Paros, Aethra Villa

PHOTOGRAPHY: SANDY AND ODYSSEAS | WEDDING PLANNER: Julia and Evita | Venue: Aethra Villa | Flowers: Redboxdays | Cake: Tserki | Food catering: Aliprantis | Bar catering: Ramantanis Bros | Guitarist/ Singer: Louis Vlahakis

Palina & Raymond

For these two sweethearts jetting-off to Paros Island to celebrate their love meant having a lavish villa micro-wedding that is the epitome of luxury

What is a luxury microwedding, and should you have one? Among other prestigious press, Brides Magazine started focusing its attention on more intimate celebrations early last year. And yet luxe micronuptials in Greece, along with lavish elopements, have always been on the menu. And it’s not because there were any Covid-19 restrictions or measures to make them necessary. Take, for instance, today’s microwedding at the glamorous villa Aethra on Paros island.

For Palina and Raymond, jetting off to Greece to vow their love meant bottling up the beauty of a lavish island estate and having the chance to party privately with their closest and dearest, all in one! The culprit for the pretty? Julia and Evita, our beloved Paros wedding planners who had Palina and Raymond’s Paros I do’s soaked in plush pastels and magic.

The big day began early with our bride and groom’s preps on different sides of the villa. Palina had chosen a laced a-line gown and silver Bella Belle sandals, and black velveteen evening dresses for her besties. So while we girls had fun showering the bride with adoration, Odysseas headed where the boys got prepped to capture Raymond’s preparations and time sipping bubbly with his mates.

The ceremony scene was simply a dream. White seating on each side of the pampas and hydrangea aisle leading to a circular arch came with unhindered views of the Aegean. The massive, white, Italian-style balcony is something we love in wedding celebrations, and its beauty framed villa Aethra’s manicured lawns so perfectly.

Following P&R’s stunning ceremony, it was time for some amuse-bouche and cocktails for the guests, and of course, some lovely intimate portraits at the Butterfly Valley with our newlyweds. It was such a peaceful moment between them, and the fact that colorful beauties fluttered around made every moment dreamy. (Paros island is famed for its Jersey Tiger Moth influx every summer, and this particular place on the island brims with the little fairies of white, black, and red. So if you’re planning a destination wedding in Paros this summer, make sure you put the valley on your photography list).

After our portrait session, we returned to the stunning Paros villa for the reception, all set in pewter grey and pastels under a canopy of fairy lights. There were speeches and toasts, cake cutting and dances, fun times, and emotional moments. Ah, we wouldn’t have it any other way!