The wedding day
3 July 2016
No worries about the weather then! Scorching sunshine in a cloudless sky.
Theodora & girls have decorated the balconies with organza, ribbons, balloons & flowers. Waterlilies floating in the pool.
The groom stayed overnight at the Diamond, so his dad joins him for breakfast with the lads.
Couldn't resist an early morning swim.
Hairdresser due from 12 noon with I think 10 ladies to coiffure. So long shower & get air con on full blast. Hair is being done in the "brides quarters" A beautifully renovated one bed apartment. Even has a jaquizzi bath, his & hers sinks & large shower cubicle. Full fitted kitchen & lounge area. The hairdresser arrives, Hanna (salon near Driftwood) She is very complimentary about the room which soon resembles a salon. Later in conversation she says she has done weddings for years on the island & been to most hotels & apartments including, Princess, Kassandra Bay, Atrium etc. Adding that this is the nicest & best appointed room she has ever worked in. Credit to Marilena at Theodora.
So, I take in my contribution to the pre wedding breakfast; a platter of sliced melon, strawberries, cherries, kiwi, to add to the fancy cakes, biscuits & chocolates. Oh & of course prosecco!
Message & photo from the boys, they are enjoying a cheeky beer on Mandraki Elias. Yes they are sat at that infamous table.
Out to the car with ribbon & scissors to do my best to make a well used Ford Maverick look like a wedding car. Didn't do too bad to be honest.
Suddenly it's 3pm. Dress, check, shoes, check, jewellery, check. Quick iron of OH shirt as I notice a bit of a crease. Trolley dolly packed to put in the car boot; spare shoes, clean white shirt for OH for later. Basket of toiletries including deodorants, talcum powder, wet wipes, tissues (thinking beach toilet) Pack the car with all the wedding cards from home & the amazing plaque from Driftwood that we had made for them. Back to the room to max out the air con.
The service on the beach is scheduled for 6:30pm. What time should we arrive?
Call from The groom, Can I bring scissors to unpick the best men's waistcoat pocket? His gift to them being pocket watches. Scissors in the bag.
Decided we needed to leave for the beach about 5:45.
We leave & head down to the Diamond. The groom is nervous. He gives me a hug & asks if he looks ok! A few photos & we're waved off. Vromolimnos beach here we come!
Vromolimnos Beach
The tables are still being prepared & it becomes obvious the ceremony will not be at 6:30.
The bride & her father arrive promptly. The photographer is late. She is happy to sit in the car with the air con blasting.
We are ushered down onto the beach towards the rocks where the ceremony will take place.
There is no shade & it is very hot. All the guests are being very lovely & chatting together. Complementing the grooms choice of his suit & the colour. It is getting close to 7pm. Our "look outs" are telling us the table settings now look amazing. The bride is still in the car.
The wedding coordinator tells us the photographer will soon be here. She asks us to make a line to welcome the bride. To do this I ask a few people still on the beach to move back a little.
A lady is in the sea with a camera. She comes out & asks our permission to continue talking photos. She will see us after & exchange emails. We agree.
I ask the beach people again to move back "why should we, it's a public beach" My request then is not quite as pleasant!
So it's 7:30pm. Word reaches us that somehow the photographer had the wrong day!
Lots of stress. It's very hot. What I would give to remove this anxiety from my son. He has been at the beach in a 3 piece suit for an hour & a half.
Not sure of the time now but the photographer is here & the beautiful bride is walking down the beach to a round of applause from people in the sea & further along the beach. It's really happening.
OMG, The wedding planner/conductor of the service has not got changed!! She is still wearing a very unflattering see through sort of beach cover up. Totally inappropriate for a lady of her age never mind suitable attire to officiate at a wedding. Oh well, the bride is here, the groom is in tears, tears of shear happiness & relief.
The service is over, lots of tissues used & everyone is smiling.
We move up the Porto Paradise & breath sigh of relief as the setting is stunning. Someone passes me a bottle of beer. I drink from the bottle! Lol!
Everyone checking place settings & getting seated.
We exchange emails with lady in the sea who is from Capetown & has been taking photos the whole time.
Matina, our beautiful singer arrives & set up. The bride & groom still on the beach for photos.
They walk up to the taverna the music starts. It really is happening.
The music pauses for the speeches. The cake is cut. More tears.
The food is ready, we are served chilled wine, the sun is setting & Matina Z is singing.
It now really is an amazing wedding.
Excellent food. Complements all round.
The initial stress forgotten.
The disco starts. The dancing commences, lots of "dad" dancing, including a very amateur attempt at some Greek dancing. Everyone is happy.
The party winds down & we sit on the beach surrounded by LED balloons.
Sheer happiness & joy.
We leave in a taxi around 2am.
Amazing day
Amazing day 
