Zoe & Stef
I was invited on a night out by my auntie, who Stef knew through a mutual friend, we were out in a group and it's how we met. Its quite funny looking back, as we didn’t really speak or show much interest in each other at first, but as the night progressed (and the alcohol flowed) we started to slowly strike up conversation.
The group eventually moved on to a nightclub, and before getting out of the taxi i tried to top up my lipstick, but as i was quite drunk i failed miserably and my lipstick ended up going everywhere but on my lips!
As me and Stef were last out of the taxi i asked him if my lipstick looked ok (obviously not!) We both cant remember what he said, but we shared our first kiss in that taxi... romantic!
After sorting myself out and then going into the nightclub iI eventually ended up being sick (i dont drink often), but luckily it still didnt put Stef off and we went back to his family home and called it a night.
The next morning I was nervous about seeing my parents as I had never stayed out before and not been in touch, and Stef got a ribbing from his friends for missing a Leicester City home match on the Sunday.
We carried on meeting up and getting to know each other and it wasn't long before we became a couple. We were so different (we still are!) but we got on so well and just clicked.
I knew pretty early on that Stef was the person I wanted to spend my life with, Stef took a little longer to say 'I love you' for the first time, but it was worth the wait, and we haven't looked back since.
We got engaged in September 2017 after Stef proposed in front of our closest family members.
As we started to plan our wedding, Stef suggested Lindos as an option as we had been a few times on holiday and love how beautiful and romantic the area is. We had passed the Lindos Weddings office on numerous occasions so we knew that it was an option to get married there, so I contacted them to find out some more information about getting married in Lindos.
We contacted Lindos Weddings to find out some information about getting married in Lindos. From the first email back from Karen we knew booking our wedding with them was the right decision. Karen's approach was very friendly and she provided us with everything we needed to know including options for ceremony and reception venues for us to look over.
Upon booking our wedding day Karen provided constant support and advice, no matter how big or small. Even though I'm a control freak and found it hard that some things were out of my control I had complete trust in Karen and her team to make our day perfect
After being given various reception venues to choose from we decided Medeast was the right place for us. We felt that the setting of the venue being above the village, the amazing views of the Acropolis and the sea drew us to choose here. We had been into Medeast before but only for a drink so we booked the venue on what we could remember, and from Karen's recommendation to us.
Due to the number of people we had we had Medeast on an exclusive basis which gave us the privacy to enjoy the night as we wanted. The menu had various options that appealed to us and they accommodated any changes or additions we wanted to make with no problem.
Once we had booked our wedding we started saving immediately and I had a vision of how I wanted our day to be. I'm quite creative and wanted to put my own personal touch on as much as I could on certain aspects of the day.
Lindos Weddings offer excellent decoration packages, and although we didnt use one, we were able to hire individual items to bring the look I wanted together with the items we had taken to Lindos ourselves.
As we are both Leicester City fans we choose a blue and white colour scheme for our wedding, as well as the colours also fitting in with a Greek wedding setting.
I made all of the flowers including mine and my bridesmaids bouquets, the button holes and all of the floral decorations for the tables at the reception. I made our own signs, and purchased lots of little bits to add to the day for our guests, as well as taking our own personalised aisle runner. We then hired the finishing touches to complete the look from Lindos Weddings, such as table runners and bows for the reception.
Everything came together exactly how I knew it would, and I wouldn't of changed any of it.
I purchased my wedding dress in April 2018, and as soon as I put it on, I fell in love with it straight away. It was exactly what I had in my mind and the style that I thought would suit me.
I wanted to be the best version of myself on my wedding day so I began to lose weight and in the end I lost nearly 3 stone. I had to have lots of alterations to my dress to make it fit my new figure perfectly.
Upon our arrival in Lindos we met with Yvonne and she gave us a very detailed plan of how the day will run. They thought of every detail and made us feel at ease that we could just look forward to our wedding day.
