stand the test of time, Ultimate Grey quietly assures, encouraging feelings of composure, steadiness and resilience.”

How I suggest to add these Pantone Colours 2021 to your wedding in Greece

This combination of two shades makes for a true standout palette for your wedding day. We love the idea of using these colours against the crisp white background of the table linen or your bridal gown. Use the grey as your anchor shade then accent with pops of yellow in your florals and stationery to bring energy and fun to your celebration because that’s absolutely what 2021 needs!

Ultimate grey is a flattering choice for your bridesmaid dresses and suits many skin tones. As the bride, you can add a whisp of grey in several ways for instance:

  • The gorgeous organza skirt on this Raincloud gown by Leanne Marshal
  • Elegant vintage-inspired Mybella suede heels
  • Pop this feathery bübish topper over your gown for a cool weather ceremony or whimsical reception look.
Pantone gray bridal gown, suede heels and ostrich bolero

How we styled our table

We had great fun one afternoon creating this beautiful table for our festive celebration in Lefkada. We used decor items from our own collection and a crisp white tablecloth as the base. Then we added Ultimate grey notes with pewter candelabra decorated with local foliage, a fabric runner and opaque grey glassware. For a pop of Illuminating yellow, we used pieces of solidago flower and incorporated yellow details on our table stationery.

Table decor with Pantone grey and yellow colors of the year 2021
Wedding stationery menu with Pantone grey and yellow colors of the year 2021
Table decor with Pantone grey and yellow colors of the year 2021
Table decor with Pantone grey and yellow colors of the year 2021

Table Styled for Lefkas Weddings by Claire Salisbury and Jane Flinders.

Share
  • Pin it
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Email

Vow Books For Your Destination Wedding

17/10/202007/02/2021

There is all sorts of stationery for your wedding day in the Greek islands, from the invitations to the place setting cards. But one perhaps that is not the most obvious — is a pair of wedding vow books, so that you and your partner can get down those vows in a special way.

blue and white greek wedding stationery

What is a wedding vow book?

It is a stylish way to have your vows ready to read at your ceremony instead of a crumpled piece of paper or post-it note (oh yes we have seen everything!) and looks very elegant in your photographs.

Greece Destination vow book blue and white print

You can use the book for notes, first drafts, and ultimately, the harmonious blend of words you say on the actual day. Or simply print your finished vows and stick them inside in a clear, easy to read font.

Whether your style is classic, romantic, rustic, or something in between, the options are endless when it comes to choosing vow books that fit your wedding aesthetic and budget. And the best bit is that they act as excellent keepsakes for years to come after your big day, which is the ultimate win.

Why should we write our vows down?

When you are excitedly (and nervously!) standing at the ceremony, even the most rehearsed wedding vows can suddenly vanish from your mind in the emotion of the moment so I always recommend my couples to write them down and myself or the officiant also has a copy on the day too, just in case!

Taking the time to write down your vows in a journal might seem old-fashioned, but that’s exactly what I love about this tradition. Your wedding vow books will become keepsakes that you can store with your wedding photo album, invitations, and other mementos from the day — not to mention that you’ll get a wave of nostalgia whenever you open the books and re-read your vows.

Here are some elegant and pretty vow books and cards from my destination wedding couples in Lefkada at Sivota Thesprotias.

grey wedding bow book with gold script
groom reading from wedding vow book to his bride
destination wedding vow book with flower design
bride and groom looking at wedding vow book
beach wedding vow books with seashell design
bride and groom in garden ceremony in greece reading from grey vow books

Images by Maxeen Kim Photography

Share
  • Pin it
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Email

Sunrise Elopement at Porto Katsiki Beach – Barbara & Neven

10/10/202002/12/2020

This sunrise elopement at Porto Katsiki beach was definitely worth getting up before the sun! In this post, I’m sharing everything you need to know to plan your dream sunrise elopement and this blog will have you ready to jump out of bed before the sun comes up for your own sunrise adventure elopement in Greece.

back view of couple sat on white stone beach with cushions looking out to sea

Sunrise brings a touch of magic to your wedding ceremony. Getting married is a transition itself, and you’ll understand how beautiful it is to mark that transition with the rising of a star. To know in this big wide world as night changes to day you have found someone to share all the days of your life with. 

