When the bride is a shoe designer, you better believe this wedding is full of fun fashion moments. She designed not one, but THREE new pairs of shoes just for this special day to go with her elegant lace gown and her fun sequin mini dress. The groom also brought the heat when it came to fashion, rocking a classic black tux for the ceremony, then switching things up to a pale blue suit for the reception that was the perfect fit for this Greek rooftop elopement. Between the stunning ensembles and the breathtaking views, this wedding has something for everyone!
For their elaborate destination elopement, this couple leaned on three event planners and designers, Bono Events International, Eclectic Greece, and Travellustre, to make sure their big day would be everything they dreamed and more. Betty Flowers Santorini designed these beautiful white arrangements that complemented the bright white Grecian architecture of Canaves Oia perfectly. Mama Photo Studio is the artist behind these stunning photos and Kapetanakis Studios followed along for the adventure to get this big day on video. To see more from this wedding, check out the full gallery. Keep reading to hear more from the bride, Emily Archila about the couple and everything that went into making this amazing elopement possible.
A DREAM ELOPEMENT
Emily Landsman and Derek Christian Archila were married on July 17, 2021, by Elizabeth Cass-Canti of A Wedding Celebrant In Greece at the breathtaking Canaves Oia Suites in Santorini, Greece. Emily Landsman, 38, is the founder, CEO, and designer of Della Terra Shoes, Inc. in Cape Cod. “We had the wedding we truly wanted, celebrating nothing but our love for each other. Eloping was the way we both dreamt of it. We celebrated with our family in a civil ceremony at home prior to our wedding, and a reception with friends and family when we got home. Our intimate Santorini elopement was a moment we will both dream of fondly for many years to come and was truly just for us,” says the bride.
DO IT FOR THE PHOTOS
Wedding planner Nicole Bono of Bono Events International planned and executed every single detail flawlessly, and Emily custom-designed three pairs of shoes, which are present in each wedding moment. The magical wedding events began the evening before the elopement with a breathtaking sunset overlooking Santorini. Videographers Kapetanakis Studios navigated all of the Santorini terrain beautifully as they are local to the area. There were many stairs climbed as well as one side of a mountain to be in the perfect place for the sun to reflect majestically off of Emily’s sparkly Alice & Olivia dress and pearl-encrusted Della Terra platforms.
A TOUCHING FIRST LOOK
The elopement itself began in the bridal suite, a white-washed setting in Canaves Oia with an incredible view of the sea, where the fuchsia bougainvillea trimmed the turquoise private plunge pool. Veronica Girotti captured each and every detail of the day, down to each custom-designed pair of shoes for the bride. Michalis Tsotras put the finishing touches on both the bride and groom and handled all hair and makeup. Derek and Emily dressed separately, meeting for their first look up on the terrace for an emotional reunion. While Derek waited on the private balcony under a beautiful arch made by Betty Flowers Santorini, Emily walked down an intimate aisle while the incredibly talented violin trio, Artistic Productions, played “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes,” by the Platters. As the couple read their own vows, they each blinked back tears.
A PRIVATE DINNER FOR TWO
Mr. and Mrs. Archila headed on the adventure of a lifetime, in their new marriage to one another, but also hiking up another Santorini mountain to capture another amazing sunset. This time, in their formal wear, Derek wearing J. Hilburn and Emily wearing Vintage In Vogue Bridal, they were not shy about a little hike on their wedding day. After enjoying the sunset of a lifetime, the couple headed back to enjoy a decadent meal prepared by Canaves Oia‘s chef and ate on their private balcony, while Raphael Sigalas of Sunset Piano Notes played a white glossy piano that mysteriously appeared while the couple was out on their excursion.
