Tag Archives: Kalampokas Fotografia

Breathtaking Porto Katsiki Beach Wedding

bride and groom embracing on deck at sunset at nv lefkada

This Porto Katsiki beach wedding was a breathtaking, sunshine filled day, at one of Lefkada’s iconic beaches. Isn’t it just the most incredible location?

wedding arch flowers at porto katsiki beach lefkada

It was a modern, multicultural blend as my bride Chow-Ying, of British-Chinese heritage, married her British-Irish sweetheart, Mike. Guests travelled from UK, Australia and Hong Kong to celebate with this gorgeous duo.

They met at work and started off as friends. However, two years later, that friendship bloomed into a beautiful romance, with Mike poposing on a gondola ride on their ten year anniversary trip to Venice!

wedding arch with blue and white flowers on the sand at porto katsiki beach lefkada
beach pebble tower on white sand beach in front of wedding arch at porto katski beach lefkada

Bride, Chow: We were excited to be first couple to get married on Porto Katsiki as, although it is a famous beach in Greece it is on a remote part of the island away from the main resorts. It was amazing! The set-up was beautiful and the colour scheme complemented the natural beauty of the beach.

ceremony flowers on table at porto katsiki beach lefkada

My heart melted when I saw my Dad standing at the beginning of the aisle ready to walk me down! It was wonderful exchanging the vows we wrote ourselves in front of our family and friends. It was such a magical day in a beautiful location.

Close up of groom holding shell filled with sand and wedding rings
bride and groom at beach ceremony at Porto Katski beach Lefkada
bride and groom walking through confetti throw at porto katskik beach lefkada
close up of champagne pouring at porto katsiki beach wedding
bride and bridesmaid in aqua multiway maxi dresses on Porto Katskiki beach Lefkada
bride and groom with head on each others shoulders at porto katsiki beach lefkada
bride with bouquet on the sand at porto katsiki beach lefkada
close up of wedding arch flowers in blue and white
bride and groom on steps of boat at porto katsiki beach lefkada

After the ceremony, we had a boat cruise back from Porto Katsiki beach around the south coast of the island. It was fun for everyone, as the view was to-die-for and the cocktails were awesome!

black and white image of bride and groom laughing faces
black and white image of bride and kissing behind lace hand fan
bride and groom standing at front of Lefkada cruise boat

Our planner was Claire Salisbury at Lefkas Weddings. She was brilliant! Claire made planning a wedding abroad simple and straightforward and she also speaks Greek, which helped with organising the event. She was so organised, friendly and made our special day one to remember, and was also brilliant in coming up with ideas.

blue and white beach theme wedding cake
bride and groom drinking mojitos
bride and groom embracing on the deck at nv lefkada
black and white image of bride and groom with heads together

Chow and Mike wanted endless sunshine for their big day, and that was just what they got. The most beautiful weather, a sparkling turquoise sea as a backdrop, and a day filled with laughter and love! From the boat ride after the beach ceremony to the fireworks, to Chow’s dad pulling some serious moves on the dancefloor, it was memorable from beginning to end!

bride and groom inside wedding polaroid frame

If you are dreaming of a breathtaking beach wedding in Greece 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.

A Porto Katsiki beach wedding needs a terrific team so a BIG thank you to my wonderful team of suppliers who helped me bring this day together:

  • Planned and styled by Claire at Lefkas Weddings
  • Photography: Lefteris Kalampokas – Kalampokas Fotografia
  • Dress: Wed2be
  • Groom Attire: ASOS
  • MUA & Hair: Despoina Kourbei and Effie Katsabiri
  • Floral design: Gourioti Flowers
  • Beach Catering: Tulip Lefkada
  • Reception: NV Beach Bar & Restaurant

Lovely Lefkada island wedding – Max & Georgia

The neoclassical masion that is home to the Municipal Library was the historic backdrop for the Lefkada island wedding of Max & Georgia, captured by destination photographer, Lefteris Kalampokas.

Their destination wedding dream was not the typical beach wedding you may be used to. They wanted their family and friends to really experience the island and have their wedding ceremony in a special, historically important location.

From the bride: “Max and I have been together for twelve years, childhood sweethearts. I always thought we would have a huge white wedding extravaganza, but after we finished two years traveling in Australia our little boy came along and like every mother, my priorities changed and so did my dreams. Time passed so quickly and before we knew it, we had our first family holiday abroad. A little Greek island we stumbled across online. We instantly felt at home in Lefkas when we arrived. The locals were so welcoming and family friendly! They couldn’t help enough, even holding Archer whilst we ate our meals.

My newfound dream became a little hidden gem in the Ionian islands; bursting with culture, beautiful scenery, fresh salty air and the warmth of the sun. We knew instantly that this is where we wanted to finally say our vows to each other. It wasn’t debatable…it was a yes!

