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Seaweed
Beginner July 2012

Mrs Scrase (Seaweed) wedding report- 7th July 2012- Athens, Greece

Seaweed, 1 August, 2012 at 16:55 Posted on Planning 0 30

HOW WE MET

I met Andy 7 years ago in 2005, in Corfu. I was there with my grandparents, as every summer since I was born (my grandparents are from there) and Andy was there on holiday every summer with his mates. The day I met him I was on the way back from the beach with my friend Nina, and HE and his mate Phil were going up and down the road drunk in quads honking at us. I hated their guts, they were soooo annoying! I was 15 then and Andy was 23!!! After several days of them coming back to the village to see me, they finally managed to get me to speak to them. We got on really well and they kept coming up there for me twice a day just to see me. Andy was really into me.....until he found out my age. He then went all distant and weird....still very friendly but not flirty anymore. I got disappointed but wanted to play tough and as his mate Phil was giving me attention i started talking to him more and we exchanged numbers. When they went back to England i realised that more and more every day i wanted to speak to Andy. I couldnt stand not having his number!!!! Not knowing what else to do I decided to call Phil and ask to speak to Andy, they were best mates so lots of chances of them being together! A random guy answered the phone and said that Phil was playing football but I said i was actually wondering if Andy was there as I wanted to speak to him! The guy said: he is playing football too but I can give you his number if you want! YEAAAAH! I thought, that was great! I tried a few times to call him days later but no response so I gave up.....Suddenly about a month later, my phone rang and I saw it was him....i thought that was random so I answered saying: what do you want from me then? lol He said he was interested to know why a girl he met on hol that he might not see again was sooo keen to speak to him. That phonecall turned into daily phocalls from him that lasted hours and hours and months later he said that i was a beautiful person and he felt like he knew me all his life. He would call me and talk to me about anything. We tried several times to meet up but it didnt work out, then we started losing hope so the phonecalls started to reduce, as we were slowly giving up. He went to corfu and didnt tell me so i got moody and went to england and didnt tell him! (that was 2 years later) He found out and didnt talk to me for about 6 months. Then, in 2008, I was 18 and had just finished school, I decided to make another visit to England. I had forgotten about Andy at that point but hadnt ever deleted his number. Suddenly there he is again calling me....that was unexpected. He called and said he was missing me and he never stopped thinking about me and how upset he was when he found out I was in England and didnt tell him and i said that he should have told me he went to corfu. I also said i was planning to come to england soon and i had booked my tickets so he has a chance to meet me then. He asked me if he would see me for real this time and i promised him. After this, the phonecalls increased again like it was at first and he was saying more and more he was missing me. Other times i received some drunk phonecalls of him saying he loved me or asking me to marry him which of course i never took seriously. A couple of months later I went to England and finally we met up after 3 years of confusion. As soon as we saw each other we ran into each others arms and havent been separated since.

We spent the next year of our relationship with Andy traveling from England to Greece every other weekend and me leaving uni to work full time and help him pay some flights. Then in 2009 he proposed to me in Greece on one knee after asking my dad's permission and thats the point when I packed my stuff and moved to England. We set a date for 3 years later, July 2012. I had just moved to another country with no job, money, house, car etc. We lived at his parents the first year as he couldnt afford to live on his own. I got a job, a driving licence and a car and moved to our own house in 2010. Then alongside bills we managed to start putting money aside for the wedding.

30 replies

Latest activity by Seaweed, 6 September, 2012 at 11:16
  • C
    Beginner September 2013
    Caraboo ·
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    More!

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  • kathryn2010
    Beginner September 2015
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    Lovely so far cant wait to hear the rest!!!!

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  • Seaweed
    Beginner July 2012
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    Later on we went out for drinks with the family and my American cousins in APOLIS bar, at the top of the mountain.

    The next day we decided to chill a bit at the beach to get rid of all this wedding stress so me, Andy, my cousins and Lidia went to Porto Rafti, Athens and spent the day at the outdoor pool of a bar as it was windy and the beach was a bit wavy.

    When we came back we met up with the florist and photographer to pay them off. Also we gave our postcards and souvenirs to our photographer (we decorated our tables with greek and english cities we had visited together, so we used souvenirs from there and postcards with the name of the city for the stands instead of numbers) cause she wanted to prepare a surprise for us. That night I had my first nervous breakdown and couldnt stop crying! My dad wanted to see us and give us his car so we can go places and my friends wanted to see us but had promised my cousins i would come and pick them up and take them to a bar as uncle was tired! I didnt have time for all of them and my dad started annoying me saying: I havnt seen you and you are not giving me any of your time and bla bla bla so not knowing what to do I burst into tears. I was crying for hours. I had to let down my cousins in the end as I was done too late and my uncle lived a bit far :-(

    On Wednesday we went to Alimos beach Athens, with my cousins again (pay back for the previous night) and that helped me chill a bit....but was still really upset....they had travelled all they way from America and didnt want them to feel neglected by me!

