Celebrating Life with Magical Energy
When Miri & Holger reached out to us in August 2021 to support them shaping their dream wedding, it quickly became clear: they had a clear vision in mind. They wanted a celebration that captured the pure joy of their love – on the "fresh" and unique grounds of Crete. Though it wasn’t Thailand, their 'second home,' Crete and our Mentorship for Wedding planning called them with something even more authentic and ideal for the relaxed, shaded, and slightly private beach wedding they envisioned. Through our guidance and collaboration, we crafted an experience that perfectly aligned with their desires. They also had the right attitude for their dream wedding in Crete: “Relaxed during the day and a blast at night!” “We want to celebrate ourselves, our love, and life, and have a great time with our loved ones!” To keep the enjoyment going even after the wedding, they had a brilliant idea: “We’d like a Hangover Brunch the next morning ... but not too early, you understand?” “Oh, we definitely understand!”
During our initial video call, ideas and visions bounced between us like Ping Pong balls. The energy flowed, and the “celebration” was already underway.
An amazing planning period followed, where we enjoyed every exchange and couldn’t stop planning.
The conversation preparing for the ceremony was an emotional concert, even though they both firmly claimed that Miri was an “Ice Princess”…
Miriam, Holger’s absolute dream woman, someone you can steal horses with once you’ve won her heart and trust, but never should be whiny or even sick around. 😉
A queen who met her special dream prince at the perfect moment, just after he had received his most crucial “life turn” from fate: after an accident where Holger almost lost his life and got a chance to rethink everything.
A slightly dented but now crystal-clear-seeing Holger, who laid his now beautiful realm on stable pillars at her feet: filled with clarity, willpower, zest for life, playfulness, and strength ... and Crown Prince Lenny, whom Miri immediately took into her heart.
This whole bliss was to be crowned with this celebration. Everything came together perfectly for this wedding day, with their inspiringly relaxed vibe under the Greek sun and true Cretan joy of life.
The Planning
We planned the ceremony with both civil and symbolic elements on the beach in Rethymno with live music. Bohemian decorations, lots of pampas grass, and cool drinks. Afterwards, the dinner and party were to be held back at the Arbora Villas, which we had rented for the couple and their closest friends for their time on the island, perfect for letting loose due to their seclusion.
Other friends and family of the bride and groom stayed in various Airbnb apartments and hotels in Rethymno. We organized transportation between these places on the wedding day and, of course, for the Hangover Brunch and airport transfers with our partner Marko. And we thought: it would be nice if everyone could come together for a welcome evening right after arriving in Crete. So, we planned a welcome evening at Yialos, a chic wine bar on the coast, to set the festive atmosphere.
After discussing these and other details, like the LED letters ordered as a surprise by Miri’s parents and guest gifts consisting of local olive oil, we were at the end of the planning phase. Everything was ready. But then Miri had another wish: “After we arrive in Crete, it’s my mom’s birthday. That day should be very special for her. Do you have an idea for another restaurant with perhaps a completely different flair?” “Of course! We love the contrasts of Crete – like, for example, in the mountains, at Fantastiko!”
And then the day of their arrival came, and we could finally greet Miri & Holger at the airport, experience them live and hug them tight. That was so wonderful! We exchanged the documents for the civil registry, chatted briefly, and raised our mutual excitement ... but then they had to go, pick up their rental car, drive to the villa, check-in, and welcome their guests.
They spent the welcome evening at the beautiful restaurant right by the sea, enjoying the finest dishes and good wine. The bride’s mother Andrea’s birthday was celebrated by the family in a traditional tavern in the mountains with a beautiful view over the island to the sea.
The Wedding Day
At noon on the wedding day, the bride is getting her makeup done by professional stylist Natasha, who creates a natural bridal look for her.
Then, all of a sudden, visitors arrive: Mom and the girls join Miriam. Let the party begin!
Into the dress and final adjustments. And there’s the beautiful Bohemian-style bridal bouquet with dried flowers, eucalyptus, and cream-colored roses.
The girls are ready, and everything is set at the beach for the big moment: the opulently decorated round arch and the beautiful wooden chairs and details create a romantic, cozy atmosphere. Welcome to the wedding ceremony of Miri & Holger on the beach of Rethymno!
As little highlights, there are cream-colored rose petals in small paper cylinder bags for tossing at the couple and, as a wedding ritual, a wedding cocktail that the couple will mix themselves during the ceremony.
We are just arranging the final details when the guests and the groom come walking down the green-lined path to the beach.
First, arrive, have a beer, and enjoy the moment ... relaxed and without the constraint of shoes or jackets.
Today, Vassia Jani, who has come all the way from Santorini, performs live with guitarist Panos and saxophonist Stelios from Crete. The three of them are a well-matched team, since they often accompany our weddings as a band.
The rings are ready – with a special surprise for Lenny and Papa Holger.
The guests begin taking their seats as we receive word from our transfer partner that the bride is on her way.
Marieke delivers a few drinks to the excited bridal-announcer and then everything is ready for the big moment.
All the cameras and live feeds are running and the flower children are waiting in the wings – more or less convinced of their upcoming task.
And then the bride is announced…to the dancing party crowd consisting of bridesmaids and bridesmaids’ guides, who make up almost half of the handpicked crowd of guests
And now the bride can finally come. We can’t wait any longer. And there she is: led by her father, she floats forward to us – grinning broadly from ear to ear.
