There’s something undeniably magical about a wedding surrounded by nature’s beauty and Ana and Rares’ intimate wedding in Crete was nothing short of breathtaking. With a setting embraced by olive trees, rustic chic décor and the soft romance of delicate white flowers and olive leaves, their wedding day was a perfect reflection of natural beauty. «When we knew we were going to get married in Crete, I started following Chic and Stylish Weddings to get inspired on planning and decoration tips,» says Ana, who envisioned a celebration filled with organic charm and timeless beauty. Guided by Crete Within Weddings, the couple’s dream came to life in a serene outdoor setting. Peonies, Ana’s favorite flower, were lovingly incorporated into the floral arrangements, blending harmoniously with the surrounding greenery. The rustic wooden tables adorned with fresh blooms, soft candlelight, and natural elements created an atmosphere that was both intimate and enchanting. With the talented Michalis Tsotras taking care of the bridal makeup and hairstyling, Ana looked absolutely radiant, her beauty enhanced by the golden sunlight filtering through the olive trees. From the delicate details to the dreamy ambiance, every moment of this wedding was pure magic!
Captured by Irini Koronaki Photography.
«We both come from the same small town in Romania, but we had never met before. We were both living abroad when, during one Christmas, while we were visiting our families, we bumped into each other. He thought I talked too much (he’s right on that!) and I thought he had the nicest eyes. We then spent New Years together and 4 months later, we were living together in London. After 8 years of being together, Rares proposed in 2022 during our holiday in Crete, at sunrise. I thought we were going for a morning run, but, as soon as the sun came out, he dropped to one knee and popped the question. He somehow remembered a story I had told him years ago about wanting to design my engagement ring together, so he got a “placeholder” ring for the proposal and we designed the engagement ring upon returning to London. Now I have two special rings that I can wear, win-win!»
«For the overall style of the wedding decoration, we wanted everything to be inspired by nature, minimal yet elegant and blend well with the beauty of the location, which was surrounded by olive trees. Together with the genius decorator (Anastasia from Caactus Care) and wedding planner Sveta from Crete Within Weddings, we came up with the idea of using fruit and vegetables as decoration (lemons, grapes and baby zucchinis), as well as single flowers to complete the look. We had our dinner table between the olive trees with fairy lights placed above in the trees, creating a magical atmosphere as we transitioned from day to night. We also had adult games like Giant Jenga and Ring Toss, as well as a Polaroid photo corner, which our guests thoroughly enjoyed.»
«Peonies are my favorite flowers, so I knew I wanted to have them in my wedding bouquet, together with olive branches as a nod to Crete and the location. June is a bit late for finding peonies, but our wedding planner thankfully made it happen for me.»
When we knew we were going to get married in Crete, I started following Chic and Stylish Weddings to get inspired on planning and decoration tips.
Ana , Bride
«Although we cherished every moment of our wedding day, one moment that stands out was the time we had to ourselves after the ceremony. When driving with our photographer and videographer to take sunset pictures, they thoughtfully gave us space to just be with each other and appreciate the moment. After eightteen months of planning, we were finally married.»
«The advice I would give to a bride now planning her wedding is to make your wedding what you want it to be, write down what the two of you want and stay true to that. Then, collaborate with a wedding planner and vendors who understand and enhance your ideas, while helping you navigate potential pitfalls. More importantly, carve out a few moments for just the two of you to take it all in.»
«Μy wedding dress was comfort-driven, so I had mostly given up hope of finding something I would feel nice and comfortable in after trying on countless wedding dresses. I saw an advertisement for a sample sale at Betty Gets Hitched in London, so I went with my best friend the day before New Years Eve with little hope when I found the one.The backless lace and tulle David Fielden dress and bespoke double tier veil were absolutely perfect. I felt so comfortable and beautiful. Rares was speechless when he first saw me in the dress, my friends were in tears and I could have worn it forever.»
