Holger & Miri – 4 celebrations for a dream wedding

Celebrating life with magical energy

When Miri & Holger approached me in August 2021, it quickly became clear: these two know exactly what they want. 
They also brought the right attitude towards their dream wedding on Crete: “Relaxed during the day and a real blast in the evening!” 

“We want to celebrate ourselves, our love and life and enjoy a really great time together with our loved ones!” 
To put no end to the enjoyment even after the wedding, the two came up with another brilliant idea: 

“We would like to have a hangover brunch the morning after …. but not too early, you understand?” 
“You bet I understand!”

When we got to know each other via video call, the ideas flew back and forth between us like ping-pong balls. The energy flowed, and so the “party” had already started in this way. A terrific planning time followed, during which we enjoyed every exchange and couldn’t stop concocting. The wedding conversation was a concert of emotions, even though the two of them firmly claimed that Miri was an “ice princess”…

A dream woman with whom you can steal horses once you have conquered her heart and won her trust, but with whom man should never be tearful or even sick 😉
A queen who met her special dream prince after he had been given his big “life switch” and who laid his kingdom at her feet: lots of clarity, willpower, thirst for life and strength, together with Crown Prince Lenny, whom Miri immediately took to her heart.

All this happiness and bliss was now to be crowned with this celebration. And everything went perfectly smoothly with the relaxed, laid-back lifestyle, the good food and the many hours of sunshine on the island of Crete.

The Planning

We planned the ceremony with civil and free-style wedding on the beach near Rethymno with live music. Bohemian decoration, lots of pampas grass and cool drinks. Then we went back to the Arbora Villas for dinner and the party which we had rented for the couple and their closest friends for their time on the island and which, because of their remoteness, are perfect for the point of “the real blast”.

The other friends and relatives of the bride and groom had rented various Airbnb flats and hotels in Rethymno. With our transfer partner Marko, we organised the different journeys on the wedding day and, of course, also those for the Hangover Brunch, as well as to and from the airport on request. And it occurred to us: It would be nice if everyone could get together for a welcome evening right after arriving in Crete. So, for people to feel into the celebratory atmosphere, we planned a joint welcome evening at Yialos, a chic wine bar on the coast.

After this issue and more details had been discussed, such as the LED letters Miri’s parents ordered as a surprise, plus gifts consisting of local olive oil, we had reached the end of the planning. Everything was ready. But then Miri had one more wish: “After our arrival on  Crete, it’s my mum’s birthday. The day should be very special for her. Do you have an idea for another restaurant, possibly with a completely different flair?” 

“You bet! I love the contrasts of Crete – like Fantastiko, for example!”

And then the day of their arrival came and I was finally able to meet Miri & Holger at the airport, finally experience them live and hold them tightly in my arms. That was so nice! We exchanged the documents for the registry office, had a quick chat, cranked up each other’s anticipation…but then they also had to go and pick up the rental car, drive to the villa, check in and receive the guests.

They spent the welcome evening in the beautiful restaurant right by the sea and were presented with the finest food and good wine. The family celebrated the birthday of the bride’s mother Andrea in the traditional taverna in the mountains with a beautiful view over the island to the sea. 

The Wedding day

At noon on the wedding day, the bride is in the professional hands of stylist Natasha, who conjures up a natural bridal make-up for her. 

When suddenly visitors drop by: Mum and the girls join Miriam. Then the party can begin

So off we go, getting dressed and finishing the last details. And there is the beautiful bridal bouquet in Bohemian style with dried flowers, eucalyptus and cream-coloured roses.

The girls are ready and everything is ready for the big moment on the beach: the opulently decorated round wedding arch, the beautiful wooden chairs and details create a romantic and cosy atmosphere. Welcome to the wedding ceremony of Miri & Holger on the beach of Rethymno!

As small highlights, there are cream-coloured rose petals in small paper cylinder bags for the bride and groom to throw at, and, as a wedding ritual, a wedding cocktail that the couple will mix themselves during the ceremony.

I’m just sorting out the last details when the guests and the groom come running down the green-lined path to the beach.

Then we arrive, drink a beer and enjoy the moment….and all that in a relaxed way and without the constraint of shoes or jackets.

