We recently asked our previous Ionian Weddings couples what their favourite memories were from their wedding day! We loved hearing about the special memories that our couples will cherish for a lifetime, and wanted to share them with you…

Emily McSevich & Grant Smith, Santorini

My husband and I got married October 3rd at Le Ciel – Santorini.
Our favourite memory is our first look before the ceremony. A moment of calm shared just between us before we went on to the ceremony with our guests. It was personal and quiet while we took in the day ahead and the spectacular view! I’d recommend a first look to any couple!

Emma & Stuart Ohren, Cyprus

We married on 27.10.26 in Paphos, Cyprus. We have so many amazing memories for our day, but one that sticks in my head was my sneaky Sister-in-Law in cahoots with the Wedding Planner, and we were greeted with this as our entrance to our reception ….. Star Wars comes to paphos!

Kelly & Paul Davies, Skiathos

Sharon & Shaun Corbin, Rhodes

We got married in Lindos, in 2014. Our favourite memory is posing for this wedding picture overlooking the beautiful St Paul’s Bay and praying my new husband didn’t disappear over the rocks! A perfect day!

Michelle & Lee Eggleton, Cyprus

My favourite moment was when my shiny new husband announced to our family and friends I was 7 weeks pregnant! (Little did we know 17 weeks later he would be born 16 weeks early! – Now a very happy and healthy 30 month old) I don’t think I’d ever been so happy at I was at this photo moment!

Maria & Mark Watson, Tuscany

We married at La Piaggetta, Tuscany April 2016. The moment when we left the villa for the first time as man and wife and were bombarded with rice! What an amazing feeling… such a stunning venue and wonderful day.

Nicola & Jonathon Hargreaves, Santorini

We were married at Dana villas on 13/9/16 and stayed there for 2 weeks before the wedding. The best bit was the way the staff totally looked after us and made it a holiday of a lifetime, not just for the wedding. We always love the Greek islands and people but this was exceptional. The sunset wedding was beautiful and just what my husband had invisaged in his head. I’m so grateful for Ionian weddings and Dana Villas for making our dreams happen!

Beata & Ross Duff, Zante

We married in Zante, on 12th June 2016…. My favourite memory was this moment when my husband was waiting with my daughter for me to come down the aisle. He was holding her hand and this was the moment when I truly realised that from now we will become a wee family. He also did a pinky promise with her to look after her and mummy ❤ best day of my life!

Hannah & David Lunn, Zante

We married on Cameo Island Zakynthos 09/07/2016 – being able to marry my best friend on this little private beach, and skim stones while everyone mingles after. We couldn’t have had a more chilled out wedding.

Karrie & Adam Scarbrow, Santorini

We married on 10/06/2013 in Santorini. Our whole wedding was our favourite memory. The wedding venue was more than we could wish for and the scenery was unbelievable. All our guest said it was just perfect. Thank you Ionian Weddings!

Kelly & Paul Davies, Skiathos

We got married in Skiathos, it rained the day before and absolutely chucked it down, it ended up being one of the nicest days the day after for our wedding, the sun was shining, we had a lovely boat trip to the reception, speeches, food was divine, drinks flowing…. during our first dance the whole island had a power cut!!!!! We all laughed and tried to carry on, good job for the mosquito candles I took with us!

We recently asked our previous Ionian Weddings couples what their favourite memories were from their wedding day! We loved hearing about the special memories that our couples will cherish for a lifetime, and wanted to share them with you…

Gemma & Richard North, Sorrento

I searched high and low to find a place to get married. I then stumbled across Ionian Weddings website. When I saw Sorrento I actually got goose bumps!!! And had to book it! It was the most beautiful place I’ve ever been to and  shared my day with my family and friends.  But most of all I got to marry  my best friend. This photo is my best memory, not only was the scenery amazing but the view right there in front of me was everything. My husband, I had just married this man in what only I can describe as the most idilic place ever.

Becki & Kieron Molyneux, Santorini

We got Married 22/08/2016 at Santo Winery. Our favourite memory was walking through the little village of Pyrgos as the locals clapped and sang ‘here comes the bride’,  a moment we will never forget. A perfect day!

