Outdoor wedding in Santorini, Canaves Oia Epitome

If you’re having your wedding in Santorini…

Claudia and Ben wanted “all the romance”. That was the brief. Intimate, movie-worthy, swoon-worthy romance. And oh my, did they get it! Flawless styling, a seaview ceremony in Canaves Oia, a Galia Lahav dress…C&B’s wedding in Santorini was simply perfect. And you know what else? They showed us how a wedding in Santorini *should* be done.

They gave themselves time with each other. And planned their day around the moments that mattered most. They went exploring– with a Santorini wedding photographer who knows the island like a second home (that’s me!)

And after an intimate day together, they had dinner with all their favourite people, and watched the sun sink into the sea. As I said, perfect. Come take a look…

The Canaves Oia wedding venues in Santorini

For a lot of couples planning their wedding in Santorini, “Canvas Oia wedding venues” would be the first thing they search. (Usually with bated breath, and *fingers crossed* excitement).

And it’s not hard to see why. It all started with a single hotel, almost 40 years ago. Back when Oia was a sleepy fishing village, and Santorini was an untouched island in the Aegean Sea.

Since then, Oia has grown. And The Canaves Oia Collection has grown with it. Now famous for their luxury suites, iconic views, and oh-so-photogenic luxury minimalism…

Ahhh Canaves Oia! If beauty came with a room-key.

Wedding in Santorini Canaves Oia Epitome

Epitome, love letters, and Galia Lahav

Morning sunlight flooded through the windows of Canaves Oia Epitome. The girls sat on the terrace, watched the distant waves, and sipped champagne. And inside, Claudia’s custom Galia Lahav dress swayed in the breeze.

*The dress*

I’ve always adored Galia Lahav. But today I reached a whole new level of obsession!

The delicate tulle lace detail, the graceful shape, the flowing sleeves; it was sexy, feminine, and ethereal all at once. Then there was Claudia’s elegant hair and makeup, and the stunning white and blush bouquet.…she looked simply incredible. Perfect for an intimate wedding in Santorini.

It was a morning of love letters, tight hugs, and ‘oh God, my makeup!’ tears. And when Claudia was finished getting ready, she headed out into the sunshine to find Ben.

If you only take away one thing…

Ben was standing outside, waiting in the shade of an ancient olive tree. Goat bells clink-clunked in the distance; the Santorini breeze rustled in the branches. And then, faintly at first, he heard footsteps behind him.

He turned around, and there she was.

For me, these kinds of moments are what make intimate weddings so special. And if you only take away one thing, let it be this…

Whether you’re having your wedding in Santorini or Surrey, carve out some time for moments like this. It could be two hours, or two minutes. But make sure you find some time to just be with each other. To laugh, talk, hug, kiss. And to remember what your day is all about.

Wedding photography in Megalochori, Santorini

If you’re having your wedding in Santorini, Megalochori is something of a hidden gem. Oia is beautiful, of course; but famously so. Megalochori is Oia’s picturesque little brother on the other side of the island. Away from the crowds, and the cruise ships; still quintessentially Santorini, just…quieter.

And so, with two hours (two whole hours!!) to spare before C&B’s ceremony, we jumped in the car and headed off to Megalochori.

We strolled together through the sleepy cobbled streets. We stopped for drinks in a cafe, and found countless loveable strays. There were bell-towers, and blue domes; bougainvillaea and blue-shuttered windows.

And when the time came for us to head back to Oia, we jumped in the car, and Claudia and Ben cuddled up in the backseat. Laughing, chatting and kissing all the way.

Bride and Groom wedding photos in Megalochori, Santorini

Ceremony styling by Tie the Knot Santorini

I’d been wanting to work with Tie the Knot Santorini for years. (Literal years!) A lot of iconic Santorini ceremony and dinner setups were first dreamed up by her. Her styling is perfection, her attention to detail, her taste…it’s no wonder she’s now one of the most sought-after wedding planners in Santorini.

And let me tell you, Claudia and Ben’s wedding was no exception. The ceremony styling was exquisite.

Live music mingled with a gentle sea breeze as guests took their seats. Floral meadows of dahlias and roses lined the aisle in a white-blush ombre. Behind the altar, a stunning floral ‘L’. And behind that, the cloudless sky and glittering sea.

The ceremony was a uniquely personal one- led by Claudia’s maid of honour. Every syllable- from the personalised ceremony to their personally-written vows- was intimate, heartfelt, and entirely theirs.

It wouldn’t be a wedding in Santorini without a killer sunset…

As the Santorini sun began to set, I grabbed C&B, and we disappeared through the back gate of Canaves Oia Epitome. And there, we found ourselves with a Santorini wedding unicorn…a private clifftop, with a view of the sunset all to ourselves! It was idyllic. C&B kissed, and cuddled. And together as husband and wife, they watched the amber sun sink into the sea.

Tablescape inspiration for an intimate wedding in Santorini

When we got back to Canaves Oia, we were greeted with the most incredible tablescape. Chandeliers glittered in the falling dusk. The florals from the ceremony had been repurposed, covering every spare inch in beautiful white and blush blooms.

And it was intimate, personal. The banquet-style setup made it feel like a family dinner. We laughed, ate and drank beneath the stars; pretty much everyone gave a speech! The sky above us gradually turned to an inky black. And one by one, the stars pin-pricked their way through. It really was the perfect end to an incredible day.