Real Bride

#EnzoaniRealBride: Christina + George

From Flower Girl + Ring Bearer to Bride + Groom

You know the saying: the third time's a charm. Christina and George have walked down the aisle twice before finally tying the knot. The first as flower girl and ring bearer, the second as a bridesmaid and groomsman; and now finally as bride and groom. They travel to the ever gorgeous Santorini, Greece to say their vows as husband and wife.

Featured above: LYNN Gown | Enzoani

It was the summer of 2011; I was out at the local bar with my cousin who was friends with George. She introduced us, as she said “George, this is Christina” George looked up, down, and looked again! I got the 2nd glance (I knew I made an impression on him!)

That night we were friendly, flirted a little, and he told me “I couldn’t leave without getting his number.” We exchanged numbers, and I was the one to message first to organize a date!

Featured above: LYNN Gown | Enzoani

Once we went out on our date, George was telling me that he knew my godparents and had known them for years, because his parents were friends with them from a young age. He also revealed to me that we were partnered up as pageboy and flower girl at my godparents' wedding - I HAD NO IDEA! I went home that night and found the cutest photos of us when I was 2 and George, 3.

Featured above: LYNN Gown | Enzoani

The photo that will always make my heart melt is when we are standing next to each other and I am crying because my feet were swollen and hurting, George is standing there, holding my hand, acting all cool and collected thinking who is this crazy girl. Little did we know what would happen in the future! (See the photo at the end of this blog!)

Featured above: LYNN Gown | Enzoani

Fast forward to 2012, we made it official as girlfriend and boyfriend. Over the next 3 years, we travelled together and made so many beautiful memories. In 2015 on our first overseas trip to Santorini, George proposed in the most romantic way - right on the edge of a mountain overlooking the breathtaking sunset! IT WAS PERFECT! We loved being in Santorini so much that we decided to actually go back with all our family and friends and get married!

Featured above: LYNN Gown | Enzoani

So that’s what we did -- once we were back in Melbourne, we did a lot of online research, watched videos, read reviews, and organized where, when and who will help bring our destination wedding to life! We set the date for July 29, 2018, and told our nearest and dearest to meet us in Santorini for our wedding! To our surprise, we were lucky enough to get 63 family and friends with us on our day and had truly the BEST DAY OF OUR LIVES!

Featured above: LYNN Gown | Enzoani

It is so surreal to think those two little kids would eventually find each other all those years later! We made a promise to each other that we would reenact our original photo together to show our kids one day. So we now have a photo as pageboy and flower girl, groomsman and bridesmaid (at our friend's wedding), and now HUSBAND and WIFE!

Featured above: LYNN Gown | Enzoani

We had the most perfect first dance wedding song, "Firestone" by Kygo ft. Conrad. We both love this song and sang it to each other while dancing. At the chorus, the night sky lit up with 5 minutes of the most amazing fireworks and everyone didn't know where to look -- us or the fireworks! It was truly the most spectacular part of our night!

Featured above: LYNN Gown | Enzoani

When I was looking for my dress, I didn't really know what I wanted to start with. All I knew is that I wanted to be super comfortable, elegant, and show off my curves!

Featured above: LYNN Gown | Enzoani

When I walked into Eternal Bridal, Armadale, I saw this stunning jewelled bodice and plain crepe skirt hanging and thought, WOW, yes, I need to try you on! It was the Lynn dress. I didn't know this came with an overskirt, and once I put it on all together, I knew this was something special!

Featured above: LYNN Gown | Enzoani

It had everything I needed in a dress!

Light; perfect for a hot Santorini day.
Foldable; this was important as I was travelling overseas and I needed something to carry easily.
Fitted dress; this was for my future husband as he loves my curves.
Classic; with the overskirt and perfect for the church ceremony.
Elegant; the sheer panels with the jewels were the perfect touch of luxe!

It was so perfect that my maid of honor (who was with me at the time) started to cry, which in turn made me cry. I knew from then that, THIS WAS MY WEDDING DRESS!

Featured above: LYNN Gown | Enzoani

Advice to other brides?

If you are thinking about the overseas wedding, make sure you do your research, not just about the day, but all the legal stuff too! You need to make sure you have the right paperwork, especially translated and certified BEFORE you leave Australia. With Santorini, if you decide to get married there, keep in mind there is a 3-month window you have to get all papers finalized. It will be the craziest time just before the wedding, so make sure you are very organized!

Get a wedding planner! Unless you know all the local suppliers in that location and can visit the destination often, I suggest you get the right team to help you bring your wedding to life. You will need someone on the ground all the time making sure things are organized and booked.

P.S: Pack light so you can fit your wedding dress in the suitcase after you travel!