Kelly & Robert Mitchell, Santorini

Victoria & Craig Robertson, Venice

We were married in Venice on 21/08/15. The whole day went without a hitch (so to speak!) and our planner Georgia was amazing with every aspect. After a fantastic day we headed back with some of our friends and family on a water taxi (speedboat!) When trying without much luck to gracefully step off the boat while carrying flowers and lots of other things, the wedding certificate slipped from under my arm and fell into the water! And not just a little bit… The water taxi man eventually managed to fish it out before it drifted to the ocean…..! Phew!!

Claire & Lee Mckeown, Malta

We married in Malta on 12/09/16. Managing to get through the entire day without shedding a tear, then when the speeches were done my husband announced he wasn’t finished and said to my teenage daughter “your mom has done me the honour of becoming my wife, will you do me the honour of becoming my daughter?” There wasn’t a dry eye on the beach! Needless to say, she said yes and there is an adoption happening!

Rebecca & Andrew Butler, Corfu

Too many amazing memories to pin point one……! How we arrived at our wedding was most definitely a special moment. We caught a small boat from one bay to take us to another where our wedding party was waiting for us. It was absolutely beautiful and perfect. Complete strangers from the bay we were leaving stood up in the Taverna to wave and cheers us off. Our boat decorated in ribbons then took us to the next bay for our blessing where we arrived hearing our favourite song being played out across the bay. We then gradually began to hear and see our friends and family above the music celebrating and calling us both in! It was such a lovely moment and so special, my heels weren’t ‘jetty friendly’ so Andrew obviously had to carry me in! It was such a perfect day ❤

Danielle & Francis Havern, Cyprus

We married in Cyprus on 15/9/16 ❤❤ favourite memory was this moment with the beautiful scenery in the background!! Couldn’t of asked for a more chilled out amazing day!! Highly recommend!!

Anita & Joe Butwell, Zante

We married in Tsilivi on 4th August 2015 in the lovely Balcony Hotel.  We had nearly 50 family members there to celebrate our special day.  The weather was lovely every day except our wedding day.  Gutted, it looked like our special day was going to be inside covered against the rain!!  Our Wedding Planner could see what the sea view wedding we had planned meant for us, and done all they could to help.  They delayed the ceremony, the rain stopped, and they magically transformed the soaking wet balcony into our dream wedding location. We couldn’t have had our dream wedding without the fantastic staff at Ionian Weddings ??

Ionian Weddings is the leading UK wedding planner for the Mediterranean area.  We’ve spent 9 years tracking down the very best Mediterranean wedding destinations but which ones are most popular with our couples?  Here is our 2016 hot list:

1.   Santorini Gem, Santorini – this venue is almost booked up for 2016, probably due to the stunning views and privacy it offers.  We have about a dozen or so dates left for 2016, so contact us quickly!

2.   Koutsoupia Beach, Kefalonia – this is a brand new venue for 2016 and it can only be accessed by boat.  This stunning pebbly cove offers the perfect setting for a completely private ceremony with bubbly and canapes on waters’ edge. Your reception will then take place about a mile away from where Pelagia’s village was built from scratch for Captain Corelli’s Mandolin.

3.   Sorrento Cloisters wedding and Lemon garden reception – our couples love the combination of the serene historic cloisters and the traditional restaurant, just a short walk away. Arrive in style in a horse & carriage or vintage Fiat.  Some dates still available for 2016 so book quickly!

4.   Maltese Farmhouse –Uncomplicated and rustic, the Farmhouse in Malta is an absolute gem. Enjoy your reception under the large vine at the heart of the Maltese countryside.

5.   Paradise Sands, Cyprus – a perfect option for couples looking for a sandy beach wedding and boasts a beachfront restaurant where your reception can be held

6.   Traditional Tuscan Villa – an absolute must for lovers of Italian food, rustic Tuscany countryside with views of Pisa!

7.   Croatian Cave, Dubrovnik – Get married in majestic Dubrovnik, one of the most revered cities in the Mediterranean and the incredible cave for something completely different.

8.   Asos chapel, Kefalonia – An old favourite, the wedding in the Asos peninsula is probably the most authentic in the Ionian Islands. Get married at the 15th century chapel under a pine tree canopy and then walk through the forest to the sleepy village for your exclusive taverna terrace reception. The mandolin and guitar serenade is a must.

9.   Private island Zante – offering the only private beach that we know of in the Mediterranean. You can have your ceremony here and a reception at a traditional tavern with views of the island.  A handful of dates still available for 2016!