And when dad has confidently entrusted his beloved daughter to the man of her dreams, we can begin the wedding ceremony.
The reminiscence of anecdotes from the lives of this extraordinary couple brings abundant laughter to both them and their guests. Humor is their most familiar language, making the shared indulgence in their ‘grandest’ and ‘most embarrassing’ moments pure delight and a celebration of ease for all of us.
Far from being reserved or theatrical, we had the pleasure of witnessing and celebrating two people who, with authenticity and confidence, have emerged as a brilliant symbol of love. Naturally, their friends and family adore and celebrate them for it. Who wouldn’t?
It turns wonderfully romantic... ... depends on the perspective of course ;-)
After diving into Miri and Holger’s love story, we now focus on their personalities and what makes them truly unique: From Marieke’s perspective, they are two vibrant, incredibly strong characters—wonderful souls and loving individuals who live consciously and savor life. Together, they have created their unique happiness, which they now celebrate and honor with this special ceremony.
For this dream team, the wedding is a statement and a grand celebration of the dance of life.
The moment has arrived for this dream team to exchange their wedding vows… but first, they enjoy a sip of their wedding cocktail for a bit of extra courage.
After their courage-boosting drink, the moment is perfect for the big words.
A great thank you to the bride and groom for the permission to share these emotional scenes with you. With your love and expression you inspire others!
After sharing their heartfelt vows, Miri and Holger are standing together, preparing for the moment of saying 'I do.' They move even closer to one another, with their witnesses by their side, offering support and approval during this significant moment.
The registrar, Peppy, full of warmth and joy as always, officially declares the marriage legally binding in Greek, which Marieke then translates. The exchange of rings follows, leading to their first kiss as a newly married couple.
The guests cheer and can’t wait to embrace them and congratulate them.
This is followed by the signatures, delicious snacks and drinks, and the photo shoot in the golden hour just before sunset.
As the sun sets, we drive the bride and groom to the villas where the guests are already waiting to greet them with a welcome drink and sweet snacks. A bit further down, we’ve set up a beautifully styled dinner area with wooden tables, Cross Back chairs, and vintage light bulbs adorned with eucalyptus greenery. On the tables, we’ve placed elegant floral arrangements featuring dried flowers, eucalyptus, dried palm leaves, and cream roses, complemented by simple tableware and placemats.
For live music during the meal, we arranged for violinist George, accompanied by DJ Michalis providing a modern playback sound.
Bartender Manos, along with Mike and the VW Mobile Bar, are all set and ready to welcome the bride, groom, and their guests. They create a cozy atmosphere with delicious drinks and easy listening tunes, perfect for a relaxed summer evening.
The bride and groom's first look at the beautiful setting is exactly why we love wedding planning guidance & mentoring and event design.
With everyone now comfortably seated, heartfelt speeches and delightful surprises set the tone before a sumptuous wedding dinner is served, featuring live cooking by the caterers. All this unfolds to the enchanting melodies of a violinist playing modern tunes.
The cake-cutting ceremony and the party that follows take place without the official photographer, so a special thanks goes to Ioannis Menegakis for capturing these wonderful moments with his photos.
The party continues into the early hours, with plenty of dancing and laughter—but without us, as our eyes eventually give in.
Content, we drift into bed.
What a magnificent wedding!
The Hangover Brunch & A Surprise for the Bride
After packing everything up the day after the ceremony, we drop by to visit the newlyweds and their guests at the stylish Baja Bay beach bar. Greeted by cool tunes and a stunning ambiance, we take in the laid-back vibe—but then, spot some familiar little faces lounging in a sunbed! The youngest members of the group are completely wiped out, curled up in a corner, too tired even to splash in the pool. They’ve had an eventful few days, and the many impressions are still sinking in.
The adults, too, aren’t quite as lively as on day one. They’ve just arrived, spent days celebrating, and now it’s already time to head back to their everyday lives.
But for our bride and groom, the celebration wasn’t over yet. The transfer “back to the accommodation” was ready, as they were set to embark on their honeymoon the next day. But first, Miri had one more surprise in store:
Later, we received the update: “Everything went perfectly!” Holger and we had teamed up with the Ink N’Art tattoo studio to give Miri and himself a matching wedding tattoo.
And then, off they went on their next adventure—to the Maldives.
Letter from Marieke & Her Team to Miriam & Holger
Dear Miriusch, dear Holgusch,
The entire team wants to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the wonderful time we spent together planning and creating your unique dream wedding!
We will never forget how effortless, harmonious, and beautiful every moment we shared was.
And I (Marieke) am overjoyed to have met and embraced two such wonderful people. Your zest for life, your energy, and the pure radiance of your hearts have once again shown me how wonderful what I do is and inspired me to continue believing in my great love—now that I have met Sotiris, with whom I enjoy doing it all even more!
It is the greatest joy that you have each other and that we all have each other… simply to experience this dance of life together and celebrate life and being.
With love, Your Marieke
Photos & Video
Officially booked photographer: George Stratigis Additional private photos by the couple (at Yialos, Fantastiko & Baja Beach) &
Ioannis Menegakis (starting from cake cutting)
Videographer: Pavel Tzeira Films