    We left the beach at 5pm and went to Vouliagmeni, Athens to have a drink with a couple of our enlish guests that arrived in Athens the same day as we did!

    After that we were off to the airport to pick up Andy's parents. We clapped and cheerred when they got out, then went for a meal with them and my mum's family and then we took them to their hotel.

    Thursday was annoying and stressfull! We didnt go anywhere in the morning as we had to meet up with all sorts of people. We had to take our things back from the photographer, meet the DJ again take stuff to the reception and ran out of time and here is me crying like a baby again. My mum and Andy's parents met up for a coffee on their own and decided to go to the reception venue together and sort out what we couldnt! At the same time Andy and I were on the way to the airport in 2 separate cars to pick up another 4 people and their suitcases. Late at night when everyone was sorted, we went out with Andy's parents and my dad's family.

    Finally, the Friday, the day before the wedding, we were gonna do our hen and stag day activities but then we thought it was more important to bring people together so we didnt have a traditional separate hen and stag but we had something combined together. It was more fun cause we had all our friends mixing before the wedding. Another 17 guests arrived at that day and my mum and Andy's parents offered to go and pick them up so we can chill properly for once! We went to a water park with lots of crazy flumes and had a crazy time!!!! Later at night we had a meal with our 23 English guests just before the wedding! We had arranged for them to stay at the same hotel, right next to the reception venue to make gathering, timings and transport a lot easier. We arranged for coaches to pick up all the english guests from their hotel, take them to the church and then from there to the reception. And then they can roll drunk to their beds as its next door. We had our Friday meal with them in a Greek restaurant with live greek music next to their hotel. When this ended, Andy slept at my dad's house with his dad and I stayed at my mum's with my step sister. I cried when we had to separate and Andy cried too.....but we were both waiting for the same thing.

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  • MummyMoo82
    Beginner October 2012
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    More!

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  • Seaweed
    Beginner July 2012
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    THE WEDDING DAY- Getting ready

    There was absolutely no rush to get up as the wedding was at 8 in the evening! The make up artist wasnt due to arrive until 1 and the hairdresser until 3, but my eyes were wide open at 8 in the morning after a not ealry night! I did sleep well, but I got up really early and couldnt go back to sleep. I started the day with a chilling breakfast...strong coffee and a glass of vodka. My mum went mental when she saw me hahahaha My step sister and her dad left early to go to the hairdresser's and I spent all day looking for a robe. My mum gave me one in the end. My grandma was constantly trying to make me eat but I wasnt hungry at all. I was feeling like I was gonna be sick all day. After trying hard I had half a bowl of corn flakes and jumped in the shower straight away. I forgot to mention I got my hand nails done professionally on the thursday but i had my toenails left to do, but chose to do them myself as I am funny with feet LOL. So I washed, did my hair and my nails, got out of the bathroom and by this point my step sister and step dad was back. The hairdresser had given them a special shampoo just for me to use before she comes to the house to do my hair so back in the bathroom again lol Then Put my jewllery on, my mother in law's pearl necklace was my something old lol, my sister in law's pearl earings (which she used on her own wedding day) was my something borrowed, my garter was my something blue and well new was everything else, including the husband lol. Andy kept updating me by text message where he was as I was worried he would get lost. He wanted to go back to the hotel with all his friends and fam to get ready and he was using my dad's car and step dad's sat nav. Then he had to go to the florist to decorate his car and collect bouquets etc with his 2 best men and his dad, then he had to drop off one of my bridesmaids to my mum's house without seeing me and then he had to go to the church....i didnt think he would make it i was panicking i was sure there would be a problem....I was proved wrong as he was done at 19:10 and had another 30 mins to waste....my step dad met him and showed him the way to my godparents house so him and his groomsmen could have a chilled drink with the luxury of airconditioning lol before they go to the church...they would have to be there for 19:40. Back in the house the atmosphere was very emotional. They put traditional wedding songs on and everyone started crying making me cry as well....a lot. Then mum decorated all the balconies with white ribbons, and put lots of colourful sweets on the tables. We ordered pizza for all of us to eat (i ate half a slice lol) and took out all the bottles of alcohol that existed in the house. By 3 o clock, the hairdresser, my grandma and 2 of my bridesmaids had arrived. My bridesmaid Nina, is a professional make up artist so she did me, my mum and all the bridesmaids. At 5 o clock, my godmother and her daughter arrived and started taking photos. My maid of honour arrived ready straight from the hairdressers at 6. Half an hour later my last bridesmaid, Nicole who is english got dropped off and at half past 7 my cousins, dad, uncle, aunties etc arrived as well. There was literally no space for people to fit it hahaha I couldnt stop crying after a certain point and Nina was telling me off about make up. It is also a greek tradition for the bride to write the names of single girls at the bottom of her shoe. Which ever name gets wiped first, is the girl that will get married next. At about 19:20 I put on my wedding dress and there was more tears from everyone including me then grrrrr. Then at 19:50 my mum came to me and said: everyone is waiting downstairs its time to go....i couldnt move....i literally couldnt breath....i was sitting down breathing in and out and I couldnt even speak...people were giving me lots of water and were trying to get me to calm down. I dont even remember what they were saying to me....it wasnt coming in. When I felt well enough to stand up, I went downstairs on the lift and as soon as I opened the door, I saw a bunch of however many people (lots) clapping and cheering and throwing rose pettles at me! Then I saw my dad, wearing his proper english tales that we hired and the lilac cravat and I burst into tears again, then ran and hugged him. He straight away took my hand and guided my to my uncle's decorated by the florist mercedes. He opened the door and put me in.....I just kept crying. My uncle got in the car to drive and we left with all the others behind us HONKING REALLY LOUD AND CONTINUESLY! Half way through people took separate ways to park and my uncle did some more rounds with me honking, making others honk and greet me as well. LOL I was feeling like a celebrity. I loved that sort of attention lol. We were about to arrive at the church when my uncle said: OH NOOOO! What? i said It is 8 o clock! YOU CAN NOT BE HERE ON TIME! He suddenly put his foot down again and we disappeared lol I was shouting: what are you doing? Take me baaack! hahahaha We had another round and we finally arrived....it felt sooooo long but it was only around the block!
















