Arene and Michael arrived from the US in order to experience an amazing elopement under the Greek light and over the amazing blue seaside.
Featured at Junebug Weddings
MYKONOS
Arene and Michael had an amazing elopement on Mykonos. A couple that didn’t hesitate to express their love and to become an inspiration for my shooting. Arene was kind enough to reply to some questions in order to give advice to future brides on her experience.
The inspiration for this amazing elopement on Mykonos
We wanted to have an intimate wedding in a truly beautiful location. We wanted our guests to feel as though they were on vacation and to participate in an experience, not just a ceremony.
The integration of our Palestinian roots, American upbringing, and Greek culture was spectacular. Having the olive trees as our “partition” in the restaurant, as well as the olive sprigs at the top of each place setting, was one way that this linkage was accomplished. We also incorporated traditional Palestinian embroidery, tatreez, into multiple items – the bouquet wrap, our fathers’ ties, and Mike’s pocket square. The drummers who brought us into the ceremony were part of a traditional Palestinian zaffeh, which was also special.
Οne thing you wish you’d known about planning an elopement before you began
It takes a lot of time!
Αny difficulties in planning your wedding?
Yes – COVID! A full year’s delay in the midst of a pandemic meant that a lot of our guests couldn’t come. More pressingly, my parents almost didn’t make it to Greece!
Βest thing about planning your wedding
Imagining a beautiful experience for us and our friends and family.
DIY projects / eco-friendly wedding
Nothing truly DIY – we ordered some custom items through Zazzle and Etsy.
The wedding ceremony
It was short but meaningful. Mike’s younger brother, Haani, was our officiant and did a beautiful job of keeping the ceremony flowing. Mike’s older sister, Shirien, read some beautiful words in Arabic, and Arene’s best friend, Divya, read excerpts from a poem by Khalil Gibran. The setting of the wedding at the 180 Degree Sunset Bar, overlooking the Aegean Sea and the incredible Mykonos town, made it even more beautiful.
I wish we had stayed in Greece for a few more days after the wedding, just to relax and enjoy it.
We could have done the wedding at a time when more people could have traveled, but it was honestly so wonderfully intimate that it was great.
I didn’t believe it until I experienced it, but enjoy every moment because it goes so fast!
Your wedding photography experience
Magdalene became part of the family. She never pushed us to pose but encouraged us to do what was natural. The photos are spectacular. I am so grateful we chose her.
Your style is amazing! I love the photojournalism flair, which truly captures the spirit of the experience, not just the posed moments.
-Arene & Michael
EVENT VENDORS
Event Planning – Mykonos Wedding
Ceremony Venue – 180 Degrees Sunset Bar
Reception Venue – Elia Mykonos Resort Restaurant
Floral Design – Mykonos Flowers
Cake – Epoca Mykonos
Live Music – Black and White Drums
Videography – In Oblivion Films
Invitation Design – Lucky Lady
Wedding Dress – Sweet Elegance Bridal
Also featured at Junebug Weddings:
Check out a collection of photos from the Greek islands.
Mykonos is one of the coolest places to have a wedding in Greece – it has a really vibrant atmosphere, and offers so many variations on layout. There are loads of amazing places that are perfect for photo ops. Weddings at Mykonos are amazing because it’s always just incredible.
If you’re planning a wedding in Mykonos, get in touch!