So after the near death experience and complete freak out, we arrived back the hotel only an hour behind schedule. This wasn’t really an issue though, because my appointments for hair and makeup had yet to start. I came into the bridal suite and all the girls were in their adorable red silk robes getting ready! I am so glad we got the robes because everyone looked so cute. I showered and put on my white robe, and the fun really began. Hair first, then makeup, and of course eating a gyro (only in Greece will a bride be getting her hair done while eating a gyro).
I had taken my dress to be steamed the day before (on the back of a quad no less) and it was picked up and arrived in plenty of time. As my brother was bringing it in, however, he went to hang it up and knocked over a glass of RED WINE. My mom, in a superwoman moment, moved faster than the speed of light and hit the cup in the other direction. She literally SAVED the DAY! I was turning away from her as it happened but the make-up artist said she had never seen anyone move so quickly. The red wine was quickly put away. What we were thinking having red wine there in the first place is a wonderful question. Brides: don’t follow in those footsteps.
After doing pictures of the dress, Emily, the photographer, went down to do the boys getting ready pictures. All the boys in the bridal party wore kilts which was awesome. They all looked so great and it was so much fun! However, kilts are very, very hot, because there are many layers and it is made of wool. As my brother Chris was super hung over, as per usual, and it was 90 degrees outside, he wasn’t feeling so well. Right as Emily was taking a shot, Chris turned and threw up. Emily said in all the weddings she has ever done, she has never ever seen that take place. I am glad to say I did not witness it, but the story was told over and over throughout the evening, as it will continue to be for years to come I am sure.
As soon as everyone was ready, we did more pictures and soon it was time to head to Santo Wines. A bus picked up everyone besides Kayla and I, and we were taken in a private car. The driver honked the horn the entire time, and we waved to everyone we passed. It was almost like being an actual princess.
The ceremony went smoothly—and it was truly amazing. I walked down the aisle as the sun was beginning to set, and as we said our own vows to each other, I had the overwhelming feeling of calm, happiness, and perfection. I married my best friend, with loved ones around, in the most beautiful place in the world. Literally nothing could be better than that.
After the ceremony, some pictures, and some Santo Wine, we got in the bus/car and rode up to Fira for the reception dinner. Fira is an amazing town on the cliffs of Santorini. All the houses and restaurants are built with literally no room in between them. There are cobblestone roads that lead up and down so that people can get to the top and see the incredible view. (Walking up the cobblestone stairs with 4 inch heels and a huge hoop dress was quite interesting to say the least—but with my new husband, maid of honor and best man, we made it all the way up). If you have seen many pictures of Santorini, Fira is very well known for the long, bending road that leads all the way down to the water. It is also well known for the donkeys that take people up and down it. (Donkeys are sacred to the Greeks—they are considered the lost souls of their people. However, there is also a cable car for those that are not a fan of riding the cute little donkeys, such as me). At the top of the mountain, there are many restaurants with the amazing view of the sea and volcano. At Argo, where we chose to have our dinner, there is a large balcony that can seat 70. We rented it all out so that we could have a little privacy to drink and dance. Just as we arrived, the sun was setting in the horizon, and the view was absolutely breathtaking. Michael Danby, a great friend of ours from Australia, played his guitar and sang all our favorite songs. The dance floor was full the entire evening.
As people started to taper off and go home in taxis, the younger crowd was not ready to end the thus-far perfect night. So, instead of taking taxis to the hotel, 4 loads of us took them to none other than Beach Bar. In our dresses, and kilts, we continued our reception at the place where it all began.
<3
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