    Below I have got a couple of photos that Andy sent from his phone while he was getting ready. The message I received with that photo was: it is very hot today so I am thinking of turning up like this:

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  • Seaweed
    Beginner July 2012
    Seaweed ·
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    The groom waiting

    Nothing to say about that really as I wasnt there, but its part of the story so here is some photos of that.







    GIVING AWAY THE BRIDE

    It is tradition for the bride to be given away outside the church at the top of the stairs, therefore the guests and the groom are all out there waiting on arrival. When I arrived and got out of the car it was like a dream! 120 guests all clapping and cheering at me. I burst into tears again, which made Andy cry too. The world had stopped turning....the photographer had kept me down taking photos but I couldnt wait to go up....people were talking but i have no idea what they were saying....and obviously I just dont remember now. My bridesmaids started walking before me and all I remember was someone shouting SLOWER SLOWER. I couldnt wait anymore so I shouted: GIRLS FASTER PLEASE! And of course they listened to me and went faster. Then it was time, my dad and I started walking up the stairs. My eyes were focused on the groom....I couldnt look anywhere else....thank God my dad was holding me cause I sort of tripped as i wasnt looking where i was going....no one noticed though phewww lol When we arrived up, Andy froze....he was looking at me speechless, smiling, about to cry....he gave me my flowers and then the photographer shouted: KISS. We kissed and people clapped again. Then we started walking down the aisle together with the guests following behind us. Andy kept saying how beautiful I looked and how I chose the perfect dress....he kept going on for the whole ceremony and he wouldnt take his eyes of me!




    It doesnt let me put more photos on this post so I will do the others on the next one.

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  • ESW
    Beginner September 2012
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    More more more, you look fantastic and you must tell where your tiara is from!

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  • Seaweed
    Beginner July 2012
    Seaweed ·
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    As hitched is being silly and not letting me put more photos on I did the rest of the ceremony on a little presentation. I will continue with reception shortly.[View:https://www.hitched.co.uk/chat/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Discussions.Components.Files/27/1070.Our-Wedding-7_2D00_7_2D00_12.pdf:550:0]

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  • Seaweed
    Beginner July 2012
    Seaweed ·
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    View quoted message

    Ebay will you believe it? Not second hand! Brand new from a proper company, I bought it. Only £20!!!! Or about that.....maybe just under.

