If you’re dreaming of a destination wedding, then today's real wedding might just be the perfect planning inspiration you're looking for. French couple Aurélia & Anthony choose to wed in beautiful Santorini where they brought their friends and family together to celebrate their love story. The couple picked the magnificent Cavo Ventus in Akrotiri for an epic cliffside ceremony and then took their guests a short drive to the beachside Theros Wave Bar for an unforgettable reception in the sunshine and later, under twinkly lights. Their day which was captured perfectly by Photography by Chloé is not only a gorgeous celebration but also the perfect little bit of escapism we all need right now!

Aurélia & Anthony both hail from Alsace, in the East part of France next to Germany and Switzerland. Aurélia tells us that they are true childhood sweethearts! "Our story Started in 2006, on the school benches when we were still kids, we went out together thanks to Anthony's cute flirting technique, he always came to school with a lollipop pretending that I liked it and I couldn't manage to steal it from him!" Anthony adds, "I always wanted to build my life with her, I knew she was the one! I was sure we were going to get married one day but she never believed me. Years later I decided to help our destiny, I signed a year in her highschool to have her heart back because I was still in love with her."

Today the couple have been together for 10 years, and they live together in a charming little apartment 'filled with love and fun'.

Their proposal story is pretty dreamy too, Aurélia tells us that they got engaged at sunset on the last day of their first trip to Santorini in September 2017 at Cavo Tagoo in Imerovigli. "This beautiful cave hotel has a crazy view and infinity pool, we had sushi and wine dinner on the best table of the restaurant , floating on the pool. Literally the perfect dreamy place made for proposal , and my best dinner memory ever! All was perfect", Aurélia reminisces.

It was that memorable trip that brought the couple back to the beautiful island of Santorini to say 'I do'.

The couples ceremony took place at the atmospheric Cavo Ventus in Akrotiri, a beautiful villa within old castle ruins with a perfect panoramic view for an outdoor ceremony.

After exchanging vows above the sea, the couple and their guests then retreated to Theros Wave Bar for a revelrous dinner reception. "We had an amazing sunset and it was amazing to have a reception outside right from the beach, where people could go and enjoy the good vibes of the sea", Aurélia tells us. She also adds, "We did the ceremony with our heads in the clouds, and our reception with our feet in the sea!".

Aurélia's beautiful gown is a bespoke creation inspired by the Berta Bridal collection merging details she loved from two different styles. She paired her dream dress with Aquazzura heels and a sparkling jewelled headpiece. Anthony also wowed in a red 3-piece suit.

Describing the look and feel for their day, the couple tell us it was all about 'nature & emotions'. Aurélia tells us more, "We wanted to keep the nature with us and never stop feeling the vibes that you get when you travel, we wanted to show our guests why this island became our favourite place in the world. It all turned out like magic!"

Aurélia is a French pâtisserie chef so she amazingly created her own wedding cake the day before with the help of her sister.

So having put together a truly fantastic celebration, especially having done it abroad, what advice would you give to other couples planning their day? "Cherish the moment, focus on how to share your values and love to your guests rather than focusing on the perfect picture. You can still care a little about it but it has to come in second." Aurélia also adds, "We think all couples will have different priorities for the big day, but our advice would be not to minimize the importance of a photographer and videographer on the big day! Every time you need to go back on these memories, photos and video, it will fill up your heart with so much love, believe us, it totally worth it."

For their official honeymoon, the newlyweds went to the Amalfi coast in Italy for a week, "It was the perfect way to enjoy the dolce vita, driving slowly, listening to Italian songs, eating ice-cream and pizzas and drinking some good cocktails and wines. It was the extension of our dreamy wedding day."

Thank you so much to Aurélia & Anthony for sharing your stunning Santorini wedding with us, and to Photography by Chloé for capturing all the details.