It’s the 18th of June and Chris’ and Mikaella’s wedding day!

Back in March we met for the first time and I portrait this beautiful young couple ‘Within the walls’ of Nicosia .

The pre-ceremony traditions, the wedding ceremony, the reception and the dinner took place in Nicosia’s neighborhood Ayios Dhometios (Greek: Άγιος Δομέτιος or Άης Δεμέτης)

Let’s start with some photos of Mikaella’s wedding shoes, the rings and the stefana at the couple’s home:

The couple got ready in separate apartments and the musicians started at the groom’s place. The families gathered and one of Chris’ friends proceeds to shave his face, “the last shave.” At the same time, the two musicians with a violin and a laouto play traditional songs:

One of the lovely flower girls:

And the youngest flower girl gazing in awe at what is happening:

Meanwhile Mikaella is already in her stunning wedding dress and the same traditions are about to start as soon as the families have moved over to her apartment:

Mikaella’s parents following the traditions:

And now we are moving quickly over to the beautiful, traditional church of the neighborhood, The Ayios (Saint) Dhometios church, the oldest of the three churches in the area and built on a hill overlooking the old part of town:

Preparations had already finished and the square in front of the church, where later on the cocktail reception took place, has been decorated with candles. The theme of the couple’s wedding decorations was black&white. You will see here and also at the restaurant that everything has been carefully decorated in those colours.

Maria from LoDesigns (99-680186) has done a fabulous job!

Chris arriving…. nice smile Still very relaxed..

But how long will she keep me waiting?

Here comes the bride, being accompanied to the church by her father:

Nayia, Danae, Melina and Demetra, the four flower girls:

The ceremony starts: Most things happen in threes, this is to represent the God, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Here are a few key images of each part of the ceremony:

Upon the couple’s exit from the church friends and family members throw flower petals and rice, often not as gentile as the couple wishes!

We had a couple of minutes to walk to the back of the church for some portraits. The evening sun gives the images a beautiful warm glow, which continued through the cocktail reception until 8pm:

Congratulations!

Just an example of the delicious, well presented food during the reception:

Later on, at about 9pm, I left to drive over to the restaurant Navarino, in time to photograph again the carefully chosen decoration, black&white theme, before the couple arrived:

Congratulations Chris & Mikaella! I look forward to our next portrait session in a couple of days!

Viola

Do you remember Stavros and Nancy from their Pre-Wedding Photo Shoot a few weeks ago?

Their wedding took place on the 14th May in Protaras and they have just returned from their honeymoon.

Here are some key images from the day:

Just before my arrival at the Grecian Park Hotel, where the wedding couple got ready, I drove past the chapel Agioi Anargyroi, where the ceremony took place that evening. It was a gorgeous afternoon with a clear blue sky:

At the Hotel I went up to the king suite, where Nancy started to get prepared. First of all some photos of her stunning dress, shoes and some accessories:

Surrounded by the maid of honor Aliki and other very close friends Nancy started to get her make-up done:

Some admiring looks from Aliki’s very cute daughter Ioanna-Maria, who was also one of the three flower girls:

On the day of the wedding, the tradition is for the bride to prepare in a different room than her future husband, while her family gathers, watches and, of course, helps! So while Nancy had her make-up done, Stavros went through the ‘getting ready traditions’ at the other end of the hotel corridor. Luckily this was all happening on the same floor as I covered various parts of the traditions for both.

Stavros looked very handsome and had a lot of fun with his family and best friends getting ready for his big day.

He was ‘placed’ in a chair and the “koumparo” (best man), Nasos, proceeds to shave his face in what is referred to as “the last shave.” At the same time, musicians with a violin and a laouto (like a guitare) play traditional songs:

Another gorgeous guest:

The groom with his parents and Stathis:

Just before his ‘last shave’!

Beautiful Eirini, daughter of the best man Nasos and the second flower girl:

The boys together:

Once shaved the traditions continue with the ‘dance’ around the groom holding a tray with the groom’s shirt, covered by a red scarf, singing old songs, dressing the groom, placing the red scarf around Stavros’ waist three times for good luck and burning incense at the end:

Over at bride headquarters, Nancy looked absolutely stunning and was helped along by her maid of honor Aliki, best friends and supportive family.

A close up of the wedding dress, made of a lovely fabric. Oh, did I mention that Nancy is 6 months pregnant? This dress was just made for her and her small baby belly Congratulations again Nancy and keep well!

The third beautiful flower girl, Stephanie, who was such a great help for Nancy, always carefully carrying the dress and veil behind her:

I love this image:

Ready to enter the living room of the king suite, where friends and family patiently wait to see the bride:

The musicians are ready, the traditions are about to start! Nancy with her parents:

Before the bride puts on her shoes she lists all her single friends’ names under her shoe. At the end of the night she takes it off and the name which still appears on the shoe is the girl who will get married next!

Now back to the boys, who had already gathered in the hotel lobby. Some candid shots, a group image and off they went over to the nearby chapel. Not much time left!

Shhhh, we are quickly hiding the rice

Very nice Triumph for the groom:

Ready!

Nancy portrait in the natural ambient light still available just before 6pm in the lobby:

Just outside the Hotel:

5 minutes later in front of the chapel many weddings guests, and the groom of course!, had already gathered, waiting for the bride to arrive:

Stavros accompanied by his parents and Stathis:

And here she comes, accompanied by her father to meet her husband to be:

The ceremony is about to start, just outside the front door of the chapel with the wedding guests grouped behind the couple:

Most sections of Greek Orthodox religious ceremonies occur in threes to represent the God, the Son and the Holy Spirit. The rings are placed on the right hand because it is the right hand of God that blesses.

The bride and the groom wear headbands called “stefana” and the chief bridesmaid with the best man are interchanging the crowns on the couple’s heads. In traditional Greek Cypriot weddings stefana were made with olive tree branches and with this way God’s blessings were transmitted to the couple.

Slowly the sun disappeared behind some clouds creating quite a dramatic background for my images:

During the ceremony the priest is going to give bread to the couple to eat and wine to drink three times which symbolizes the marriage of Cana at Galilee, which was blessed by Christ and where he converted water into wine.

Before heading over to the restaurant Alati by the Sea we had some minutes to take photos around the church. By now the sun was very low throwing some intense orange light on the water.

Alati by the Sea is a fine dining, luxury restaurant in Protaras, ideally located right on the seaside surrounded by lush green lawn. Distinctive decoration, supreme service, and respect for local traditions, Alati is the ideal place to celebrate your wedding.

I loved the attention to detail, the many colours that flooded the dining room and the elegant table lay-out:

The wedding cake!

The final photo, a night shot:

Congratulations to all ‘three’ of you and all the best for your future!

Viola