Documentary of a Greek Wedding in Anafi – Anafi Wedding Videographer

This wedding could not have happened anywhere else as this land is the symbol of the story of this couple. Here is the documentary short film that I’ve had the chance to create as an Anafi Wedding Videographer to tell the beautiful story of Fani and Stavros. A couple that has always celebrated their love and connection through this singular island of the Cyclades, merged in the infinity of the Aegean blue. Press play, relax and watch the film right above. Then you can keep on reading to discover the whole story and some Behind The Scenes of this beautiful, authentic, Greek Island Wedding.

The island of Anafi is a unique place to plan your wedding

Away from the rapid pace of modern development, at the edge of the Cyclades, covered by the Aegean sun and sea salt, isolated in its simplicity, lies the small island of Anafi. This unique land has a very rich historic background starting from Greek mythology, with Jason and the Argonauts, and going till the most recent years. Not only one can discover 181 species of rare flora on the island, but one can also be impressed by the peninsula at the eastern end of the island that is dominated by a monolithic peak, Mount Kalamos, the second largest structure in the Mediterranean after the rock of Gibraltar with a mere 420 m of altitude. Many people do the 2 hour hike and camp on the top of this mount to admire the unique sunrise view.

The island exhibits a very singular energy and character and the people that travel there often fall in love with this place forever. Therefore, Anafi is the perfect destination wedding location, especially if you wan to combine an intimate wedding with a unique cycladic landscape and the infinite blue waters of the Aegean.  

In Anafi you can combine relaxing holidays, enjoying the stunning beaches, with an intimate wedding ceremony, or a vow renewal away from the crowd and the cheesy cookie cutter wedding protocols. You have also the possibility to organize a great party for your close friends to celebrate under the moonlight. There are some truly amazing locations for your wedding in the sun.

Anafi Wedding Videographer: The story

Let me share a few words about this intimate wedding video shooting. The unique characteristics and the people of this small land gave me the idea to create a short cinematic wedding documentary about a traditional wedding in the island of Anafi. This film is a journey from the singular energy of the land to the sincere love between these two people and the connection that they have with the land.

Fani and Stavros chose their favorite Greek island to seal their love, where Fani is from. They have been spending their summer holidays there since young age. Their love story is somehow interconnected to the island of Anafi.

Their initial thought was to get married on the chapel of Agioi Anargyroi built on a rock on top of the Aegean, but they had to renounce to this idea because of the difficult hike to arrive there that would discourage some of their elder family members theat they absolutely wanted to have with them for the ceremony.

The simplicity and the natural beauty of the island were enough for an unforgettable celebration of love enhanced with traditional elements. White handmade tablecloths, traditional dishes, sweets and seasonal flowers adorned the tables of the reception gorgeously. The dreamy wedding dress by Alexia Kirmitsi and the cute floral crown of the bride were ideal for the whole sense and style of the wedding.

Anafi Wedding Videography

Being a small island, there are not any local Anafi wedding videographers. From my side, I am always available to travel and offer Wedding Videography in Anafi for couples with an adventurous soul. It is such an iconic place with unique vibes that inspires to create a unique wedding films.

The Story

I have travelled to Anafi from Athens for this wedding film. First a flight to Santorini then 2,5 hours on a small fishing boat from Monolithos to Anafi. This was a trip to remember and definitely added to the beauty of this intimate wedding. This was something more adventurous and unconventional.

Fani and Stavros met each other in high school and they have had a story together back then. However, for several years thereafter they have led their lives individually. Notwithstanding their respective different paths in life, they have always been friends and never stopped caring for each other. This is the essence of a sincere, well thought, human relationship.

After years, they eventually got back together again. And they have promised to each other that if they were ever to get married, this would have been on the island of Anafi.

The whole idea and concept of this three-day wedding party was born from their favorite island, Anafi, which is the hometown of the bride. They wanted all of their favorite people, friends and family to come to the island and celebrate all together the most important day of their lives.

Fani has never been a girl who had dreamt of her wedding dress, all she knew was that she wanted a simple dress so she could feel herself. She didn’t know the style. She was very lucky because at the one and only appointment she had for rehearsal at Alexia Kirmitsi’s showroom, she found the one! She explained to the designer the style, date and place of their wedding and that she wanted something different. Alexia instantly understood her and she designed her wedding dress during her holidays in Anafi.

