Mykonos Elopement

MYKONOS:   Arene and Michael had an amazing elopement on Mykonos. A couple that didn't hesitate to express their love and became an inspiration for my shooting. Arene was kind enough to reply to some questions in order to give advice to future brides on her experience. What was the inspiration for your amazing wedding? We wanted to have an intimate wedding in a truly beautiful location. We wanted our guests to feel as though they were on vacation and to participate in an experience, not just a ceremony. Is there anything that you did, that you think made your wedding particularly unique, alternative, or different?The integration of our Palestinian roots, American upbringing, and Greek culture was spectacular. Having the olive trees as our "partition" in the restaurant, as well the olive sprigs at the top of each place setting, was one way that this linkage was accomplished. We also incorporated traditional Palestinian embroidery, tatreez, into multiple items - the bouquet wrap, our fathers' ties, and Mike's pocket square. The drummers who brought us into the ceremony were part of a traditional Palestinian zaffeh, which was also special.What is the one thing you wish you’d know about planning an elopement before you began?It takes a lot of time!Did you face any difficulties in planning your wedding?Yes - COVID! A full year's delay in the midst of a pandemic meant that a lot of our guests couldn't come. More pressingly, my parents almost didn't make it to Greece!What was the best thing about planning your wedding?Imagining a beautiful experience for us and our friends and family.Did you do any DIY projects? Was it an eco-friendly wedding?Nothing truly DIY - we ordered some custom items through Zazzle and Etsy.Tell me about your ceremonyIt was short but meaningful. Mike's younger brother, Haani, was our officiant and did a beautiful job of keeping the ceremony flowing. Mike's older sister, Shirien, read some beautiful words in Arabic, and Arene's best friend, Divya, read excerpts from a poem by Khalil Gibran. The setting of the wedding at the 180 Degree Sunset Bar, overlooking the Aegean Sea and the incredible Mykonos town, made it even more beautiful.In retrospect, was there anything you would have done differently?I wish we had stayed in Greece for a few more days after the wedding, just to relax and enjoy it. I also wish we could have done the wedding at a time when more people could have traveled, but it was honestly so wonderfully intimate that it was great.Do you have any advice for future brides and grooms?I didn't believe it until I experienced it, but enjoy every moment because it goes so fast!Describe how you feel about your wedding photography experience:Magdalene became part of the family. She never pushed us to pose but encouraged us to do what was natural. The photos are spectacular. I am so grateful we chose her.Last but not least, why did you book me?Your style is amazing! I love the photo-journalism flair, which truly captures the spirit of the experience, not just the posed moments.-Arene & Michael EVENT VENDORS@weddingmykonos (wedding planner)@inoblivion_films (cinematography)@elia_mykonos_resort (reception)@180mykonos (ceremony) @beautyjmk(hairdresser)@epocamykonos (wedding cake)@mykonosflowers (wedding flowers)@black.and.white.drums