Porto Katsiki beach Lefkada Greece
Meet the couple of this sunrise elopement at Porto Katsiki beach

When we were planning their day, Barbara and Neven both mentioned how much they absolutely love to travel and in their nine years together they have explored the globe and made memories in over 30 countries!  Maxeen and I thought it was perfect therefore that on one of those trips together, watching the sunrise in Morocco, Neven asked Barbara to marry him and she said Yes! So they decided that they would like to recapture that moment, as the sun rises for their elopement. It was to be an intimate ceremony, just the two of them on their holiday exploring the Greek islands before their more traditional wedding in Croatia in the autumn with family and friends.

bride with glasses holding white and green flowers laughing with groom with arms around each other

We collected the excited couple from their hotel in Nidri and drove towards the south cape of Lefkada where the only traffic we met was a herd of goats, with their bells jangling as they crossed the road in front of us! The daylight was just breaking as we reached Porto Katsiki beach and we descended the steps to our deserted paradise. Kicking off their shoes, the couple walked along the beach to explore and we set up their breakfast picnic.

mini champagne on slate with crystal glasses with beach in background
Porto Katsiki beach Lefkada Greece

As the sun rose to reveal the azure blue colour of the Ionian sea, Barbara and Neven stood hand in hand by the seashore and exchanged vows. They followed this with a sand pouring ritual, mixing sand, pebbles and shells from the beach to make a lasting memory. We left them to enjoy some private moments with a champagne breakfast picnic with pastries and cookies made by a local bakery. It was the best morning with such a great couple!

sand pouring beach wedding ceremony sand bottles
bride with glasses holding white and green flowers laughing with groom with arms around each other
bride and groom at beach at sunrise for elopement
slate tiered stand with greek pastries beach picnic
slate tiered stand with greek pastries beach picnic and couple embracing

And the extra-special part of it for me was that it was also my birthday! I was lucky to be at the most beautiful beach on Lefkada with one of my best friends, our elopement photographer Maxeen Duncan, and eat cake for breakfast!

white rose, olive and eucalyptus bride elopement bouquet
3 Things to keep in mind for a sunrise elopement

Dreaming of your own sunrise elopement? Here are three things to keep in mind:

  • Keeping to the timeline is key
  • Be sure to get an early night the evening before!
  • Plan a post sunrise ceremony activity

First, it’s especially important to keep to the timeline for a sunrise elopement. This means you’ll need to get up and go before the sun rises to capture that perfect shot. The sun isn’t going to wait for you, for me, or your photographer. Once it’s risen, it’s risen! If you’re thinking of a sunrise elopement, you really have to be willing to keep to the schedule. If this doesn’t sound like your dream day, (and that’s totally okay if it doesn’t!), you have a bit more leeway with a sunset schedule, so that might be a better choice.

An early night is recommended as sunrise is early between 06:00 – 06:30 during the summer months in Greece. Plus, you need to get up and plan enough time to get ready and drive to your location, especially if you need to walk a little when you arrive.

Finally, it’s a good idea to think about how you would like to spend the day after your sunrise elopement. Barbara and Neven headed to Nidri harbour for a delicious brunch, and then went to relax at the beach. But you have so many options for your day! Want to go paddleboarding, horseback riding or kayaking after your sunrise elopement? You can totally incorporate all your fun ideas into your day.

aerial shot of bride and groom walking hand in hand along white beach greece
bride and groom kissing on stairs above porto katsiki beach lefkada

Do you love the idea of planning an elopement in Lefkada but not sure where to start? Contact me to discuss how we can plan it together.

The Wedding Team:

  • Event Planning & Design: Claire at Lefkas Weddings
  • Photography: Maxeen Kim Photography
  • Bridal Flowers: Gourioti Flowers
  • Stationery Card: Dimitria Jordan Wedding Stationery
Share
  • Pin it
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Email

White and Green Wedding at Seaside Lefkada

06/06/202031/12/2021
confetti throw over bride and groom at seaside restaurant lefkada greece

Greece just got even more gorgeous with this intimate destination wedding at Seaside Restaurant in Lefkada with green and white flowers! The picturesque location was the perfect outdoor venue for a seafront ceremony and reception for British couple Mark and Lauren.

Delighted with their beautiful photographs by Maxeen Kim Photography, the couple were keen to chat about the wedding day so scroll down to find out more.

sea view of vlyho bay with yachts and mountains from terrace of seaside restaurant lefkada greece
grey and white destination wedding stationery flat lay

Why we chose a destination wedding in Greece

“We both love Greek food! Also, Lauren spent many family holidays in Greece and has lots of great memories of the different places she has visited with her family. We stumbled across Maxeen’s photography of Lefkada on Instagram and instantly fell in love with the scenery. The idea of getting married on a Greek island that wasn’t well known to ourselves or our family and friends felt like more of a unique choice.

We wanted it to be a relaxed day with lots of laughter as well as an opportunity to be on holiday surrounded by our family and friends, at one time in one place.

