SANTORINI, Villa Eros
This Polish couple of lovers said I DO onboard a cruise ship and threw the most lavish wedding reception at Eros Villa in Santorini
“Love, life’s sweetest reward. Let it flow; it floats back to you…” If you’ve happened to be a kid during the 80ies, then chances are Jack Jones’ characteristic tenor will bring back sweet memories; “Love Boat” was something we only ever had in mind as the popular TV series until captain Mariusz and his love Hanna reached out to book our destination wedding photography services for their Santorini I do’s.
Our couple’s love story is as romantic as it is riveting and empowering; Captain Mariusz Koper and his Second Officer Hanna Leniec have been navigating the big blue for over 20 years. Before they decided to embark on their latest expedition, Hanna had been diagnosed with breast cancer, but this was hardly enough to stop this amazing woman from following her heart and future husband. Braving deadly winds and mammoth icebergs while battling cancer and managing to overcome every obstacle, the couple returned home safe and even received the Guinness Book of Records award for being the first crew to circumnavigate Antarctica on a sailboat south of the 60th parallel. From the world’s greatest media networks to the pages of Vogue’s September issue, Hanna & Mariusz’ journey became the ultimate success story and a lesson in embracing and living life to its fullest, so you can imagine how blessed we felt to be there to capture the wedding of these two real-life heroes.
It only felt natural for our two seafaring lovebirds to vow their love on board. Their guests flew over from Warsaw to Athens and boarded the Windstar Cruise ship setting off on a private 7-day cruise for Naxos, Mykonos, Santorini, Amorgos, Patmos, and Kusadasi. Festivities began with the couple’s on-deck pre-wedding party, where traditional bands and dancers gave the guests a taste of folklore and culture. Early the next day, the lavish liner docked in Santorini’s caldera for the couple’s wedding ceremony onboard. Hanna rocked her mini wedding gown and high heels radiating beauty and bliss, and Mariusz watched her all proud climbing those steps to their aisle. In the sound of Zawisza Czarny Polish Sailors’ Choir who arrived in Santorini on their own sailboat to honor the couple, the amazing duo became husband and wife, and believe us when we say the entire crew was bawling with happiness (yours truly included).
Following the husband and wife’s wonderful I do’s the lovely bunch headed to Eros Santorini Villa for the reception, all perfectly set by Poema, who created the most elegant blue and white decor for dinner. White and blue hydrangeas floating in the pool, decking a fishing boat, and the steps to the luxurious venue, stunning round tables across the frescoed floors, and giant glowing flowers were strewn across the dancefloor, were only some of the pretty details, while a team of synchronized swimmers added the extra to the extraordinary.
