Last month Joanna and Mark gave me the absolute honour of flying me out to Crete to photograph their gorgeous wedding at the Blue Palace, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa which is approx 1 hour drive from Heraklion airport.
I flew out on the Thursday and after checking into my self catering apartment Athina Villas (click on the link below to read my review on trip advisor - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED APARTMENTS!!) http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g189416-d2543474-Reviews-Athina_Villas-Elounda_Lasithi_Prefecture_Crete.html I met up with Mark and Joanna at the Blue Palace to discuss their photography requirements, finalise their schedule and complete a recce for shoot locations.
The weather was beautiful, the wedding party were great and Joanna and Mark were as awesome as ever, they both have a real passion for photography (only downside is they use a make of camera called canon or something lol) and I'm sure one day they'll become members of our beautiful Nikon family). Friday was their wedding day, I started with photographing Mark on the balcony, the light and shadows made for a crazy background with I loved (see the photos below), I then went to Joanna and photographed her dress and details followed by meeting her at the Elounda Spa and Thalassotherapy. They held their ceremony outside the beautiful Wedding Chapel followed by drinks on the M/S Meraki a traditional Greek caique and then their wedding reception at the Royal Blue Villa. The Royal Blue Villa is too amazing for words, the fact that Rihanna had a photo shoot at the villa and Lady GaGa stayed there was pretty cool but as soon as I was told my hero (footballing GOD) Steven Gerrard had stayed there I'll be honest I almost wet myself with excitement haha...
From a photographic view point I was actually blessed with the set up for both the wedding breakfast and speeches - every angle made for a great photo opportunity. I decided straight away to set up two flashes and with the help of the awesome phottix odin system it gave me total control over my light and as always not one misfire all night.
The next day was a bonus for me because Joanna and Mark got back into their wedding attire and we spent an hour or so shooting more couple portraits starting at their villa where I wanted to create my own adaptation of the famous Terry O'Neill shot of Faye Dunaway's post-Oscar breakfast taken back in 1977 (click here to view the original photograph), from there we visited a couple of locations around the resort ending with Joanna jumping into the swimming pool wearing her wedding dress (I love these shots!!).
On the Sunday we all headed out to beautiful spot just the other side of Elounda where Joanna and Mark had organised a painting master class run by Janice and Tim of Visual Artists Crete for their family and friends to enjoy. By the end of the day they had all created such a strong and diverse body of work.
I asked Joanna and Mark a handful of questions about their particular wedding theme and other wedding details, please enjoy their answers below;
1. What is the theme and colours of your wedding?
Cretan sun, friends and loved ones.
2. How did you come up with your theme?
We wanted a small group of wonderful people in a Fantastic location.
3. Please list the name and website of the wedding pros you’ve hired:
Wedding Venue(s) - Blue Palace, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa
Photographer - Gavin Conlan (gavin conlan photography Ltd)
Entertainment (DJ/Photo Booth) – Lura and Lyt
Florist - Blue Palace
Wedding Dress Designer - Obtained off the hook during Norway England via Poland Road Trip.
Bridal Hair Stylist - Blue Palace - Maria
Bridal Make Up Artist – Blue Palace - Emma
Wedding Cake - Blue Palace
Bridal Shoes - Obtained 3 1/2 years ago from Manchester just in case Mr King ever popped the question!
Wedding Planner - Blue Palace - Tatiana
4. How did the two of you meet?
We met whilst working for Statoil in Norway.
5. How long did you spend planning your wedding and have you any budget advice?
Approximately one year in the planning unfortunately with no budgetary advise.
6. What are you most looking forward to on your wedding day?
The boat trip along the Turquoise Spinalonga Sound and the Royal Villa reception over looking the ancient ruins under the pre super moon.
7. Any other details I should know about?
Jo chose Fleetwood Mac - The Chain to leave the Chapel with her new Hubby!!
Several individuals attempted the Rihanna pose at the villa and failed!
Painting Arty Farty Trip?
Swimalongo Spinalonga..
_________________
This blog post has broken all my previous records and is now the biggest single post I've ever posted, so whilst I'm finishing their wedding edit please enjoy a selection of my personal favourites. You can use any of these photographs on your social media profiles (as long as you don't remove my watermark) and please leave them a beautiful comment below!!
All the best, Gavin