It took us a while to find someone to help us planning from a different country but thankfully, we were recommended Claire at Lefkas Weddings. The whole journey was exciting, fun, organised and surprisingly calm. We knew that we wanted a venue with history rather than a beach wedding and Claire sent us numerous ideas. Nothing felt quite right, then she mentioned her favourite building was the Library building and it had a large garden that could be perfect for us. We saw the pictures and we truly felt this is ‘The One’, it had everything we were looking for. It was a tense wait whilst she applied for permission, as the garden had not be used previously for a ceremony and we were so excited when we received the yes to go ahead! “

Max & Georgia chose to combine their civil ceremony with a marriage blessing by Holy Trinity Church. This is personal ceremony which can be tailored by the Chaplain with hymns and readings to suit your wishes.

Following a champagne toast in the gardens, the guests strolled back through Lefkada old town. At the port, the captain and crew of the Ionian Star waited to welcome everyone on board for a wedding cruise down the Lefkada coastline to the reception venue. Their unique day ended with beautiful sunset and party under the stars late into the night!

Their lovely Lefkada island wedding day was featured in destination wedding blogs Ellwed and Getting Married in Greece, click the links to read more!

If you are considering your own historic venue destination wedding wedding in Lefkada and looking for a planner, send me an email here with all the details of your day.

Thank you to my wonderful team of suppliers who helped me bring this day together:

Coral Villa Rossa Wedding in Parga – Georgina & Alex

Alex and Georgina have always holidayed in Greece and love the culture. Parga on the stunning Epirus coast is a hidden gem and ticks every box for the setting, traditional charm and hustle and bustle they love. They fell in love with the colourful town after visiting it together and it became the natural choice for their perfect wedding destination. 

Listening to the couple’s requirements we suggested the striking Villa Rossa, a beautiful red building, set amongst the pine trees on the tip of Parga sea front. One of the oldest buildings in the area it has had a rich past in many guises and continually owned by the same family who have now lovingly turned it into a boutique guest house and restaurant.

“The food and staff were outstanding. As we looked out to sea from our table and up to the castle on the hill we knew it was a special place to host our wedding dinner.” Bride, Georgina

The styling of the wedding had Greek inspired touches with both the bride and bridesmaids carrying hand tied bouquets of peonies and olive. The couple exchanged vows at an intimate and romantic spot lined with hanging lanterns dressed with clusters of flowers.

Stella York gowns are known for their spectacular beading, glamorous laces and enchanting fabrics and Georgina’s fitted gown did not disappoint and suited her perfectly. She chose a sage green dress with a beaded neckline for her five bridesmaids; a colour which cleverly complimented each girl’s different colouring yet beautifully blended them together.

Alex and his groomsmen kept their cool in English heritage tailoring and bow ties for a formal touch.

The restaurant we filled with yet more peonies in mixed vases with gypsophila and olive on the table and gorgeous little bunches on the chairs. Each guest’s place was marked by a hand tied rosemary garland with their name tag.

Villa Rossa served a dinner full of delicious modern Greek dishes using locally sourced ingredients such as Black pork with matured Feta and Corfu beer sauce. Dessert was a runaway hit of baklava with ice cream shot that left us all wanting more!

All that was left to do was enjoy the first dance, romantically lit by a backdrop of guests holding sparklers aloft for the newlyweds, and dance the night away by the edge of the sea.

Truly a wedding from Parga with love…

If you are dreaming of your own wedding in Parga and need some help making it happen, send me an email here. I would love to discuss how we can make your very own destination wedding in Greece a reality.

Thank you to my amazing team of suppliers who helped me make this day possible:

Romantic Pastel Lefkada Elopement – Ellie & Jesse

Ellie and Jesse travelled across the world for their wonderfully romantic elopement in the Ionian island of Lefkada, Greece.

The private, waterside location was sourced especially for this adventurous couple to create the Bride’s dream of a fairy light garden by the sea.

The only sound was the water gently lapping at the side of the deck as Ellie made her way down the steps to meet Jesse under a gazebo of flowers. It was intimate and romantic.

Lefkada was a relaxing break after the bustle of sight seeing in Athens and before they jetted off again for the next part of their extended holiday around the Greek islands and Europe together. The spectacular view of the ceremony and its setting fulfilled their shared love of the ocean.

” I chose the restaurant wharf from the options Claire selected for us because I knew we both needed to be able to see the water. We both grew up on the Great Barrier Reef. My husband spent months at a time as a child on the ocean and I on an island so the water makes us feel at home.” ~Bride, Ellie.

Ellie’s dress incorporated a few different styles. She wanted something sexy yet simple. Finding it hard to find a white dress without added detail and embellishments, she commissioned a handcrafted gown from Peta C with a slight flair and short train. It was simple, timeless and understated.

