A Laid-back Destination Wedding Lazaroy Beach Restaurant in Sifnos, Greece

About three years ago, Angeliki Psarrou was celebrating her 30^th birthday. Her best friend had flown in from Brussels to attend the birthday festivities, taking the liberty to invite another friend who had just moved to London – Sebastian Basso. For Angeliki, meeting him was as close to “love at first sight” as it gets.

Fast forward two years, and Angeliki and Sebastian were enjoying an ordinary Saturday night out as a couple. They started out the evening at a wine bar in Marylebone, followed by dinner in Notting Hill at the same restaurant they went to on their first date. Fed and feeling merry, Angeliki was ready to go home when Sebastian suggested they check out a must-see rooftop bar at The Shard – London’s newest skyscraper. After “negotiating” their entry, Sebastian said he would go up first, just to make sure their table was worthwhile.

“Moments later, a hostess approached me to escort me up,” Angeliki describes. “But instead of the bar, I was brought to the presidential suite of the Shard Hotel, where my husband-to-be was waiting for me, surrounded by the breathtaking view of the stage upon which our story unfolded. I said ‘Yes!’”

Such a beautiful proposal had to be followed by a fantastic wedding. To that end, the newly engaged couple decided to have a destination wedding in Greece – Angeliki’s home country – so they could combine a holiday and an epic party with friends and family. The eight-month wedding planning process began with a three-day Aegean expedition that covered almost a thousand miles. After seeing the land and researching online, Angeliki and Sebastian decided that Sifnos would be the perfect island for their wedding.

The wedding ceremony took place in a small 19^th century chapel. Since the chapel was too small to fit all the guests, the bride and groom had a pre-ceremony in the courtyard, where they exchanged vows overlooking the Aegean Sea. A magical dinner and party then ensued in an open-air venue hanging off a cliff in a small private creek.

To surprise their guests, Sebastian and Ageliki made a grand reception entrance by arriving via boat to the tune of their favorite song, “You Give Me Love” by Marietta Fafouti. This ultimately kicked off an unforgettable party that lasted until nine o’clock in the morning, and culminated with a dip in the sea – bride and groom included.

“Upon leaving the venue that morning, we felt the bittersweet taste of an amazing experience that had just come to an end,” says Angeliki. “I would relieve it all again if I could; but what’s the chance of getting it so right a second time?”