Elvina and Luca live abroad and away from their immediate family, so when they first started discussing their wedding plans, the couple knew they wanted to do something that equated to spending quality time with their families. A destination wedding was the perfect answer for them; a family holiday and celebration rolled into one.
They ended up selecting Santorini, not only because it was picture perfect, but because it felt like the most neutral ground for every person in the party. They had friends and family fly in to be there, so they all equally had to make the effort to come together at this chosen spot. The couple couldn't have imagined a more beautiful location to have shared their vows. Their photographer Days Made Of Love did an incredible job of capturing the day.
Elvina and Luca knew from the very beginning that their wedding would be small, as the thought of a large wedding made them both feel uncomfortable. "It was an amazing holiday shared with 18 of our closest friends and family, which was large enough to be a party but small enough to handle!" They decided to stay and host their wedding at the stunning Villa Fabrica. With planning and styling done by Sand + Lace Events combined with florals from Manfler, their wedding was simply breathtaking.
Both Lucas and Elvina have large extended families and also come from mixed backgrounds, so it was quite difficult to incorporate all the different traditions and cultural elements from both sides. While they did keep some elements that felt fitted, they avoided many of the traditions altogether. This wasn't always met with a favourable response, but the bottom line for all of the decisions made during the process was to ensure that the decisions felt right for them as a couple. Elvina wore a custom Anne Barge gown for the ceremony and changed into a black wrap dress for her reception.
What advice do they have for other couples planning their wedding? "Things are always bound to go wrong, so just take it in your stride. We had the craziest winds that refused to ease meaning we had to do a last minute plan B set up for our ceremony as our original location kept getting blown down. At the end of the day, everyone is there to celebrate and have fun, so don't sweat the small stuff! Plus, the things that go wrong are the best stories to tell later!"
Photography: Days Made Of Love
Planning and Styling: Sand + Lace Events
Florist Manfler
Wedding Dress: Custom Anne Barge
Hat : Balenciaga
Shoes : Charlotte Olympia
Stationery: Bright White
Rentals: White Lilac
Catering: Spicy Bites
Venue: Villa Fabrica