I found Lefkas Weddings via our photographer’s recommendation and I am so pleased we did! Claire is well organised, speaks the language and knows the area well. This means she can make recommendations and resolve any local problems that may occur. Claire not only helped with the day itself but also with the accommodation for ourselves and our guests, airport transfers as well as arranging our pre-wedding dinner during the holiday!”

groom reading letter from bride with gift
groom wedding details tom ford buttoniere
bride and bridesmaids in dressing gowns with wedding hair and makeup at wedding villa in lefkada greece
Bride holding Betsey Johnson shoes with blue soles
white bride clutch bag with diamante clasp on wedding veil
bride holding bouquet and open locket with image of her grandparents
bridesmaids reading cards from bride on wedding morning in lefkada greece

The white and green wedding decor

To create Lauren’s vision of an elegant white and green wedding in Greece, we used olive and willow island greenery with a mix of seasonal white flowers. The bridal bouquet included white peonies, wax, lisianthus and was scented with eucalyptus.

The ceremony had an arch by the sea and a sweetheart table with a flower garland for our signatures.

The reception tables were filled with a delicate mix of flower-filled grey ceramic and glass vases and cut glass candlesticks. As the evening fell the venue was lit by flickering candlelight.

bride holding white peony and eucalyptus bouquet
three bridesmaids in light grey multi way dresses holding green and white bouquets
wedding ceremon on terrace by sea with green and white flower arch at seaside restaurant lefkada greece
groom standing under green and white floral wedding arch by sea
groom crying at wedding ceremony at seaside restaurant lefkada
bride smiling holding hand of groom at wedding ceremony at seaside restaurant lefkada
wedding couple kissing on terrace at seaside restaurant lefkada
green and white wedding decor details at seaside restaurant lefkada
sea view from seaside restaurant with green and white wedding flowers vases
green and white flowers in grey vase and wedding chair decoration
seaside restaurant with green and white wedding flowers vases
greek wedding favours mini ouzo bottles
three tier greek wedding cake with white icing and green and white flowers
perspex wedding sign with green and white flowers
bridal party with wedding couple with green and white flowers at seaside restaurant lefkada greece
greek mezedes wedding dinner at seaside restaurant lefkada greece

Finding the perfect venue

“We booked Seaside as our wedding venue two years in advance on the recommendation of our planner without visiting in advance. A few days before our wedding day we went for lunch and we’re all instantly blown away by the setting. When lunch arrived, we were even more impressed… beautifully presented and tasted delicious. Any doubts or worries we had about the day were gone and we were filled with excitement.

The day went so smoothly and we couldn’t have asked for more. Owner Kostas is certainly the host with the most! This place will forever be special in our hearts and we will certainly be back!”

bride with green and white wedding bouquet at seaside restaruant lefkada
bride and goom kissing by sea at seaside restaurant lefkada
wedding couple standing on terrace of seaside restaurant lefkada
bride and groom dancing with fireworks

Plan your own wedding at Seaside Restaurant, Lefkada

The picturesque location of this Lefkada wedding venue is the perfect outdoor venue for a ceremony and reception by the sea. Located overlooking Vlyho bay on the east coast it enjoys the unique combination of sea views and a mountain backdrop. Seaside Restuarant is exclusive to Lefkas Weddings.

Do you love the idea of planning a wedding at Seaside Restaurant Lefkada but are unsure where to start?

Contact me to discuss how we can plan it together.


The Wedding Team:

Wedding planner: Lefkas Weddings | Photographer: Maxeen Kim Photography | Venue: Seaside Restaurant | Flowers: Gourioti Flowers | Wedding Stationery: Aimee Clare Designs | Dress: Allure Bridals | Brides Shoes: Betsey Johnson | Jewellery: Beaverbrooks | Grooms Attire: Shirt – Father & Sons, Trousers – Bee Inspired | Bridesmaids Dresses: Marks and Spencer | Bride & Groom and Guests Villa: Thealos Village

Share
  • Pin it
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Email

Posts navigation

1 2 3 … 6 7 Next Page

Hi! I'm Claire and I plan luxury, romantic celebrations in the Ionian. On the blog I share all my most recent weddings, shoots I've styled, and tips on planning your very own dream wedding in Greece.

Categories

  • Engagement Shoots
  • Lefkada Weddings & Elopements
  • Meganisi Weddings & Elopements
  • Parga Weddings & Elopements
  • Personal Memoirs
  • Sivota Weddings & Elopements
  • Styled Shoots & Inspiration
  • Vow Renewals
  • Wedding Planning

Search Here

Recent Posts

  • Postponing a destination wedding from a real bride
  • 5 Expert Hair Tips For Your Destination Wedding
  • How To Use Pantone 2021 Colours Of The Year In Your Wedding

Instagram

Pins

  • Eucalyptus Abstract Mustard Yellow Pink and Green Wall Art | Etsy UK
  • HCHKMMI William Morris Artwork Painting Henri Matisse Poster Set Face Flower Canvas Wall Art Abstract Wall Art Pictures Living Room Gallery Decor No Frame

Newsletter

Copyright Lefkas Weddings 2021

Follow Me!

  • Pinterest
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
Angie Makes Feminine WordPress Themes