“It was so amazing to be out and enjoying a nice dinner with friends and family after such a long time. The happiness and love we received on that day had us smiling for days and days after”
We’re both originally from Greece and went to the same high school in Athens. We were each other’s first boyfriend and girlfriend. We broke up for a while when Paris moved to the US to go to university, and then we got back together when I moved to the UK to study and we decided to try long distance. We made it work for a year and a half but then broke up again and didn’t speak or see each other for seven years. Then we randomly saw each other at a Christmas party and felt that spark. Three years later, we’re living in London with our little corgi, Cheddar.
Three years later, we’re living in London with our little corgi, Cheddar. Paris was planning on proposing in Santorini which is a special place for us – we’ve been going there every summer since we were young. There are so many romantic places all over the island and we do the same amazing early morning hike every year. Unfortunately, at the last minute before we left, he found out the ring was not ready. I had been suspecting something and he could tell, so we had a lot of funny moments on the island when it would have made sense to propose and he just didn’t, but neither of us could say anything.
At the end of the trip, I thought, OK I was wrong then! When the ring was finally ready, we were back in Athens getting ready to return to London. I was particularly sad to be leaving Greece and was not having the best day. Paris kept trying to make me go see the sunset or take a nice walk or do anything but sit around watching TV, but I wouldn’t budge. At 2am, right after watching the Disney film Moana, he couldn’t keep it in any longer and was like “just stay still for a moment, I need to ask you something!” Obviously, I said yes.
Our civil ceremony had to be postponed three times, which created a bit of anxiety. However, in the end, with the help of our amazing moms it turned out better than we could ever have anticipated. My outfit was put together in a week, and the setting was the beautiful Orangery which is tucked inside one of London’s least-known parks. The postponements were actually a blessing in disguise as we ended up celebrating our wedding with the gardens in full bloom. It was lovely to have both our families there and our meal afterwards in the Montague Hotel was also incredible.
It was so amazing to be out and enjoying a nice dinner with friends and family after such a long time. The happiness and love we received on that day had us smiling for days and days after. Our advice to other couples getting married would be to make sure you make each other laugh a LOT and that you’re comfortable just sitting around doing nothing with your person. And on your actual wedding day, make sure you get an amazing photographer as it makes all the difference in the world.
photographer Maja Tsolo Photography bride’s dress Vanessa Cocchiaro Paris groom’s suit Tom James ceremony venue The Orangery, Holland Park makeup & hair Danielle Modlock at Richard Ward bridesmaid attire Reformation Stuart Weitzman flora Wild at Heart rings Tiffany & Co. bride’s shoes Manolo Blahnik reception venue The Montague on the Gardens