Today, Vassia Jani, who has come all the way from Santorini, performs live with guitarist Panos and saxophonist Stelios from Crete. The three of them are a well-matched team, since they often accompany our weddings as a band.

The rings are ready, too – including a little surprise for Lenny and Papa Holger.

Slowly I ask the guests to take their seats because the bride is on her way, as transfer partner Marko tells me.

I quickly distribute a few important drinks and then everything is ready for the big moment.

All the cameras and live feeds are running and the flower children are waiting in the wings – more or less convinced of their upcoming task.

And then the bride is announced…to the dancing party crowd consisting of bridesmaids and bridesmaids’ guides, who make up almost half of the handpicked crowd of guests.

And now the bride can finally come. We can’t wait any longer. And there she is: led by her father, she floats forward to us – grinning broadly from ear to ear.

And when dad has confidently entrusted his beloved daughter to the man of her dreams, we can begin the wedding ceremony.

There is a lot of laughter for the bride and groom and the guests feel carried away as well…

After going through Miri and Holger’s love story and their many special experiences, I turn to both their personalities and what makes them tick: In my eyes, two very special strong characters, wonderful souls and loving people who have created their great happiness together and with each other. A dream team that will continue to grow and dance through life, elated and grounded.

For this dream team, the moment has come for the wedding vows… but before that, they drink up courage with the wedding cocktail.

After the courage drink, the time is just right for the big words.

A great thank you to the bride and groom for the permission to share these emotional scenes with you, for which I have linked the video at the end of the blog post.

After their personal words to each other, Miri & Holger remain standing, getting ready for the “yes” word. Once again they move very close to each other for this, joined by their witnesses so as to show the couple their approval and support at this important moment.

The registrar, Peppy, who is always present in her joyful way and with all her heart, then declares the marriage to be legally valid, in Greek, and I translate. The exchange of rings follows. And the first kiss as of now a married couple.

The guests cheer and can’t wait to embrace them and congratulate them.

This is followed by the signatures, delicious snacks and drinks, and the photo shoot in the golden hour just before sunset.

As the sun sets, we drive the bride and groom to the villas where guests are already waiting to greet them with a welcome drink and sweet snacks. Further down we had set up a beautiful dinner area with wooden tables, Cross Back Wooden Chairs and vintage light bulbs with eucalyptus greenery. On the tables we placed understated floristry of dried flowers, eucalyptus, dried palm leaves and cream roses alongside simple crockery and placemats.

For the live music during the meal, we hired violinist George, who is accompanied by DJ Michalis with modern playback sound.

Bartender Manos with Mike and the VW Mobile Bar are also ready and welcome the bride and groom and their guests in a cosy ambience with delicious drinks accompanied by easy listening in a relaxed summer evening atmosphere. 

The bride and groom’s look at the beautiful scene is why I love event design and wedding planning.

Once everyone is seated, the surprises and speeches follow before a delicious wedding dinner with live cooking is served by the caterers, accompanied by the sounds of violins to modern sound.

The cake cutting and the party afterwards starts without the officially booked photographer so we thank Ioannis Menegakis for providing his pictures:

The party goes on until the early hours of the morning and there is a lot of dancing and laughing, but without me – because my eyes fall shut. 

Satisfied, I sink into bed.

What a grandiose wedding! 

The Hangover Brunch & the Surprise for the Bride

After dismantling on the day following the wedding ceremony, I visit the newly married couple and their guests at the chic beach bar Baja Bay. Stylish music welcomes me and I enjoy the flair of the beautiful ambience – but, wait, I know the children lying there in the sun shell! The youngest of the group are lying in the corner, exhausted and not even wanting to jump into the pool. They have experienced a lot and have a lot to process. So many impressions.

The adults are also not quite as energetic as on the first day. They have just arrived and spent a lot of time celebrating and now they have to leave again – back to their old lives.

Only for our bridal couple the celebration would carry on. The transfer “back to the accommodation” was ready and they were supposed to go on their honeymoon the following day. But before that, Miri had another surprise waiting for her:

Later came the news: “Everything worked out great!” Holger and I had let the tattoo studio Ink N’Art in on his plans to get Miri and himself a wedding tattoo.

And then: off on the next plane to the Maldives!