Santorini Wedding at Gem Venue
From the very first moment I spoke to Paul and Danielle I couldn’t wait to photograph their marriage ceremony at the Gem wedding venue on Santorini. Originally from the UK, the couple now live and work in New York but were holding their big day on the island. I was delighted to be asked to be the Santorini wedding photographer for this happy pair – two of the loveliest people I’ve ever met.
The day itself was wonderful, with fun, elegance, dance and lots of humor thrown in. Even better, the weather was on our side, which made the outdoor venue an even more spectacular location for the couple’s vows. The day was warm, bright and cloudless, with a clear blue sky – just perfect for saying “I do.”
Santorini engagement photoshoots are the perfect way to get to know the future bride and groom. As an added bonus, they help the couple to feel more comfortable with their photographer while capturing beautiful moments before their big day.
Paul and Danielle had an amazing time at their pre-wedding shoot. We were working to a strict itinerary, as the couple wanted to take the opportunity to have their photos taken at all the island’s iconic locations, so with this in mind we met early at their hotel on the day before the big day before heading out to some of Santorini’s most spectacular locations where we captured their love for each other.
The big day itself
Getting ready
I started the day with Danielle and her bridesmaids in the spacious wedding dressing room at the hotel they were staying in. It was all very relaxed and a bit fun as the girls chatted, laughed and enjoyed a glass or two of cold Champagne. The pretty bridesmaids followed the tradition and were all dressed alike in pretty pink dresses. Paul was very calm during the morning. There were plenty drinks flowing and everyone was getting very excited. As the time for the ceremony approached, the ties tied, rings and flowers prepared, all the dresses were put on and the final make up retouches were finished!
On the big day, I began my photo shoot with Danielle and her bridesmaids in their hotel’s wedding dressing room. It was a wonderfully relaxed time, with the girls chatting, laughing and enjoying a couple of glasses of Champagne while I took candid shots. Drinks were flowing and everyone was getting very excited. As the time for the ceremony approached, the final details were put in place – the flowers and rings prepared, dresses put on and the final make up touches were finished.
The Ceremony
The couple had chosen a wonderful location to exchange their vows, the GEM wedding venue, close to Pyrgos village and the Santos Winery. As the guests took their seats and Paul waited patiently, the bridesmaids made their entrance before Danielle, accompanied by her proud brothers, walked down the aisle to meet her future husband.
The pair exchanged rings and made their vows before the official pronounced them husband and wife. As the couple kissed and the register was signed, I took the opportunity to take some beautiful and memorable shots.
The speeches
The room was set ready for the meal and looked amazing with a lovely big bouquet and 2 large candles, the cake set up and pretty floral centerpieces. In the meanwhile all the guests came in and took their seats for the speeches to begin. At the reception, I captured all of the key moments during the speeches. It was my aim to ensure that all the laughter, the tears and the emotions were preserved forever for everyone to remember. The celebration drew to an end under the exotic Santorini sunset as the couple cut their cake and took to the floor for their first dance as husband and wife.
The cake and the dance
This delicious wedding cake added flavor to the exotic Santorini wedding ceremony along with the Greek traditional background music and the photographer of course.
Then, after the cut of the cake with a marvelous sun setting background, Mr. and Mrs. Ryder took to the dance floor for their first dance as husband and wife.
Thanks for popping by Kristo x
