Wedding planner Golden Apple Weddings and photographer Sotiris Tsakanikas collaborated to create this vibrant inspiration on Rhodes Island, Greece. Set at the luxury Don Mansion The Hill, the team worked in a tropical palette of blush, teal, gold, and carmine including invitations by Manousenia Design and florals and rentals by Kay Creations. The result is fanciful and eclectic and if there’s anything 2020 has taught us—go with what you love. Stay inspired with the stunning images captured by Sotiris Tsakanikas.
From the team: The Concept: When the Secret Owl Workshop team came together to discuss our Rhodes Island edit our initial thought was that contrary to what is seen on most destination weddings in Greece and the Greek Islands, we had to go for something native. We hallucinated the dining experience in our childhood homes and the voices of our mamas talking about meals, art, stories of their own weddings, about gifts they had received and decor pieces they chose to pretty-up their Rhodian homes. Mothers, as they say over these parts “rule the roost” so the female taste in our culture runs deep. Our conviction grew stronger that this wedding inspiration should marry not only two different cultures but also several Rhodes borne elements, the pairing of which brought our vision to life. After all, what is a destination wedding without incorporating statement local elements into the concept?
The Venue: Don Mansion on The Hill is a modern luxury villa with enough stretch to accommodate any kind of wedding, from the most intimate to the grandest affair. Decked with a pool, a helipad, two exceptionally large gardens, dotted with palm trees and with the most amazing view on the island, it was our venue of choice to have our inspiration soar. We staged an intimate feast 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. Our ceremony took part in the front garden while a cocktail bar was set between the ceremony area and the dining nook. We loved 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. We paired them to bold Anthurium andraeanums, known as flamingo lilies, and quieter Calla lilies, garden roses and mini spray roses. For the bridal bouquet we opted for a heart-shaped creation that would complement 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 our 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 ensembled by hand. Imagine our joy to discover that Don Mansion comes with a spectacular Morgan V6 Roadster in cream and 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.
The Fashion: From the groom’s Lanvin boutoniere, Hermes scarf, Rolex watch and Louis Vuitton cufflinks, to our 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 our 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 Navy & Green suit paired with 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.
We were so thankful to be able to work with so many talented crews to bring this vision to life which shone thanks to the all-seeing lens of our photographer Sotiris Tsakanikas who snapped the beauty on film.
Wedding planner: Golden Apple Weddings // Photographer: Sotiris Tsakanikas // Florals & Rentals: Kay Creations // Paper goods, stationery, escort tags & calligraphy: Manousenia Design // Venue: Don Mansion The Hill // Ceramic plates, tiles, coasters and trays (flatware): Nassos Keramik // Cocktail bar & mixology: Decent Bar // Textiles: Allegoria Textiles // Catering: Giafkarnd Studio // Bride Styling: Kiss From Fleur // Bride’s dress: Made bride by Antonea // Groom Styling & Editorial: Setty Blade // Makeup: Makeup by Mika // Hair: L’epoque d’Agis // Cake: Pavlovs Lab // Headpieces: Heart of Gold Designs // Cigars: Partagas Cigars // Cigar case: Carven and Daily Press // Groom’s bowtie & boutonniere: Lanvin Official // Ring boxes: Layout Collection, Joy Proctor Design and The Mrs. Box // Bridal shoes: Napolitana Giasiranis // Groom’s scarf: Hermes // Cufflinks: Louis Vuitton // Groom’s Watch: Boss // Wedding bands: Cartier // Vehicle: Morgan Motors// Groom suit and shirt: OGGI
Stylist Justine Milton was inspired by the gorgeous beaches of Spetses Greece and used the same soft neutral tones from the water and rocks to showcase the stunning natural beauty of Greece. Ethereal, textured paper design by Paper Ocelot sets the dreamy tone that carried through the bridal styling and lovely tablesetting. White silk ribbon and soft, white florals are a total dream set against the stunning beach backdrop. Minted Photography was on hand to capture all the details sparkling in the sun.
