I am finally recapping one of my all-time favorite weddings that I have ever been able to capture as a traveling wedding photographer: Marissa and Scotty’s dreamy Santorini Destination Wedding.
Let me tell you, it was nothing short of magical.
I mean, wow!
I can’t wait to share all the amazing moments with you, but first, a little backstory.
Thanks to my incredible friend Whitney, I was able to have this experience in the first place. You see, the bride of this fabulous wedding also happens to be a California wedding planner, and when they inquired about with Whit about her photography services, I promised Whitney I’d come along if they booked.
And luckily? They did!
So, that’s how I ended up in this stunning place, riding the coattails of Whitney’s awesomeness, and I’m absolutely not complaining one bit.
Capturing All of the Precious Moments at this Santorini Destination Wedding in Greece
Let’s start with a fun fact about this famous city in Greece. Did you know that Santorini is all about stairs and uphill walks? Seriously, I had no idea there would be so many stairs. We trekked about 5.5 miles on the wedding day, and it felt like 90% of that was uphill.
But hey, it’s all part of the Santorini experience, right?
Setting the Scene at the Bride’s Villa
I began my day at Whitney’s villa in Fira, a busy neighborhood on the island. We then headed to Imirovigli, the neighborhood where the bride stayed. And let me tell you, Imirovigli is where I want to stay next time. It was so quiet and relaxed compared to the bustling city center.
The bride’s villa was absolutely gorgeous with breathtaking views. We started the day capturing all the beautiful details, getting ready photos, and the bride in her stunning wedding dress. The morning was slow, quiet, and super chill – just the way you’d want it on your wedding day. The bride was incredibly chill herself, which was major heart eyes.
We also managed to sneak in a heartwarming first look with the groom. They were so adorable, and it was beautiful to see them have a private moment amidst their crazy schedules.
The Venue: El Viento Santorini
The wedding took place at El Viento, a venue in the southern part of the island. This location offered incredible views of the city. El Viento has a charming windmill, and I learned from the owner that it used to be a flour mill for their family bakery. Now, it’s a wedding venue with exquisite wedding cakes made on-site.
The setting, florals, and tablescape were truly beautiful. Like, pinch me because I am definitely dreaming type of beautiful.
Basking in the Sunset and Making a Grand Entrance
The wedding planners made sure that everything happened at sunset, including a two-hour cocktail hour. We managed to capture some family photos and then headed to the cliffs near the venue to take more breathtaking photos during sunset.
It was so pretty that it left us speechless.
Seriously, the ambiance stole the words right out of my mouth.
The grand entrance of the bride and groom, surrounded by family and friends at a beautifully lit table, was pure magic. We even got to take a little break and enjoy a delicious dinner. It was fresh salad, veggie pasta, and scrumptious cookies, of course.
With a family of bakers, you can’t expect anything less!
Reminiscing on my Job as a Destination Wedding Photographer
During this entire Santorini destination wedding, I kept pinching myself. At random points throughout the day, I couldn’t stop realizing how fortunate I was to have this as my job.
I mean, I was in Santorini! DREAMYYYY. And, I was capturing a wedding, and just soaking in all the good vibes. It was a day filled with gratitude, joy, and stunning aesthetics.
You guys, it was wild.
As the day came to a close, Whitney and I hopped into a cab, and I strolled back to my hotel through the charming city streets. It was the most perfect ending to an already incredible day.
BONUS: If you want to relive their wedding day with some BTS, check out my instagram highlights “🇬🇷 Wedding!” && if you want to see what I got up to in Greece, I have more highlights on there too feat. my fave island, Paros & a cooking class with the cutest Greek Grandma of all time!
Santorini Destination Wedding Dream Team:
Planning: Julia & Evita
Flowers: Betty Flowers Santorini
Venue: El Viento Santorini
Brides HAMU: Morgan Belleville
Fam Glam: Christine Panagopoulou @nomikou_marianna
Rings: Brilliant Earth
Dress: Made with Love Bridal x Bolee Bridal Couture
Suit: Indochino
Chairs: Maison Trilogie
After the wedding day, Whit and I joined the bride and groom, along with all the other wedding guests, on a delightful afternoon catamaran trip around the island. They chose the Sunset Oia company, and I must say, it gets a solid 10/10 recommendation from me. It was an incredibly fun experience and offered a fantastic way to explore different parts of the island.
Despite the chilly weather, I couldn’t resist taking a plunge into the sea, which had been on my Greek bucket list for ages. Plus, I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the food on board. I’m usually a bit skeptical, but those gyros were absolutely divine!
INTERESTED IN BOOKING DANI RAWSON PHOTOGRAPHY FOR YOUR DESTINATION WEDDING?
For more of my Greece destination sessions:
PAROS GREECE SUNRISE SESSION
HONEYMOON IN PAROS GREECE: A GOLDEN HOUR SHOOT TO REMEMBER
