Think laid-back Mediterranean with a twist of South African vibrancy.
Tell us a little about yourselves, what you do, what you love…
We’re Rob & Anna—a South African/Canadian mashup currently living in Toronto. We both work in marketing, which is code for being professional storytellers who love a good brainstorm (and an even better brainstorm over wine). We’re obsessed with films, food, art, and finding new places to explore together—whether that’s wandering a city we’ve never been to or getting lost in the cheese aisle at the grocery store.
But more than anything, we love bringing people together. Our lives are centered around family (the ones we’re born into and the ones we’ve chosen), laughter, and a playful spirit. If there’s a gathering where people are laughing too loud and staying way too late—there’s a good chance we’re the ones hosting it. Effervescence, kinship, creativity, and growth aren’t just wedding values for us—they’re how we live.
How/where/when did you meet – and what were your first impressions?
We met the modern way—on a dating app (Hinge). We bonded over Bruce Campbell and Nirvana. Our schedules were wild at the time, so we ended up as pen pals longer than we would have liked. At one point, Anna broke her phone and almost lost Rob’s number entirely.
Our first date was the kind where time bends. Before we knew it, hours had flown by. Rob swears when he first saw me, everything happened in slow motion. Like a movie. I didn’t notice. I was too busy talking. And talking. And talking.
That’s when Rob knew. He just sat there. Listening. And thought, “Yep. This is it.”
Orthodox Ceremony
When did you first realise that this was someone you’d like to spend the rest of your life with?
For me, it was when I realized I could be 100% myself—no filters, no second-guessing. Also, he’s genuinely the funniest person I’ve ever met. Like, actually funny.
Rob knew pretty early on. Slow motion moments aside, it was the ease of being together. The laughter. The feeling of home. That sealed the deal.
Tell us about the vision you had for the mood and style of your wedding. (theme, key styling elements, florals, colour palettes etc.).
We wanted it to feel like the best dinner party we’ve ever thrown—just with more outfits. We weren’t planning a wedding that was “just pretty.” We wanted it to feel like us. So we chose four values to guide everything:
Effervescence: Approaching each moment with energy, spirit, and a zest for life.
Growth: Committing to learning, evolving, and being intentional along the way.
Creativity: Appreciating and pursuing originality, innovation, and imaginative thinking.
Kinship: Valuing the connections and responsibilities that come with being part of a chosen family.
If it didn’t check one of those boxes, it didn’t make the cut. It had to be light and joyful, full of intention and meaning, a reflection of our personalities, and a celebration of everyone we love. Our whole purpose was to bring together and celebrate everyone who helped us grow into who we are.
What styling and visual elements worked best for you? (could be things, the florals, particular hire products or your marquee etc., something the stylist created or simply just the scenic beauty of your location or the existing design of your venue).
Finding the right venue was everything. We wanted a space that was striking on its own, so we could keep things simple and not over-style it. Less is more was our mantra—but it had to be unexpected and never ordinary. We chose a stunning winery in the mountains of Cyprus that did most of the heavy lifting for us.
Our colour palette was natural and organic—warm earth tones with soft greens and pops of light. Think laid-back Mediterranean with a twist of South African vibrancy. A tribute to where we come from and the people who got us here.
Anna is an illustrator, so we incorporated her artwork throughout—on our menus, signage, and stationery. It gave everything a personal, handmade touch.
Our ceremony itself was a tapestry of who we are and where we come from. We blended Scottish, Cypriot, and South African traditions. Everyone who took part in the ceremony was someone we were deeply connected with. It wasn’t a ritual we inherited. It was something we built together, exactly what we dreamed of: a celebration where everyone felt like they belonged.
Wedding Day
What did you enjoy most about the planning process and do you have any tips for couples starting their wedding planning journey?
The best thing we did was get aligned on what mattered—right from the start. It made it easier to say no to things that didn’t fit, and helped keep us sane when things got chaotic. (And trust us, they did).
Our favourite part of planning? The outfits. Obviously. Vintage finds, fittings, endless inspiration, and the thrill of seeing it all come together.
Our advice? Sit down before you plan anything and talk about why you’re doing this. What makes you you? What values do you hold? And how should the day reflect them? Write it down. Keep coming back to it when the decisions start to pile up.
Make a moodboard together. Not just for the vibes—but to keep you both on the same page. And check in along the way. It’s easy to think you’re aligned, but actually be picturing two very different things. (Communication, people.)
Tell us about your main outfits, what was unique, is there a story?
Anna: My mission was simple—find vintage pieces you wouldn’t see on anyone else. Then design a few custom ones to fill the gaps. Every outfit was from a different era. I wanted to make sure there wasn’t a single event where I looked the same. If I could go back, I’d probably add three more dresses… but hey, that’s what vow renewals are for.
Rob: I wanted something timeless, with a vintage flair. I chose a white jacket to have as much fun as the bride. I spent the night drinking white wine in fear.
What was one, or two elements that were most important to you both that you were happy to spend a little more on? (food, photography, florals, the venue, your outfits?).
No question—our photographer, Susannah Nicolaou, was the best investment we made. The way she captured the day was beyond anything we imagined. We’re still finding new favourite shots. It’s like reliving the whole thing, frame by frame. Food and wine were right up there too. We couldn’t do a tasting ourselves (hello, destination wedding logistics), so we sent family who lived nearby. They gave it the thumbs-up, and on the day, it was even better than we hoped. Good food, good wine, and good company—what more can you ask for?
Did anything happen on your wedding day that you laugh about in hindsight (even if it was stressful at the time)?
So many things. It rained—in a country that gets maybe five rainy days a year. The seating plan fell apart. Malfunctioning keycards. Missing groomsmen. And stray cats. But weirdly, we were calm. We’d gotten all the stress out at the rehearsal dinner, so when the day came, we were just… present.
Anna made sure we carved out a moment to be alone right after the ceremony. Just the two of us. It was quiet and surreal and perfect. Definitely one of the best parts of the day
Taverna Dinner
BRIDE Anna GROOM Rob, @therobscott LOCATION Greek Orthodox Ceremony – Agios Nikolaos, Pernera, Cyprus; Welcome Dinner – Το παλιό σινεμά (To Palio Cinema), Kalopanayiotis, Cyprus; Main Ceremony & Reception – Marathasa Winery, Oikos, Cyprus, @marathasawines PHOTOGRAPHER Aletheia Wedding Photography, @theblur_betweenyou PLANNER Elena Kaourou – Eternal Weddings Cyprus, @eternalweddingscyprus ENTERTAINMENT Best friend of the couple, Chayne Japal, @chaynejapal CATERING Marathasa Winery, @marathasawines STATIONERY By the bride RINGS Shawna Tabacznik Jewellery, @stjewellery BRIDAL DRESSES Greek Orthodox Ceremony – 1990’s Vintage beaded silk gown; Welcome Dinner – Custom Made – Bledri Raiment, @bledri.raiment; Main Ceremony & Reception – 1930’s Vintage dress; Vintage Bridal, @vintagebride.ca BRIDE’S SHOE & ACCESSORIES Vintage HAIR & MAKEUP Galya Fedotova, @sipia BRIDE’S FRAGRANCE Cassis – Maison Louise Marie SUIT Suitsupply, @suitsupply; Custom Suit – Empire Customs, @empirecustoms_official GROOM’S FRAGRANCE Jake’s House – Henry Rose, @henryrose
