More bliss, less stress
Let Ionian Weddings plan your perfect day….in the Greek Islands or Cyprus
One in five couples now chooses to say “I do” abroad as the cost of getting married in the UK has never been higher.* For couples with a budget who dream to make their special day truly magical, Ionian Weddings, specialist consultancy for weddings in the Greek Islands and Cyprus,organises personalised bespoke weddings in unique locations at affordable prices.
Ionian Weddings’ services include arrangements for a ceremony in, for example, unusual surroundings such as a rustic chapel surrounded by lemon trees or a former opera house, completion of all legal paperwork, flowers, photographer, bridal car, reception and music. Such wedding co-ordination packages can start at as little as £1,500; this compares to £20,000, the average cost of a wedding day in the UK.
Jane Palikara, who co-founded Ionian Weddings with her husband Andreas, says: “We provide a completely tailor-made service offering everything from simple barefoot beach weddings, chapel blessings and chic hotel venues, to exclusive use of private islands, vineyard locations and harbour-front settings. Using our detailed knowledge of the Greek Islands, our own personal experience of getting married in Greece and an extensive network of contacts, all weddings, however large or small, are arranged with exceptional attention to detail so couples can be assured that the most important day of their lives is in safe hands.”
Ionian Weddings’ destinations include the Ionian Islands of Corfu, Paxos, Lefkada (Lefkas), Meganissi, Kefalonia (Cephalonia), Ithaki (Ithaca), Zante (Zakynthos), and the Aegean Islands of Skiathos, Santorini, Mykonos, Kos, Rhodes, Amorgos, Samos, Thassos and Crete plus Cyprus. The company also offers tailor-made options to other destinations in the Greek Islands on request.
Each island offers its own unique locations which include:
- By a waterfall or inside a sea cave inLefkas
- A private island off Zante
- A whitewashed chapel in Kos with a private beach reception
- The pine-scented island of Skiathos for Mamma Mia-inspired nuptials
- A chapel situated at the end of a long path leading out to sea, in Crete
- A traditional windmill on cosmopolitan Mykonos
- With views of blue-domed churches, a boutique hotel in Santorini
- An archaeological site in Thassos
- The restored Kallithea Spa in Rhodes
- The unspoilt island of Amorgos, location for the film The Big Blue
For couples considering a Greek island or Cyprus wedding, the company offers a two-hour consultation meeting for a small fee which is fully refundable if the couple makes a booking. Additional services include assistance with booking accommodation for the wedding party and full documentation service.
For more information, visit Ionian Weddings at www.ionianweddings.co.uk.
Ends 29 September 2010
Notes to editors:
- Founded in March 2007 by Greek-born Andreas Palikiras and his English wife, Jane, who have over 15 years’ experience in the travel industry.
- To date, Ionian Weddings has arranged over 300 weddings in the Greek Islands and Cyprus.
- Anglican, Baptist, Catholic, Civil, Greek Orthodox, Jewish and Protestant weddings can be arranged.
- Client testimonials can be found here: http://www.ionianweddings.co.uk/testimonials10.asp
- Images and case studies are available on request.
*Mintel Report 2009
Media Enquiries: For further information on Ionian Weddings or to interview the founder directors, please contact Mika Bishop or Julia Farish at Travel PR on 020 8891 4440 or email m.bishop@travelpr.co.ukor j.farish@travelpr.co.uk.
IONIAN WEDDINGS’ DESTINATIONS
Ionian Weddings specialises in providing bespoke weddings in the following locations:
IONIAN ISLANDS:
CORFU –the setting for Shakespeare’s The Tempest. Options include being serenaded through the streets of an historic Venetian-style Corfu town ITHACA– the birthplace of Homer’s Odysseus, offering stunning harbour-front venues or intimate boutique hotels.KEFALONIA– a beautifully green island, known for its dramatic scenery, and famous as the setting for Captain Corelli’s Mandolin. Choose from one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, Myrtos, or a chapel in the charming fishing village of Assos.
LEFKAS– the green archipelago of Lefkas is connected to mainland Greece by a 50m floating bridge. Marry by a waterfall or in a sea cave, amongst other wonderful locations.
MEGANISSI– consider the island’s spectacular Asteras beach, accessible by boat only, with its spectacular cliff backdrop or a seaside-located stone chapel surrounded by olive trees
PAXOS– an unspoilt island, where locations include pretty fishing villages in idyllic settings.
ZANTE(Zakynthos) – get married on your own private island, the only place in Greece where you can hire the beach entirely for you and your guests. A separate island nearby, Turtle Island, is the nesting ground for loggerhead turtles. The perfect eco-chic location, guests must get married barefoot on the horseshoe-shaped beach and furniture is not allowed to minimise any disturbance to the turtles. Ionian Weddings donates a percentage of its profits to turtle protection programmes on the island.
AEGEAN ISLANDS:
AMORGOS– this gem of an island and surrounding turquoise waters provided the setting for Luc Besson’s film Big Blue. With high speed boat connections to Santorini, unspoilt locations include traditional white chapels or the beautiful sandy beach of Levrossos.
CRETE– the largest of the Greek islands, Crete has it all. Choose the Georgioupolis Chapel, located at the end of a long path leading out to sea, a Cretan temple, or a privately-chartered yacht wedding.
KOS– the birthplace of the ancient Greek physician, Hippocrates, with archaeology dating back 30,000 years. Hold a ceremony in complete privacy on St Stefanos Island, a short boat ride from the main island, outside a tiny whitewashed chapel.
MYKONOS– the setting for Shirley Valentine, Mykonos’ locations include one of the trademark windmills of Mykonos in cosmopolitan Little Venice, five star boutique hotels or on the harbour front in the charming capital town of Chora.
RHODES– plan a ceremony at the foot of the Acropolis, on Filerimos Mountain or at the Kallithea Spa, a restored, Italian-built spa with colonnades, domed ceilings & mosaic floors.
SAMOS– lush, green and covered in pine trees, weddings can take place at the World Heritage Site, Pythagorio Town Hall, the picturesque marina or in one of the island’s little churches.
SANTORINI– the most beautiful sunsets in the Mediterranean can be seen from Santorini, where sunset caldera weddings can be arranged. Further options on this chic island include wineries, boutique hotels, Greek Orthodox chapels and a Jewish synagogue.
SKIATHOS– the setting for Mamma Mia!, the magical peninsula of Bourtzi offers spectacular views. Following the ceremony, guests can experience a boat ride in a traditional kaiki boat similar to the one used by Colin Firth and Pierce Brosnan in the film.
THASSOS – the only location in Greece where a wedding at an archaeological site (Ancient Agora) is possible; other options include a lighthouse pier and seaside cove terrace that can be hired privately.
CYPRUS- birthplace of Aphrodite, the Greek Goddess of Love, Cyprus is the number one wedding destination for UK couples. Popular destinations are Paphos, Agia Napa / Protaras and Limassol for beach weddings plus town halls and remote Cypriot villages.
For more information, visit Ionian Weddings at www.ionianweddings.co.uk or call 020 8892 7556
Ends/29th September, 2010
Media Enquiries: For further information on Ionian Weddings, please contact Mika Bishop or Julia Farish at Travel PR on 020 8891 4440 or email m.bishop@travelpr.co.ukor j.farish@travelpr.co.uk.