LONDON MEETS CHANIA: WEDDING CEREMONY AND RECEPTION AT AN OLIVE OIL MILL
Alex and Ashley's wedding was a “one of a kind” experience. This certainly has to do with their personality and good taste, but also with their choice of venue. A family run olive oil mill called Biolea Estate in Astrikas near Chania, actually one of the few that produces olive oil using millstones. You can also take part in olive oil tastings and see where the “green gold”, as many call it, is made. In addition, the restaurant serves fantastic dishes using all seasonal and local ingredients. The chef and owner is deeply convinced of the agricultural products of Crete. Definitely an authentic experience.
The wedding was planned by none other than Sveta and her wedding planning company Weddings Within Crete. She is known for her unique choices of venue and is probably the first to have ever arranged a wedding at Biolea Estate. She sees a whole story behind a typical olive grove and a magical plot behind every love story. If you're looking for something other than the usual “I do”, she sure knows how to find that something something for your special day.
This time our part was the wedding styling. From the ceremony in the grove under the olive trees to the reception at the olive oil mill. The landscape and the property itself helped greatly in the decoration process as it was extremely charming and offered breathtaking views. Alex and Ashley didn't ask for much. No hyper-dimensional flowers, nor too many lights, but dreamy string lights over the large dining table (Event Lighting Projects). They wanted to keep the look natural and just add a few highlights. We liked their idea, so we kept everything simple, using earth tones like terracotta and dusty orange and all-white florals with a few twists like the seating area with white round hanging lanterns and a swing. The ceremony area was covered with white garlands of carnations. We used wooden chairs to give it a rustic look. The dining table was decorated with a combination of terracotta flower pots and candlestick holder as well as fresh oranges and figs. The terracotta-colored napkins and stationery (Goods Gang) combined with all white tableware and tablecloths created a contrast while being inviting and calm.
The guests enjoyed a multi-course menu created by Biolea chef, who perfectly integrated all food requirements such as vegan and lactose-free into his dishes. After the traditional wedding cake cutting (Monterno Catering), guests enjoyed drinks (Alchemist Mobile Bar) and danced under the stars until 2 in the morning. A truly magical experience for both, the wedding couple and their guests.
Beauty captured by: Irini Koronaki
