This Elegant Beach Wedding Captures Crete’s Undeniable Charm

If you’re having a hard time denying the allure of getting married somewhere in Greece, this editorial will do you no favors! From mountains to the beach, Crete is an island that has it all. Breathtaking scenery, rich tradition, good food, and friendly locals…what more could you ask for? A 5-star hotel with minimal (yet luxurious) decor that lets the island’s beauty speak for itself wouldn’t hurt, so it’s convenient that the new Abaton Island Resort & Spa is just that—and our setting for today’s wedding inspiration!

Here’s the inspiration behind the day from Rock Paper Scissors Events, the designers: Our goal was to capture the colors of nature in this wild part of Crete, showing how beautiful it is in all seasons. We wanted to create a scenery of the less traditional sort. Our entire inspiration for this shoot was based on the elegance that this venue exudes and which grows wild all around the beach area. The mixed color palette of blush pink, soft creamy white and black accents was like a calling to us from the very first moment we walked in this property.

With photos by Thanos Asfis Photography of Velvet Rose Studio, let’s venture on to Crete!

And so it begins…the gorgeous invitation suite was created by the hands at Love me Do.

This pink astible bouquet!!

The Beachside Ceremony Arch

As if the view wasn’t beautiful enough, Pavlos The Flower Workshop crafted a masterpiece by which to enjoy it! Dusty pinks, popping orange blooms, pampas grass, astilbe, and amaranth combined to create a wild yet refined ceremony arch that fits quite perfectly among its surroundings.

Are you not utterly swept away?!

Folklore Meets Modern: The Vows

Magic!

The bride wore two gowns from Victoria Kyriakides‘ VKK Haute Couture Collection. The ceremony gown is the Vivienne dress which features a lacey net bodice and feather A-line skirt—offering dreamy, subtle movements from the ocean breeze.

Local musicians from Crete escorted the bride to her groom, then sung and rhymed traditional “mantinades,” wishes in the form of short poems, to the couple following the ceremony!

Reception on the Water

The bride changed into the playful Ellie gown, also from the VKK Haute Couture Collection, for the beachside reception.

And we are loving the groom’s stately style! Michail Androulidakis, the founder of It’s a MAN’s Class, opted for a cream tailor-made tuxedo jacket with contrasting shawl lapel paired with black dress pants by Giannetos, providing a crisp update to the classic formal wear. The perfectly tailored white dress shirt by Christakis, black Oxford shoes by Kwnstantinos and unique self-tie bow tie add to the timelessness of the look.

Meanwhile, the breathtaking reception table rivals that of the ocean view!

How elegant are those black details paired with the floral tree installations?

Loving this unique combination of tabletop rentals from White Lilac!

We love a good black cake here at GWS, and this one by The Cakers does not disappoint! Just look at those sugar flowers!

For more from this stunning day, have a look at the video above by Kostas Kastanakis! Thanks to the team behind this shoot for taking us along to Crete!

photography: Thanos Asfis Photography of Velvet Rose Studio // venue name: Abaton Island Resort & Spa, Chersonisos, Greece // event design: Rock Paper Scissors Events // planning: Rock Paper Scissors Events // florals: Pavlos The Flower Workshop // wedding dress: Victoria Kyriakides // bride's shoes: Jimmy Choo by Kalogirou // getting ready robes: Ma Cherie // hair stylist: Katerina Theocharis // makeup artist: Katerina Theocharis // groom attire: Giannetos and Christakis // groom's shoes: Kwnstantinos // videography: Kostas Kastanakis // paper goods: Love me Do Invitations // cake: The Cakers // tabletop rentals: White Lilac // production + models’ styling: Michail Androulidakis