10.   Venice Palazzo Cavalli & Rooftop Reception – it must be the George & Amal effect but Venice is more popular than ever for weddings, especially small & intimate ceremonies

Ionian Weddings, the destination wedding experts, is launching a digital moodboard that helps couples find their perfect venue or location in a couple of clicks.  This exciting new tool will generate a visual enquiry that is sent to Ionian Weddings’ consultants who can then suggest the best possible venues. Couples can also share the images on social media.

The Ionian Weddings staff spent months sourcing beautiful photos from their own hundreds of weddings and venues and created Image-ine, a visual mood board designed to help couples capture the feel of their perfect dream wedding.

Couples can then send the images in the form of an enquiry to their expert wedding consultants who will contact them with the best venues based on their chosen images. They can also share the images on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google +, Tumblr or they can email them to friends & family.

Jane Stuart-Palikira, Co-Founder of Ionian Weddings says, “So many couples struggle to describe the look and feel of the type of wedding they are looking for and we realised it would be so much easier if they could enquire about a wedding simply using images.  It will also really help our wedding consultants to make the very best suggestions for them”.

We are very excited to launch our Tuscany weddings programme this week! Ionian Weddings has been arranging weddings in Italy for the last 2 years, and weddings in the Mediterranean for over 8 years and we have been asked dozens of times to expand our offering to Tuscan wedding venues.

As with all Ionian Wedding venues, we have visited each and every one and we know all the local suppliers and vendors personally which allows us to offer expert advice about your wedding in Tuscany and also should reassure you that you’re placing the arrangement of your special wedding day in safe hands.

Having lived in Italy and visited Tuscany dozens of times, I’ve been able to find some really exciting new venues that each offer something unique: our launch this week includes.

So why should you get married in Tuscany?

1. Tuscany is set on the coast and yet also has some of the most beautiful countryside in Italy. Add to this the medieval hilltop towns and famous wine estates, this region really offers the widest choice of wedding venues, there really is something to suit every bride.
2. It is famous for its food & wine so your guests will enjoy some of the best Italian food at your wedding
3. There are lots of private wedding venues meaning that you can have music and dancing which isn’t always possible in other parts of Italy
4. Many locations licenced for outdoor weddings
5. Many of the venues offer accommodation so that you and your guests can stay at the venue
6. There are wonderful intimate venues and other locations that can take large weddings of 100 and more.
7. Spectacular backdrops for your photos – beaches, vineyards, medieval towns, even sunflower fields in season!

8. Huge choice of accommodation – villas, agriturismi so it is great for wedding parties that all want to stay together

To find out more about our weddings in Tuscany, please contact me

I look forward to hearing from  you

Jane x

Imagine being in a hot country, a clear blue sky and the sound of nature filling your ears. Imagine a Secret Garden, surrounded by our nearest and dearest, and looking at the person you want to spend the rest of your life with. Imagine standing underneath a beautiful flower arch, having walked down the aisle which was scattered with rose petals and decorated with white lanterns either side. Imagine the peace and tranquillity. What if I told you, you don’t have to imagine? We can make this a reality!

The Cyprus Secret Garden is located outside of Paphos and is surrounded by greenery and vegetation. This family run venue is perfect for traditional Cypriot weddings and those wanting a private venue for the big day. This venue is like no other… let the photos tell the story.

We can accommodate weddings of 20 to 60 people; arrange entertainment such as live musicians, a band or even a DJ for those wanting to through some shapes on the dance floor.

Offer your guests a true taste of Cyprus with various menus on offer, including a pre-wedding BBQ for get togethers. The Secret Garden Family (as we will now know them) grow most of their fruit and vegetables; you can’t get more organic than that!

This incredible venue also offers eight double rooms, all traditionally decorated with modern facilities. It’s perfect for families with young ones and for the Bride and her maids to get ready in the morning of the wedding.

Champagne? You got it! A cocktail reception? Sure! A refreshing fruit platter? Naturally!

Your dream is our creation. Get in touch with us today for more details and information.

You’ve done a bit of detective work, you know Ionian Weddings are ABTA bonded for peace of mind, we’ve won many, many awards, we’re based in London and we can see you for a one on one consultation, you’ve spoken to the specialist who’s been to the venues and knows them inside out, you’ve read excellent reviews on our website and the forums. You NEED Ionian Weddings to help you plan the big day! What now?

Let’s start with the proposals; these are packages we put together based on a ceremony and reception at one of our handpicked destinations across the Greek Islands, Cyprus, Malta, Italy and Croatia. We usually base these packages on 20 people including the Bride and Groom, and include the essentials such as photography, flowers, a wedding cake, reception meal and more.