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  • tortoise
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    Do it faster! ? Everything so far is amazing, such lovely traditions and your dress is gorgeous x

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  • Seaweed
    Beginner July 2012
    Seaweed ·
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    After the ceremony we had the classic photoshooting. We took photos with everyone and then the guests made their way to the reception venue on the mountain to wait for us. The coach picked up the English guests and we were finally left on our own. The photoshooting was the only time we got to spend time together alone as husband and wife so ENJOY IT as much as possible. The photographer kept shouting hold your wife this way, hold your husband that way and I was still thinking ti myself is he talking to us? I have a husband? It took me aaages to realise what had happened. It actually took me weeks, I wasnt taking it in, it sooo didnt feel real, it was just like a dream, sooo quick! The photoshooting was lovely, I enjoyed spending time with Andy without stress and people dragging us around! I kept thinking to myself yeah these are our album photos hahaha For the photoshooting there is nothing else to say so just enjoy the photos and the posing until I pass to the final bit which it the actual reception!








    Hitched is not letting me put more again so will go back to powerpoint lol

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  • Seaweed
    Beginner July 2012
    Seaweed ·
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    Here is the rest of the photoshooting. Only reception left now phewwww[View:https://www.hitched.co.uk/chat/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Discussions.Components.Files/27/4743.Rest-of-photoshooting.pdf:550:0]

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  • Seaweed
    Beginner July 2012
    Seaweed ·
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    I wrote everything about our reception and internet chucked me out grrrr had to do it all again!

    Our reception venue is called Rodon which means Rose. We found it online alongside a few other venues. When we went to Athens to visit them all, Rose made a massive difference and made everything else we saw look horrible. It is in Parnitha mountain with stunning views to Athens, a forest behind it and a cooler and peaceful climate making it really comfortable for everyone. Inside it was grand and elegant, with crystal lights, it had its own beauty which meant there wouldnt be many things for us to do as it didnt really need decorating, it was perfect!

    We got the florist to tranfer all decorations there from the church and have them ready for when the guests arrive, He did a brilliant job. We named our tables after cities of Greece and England that we had visited together and put souvenirs on that we had bought. Our guest book table was decorated with lots of photos of us being at the various locations our tables were named after. Our favours followed the greek tradition. We gave 7 sugared almonds in lilac and white organza bags to each one of our guests. Traditionally you have to chose an odd number as you cant devide it, symbolising the union of the couple. We chose 7 as it is lucky plus we got married the 7/7 7 years after we met (our wedding day is also the actual day we met). The sugared almonds show the bitter and sweet moments the couple will share together in their life.

    We treated our guests with a welcome bar while they were waiting for us to arrive. The welcome table was put outside which made everything look really summery and romantic, with the forest and the stars etc. The welcome table had fruit punch, sangria and ouzo for the guests to chose (i didnt have ouzo at the beginning as one shot of it gets me wasted, very traditional strong greek drink, it was Andy's idea by the way) and canapes of all different flavours.

    The sit down meal consisted of a massive starter lol a plate of 4 different things per person. A mini chicken pie, a mini pasta soufle, a mini ham and chese flute (pastrie in the shape of a flute) and a mini grilled eggplant filled with chese and tomato for the non meat eaters. Every table had 2 bowls of salad (greek and ceasars) and 2 plates of different types of cheese.

    The main meal, was soft pork with creamy white sauce served with rice, potatos and steamed veg. (or no pork for the vegetarians)

    The dessert was our wedding cake, alongside seasonal fruit and any choice of ice cream, all these 3 per person. In terms of alcohol we had one bottle of champagne per table, for the speeches and greeting etc and afterwards we had arranged unlimitted alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks for all our guests so they could drink as much as they like all night and get wasted without spending a penny!

    When we arrived the manager made sure all the guests had left the welcome table and were all inside, seated and ready to welcome us. When we walked in the atmosphere was magical. Everyone was clapping and whistling as hard and loud as they possibly could. We chose the classic instrumental Wedding March to walk in on our arrival. We sat at the table and everyone else sat down after us....I was feeling like a right royal or celeb that day, and was enjoying it soo much it was perfect! Food was served! I have never tasted anything greater than this in my life, it was all sooooo delicious and I am fussy with food. I loved it all sooo much, shame i couldnt eat much....lets face it, it wasnt my stuff your face day! I ate as much as I could but wish i could have eaten it all it was sooo tasty!

    Before dessert we stood up to cut the cake as it was supposed to be served with the rest of the things we had arranged. We cut the cake and fed each other, I played a bit with the groom as the photographer had asked me to do. Then the champagne came out and we faced our guests and raised our glasses to all. More clapping and whistling for us! We then crossed our arms and drunk. The song playing at that time was the theme of Indiana Jones lol, we had chosen it on purpose, no perticular reason but work really well with what was going on.

