Tag Archives: Vow Renewal

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.

Meganisi Vow Renewal with Olive Details – Nikki & Darren

Vow renewal couple on beach kissing

The evening light at Pasoumaki beach was perfect for the intimate and personal Meganisi vow renewal of Nikki and Darren. This little Ionian island paradise holds special meaning as it was also the location chosen by the Bride’s parents to celebrate their own 40th wedding anniversary.

Nikki explained why the vow renewal was especially poignant for them. “We always said we would renew our vows on a beach for our 10th anniversary. After life threw us some curveballs, it seemed even more important to reaffirm our vows as our marriage has helped us grow stronger and closer as a couple.”

Pasoumaki beach Meganisi Greece
Bride and daughter arriving at beach ceremony
Family vow renewal ceremony at the beach

Their family has grown to include two children, and it was important to reflect their journey together ten years on from the wedding day. By chatting to Nikki and Darren when taking all the details of their story so far, I wrote a ceremony which allowed each member of the family (couple, children and parents) to participate, including the reading of a poem and the exchange of traditional olive garlands, known as Stefana.

Their Stefana were made with olive branches, a symbol of peace and friendship. The olive tree is one of the most beloved, sacred trees and its place is firmly rooted in Ancient Greek tradition and mythology.

Close up image of olive and pink rose Greek wedding crowns known as Stefana on the beach
Bride reading vows to Groom standing by the sea at beach ceremony on Meganisi island
Couple wearing Greek stefana during their vow renewal on Meganisi island

It portrays a symbol of oneness between men and women, as a sign of sublime and perfect love: the twisted trunk of the tree representing intertwined bodies of two lovers turned into an olive tree, to be together throughout time.

Olive details filled the intimate ceremony. From the tree lined beach and stairway, to the finishing touches on the bonbonieres I gave them. Nikki and her daughter both held a simple olive bouquet cut from the island olive groves. The dusky, green colour of the leaves was so pretty against the white dresses and outfits they had all chosen to wear for the occasion.

Olive bononieres and olive bouquet
Bride holding olive bouquet
Bride close up wearing olive head garland and gold bracelet

After the ceremony at the beach was complete, the the family ended the special evening by dining at Tilevoes in Vathy and sitting at a table by the waters’ edge.  

Bride and Groom at the beach holding hands facing each other at vow renewal ceremony in Meganisi

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 Meganisi vow renewal happen.