by Ben Yew

Every wedding you have seen in the Greek Islands has probably portrayed a picture of wedding heaven and I will admit a photographers dream location to shoot, with the stunning Aegean Sea as your backdrop.

But in this wedding story I faced a few challenges and leading up to the wedding there were some serious concerns what my backup plans were.

The wild weather in Santorini was serious. The seas were choppy and deemed unsafe for ferries to come in from Athens. It wasn’t my first wedding in Santorini but definitely my first to experience this type of weather. The unpredictable weather left so many travelers from Athens stranded including some of the wedding guests. Some had to change their plans and fly in instead. And the traffic on the day before near the route to the ferry was at a standstill, I could see people walking up as all transfers was cancelled, there was terminal chaos. Even at my accommodation, there was a sudden surge of tourist looking for accommodation for the additional night or two till the weather passed and the ferry began running again.

I was lucky I arrived in Santorini a few days before Jason and Leah’s wedding, something I highly recommend doing before a destination wedding. We decided to meet with the wedding planner the day before for the rehearsal. We were worried about the weather and we needed options, the wedding planners were incredible at putting together a ‘Plan B’ but wedding guests were currently stranded. Big decisions needed to be made and made quickly. We were hoping to keep the original plan but it was getting risky.

Jason & Leah had to decide their next move and it was a hard decision. To hope and pray their dream wedding would go as planned and loved ones would make it or totally move it indoors but it wouldn’t be what they dreamed their destination wedding to be. After much discussion, they decided to take the risk and hope for the best.

The day arrived. The weather you ask? …PERFECT!!. 

Everyone could not believe that on the next day, the weather was totally opposite. We could actually see blue skies and the warmness of the sun. It was the wedding they had envisioned, a dream come true indeed.

On September 28, looking out on the picturesque caldera and deep blue Aegean Sea, Leah and Jason got married surrounded by 70 of their closest family and friends. The day was complete with personal vows, Greek dancing, fireworks, and even a morning downpour that (thankfully) turned into a gorgeous, sunny day. 

It was their perfect dream, a perfect wedding.

Leah and Jasons full wedding feature coming soon!

Photographer: Ben Yew Photography
Wedding Gown: Bliss Monique Lhuilier

Veil: Tony Federici

Brides Shoes: Jimmy Choo

Groom’s Tux: Lauren Kirk

Wedding Bands/ Rings: Cinar Jewelry

Makeup: Renia Bledaki

Hair: Bella Damigou

Wedding Planner: Santorini Glam Weddings

Videographer: Moon & Back Co.

Venue: Aenaon Villas and Vassaltis Vineyards

Flowers: Betty Flowers Santorini

Catering: Spicy Bites

Musician: Brett Hunter

DJ, Sound and Lights: Multimedia Events

Fireworks: Skylight Santorini