Luxurious Mediterranean Wedding on Rhodes Island, Greece

A wedding is a party, a votive feast, a fairground, a sunny summer. The blond hues of Rhodian beaches were so inviting and the venue an obvious choice. Decked a pool and its shed, a helipad, a private spa, and every luxury two newlyweds and their guests could ask for, the well-manicured villa opened its gates for our inspiration shoot. Golden Apple Weddings, Katia and Katerina had envisioned a world of capsule nooks and enthusiastically bound this sweet concept to relate to the ambiance of each one. Hallucinating the dining experience in a typical Rhodian home, they were convinced that this wedding inspiration should not only pair two different cultures but several Rhodes borne elements. Several location-stative accents created a unique Mediterranean luxe vision.

THE VENUE

Dotted with palm trees and with the most amazing view on the island, it was a sheer delight. The intimate affair was staged in two corners of the elegant home, one on the back deck and one by the pool where the light comes in its most perfect after sundown. The ceremony took part in the front garden while a cocktail bar was set between the ceremony area and the dining terrace. It is amazing how much breathing space this particular home allows for, making it perfect for those who adore easy living.

THE FLORALS & BOUQUET

According to the language of flowers originally published in Charlotte de Latour’s Le Langage des Fleurs back in 1819, the orchid means “you’re always in my thoughts.” The cascading quality and sweet hue and of blush Phalenopsis orchids but also the thoughtfulness towards the future spoused and the couples loved ones, made these symbolic and botanically-stunning blooms the star flowers of the celebration. The team paired the delicate blooms to bold Anthurium andraeanums, known as flamingo lilies, and quieter Calla lilies, peonies and mini spray roses. For the bridal bouquet a heart-shaped posy was created to compliment the bride’s dress and still accord with her ceremonial arch.

THE STATIONERY

Manousenia is a very talented calligrapher and bespoke stationery creator. Inspired by the palette, blush, teal, gold, and carmine, she created watercolor suites, frames, place and escort cards made of hand-painted, molded cast, as well as wax seals to pair the hand-drawn maps of the island, making sure nothing went amiss from the couple’s stationery.

THE ARCH & CEREMONY

The symbol of the circle is of grand importance in Rhodes. Representing unity, sacredness, wholeness, infinity, the goddess, female power and the cosmos or a spiritualized Mother Earth it had to be part of the ceremony. As Don Mansion’s garden already carry naturally blossoming honeysuckle arches along the aisle from the pool to the garden we wished to keep our end of the aisle, the circular ceremonial arch intentionally incomplete with lush florals cascading at the right foot and crowning the left top. We framed the ceremony scene with velvet furnishings, sofas, and armchairs as well as Georgian satinwood tables.

THE WEDDING CAR

We were extremely thankful for this rare finding. The 1909-established Morgan Motor Company of New England is rumored to be producing 850 sports cars per year all assembled by hand. Imagine our joy to discover that Don Mansion comes with a spectacular Morgan V6 Roadster in cream and bottle- green leather seating. It was just the perfect addition to our couple’s big entrance!

THE CERAMICS & TABLESCAPE

Rhodian art expands well beyond exhibiting fretworks and embroideries. Ceramics, Rhodian plates, and everyday life furnishings carry a strong nurturing for the land. Vivid colors and the Rhodian “speveri”, the heavy silk embroidered curtain that the locals used to hang over the bridal bed inspired us to create a tablescape in unique dinnerware in lieu of what is usually seen in weddings. Nassos Keramik, one of the oldest potter families on the Isle created a collection with the history of the knights of Rhodes and the symbols of Dodecanese for the reception table, set with 19th-century private-collector cutlery and glassware, as well as fine silk and linens from Allegoria Textile Delights. The velvet teal upholstery seating was matched to our ceremony sofas and armchairs to add a pop of color against the blush tones of the dinner table.

THE BAR, COCKTAILS, CAKE & FINGER FOOD

Decent bar created bespoke wedding cocktails, fusing native Rhodian herbs and tastes, like the famed Coriandolino, the sugar-coated coriander liqueur, to the accustomed bubbly as well as Rhodian-grown fresh fruit squeezed into colorful punches. Giafkarnd Studio’s chefs brought about Mediterranean flavors into tasteful and pretty looking bites for the cocktail hour, adorned with local trimmings and florals, while Pavlov’s Lab drew on the blushing palette to create a tiered wedding cake to match Manousenia’s escort and place cards.

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THE FASHION

From the groom’s Lanvin boutoniere, Hermes scarf, Rolex watch and Louis Vuitton cufflinks, to the bride’s diamonds by Kousvelaris, the Mrs Box and Layout Collection velvet ring boxes, the Cartier bands, and fine shoes by Giasiranis Napolitana and Aqua Di Parma perfume selections the brand-laden trousseau edit came to compliment the fashion, curated by Anna Jill of Kiss From Fleur who dressed the bride in a 1914 Made Bride by Antonea gown and Heart of Gold Designs headpiece.

Setty Lepida our workshop editor curated the groom’s looks in a Neapolitan style lounge suit by Angelo Nardelli paired with a white Navy & Green colarless shirt and Gucci Loafers. Agis KP gave our bride a relaxed signon to accentuate the shape of her face while Mika chose a fresh makeup look in glowing peachy tones in perfect accordance with the wedding gown.