We met with the owner Manolis a few days prior to the wedding day to confirm all of the details and menu choices. He was such a friendly man and he assured us not to worry as they would have it all under control. Our wedding menu was Meze to start followed by either chicken, beef stifado or lamb kleftiko. They did pizza for the children. We used our wedding cake for dessert.
On the wedding day when I put my dress on, along with my hair and make up having been done by the team you book through Lindos Weddings I was so proud of what I had achieved and how I looked. I felt beautiful and I looked exactly how I wanted to look.
The morning of our wedding day was very relaxed, we slept in seperate rooms the night before so as to not see each other until I started walking down the aisle.
Stef had breakfast on the beach with some family and friends and I stayed at the apartments and had breakfast with my mum, dad and brother.
After breakfast I gave gifts out to my family, Stef had already given gifts to his own family and best man earlier in the morning.
After giving gifts my bridesmaid (stefs sister Clair) and Mother in Law to be, Kim, joined me and my Mum in my room to spend some time together and to get our hair done by the team that Lindos Weddings arrange for you.
The apartments we stayed at, the Krana Apartments had arranged to decorate my room with rose petals on the bed, and they gave me a lovely bunch of flowers and champagne. The four of us had a lovely time getting ready, listening to music and drinking champagne.
Stef met some of the wedding guests at Yannis Bar for a couple of drinks before the wedding ceremony. What Stef didnt realise is I had arranged for him and his best man to arrive at the ceremony area on a speedboat. I only arranged this with Karen last minute and on the day Yvonne made sure everything ran to perfection in getting them on the speedboat in time for their arrival.
The photographer and videographer came into the room at 2pm and took getting ready shots, until they had to leave to capture our guests arriving at St Pauls Bay and Stef arriving on the speedboat, which he did, to the applause from our guests and onlookers on the beach.
At the ceremony area guests were kept cool with water, fans and cold flannels (as it was 40 degrees) and Mark the guitarist was great at keeping the guests entertained with songs we requested both before the ceremony and for a short while after.
My bridesmaid and pageboy walked down the aisle in front of me then me and my Dad followed. The ceremony was quite emotional, we said our own vows, tears were shed by us both and we were finally married.
We had some photos around St Pauls Bay before getting on the champagne cruise, it was a welcome relief as there was a breeze as everyone was melting from the heat. On board we had our own music and had champagne, beers and soft drinks. It was great to be able to relax and enjoy everyone's company whilst enjoying the views from the boat.
The boat stopped at Pallas Beach and the guests made their way up to Medeast while we stayed behind with Antonis and Tracey for location shots around the village. They were with us for 8 hours on the day and made us feel at ease, even though we are not naturally comfortable being in front of the camera.
On the wedding day itself Yvonne, Kate and Lorna were excellent and made sure we and our guests were looked after and made sure everything ran smoothly.
We arrived at Medeast and cut the wedding cake straight away as per Greek tradition. We then sat down and did the speeches before dinner. After dinner it was time for our first dance surrounded by our guests with sparklers to add to the atmosphere, then the DJ got the party started. We gave him a list of music and he played as many of the songs as he could before he finished at midnight.
On the evening Manilos and the staff couldn't do enough for us, they made sure the drinks were flowing and the food was served on time and was delicious. Medeast as a reception venue is beautiful, the setting couldnt be better and they really look after you and your guests. We definitely chose the right place and would highly recommend it to future couples.
Our wedding day was everything we wanted and more. Every detail was taken care of so we could enjoy the day stress free.
Even though it was 40 degrees and the heat was intense we still wouldn't of changed a thing. Some of our guests even said it was the best wedding they had been to.
Our favourite moment of our day was when I walked down the aisle. Even though everyone was watching me I didnt notice anybody as me and Stef just met eyes and stayed that way until I was with him at the end of the aisle. It was as if it was only me and him there, it was such a special moment and something we will never forget.
We would do it all again if we had the chance.
The Lindos Weddings team are the most happy, friendly and professional people who will ensure you have the wedding you dream of. We wouldn't hesitate to recommend them to anyone thinking of getting married in Lindos.
Our wedding in 3 words - worth every penny
Photography images by Antonis Giannelis