Our packages are black and white. What you see, is most definitely what you get so any extras you add to the existing package, such as upgraded photography (and I personally recommend this), entertainment, decorations, a helicopter ride for two, donkey transfer for the Bride etc. are quoted individually helping you stay on track budget wise.

What if I have more or less than 20 people, I hear you ask? Don’t worry. We will request your final numbers closer to your wedding date so you’ll have most, if not all, of your RSVP’s back by then.

My package includes a Bridesmaids posy but I don’t have a Bridesmaid, can I remove this item? Of course you can. Our packages are bespoke which means we tailor each one to suit your preferences.

Call, email, Skype us! Let’s check availability of your venues. You can choose the day you get married on, you won’t have to wait to find out until you arrive at the destination. Once we’ve confirmed the availability for you, let’s secure this with a small deposit so no one else can take your date and venue. We work with very unique venues which are sort after so this is no time to delay.

Hooray! You’ve put your deposit down and your date has been confirmed. What now? It’s now time to RELAX!

We will contact you closer to your wedding date so we can begin to personalise the package and tailor it to suit you. We can do this over the phone, email, Skype or why not pop in and discuss this with us over a coffee (and a biscuit!)? Having your own wedding planner in the UK means you’ll speak to the same person about your wedding right up until the day you leave for Greece, Cyprus, Malta, Italy or Croatia. When you arrive at your destination, you’ll have a coordinator on hand to look after you throughout your stay too!

Sounds easy? That’s because it is! We are here to take away the stress of planning a wedding, let alone planning a wedding abroad when things can seem a bit… foreign!

alta has become the first Ionian Weddings destination to legislate marriage equality.

The Maltese parliament approved a new law on 14 April 2014 to recognise same sex partnership with marriage, including allowing gay couples to adopt. This is the capital of the predominantly Roman Catholic Mediterranean island where divorce was only legalised three years ago.

The relationship of gay couples will receive formal recognition by the State in a union that will enjoy the same rights and obligations of marriage. Gay marriages contracted abroad will also be recognised by the State. Malta has become the 22nd European country to legally recognise same-sex unions, according to Ilga-Europe, a gay advocacy group.

There are many venues which allow same sex marriages, please see our website for a full list of wedding venues.

Malta Wedding Packages

We have a wide range of wedding venues for you to choose from in Malta. From Palaces, to Castles, to Farmhouse’s to Vineyards. Here is my personal top 5 venues:

Maltese Palace

The Maltese Palace is a fantastic venue for your ceremony and reception in Malta because it has an endless amount of character, class and grandeur. The Palace offers a variety of rooms, terrace’s and gardens to hire privately. Each room enchanted with different theme’s to suit everybody’s personal wedding dreams. With your dining tables set out in a cross shape (in representation of the Maltese flag) or even in the garden lawn itself both floor plan designs create a unique and stylish feel to compliment both your grand wedding theme and the Palace itself.

Overall this venue is perfect for couples who are looking for sparkle, elegance, grandeur and Maltese tradition with a chance to relax and enjoy the party after hours!

Heritage Gardens

If you are looking for a unique wedding venue 100% I would recommend the Heritage Gardens! This venue descends below ground level without a roof, leaving your wedding party able to sit under the stars on your special day. The venue has two different scenic areas (garden and quarry area) to distinct your ceremony and reception all within the same venue. With a manmade waterfall and special effects this provides a unique backdrop to blow all your guests away on your big day.

Farmhouse

The Maltese Farmhouse is perfect for those looking for rustic Mediterranean themed wedding. The venues charm is beckoned from the beautiful grapevine ceilings, open air ovens, balustraded terraces, poolside views, and open air ovens. If you are looking for an intimate and private affair I would high recommend the Farmhouse.

Maltese Castle

If you are looking for complete exclusivity for your special day I would recommend the Maltese Castle all the way. You can be a King or Queen for the day in your very own Castle. The beauty of this venue is your wedding party will have sole and full access of the Castle itself the Castle grounds leaving your wedding party to relax and enjoy the breath taking surroundings. Both children and adults will love this wedding venue so I will always highly recommended.

here are many more amazing venues to choose from and this really is the beauty of getting married in Malta. Celebrate today’s achievements and enquire for your same sex wedding in Malta today!