Luxury Santorini Elopement at a Private Villa
Elopements can look so many different ways, and destination elopements are no exception! Donna and Matthew opted for a low-key Santorini elopement at a luxury villa overlooking the city. They kept things simple yet focused on the details that mattered most to them, which allowed us to have more flexibility and creativity throughout the day. Keep scrolling to see more from this luxury Santorini elopement!
How Donna & Matthew Decided on a Luxury Destination Elopement in Santorini
Donna and Matthew are no strangers to traveling, so when it came to planning their wedding day, a destination elopement in Santorini felt like the perfect fit for these two adventurers.
The couple first met at work when Matthew came in for an interview at the company Donna was working at. The two shared a brief exchange, but it wasn’t until Matthew got the job and they started talking more and getting to know each other that they began to fall in love.
Although Matthew and Donna both traveled extensively on their own, they had never taken an international trip together. Once they got engaged and started planning their Santorini elopement, they realized that not only would this trip be their wedding and honeymoon trip, but it would also be their first experience traveling abroad together! Talk about a great adventure!
When I asked the couple what had led them to plan a destination elopement in Santorini, they told me that rather than spend their money and energy on a traditional wedding, they wanted to plan an unforgettable 3-week vacation in an epic location. Not only would they have their wedding and honeymoon trip in one, but they would also be able to keep their wedding day focused on them rather than on pleasing others. I loved that this was how Matthew and Donna approached their elopement, and planning an intentional wedding day with meaningful moments is something I always encourage couples to consider when deciding what type of wedding day experience they want to have.
Are you still on the fence about whether an elopement is right for you? Check out my Top 10 Reasons to Plan an Elopement guide here!
Donna & Matthew’s Luxury Santorini Elopement Experience
Donna and Matthew’s Santorini elopement wasn’t your average wedding experience. Not only did the couple choose to get married at a stunning destination location, but they also got to experience a laid-back wedding day that allowed us to be flexible and add even more photo opportunities to their already incredible day!
On the morning of their elopement, Donna and Matthew woke up early for an impromptu sunrise photo session at their beautiful luxury villa. They shared a few quiet moments together by the pool while sipping cups of coffee and watching the sunrise on the horizon. It was such a peaceful and relaxing way to begin the day.
After their sunrise session, the couple headed back inside, where they each got ready in separate corners of the Villa. Once they had finished writing their handwritten vows and were completely ready, we headed outside for a first look at the patio, which also happened to be their ceremony location. Emotions were high, and it was one of the sweetest first-look moments I have witnessed. As the sun rose higher in the sky and the breeze flowed all around us, Donna and Matthew exchanged their vows, and the officiant pronounced them husband and wife.
Once their ceremony had finished, we took some couples’ portraits on the patio and even ventured outside their villa for some sunset adventure photos. As the blue hour approached, we headed back to their rental, where a stunning candlelit dinner awaited them. Donna and Matthew shared a private dinner with a beautiful view of the Santorini city lights all around. Looking back on this day, I’m still amazed at how we were able to find such peace and quiet in Santorini despite it being the busy season.
The following day, we wanted to continue capturing Donna and Matthew’s wedding experience in Santorini, so we decided to do a post-wedding adventure session.
We climbed up one of the nearby hills that overlooked the sea and soaked in all the views as the sun set in the sky. While we hadn’t planned on this post-wedding adventure session, it truly was the best way to end this Santorini elopement and capture Donna and Matthew’s full destination elopement experience.
I absolutely loved how Donna and Matthew kept their Santorini elopement intimate and intentional. Instead of rushing around from location to location, the couple kept things simple and spent the whole day in one location, making things convenient and easygoing. They did things their way and invested in the details and moments that were most important to them.
For more elopement resources, check out these guides on the blog!
How to Create an Elopement Timeline
How Much Does it Cost to Elope?
How to Include Loved Ones in Your Elopement
Elopement Planning: The Difference Between Elopement Photographers and Planners
Kind Words from Donna & Matthew
My wife and I decided to elope in Greece. We didn't know much about Will but we loved his gallery and he was personally recommended to us by a friend. From start to finish, Will was such an important and integral part of our marriage plans. Will has extensive experience with weddings and his network of associates, friends and vendors made our planning amazingly easy. Will was always responsive to any questions we had, kindly reminded us of deadlines when we were busy to keep us on track, and he made so many helpful suggestions that we would have never thought to consider. Will met with us the day before our wedding, the day of our wedding and the day after our wedding for photos. He was never in a rush to end the photoshoots, always willing to go that extra effort (such as scouting photo locations on his own time), and his talent and experience really does shine so brightly in the photographs he takes. He is a genuinely pleasant person to be around; soft spoken, professional, great sense of humor, and someone you can trust 100%. Will is simply amazing! It is our absolute pleasure to recommend Will Khoury Photography to our friends, family, associates and anyone else looking for someone to capture those special moments. His level of experience and talent are second to none. He is in a class of his own when it comes to photography. My wife and I are so happy we decided to trust him with our most cherished moment. You will be too.
Luxury Santorini Elopement Video by Capture Colour Studio
Santorini Elopement Vendors
Photography | Will Khoury Photography
Videography | Capture Colour Studio
Wedding Planner | Ever After Weddings
Luxury Villa | Akrorama Santorini
Hair & Makeup | Marianna Nomikou & Eleni Iliopoulou
Catering, Cake & Desserts | Spicy Bites
Dress | BHLDN
Menswear | Men’s Wearhouse