SAMMY & DARREN- PHILOSOPHIA PEFKOS WEDDING- NORWICH WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER
Last week wasn’t like any other. Being a wedding photographer my Friday night would usually consist of packing my camera suitcase ready to go to whichever Norfolk venue I had booked in for that Saturday. This time my suitcase also included bikinis, suncream, and beach towels as I was off to sunny Rhodes with Sammy & Darren for their wedding. I’ve known these guys for around 2 years now and it seems hard to believe just how quickly this wedding has come around! We’ve had many days and nights out along with my partner Luca where we’d talked about the wedding with it being so far away in our heads, and then all of a sudden it was here! I’d heard so much about their venue, Philosophia, and done lots of research online but nothing compared to the amazing view and relaxed atmosphere of actually being there. The owners, Phillip and Barbra couldn’t have been more helpful, and from what I’ve heard from Sammy & Darren they’ve made the whole process go so smoothly for them.
After 4 days of sunbathing, meals out and a whole lot of cocktails it was finally Thursday and time for the wedding! In the UK I don’t really bother weather watching. I just think that whatever happens, happens and we will always make the most of it. However, flying to another country to get the perfect weather made me a little worried when thunderstorms were forecasted for the whole of the wedding day. In the end, we just stopped looking and said we will make the most of it whatever. Thursday morning came with deep blue skies and sunshine which we were all so pleased about. Sammy’s bridesmaids started getting ready around midday, whilst Sammy had her hair and makeup done by her cousin, Carly. As always the bridal preparations flew by and the golf buggy soon arrived to pick the girls up and take them to Philosophia. There’s always something special about an outdoors ceremony, but even more so with a view as incredible as theirs was. However as Sammy walked down the aisle with her Dad, she soon stole everyone’s attention. The ceremony was beautiful, the celebrant included lots of personal touches and even a Greek tradition which was a surprise to Darren. They then shared their first kiss and walked out as Mr & Mrs Layden whilst their guest sprinkled them with confetti.
With the ceremony being so late at 6pm to avoid the midday heat, we were on a rather tight time schedule to get all family, couple, and detail photos done. And to make things even more exciting, a storm was heading our way, and quickly!! Luckily we had done a recce of the area on a previous day and planned out exactly where we were going. After a few photos in some absolutely beautiful locations, it was time to head back for them to be announced in and cut their cake. Sammy’s Dad said a toast before the meal and we all said cheers (or yamas) to the happy couple. As we ate the wonderful Greek food, the sun set over the mountain and it was truly magical. The beginning of the storm had covered the sky with moody dark clouds which made a killer sunset- something we wouldn’t have been lucky enough to have if it was a perfectly clear evening. We had a little shower of rain which made us move the tables closer together so everyone was under shelter but it just added to the atmosphere, by that point nobody cared it was raining as we were too busy having a good time! Sammy and Darren had their first dance later on in the evening and everyone joined them for the last part. The night was filled with dancing, drinking and a whole lot of laughs, as was the rest of our fabulous holiday together.