    Speeches followed, it was all perfect and sweet, dont want to go into detail about it. Just wanna mention that my husband's speech was the best in the world as he did half of it in Greek. He shocked us all, no one was expecting that, he made me cry! He got Nina to give him lessons when I was going off to do nails and trials etc. He was perfect and made no mistakes!

    After the speeches we went round all the tables to thank our guests and then moved onto the first dance. Hey there Delilah was the song by Plain White T's. We used to listen to that song together and sing it to each other over the phone when I was still living in Greece years ago. It is talking about 2 people madly in love who live far from each other and how things will be perfect for them in the end. It also talks about the guy travelling all the time to see her. This song was clearly made for us lol.

    After a couple of slow dances, I threw my bouquet, just before the party started. The DJ then played Greek music for Greek dancing and English music for a disco. Everyone went mad, and the whole night was a mix of the 2 cultures, getting on incredibly well (better than we thought, better than perfect). The party ended at 6 o clock in the morning and as we were walking out we realised the sun was out already. Luckily we had booked our bridal suite at the same hotel as our egnlish guests, next door so we just rolled to our beds. It was the best day of our lives. It still feels like a dream to me, it went sooo quick and I still cant believe it actually happened. My only proof is the DVD and photos but in my brain it doesnt feel like memories, it still feels like a wish, a dream. Photos will follow with powerpoint. ENJOY!

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  • Seaweed
    Beginner July 2012
    Seaweed ·
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    Here is the photos! Well part 1, part 2 coming in a few mins! [View:https://www.hitched.co.uk/chat/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Discussions.Components.Files/27/3835.Our-wedding-reception1.pdf:550:0]

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  • Seaweed
    Beginner July 2012
    Seaweed ·
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    And finally part 2! [View:https://www.hitched.co.uk/chat/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Discussions.Components.Files/27/6116.Our-wedding-reception-2.pdf:550:0]

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  • natalieexx
    Beginner October 2012
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    What a lovely story! I feel like I know you both ha ha... sounds like your day was absolutely perfect, and you looked stunning Smiley smile congratulations xxx

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  • *JLS*
    Beginner July 2012
    *JLS* ·
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    Stunning!! everything looks beautiful! It's been so good getting to know you through here. I hope you both have a long and happy marriage together. Jx

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  • Mrs_imp
    Beginner June 2012
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    What a fantastic report, and what a fantastic day! You looked gorgeous and it looks like you had the most amazing day. The church is absolutely breathtaking, really dramatic.

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  • Seaweed
    Beginner July 2012
    Seaweed ·
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    Nataliee, I guess feeling that way is a good thing right? lol Thank you for the lovely things you said!

    JLS, my lovely date twinnie, you have had an amazing report as well everything was gorgeous, I did comment on it. Its good that you got to know me before you are gonna meet me, when you see me you can be prepared lol Thank you as well for your comments and wishes!

    Mrs imp Thank you sooooo much for your lovely words you made me cry! lol

    Mini moon will go on soon....

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  • sal.san
    Beginner December 2011
    sal.san ·
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    Fabulous! You looked gorgeous. Congratulations to you both x

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  • unexpectedpenny
    Beginner January 2013
    unexpectedpenny ·
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    You look absolutely amazing! & your church is breathtaking! So beautiful!

    Glad you had a wonderful time!

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  • I
    Beginner January 1999
    irrelephant ·
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    This is an amazing report! We have greek friends who had an english civil ceremony and are debating whether to have a greek ceremony too. I hope they do, it looks so lovely.

    Your dress is gorgeous and i love all the photos!

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  • Kayels
    Beginner May 2013
    Kayels ·
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    Gorgeous report and stunning photo's! you looked amazing and so happy! xx xx

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  • Nicola_84uk
    Beginner October 2013
    Nicola_84uk ·
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    What an amazing story ? Your pics are lovely and you look beautiful. Big congrats.

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  • Seaweed
    Beginner July 2012
    Seaweed ·
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    Thank you sooo much girls! you will be gorgeous with your lovely santorini wedding my darling kayesl!

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  • Kayels
    Beginner May 2013
    Kayels ·
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    Awww thanks!! if its half as beautiful as yours i will be happy Smiley smile xx xx

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  • Seaweed
    Beginner July 2012
    Seaweed ·
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    Are you trying to make me cry again? lol it will be very beautiful! stunning!

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  • Kayels
    Beginner May 2013
    Kayels ·
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    Haha!! awwww sorri!!!., the pictures are stunning though!

    awww thanks, well i have you to help me with all the greek parts now! Smiley smile so it will be! x x

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  • Seaweed
    Beginner July 2012
    Seaweed ·
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    No worries graceyfly, never too late lol Thank you very much! Not long for you now! :-) How did you suddenly spot my report???

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