Maria and Derek’s first meeting at the gym was destined to turn into a beautiful relationship and eventually an unforgettable destination wedding in Athens, and the images captured by PicMe Photography & Cinematography beautifully reflect all the heartfelt emotions of this special day. The bridal bouquet stood out for its refined elegance, blending pure white peonies, roses, lisianthus, and olive branches, while the wedding table was adorned with lush floral arrangements that embraced the table and cascaded symmetrically down the sides, complemented by glass candle holders and white candles that created an ultra romantic atmosphere. It comes as no surprise that the overall aesthetic feels so thoughtful and personal, as Maria had drawn inspiration from the greek site Love4Weddings when she began planning her destination wedding in Greece with Illume Events and Auré Events. As she shared with us herself, «One piece of advice I would give to other brides who are now planning their wedding is to trust their instinct and stay true to what feels genuine to them. It’s very easy to be overwhelmed by other people’s opinions and endless inspiration, but the most beautiful moments come when your wedding reflects your own style, your own priorities, and your personality». From the emotional ceremony held in the church courtyard to the romantic details they chose to surround themselves with and the stunning portraits of them as newlyweds, every moment will transport you straight into the happiest day of their lives.
Captured by PicMe Photography & Cinematography.
«My husband and I met at the local gym. That particular morning, I walked into the gym and immediately my future husband walked twenty two steps in my direction to tell me how I’m the most beautiful woman. He was extremely persistent in his pursuit to date me. Each and every day we saw each other there, he would take every approach to talk to me, it was adorable. Even if I was finishing my workout and leaving, he would run down the stairs just to get a moment with me. There were a few times he fell down the stairs going after me. After a few months of chatting, he still did not ask for my phone number! In those months, as well, he had gotten deployed, not telling me he would be leaving, and I was at the gym every day wondering where this mysterious handsome man had gone? He reappeared and then gone again for another deployment. Again, not knowing where or why he was not there, I was hoping I didn’t miss for him to ask me on a date.»
«Finally, he was back on his regular gym schedule and I had told myself I had waited long enough, with enough times of my wondering where he was. So, I wrote my phone number on a piece of paper and left it on his car window, and the rest is history. He took me out on a date a few short days later and we were on our way to falling in love. Well, at least I was, he still keeps telling me he fell in love with me the first day he saw me as he made those twenty two steps!»
«After dating, laughing, and falling in love, he proposed me on the most beautiful night. A few weeks prior he took my parents out to ask for my hand in marriage. The night he proposed he had told me we were going to dinner and a show and staying at a beautiful hotel in Philadelphia. He picked me up and delivered beautiful flowers to me. We stopped to grab a cocktail at the restaurant of our first date and gave me diamond earrings while we were there. We then were dropping out bags to the hotel. He opened the door to the room and my jaw dropped. He had it beautifully decorated with candles and rose pedals, lining a path to the bed with marquee lights spelling out “Marry Me.” I dropped, with happy tears and a huge smile. I knew he had wanted to marry me, but I had absolutely no idea that he was proposing the night. Complete and utter shot. He proceed to tell me how I’m the most beautiful woman in the world, and how he wanted me to be his forever. He told me that he would protect me and care for me forever. He would love me with a full heart and clear eyes day in and day out. He would make sure that I’m loved and adored each and every dingle day. He then got down on his knee and asked me to marry him. My future husband took us out to a beautiful dinner and we celebrated all night long.»
«My most favorite moment from my wedding is seeing my husband waiting for me outside the church with my bridal bouquet in hand while my father walked me down the stunning stairs at Island Resort Athens Riviera. All morning while getting ready I could not wait to see him. I’ ve been dreaming of this day for my whole life, and once I met my now husband I dreamt of that day even more. He is the love of my life and the most handsome man, so getting to marry him was my ultimate dream. Falling in love with my husband is my favorite thing I continue to do every single day!»
«Getting married at Island Resort Athens Riviera was a beautiful location to begin with. Our wedding decor centered on a blend of natural elegance and soft romance, creating an atmosphere that felt intimate, warm, and timeless. I wanted to keep it modern romantic with ivory, whites and touches of green to elevate the beauty of Island. It felt fresh and elegant without being overly formal. For the wedding ceremony I chose florals strung from the top of the church draping down to the ground.»
Maria , Bride
«The Love4weddings site helped throughout the whole planning process. I live in America, so having examples to look off of and to gather examples of what my day will look like and the venues we chose. Love4Weddings helped us at several key stages of our wedding planning. We first turned to them during the inspiration phase, when we were still shaping the vision for our day and looking for real weddings, ideas and color palettes. Later, they became especially helpful while we were finalizing our decoration direction, offering guidance on floral styles, ceremony setups, and reception aesthetics. They also played a big role when we were selecting vendors, as we discovered professionals whose work matched the style we were going for. Overall, Love4Weddings was a source of inspiration, clarity and practical help throughout the most important parts of the planning process.»
«I had stunning tall candles next to the table with a beautiful white table cloth sprinkled with olive leaves. entering into the reception Candles and lanterns placed subtly to create a warm glow without distracting from the natural scenery. We had string lights that reflected into the sea all night long.»
«Of course we couldn’t have been able to cherish our beautiful moments and memories without the team of PicMe Photography – Cinematography, was truly incredible. Not only did they capture the day beautifully, but they also made us feel completely comfortable in front of the camera. They had the perfect balance of being present without ever being intrusive, guiding us gently when needed while still allowing the moments to unfold naturally. What impressed us most was their ability to catch both the big emotions and the tiny, intimate details, the kind of moments you don’t even realize are happening until you see them in the photos afterward. Their eye for light, movement, and genuine expressions brought our entire wedding story to life. We couldn’t be happier with the result, and we feel so grateful to have those memories captured so beautifully. Alex and Anna and their team were absolutely amazing and yes the memories of our wedding are embedded in my head and I realize it every day, but with their incredible artwork I get to look at it and dive back to that day every day of my life!»
«My wedding dress was a stunning Essense of Australia wedding gown. My wedding dress is a beautifully elegant, fitted gown that highlighted my silhouette in a timeless and romantic way. The bodice features delicate lace detailing with a semi-sheer effect that adds softness and femininity. Thin straps give it a light, graceful look while still offering structure. My gown flowed into a mermaid-style skirt, fitted through the hips and then gently flaring out toward the bottom. The train is a real showstopper, long, flowing, and richly decorated with intricate lace appliqué that creates a truly ethereal effect as it trailed behind me. My veil is equally striking: Cathedral style long, sheer, and lightweight, catching the breeze beautifully and creating a soft, dreamy movement that complements the beach setting perfectly. Overall, my dress combines romance, elegance, and a touch of modern sophistication, absolutely perfect for a seaside wedding.»
Give yourself permission to enjoy the process, choose vendors you connect with, plan at a pace that feels comfortable, and don’t stress over the small details that no one will notice in the end. On the wedding day itself, take intentional pauses to breathe, look around, and soak in each moment and do not leave your future husbands side! You want to cherish every moment of that day right next to his side. It truly goes by in a heartbeat, and those quiet little memories become the ones you treasure most.
Maria , Bride
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