Her hair was worn in loose waves and fastened with a comb of blush pink peonies and roses that also surrounded the Protea flowers in her bouquet. These are very similar to the Warratah, the Australian national flower and was included as a touching tribute to her sisters. Though they wanted an intimate elopement, Ellie and Jesse are also big family people and her sisters are her best friends, so eloping was a huge decision as it meant she was without them.

In the décor we used a lot of florals and fairy lights to create a feeling of intimacy and enchantment. Using an image of an enchanted garden that Ellie sent to me, the team created hanging gardens overflowing with flowers, structured around a gazebo. It was a designed in two parts, so the couple saw one floral display during the ceremony and the final look was a surprise. Waving them off on a luxury speedboat cruise around the islands, my team quickly go into action, hanging lanterns, opening fairy lights and filling the deck with lanterns. When they returned it was a candlelit paradise!

” I couldn’t have achieved our dream day without Lefkas Weddings. You need a planner/helper/elf! If you are thinking about it, don’t think, just do it! Claire is so amazing and always cool, calm and collected. Our day was completely stress free and magical. “ ~Ellie & Jesse

If you have your heart set on an elopement in Greece and need some help making it happen, send me an email here. I would love to discuss how we can make your very own elegant and romantic Lefkada elopement a reality.

Thank you to my amazing team of suppliers who helped me make this day possible:

Intimate Boho Elopement at Skorpios Island

couple holding hands with sea in background at elopement ceremony

Today we are taking a peak at this intimate boho elopement at Skorpios island; a legendary little piece of paradise, just off the coast of Lefkada.

Bow of caique boat decoratd with tulle and flowers

We planned to elope in Greece and were focused on having a meaningful ceremony and a very special day. Neither of us are big wedding people and we just wanted to make our commitment in a special and personal way.  Bride, Dominique wrote to me.

We were very open to ideas, I had dreamed about a tiny Greek chapel or maybe sailing on a boat and saying some words to each other out at sea. Claire suggested the traditional caique boat and sailing to the Jackie Onassis bay at the private island of Skorpios, which had us very excited!

Thank you again for the wonderful wedding! Dominique & Will

madouri island ionian islands greece
floral wedding decoration on caique boat

We collected the couple from Meganisi and cruised back towards Skorpios. As our boat glided into the bay, it allowed them a first glimpse of the white beach house, that marks the arrival at Jackie Onassis beach; the former First Lady’s favourite swimming spot, and the location for our intimate elopement.

black and white image of couple on boat holding a polaroid of themselves
elopement couple sat at front of boat on wedding cruise looking out to sea
bride sat on wedding boat drinking aperol holding pink bouquet
Elopement couple sat at front of boat looking at each other
elopement couple at front of boat as it arrives at skorpios island with view of jackie onassis beach
elopement couple walking hand in hand along beach with olive trees at skorpios island
elopement couple standing together on beach at ceremony by captain
captain reading ceremony wording at elopement ceremony
close up of groom hands holding wedding vows and bride reaction
close up of bride reading wedding vows and couple holding handsng vows
elopement bride and groom toasting each other with champagne at beach
elopement bride and groom kissing standing on beach with sea in background
close up of elopement couple embracing with sea in background
close up of pink and fuschia peony bride bouquet
elopement couple on bow of caique boat kissing
elopement couple on caique boat at sunset

Skorpios: The Legendary Island of Onassis

Skorpios is the private Greek island that hosted some of the most intriguing moments of the global elites during the 20th century. Lying right next to the island of Lefkas, in the Ionian sea, it was bought by Aristotle Onassis, the world-known shipping tycoon in 1963. He transformed into an idyllic paradise, for his private moments away from the world’s media.

Onassis imported sand to make his own beaches and planted more than 200 different varieties of trees, creating a picturesque scenery. He also built a family compound that included three luxurious residences, a helipad, and a small marina, before building a Cyclades-style residency after his marriage on the island to the former First Lady of America, Jackie Kennedy.

Skorpios hosted some of the most famous personalities of the century at it’s parties including Maria Kallas, Frank Sinatra, Marilyn Monroe, Sir Winston Churchill, Prince Rainier and Grace Kelly to name a few.

After Onassis’ death in 1975, Skorpios passed down to his daughter Christina and then to his only grandchild Athina who showed little interest in the private idyll. It was finally leased in 2013 for more than €100 million to Russian, billionaire businessman, Dmitry Rybolovlev who describes it as an ‘earthly paradise… the whole area of ​​Lefkada is such a beautiful place’.

elopement couple hand in hand walking along beach at skorpios island

Do you love this intimate boho elopement? If it has inspired you to celebrate your commitment just the two of you, contact me to discuss ideas around Lefkada, Meganisi and Parga!

Thank you to everyone who helped bring this day together: