A Lively Destination Wedding in Greece

Updated Sep 15, 2015

| By Vanessa Ortynsky

Alexia and Perry met during her first shift at a Vancouver cafe. Instantly drawn to his British accent, Alexia switched around her shifts so they ended up spending more time getting to know one another. Alexia knew it was meant to be when, upon leaving her friend's apartment building one cold January morning for a Slurpee run, she bumped into Perry in the elevator with his own Slurpee in hand.

For their self-titled, 'Big Fat Greek Wedding' or rather 'Big Fat Greenglish Wedding' Alexia and Perry decided on a multicultural destination wedding celebration in Crete, Greece. With guests from all over the world, they relished in hearing a myriad of languages spoken throughout their ceremony and reception. They incorporated vibrant pinks and greens into their gorgeous wedding palette, and chose the stunning village of Peza for their reception.

Prior to their official first dance, Alexia and Perry had an impromptu jam session with the musicians they had hired to entertain the guests before the processional and during the receiving line. As they waited for the keys to the car they'd be driving to the reception venue, they began dancing. "It was so special because the started playing The Beatles, our favourite band!" exclaims Alexia. "This was our moment to take it all in. It felt like there was nobody else in the world except for us." For their official first dance, the pair danced to "My Love" by Paul McCartney. "We're so crazy about Paul that we've travelled to Miami and Vegas to see him. It only seemed right to choose a Paul McCartney song for our first dance."

Alexia Katerina Tsangarakis and Perry Louis Senior, July 20, 2012, Crete, Greece.

Photography courtesy of HannaMonika Wedding Photography.

Vendors
Ceremony location: The Church of Iero Nao Agiou Pandeleimona in the village of Kounavi, Heraklion, Crete, Greece Reception location: Irida (meaning Iris), the village of Peza, Heraklion, Crete, Greece Bridal gown: Sottero and Midgley from Pearls and Lace. Bridal party attire: Bella Bridesmaids at Lisa's Bridal Groom’s suit: Venturo Black Label from Moss, waistcoat from Wedding Waistcoat, and shoes by John Fluevog
Cake: Sucre Caterer: Tonia Veneri at Veneri Exclusive
Flowers: Tonia Veneri at Veneri Exclusive
Hair and makeup: Tonia and Konstantina at Art Coiffure