Hannah and Justine’s Santorini Wedding, Featured in Rock My Wedding
Updated: Oct 6
Santorini’s white buildings, blue domes and dramatic caldera views make it a distinctive setting for a destination wedding.
For Hannah and Justine, it was a place they already loved.
The island’s sunsets and coastal scenery were part of what they wanted to share with their guests.
Their celebration brought together that setting with a very personal sense of fun.
After several visits to Santorini, Hannah and Justine chose it for their wedding, inviting family and close friends to experience the island with them.
During a trip in 2019, they visited Mykonos, where Hannah proposed at Scorpios. Dancing barefoot on the sand under the stars became the beginning of their wedding plans.
Location and venue search
I accompanied them on a three-day planning visit to Santorini. Pre-arranged venue appointments and tastings helped us compare the settings, food and guest experience.
Back in the UK, Hannah and Justine had narrowed their shortlist to two venues.
After considering both, they confirmed their choice.
They chose Buddha Bar at La Maltese in Imerovigli. The upper terrace offered the setting they wanted for their ceremony, with remarkable views.
The scale of the venue felt right for their intimate celebration of around 40 guests.
For their wedding, the couple booked private use of the venue, creating a dedicated space for their group.
With children among the guests, the couple also considered supervision and comfort throughout the day.
Supplier bookings
The next stage was to get all their favourite suppliers booked in and deposits paid and once this was done, they could send out their wedding invitations.
Paper and Inc created bespoke passport invitations. The travel theme introduced the destination, while coral details hinted at the wedding palette.
Wedding Budget Allocation
One of the first conversations I have with my couples is about budget allocation and I always advise that they make a list, starting with the most important elements they want to include in their wedding.
During the next couple of meetings we had, it became clear that high on their priorities list was locking in their chosen photographer.
They wanted photographs they would treasure and a photographer with whom they felt comfortable.
Rebecca Carpenter Photography was their choice, and securing her was an important part of the plan.
Food, music and a lively party were also high on their priorities.
Having first met in a cocktail bar where Hannah worked, the couple loved a celebration. Elias from PLM Events worked carefully on the playlist and music cues, including the entrances, first dance and a memorable performance with the best men.
Words of Wisdom from the couple
Hannah and Justine say...
"Hire a videographer!! It seems that a lot of couples have choosing their photographer at the very top of their list of priorities, with the videography either being a bit of an after thought, or, something they don’t end up having at all. This was us too!
Luckily, we realised we wanted a wedding film in plenty of time and asked our photographer, who we booked way in advance (she was one of our non negotiables!) if she recommended any.
She was SUPER helpful and sent us a whole list. Abigail and Luke abigailandluke.co.uk jumped out to us massively and now having seen our wedding film we are SO grateful they were there.
Your photos will be beautiful and something you can treasure forever but a film, an actual film with music and sound will transport you back to those magical moments and allow you to relive them.
Photography and videography are as important as each other and if you can find suppliers that have worked together before… You will have yourselves the ultimate dream team. Just like we did"
Wedding week details
We arrived in Santorini a few days before the wedding for the final preparations.
The hotel I had chosen to stay in was the most fabulous boutique hotel kalyasuites.com
situated in Kamari, right at the beach and close to all the restaurants and nightlife.
This is actually where Hannah and Justine decided to do their bridal prep on the wedding day, but a bit more on that later.
During our stay, Kalya Suites offered a warm welcome and breakfast delivered to the rooms.
Thursday was a busy day with final meetings at the venue and last minute checks with the DJ and florist.
Romantic sunrise couple photo shoot
An early evening gave the couple time to rest before Friday’s sunrise shoot with Rebecca Carpenter Photography and videographers Abigail and Luke.
The early start gave them a quieter experience of Oia and time to enjoy the photographs together.
Going so early meant hardly anyone else was around and in the stillness, peace and quiet of it all, Oia was more astounding than ever before.
The photography and video team helped Hannah and Justine feel comfortable and confident.
Whilst they still had some nerves for their big day the following day, any around being photographed were now gone.
Hannah who is a PT and Justine who works in the aesthetics industry say ...
"It goes without saying that you want to look your absolute best on the most important day of your life but this is not the time to change anything too drastically.
Don’t try any new skincare products or treatments, too close to the big day, just in case you have a bad reaction and the same goes for your workout regime, if you’re not a runner, don’t suddenly take up running! The very last thing you want to do is injure yourself.
The final months to the big day is the perfect time to lock in your skincare and exercise routine but find what works for you in plenty of time and stick to that. Wedding prep can be very stressful so be sure to take care of your mind, body and soul."
