Nikki & Ryan’s Athens Riviera Wedding: What We Loved & What Every Destination Couple Can Learn
There’s something incredibly special about traveling across the world to celebrate two people you love.
After taking a short break from Martini Mondays (for a girls’ trip to Cabo, then heading straight to Greece, and moving into our new home!), Chrissy and I were finally back behind the microphones to share one of the most unforgettable wedding weekends we’ve ever experienced—my cousin Nikki and Ryan’s destination wedding on the Athens Riviera.
The wedding itself was breathtaking, but what made the experience truly unforgettable wasn’t just the incredible views of the Aegean Sea or the amazing food. It was the way Nikki and Ryan transformed one wedding day into an entire celebration with the people they love most.
If you’re dreaming about a destination wedding, here are some of our biggest takeaways.
A Destination Wedding Should Feel Like a Vacation
One of the things Nikki and Ryan did exceptionally well was making their wedding feel like an experience rather than a single event.
Instead of everyone arriving the day before and leaving the morning after, guests were welcomed into several days of celebrations that allowed everyone to truly relax, reconnect, and enjoy Greece together.
The festivities kicked off with an incredible beach club party where everyone danced barefoot in the sand, enjoyed Greek life, and immediately settled into vacation mode.
From there, the celebrations continued with dinners overlooking the water, family time, sightseeing, and of course, the wedding itself.
By the time the ceremony arrived, everyone already felt connected—not only to the couple, but to one another.
That is the magic of destination weddings.
Sometimes the Best Part Isn’t the Wedding Day
One of my favorite memories from the trip had nothing to do with the ceremony.
Because everyone traveled so far, we spent four full days together as a family—something that rarely happens once everyone has careers, children, and lives pulling them in different directions.
Those conversations over dinner, mornings by the water, spontaneous laughs, and late-night celebrations became just as meaningful as the wedding itself.
It’s a reminder that destination weddings give families something we don’t often have enough of: uninterrupted time together.
Wearing Two Hats: Cousin & Wedding Dresser
This wedding was especially meaningful for me because I wasn’t only attending as Nikki’s cousin.
Nikki also purchased her wedding gown through me at Dimitra’s Bridal Couture, so I was honored to spend the entire wedding day helping her and her bridal party as her wedding dresser.
It’s one thing to sell a bride her dream dress.
It’s another to be standing beside her when she actually walks down the aisle.
Helping steam gowns, organize dresses, assist with getting ready, fluff her train before photos, bustle the gown after the ceremony, and make last-minute adjustments allowed Nikki to simply enjoy every moment without worrying about the logistics.
Seeing her walk down the aisle wearing the gown we chose together was incredibly emotional.
Why I’m Such a Believer in Having a Wedding Dresser
This trip reinforced something I talk about often with my brides:
A wedding dresser isn’t a luxury—it’s one of the most valuable investments you can make.
Destination weddings add another layer of complexity.
Wedding gowns travel inside garment bags for hours.
Bridesmaid dresses arrive wrinkled.
Veils need steaming.
Bustles need adjusting.
Shoes change.
Weather changes.
Unexpected things happen.
Throughout Nikki’s wedding day, I was constantly steaming dresses, fixing details, helping with photos, carrying her train throughout the venue, making adjustments during portraits, and even removing layers of tulle from underneath her skirt so she would stay cooler during the reception.
When her reception shoes were slightly shorter than her ceremony shoes, I quickly improvised a solution so she could comfortably dance all night.
None of these are glamorous jobs—but they allow the bride, her family, and the bridal party to stay fully present.
The maid of honor gets to enjoy the celebration instead of spending the evening fixing the bustle or carrying emergency supplies.
That’s exactly why I created A.C.E. Styling.
The Little Details Matter
One thing I loved about Nikki and Ryan’s celebration was how thoughtful every event felt.
The all-white welcome party looked absolutely stunning against the blue water of the Mediterranean.
Greek dancers taught guests traditional dances.
Fresh local food seemed endless.
The music blended modern celebration with Greek tradition.
Everything felt intentional without ever feeling overdone.
It was elegant, relaxed, and authentically them.
My Favorite Destination Wedding Tips
If you’re planning your own destination wedding, here are a few things I highly recommend:
• Plan multiple events if guests are traveling internationally. Welcome parties and farewell brunches make the trip feel worthwhile.
• Bring a quality travel steamer.
• Don’t forget outlet adapters—and if you’re bringing styling tools like a blow dryer, make sure you also have the correct voltage converter.
• Build extra time into your wedding morning.
• Have someone dedicated to helping with your gown throughout the day.
• Remember that weddings abroad come with unexpected surprises. Flexibility is just as important as planning.
A Wedding We’ll Never Forget
From the incredible views of the Athens Riviera to dancing under the stars overlooking the Aegean Sea, Nikki and Ryan created one of the most memorable destination weddings I’ve ever attended.
As both family and a wedding professional, it was incredibly meaningful to witness every part of the celebration from such a unique perspective.
Nikki and Ryan—thank you for letting us celebrate with you, laugh with you, dance with you, and be part of such an unforgettable week.
Congratulations again. We already wish we could do it all over again.
Coming Up Next…
Next week on Martini Mondays, I’m sitting down with photographers Chris Ocken and Dennis Lee to talk about one of the most important investments you’ll make on your wedding day—your photography.
After all, once the music ends and the flowers fade, your photographs become the memories you relive forever.
Be sure to watch, listen, and join the conversation.
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