The couple got married at the St. Nicholas Chapel at the square of the capital of Anafi island. For the bridal flower bouquet and generally for the whole event, they chose flowers that were gathered from the island. At that time, amaranth and other seasonal flowers were blooming in different colors of purple, blue and white. Fani’s floral crown was made with the same flowers and wheat.

The wedding had many beautiful and intense moments! But as the couple shared with me after the wedding, the best thing was that their friends and families traveled to their favorite island to celebrate with them.

The advice of Fani to all the brides-to-be is: “Create the wedding that you’ve dreamed, remember that it is your moment and is worth living to the fullest.” I could not agree more with this quote. As a Destination Wedding Videographer, I really love to film the type of weddings that really make you feel in your comfort zone and the ceremonies and parties that make you feel yourselves.

The preparations

The couple got dressed at two different traditional white houses near the center of the capital. As is the tradition in Greek Weddings, the friends and family of each assisted them while dressing up. This is like a ritual in Greek Island Weddings. And although it creates a crowded atmosphere during the preparations it has a unique charm because emotions overflow.

Fani wore the dress “Anafi” by Alexia Kirmitsi. While Stavros, the groom, went for a chic but adventurous look by wearing a suite by Ermenegildo Zegna, with sport shoes to match the informal style of the island.

Wedding ceremony in Anafi

The bride and groom arrived together with their respective guests to the chapel of St Nicolas in two independent wedding processions. Traditional Greek music of the Island of Anafi gave the happy tone inviting the people to dance while walking to the ceremony.

The outdoors ceremony was really unique and emotional as the officiant was a parent of the groom that had been invited to celebrate their wedding on the island. He had tears in his eyes during the ceremony.

Wedding party in Anafi

The party was amazing, as is usually the case in intimate destination weddings. It had a first part with traditional Greek Island music from the Cyclades and a dj set afterwards where everyone got crazy. A wedding is not only about the party, it is much more. However, I have enjoyed this party with my whole heart together with the guests, while filming their greatest moments.

Having previous experience as a destination wedding videographer in Anafi I was able to assist the couple in picking the ideal spots for the photo and video shooting. In the day after the wedding we had the opportunity to travel and shoot pictures and video through different, unique spots of the island. We didn’t have the time and forces to hike on top of the Mt Kalamos monolith though as it was a 2 hours hike!

My suggestion to all the couples planning to elope or to get married in the small island of Anafi is to book an experienced Anafi wedding Videographer and Photographer. These professionals will be the best references to guide you through the best hidden spots for a killer shooting.

All the pictures featured in this article are frames from the film. I always like to use video frames and pictures that I shoot to tell the story and complement the film itself.

Destination Wedding Video Awards

This Anafi intimate wedding video has won the Best Wedding Film Award at the 21st edition of Inspiration Photographers Awards. The film has also been featured in the Chic and Stylish Weddings Blog! I am very happy that a traditional Greek Island wedding has received such important recognition worldwide. Receiving an award is nothing more than an everlasting inspiration to keep creating stories for our lovely couples that are impactful and different from the usual trends.

Planning your wedding video in Anafi

As an Anafi Wedding videographer, I really love filming in the raw beauty of this singular island. What I enjoy the most is to tell the beautiful stories of couples in love that decide to get married somewhere in the wild landscape. From the brilliant white sand of Roukounas and Kleisidi, to the small chapel built on top of the rock in Agioi Anargyroi, there are plenty of wonderful spots to get married in Anafi!

Are you getting married, or planning to have an adventurous elopement? Are you looking for the best Anafi Wedding Videographer? Then you have found the right person to guide you through the most beautiful shooting locations and to give you all the top secret tips for a perfect wedding day! I really love the wild beauty of Anafi and can help you organizing your wedding, elopement or pre-wedding session in the best possible way. I would be delighted to be your wedding videographer in Anafi. I am already based in Greece and I really love to shoot weddings in the islands of the Cyclades, in Kythnos, Santorini or in Crete. Get in touch with me today, I cannot wait to meet you. Let’s start planning your wedding or adventurous elopement together.