Wedding Day Morning at Kalya Suites
A carefully planned morning gave Hannah and Justine a relaxed start at Kalya Suites, where some close family members were also staying.
This allowed them to spend a bit more time with them before they departed for their honeymoon and also meant they could have a room each to get into their dresses, ahead of the big reveal.
The bridal party arrived early at Kalya Suites, where two rooms had been prepared. Hannah and Justine shared hair and make-up preparations before separating to get dressed.
First Look At Kalya Suites
After much discussion and deliberating, Hannah and Justine eventually decided that they were walking down the aisle together, so they wanted to do a first look before going to the wedding venue.
They anticipated there would be a few tears (they were right!) so doing their first look privately meant they were free to let those out and it also made it possible for the pair to travel to the wedding together.
Travelling together let them hold hands and share a quiet moment before walking down the aisle.
Wedding ceremony at La Maltese Estate
Hannah and Justine wanted a light-hearted ceremony that reflected their personalities.
So...
The flower men opened the ceremony to the Top Gun theme, wearing sunglasses and tossing petals with enthusiasm. Their entrance immediately set a playful tone.
Hannah’s nephew followed as ring bearer, wearing a coral bow tie and shorts to echo the wedding party’s outfits.
Then the whole mood shifted as the Top Gun music faded out and the live strings kicked in, playing Coldplay’s Sky Full of Stars for Hannah’s Best Man, then the two Maids of Honour who looked amazing in long, floaty coral dresses and lastly the flower girls to walk down to.
Of course the tiny adorable flower girls stole the show for a brief moment…
Hannah and Justine then walked down the aisle hand in hand to their chosen song, played by the local string duo Soul n Passion.
Hannah wore Alexandra Rose by Grace Loves Lace.
She paired the gown’s high neckline with an elegant updo and natural make-up.
Its open back and front slit brought a relaxed, personal feel and room to dance later in the evening.
Justine wore Nisha by Enzoani, with lace, beaded straps and a fitted silhouette. Her gown was purchased from:
Both brides chose the fourth dress they tried, a lovely coincidence in their preparations.
"Hannah... My little ray of sunshine..."
Their personal vows made the ceremony deeply emotional, with heartfelt words and happy tears.
Hearing the promises they had written for one another was a joy.
Once the vows were made and the ceremony was over, the couple made their way back down the aisle to the sound of their guests clapping and cheering whilst being showered with bright and colourful confetti.
Down we all went to the slightly lower terrace where more live music from the string duo was taking place and a very welcome cocktail or two was served.
Cocktail hour and sunset photo shoot at La Maltese Estate
Whilst being serenaded, we sipped on the delicious cocktails and mingled, while the happy couple went off with their photographer and videographers for their portrait session in the streets of Santorini.
Their portrait walk towards Skaros Rock brought congratulations, applause and spontaneous well-wishes from people along the route.
Table decor and floral details
Hannah and Justine were very clear in their designs for their wedding. They wanted light and airy and for absolutely nothing to detract from the stunning view over the caldera.
The meal was planned to start just as the sun was setting, so they asked for loads of candlelight and lanterns to light the terrace
In keeping with their chosen colours of coral and gold, they opted for gold charger plates, cutlery & napkins and had gorgeous place cards made which were a stunning shade of bright coral.
The coral details echoed the ties and maids of honour dresses, bringing the palette together.
The wedding reception at La Maltese Estate
As the sun went down the guests took their places at the table ready for the return of the happy couple
And they danced their way in to the sound of the Spice Girls blasting out "Spice Up Your Life"
The guests stood, cheered and twirled their napkins round and round.
It was a lively entrance that led naturally into the speeches.
The evening got going with hilarious speeches, loads of delicious food, plenty of drink and the wonderful sound of laughing, happy guests
Once the meal had finished, the happy couple lit up the night sky with their first dance and some incredible cold sparks by floxfireworks.com
DJ Elias from PLM Events kept the evening party going long into the night.
A sparkler farewell closed the celebrations for the newlyweds.
This story is part of our wider destination wedding portfolio. Today we specialise in Cilento, Puglia and Sicily, with enquiries elsewhere considered individually. Get in touch to discuss your own Italian celebration.
B x
With Thanks to the Wedding Team
Wedding planner
Photographer
Videographer
Florist
Decor
Celebrant
Music
DJ and sound system
Fireworks
Getting ready venue
Wedding venue
Brides dresses
Hair and Make-up
Wedding Invitations
Featured in Rock My Wedding rockmywedding.co.uk/hannah-justine-la-maltese-santorini-wedding
Read More Love Stories
Comments