Photography: Minted Photography // Stylist: Justine Milton // Stationery: Paper Ocelot // Dress: The Jet Set Diaries // Dress Shop: Adorn Boutique // Veil: Noon On The Moon Bridal // Models: Iconic Management // Bouquet Ribbon: Songbird Silk // Florals: Jim Labrako
You guys! This love letter theme inspiration shoot will leave you swooning. We’re loving the heirloom details and subtle vintage vibe. The airy pastel color palette—incorporated into the florals by petal and pine and the blush, lace Hayley Paige gown—perfectly complements the moody venue. A hand-lettered table runner by Renmade Calligraphy is the crowning unique detail for this love letters wedding. And for your viewing please, you have Tracy Burch Photography to thank. The film photography give the entire shoot a timeless, vintage mood that we absolutely adore.
Photographer: Tracy Burch Photography // Floral Designer: petal and pine // Calligrapher: Renmade Calligraphy // Event Venue: 20 West // Dress Designer:Hayley Paige // Dress Store: House of White // Scanning/Processing: PhotoVision // Bakery: The Beauerhaus
We love Grey Collective member Jurgita Bridal‘s delicate, handmade wedding jewelry and hairpieces. They’re elegant and whimsical and so, so gorgeous. So you can image our delight when the team sent us over this stunning inspiration shoot featuring some of their newest pieces. Set in nature in a small Lithuanian village, the mood is dreamy and ethereal and punctuated by textured, current bridal looks and scene-stealing bouquets by Sonete. We know you guys are going to be as inspired as we are by these incredible images by Monika Dovidaite.
From Jurgita Bridal: A girl is about to cross the bridge. She is barefoot, yet graceful. Calm, yet solemn. She might be just catching her breath in solitude, hiding in nature, moments before her own wedding. You can almost hear the crowds somewhere not far away, behind the trees on the green field, friends and relatives chatting while seated around rustic tables, waiting for the bride to appear from across the bridge. Or she might have escaped everything and everyone, confidently waiting for the love of her life to show up so they could elope.
In many cultures, bridges are seen not just as a way to reach the destination, but also as a strong symbol of transition: to the opposite bank of the river, to another stage of life, or, in this particular case, from being a girl in a magical forest to becoming a wife.
The photo shoot was inspired by the wild nature of the small village, Josvainiai , in Lithuania –the hometown of photographer Monika Dovidaite. The nature surrounding Josvainiai was a perfect background to highlight the ethereal looks of the wedding garments. Soft blush and creamy ivory, multilayered tulles and silks, wild flowers and decadent jewelry –all this is a tasteful mix for a free spirited bohemian bride-to-be.
It is fascinating how the mood of a dress can be changed by wearing different accessories. The frail and delicate silver wreath gives an impression of dreamy innocence, while replacing it with Swarovski crystal earrings immediately shifts the look towards royal grace and drama. The same can be said about the hair –in some images it is let down, looking completely natural and creating a relaxed mood. And in some looks, casually tied up hair make it all look elegant.
Lace, river, pearls, tranquility, tulle, blush, Nordic forest, embroideries, wild flowers–all this subtly blends into the graceful perfection of several fairy-like bridal looks. The make-up is flawless, the jewelry looking rich and sumptuous, but balanced out towards the boho style with generous amounts of blossoming peonies and irises.
And last, but not least – the most subtle version of a non-conformist bride-to-be created with a minimalist combo of plain white shorts matched to the embroidered lace top. The look is finished with a pair of splendid pearl earrings.
Can you smell the flowers?
Photographer: Monika Dovidaite // Wedding dresses and accessories: Jurgita Bridal // Floral Design: Sonete // Hair & Makeup: Agne Valaitiene
In the wake of Halloween, on what some refer to as All Saints Day, we’re excited to be sharing a hauntingly beautiful boudoir shoot. Led by E Events Co., the team was inspired by “peaceful, romantic, natural and pure” and celebrated the chance to do boudoir a little differently at the outdoor location of Bell Hallow. We’re LOVING the giant dahlias and fall-inspired florals by Seascape Flowers that compliment the relaxed and lovely lingerie. Molly Gilholm Photography was the lady behind the lens and we peel ourselves away from the stunning images especially the way she’s captured the reflections on the water and the drama of the final river shots. Enjoy!
Event planning + Design: E Events Co. // Photography: Molly Gilholm Photography // Florals: Seascape Flowers // Hair + Makeup: Kelly Jones Makeup + Hair // Venue: Bell Hallow