After being together for 15 years and overcoming many challenges, reality tv personality Oksana and upscale nightlife businessman Daniel wanted to celebrate this milestone by tying the knot at a romantic getaway with their nearest and dearest. And they couldn’t have chosen a more breathtaking place for the occasion. Set in a luxurious villa with jaw-dropping sea views, show-stopping pampas displays, and glamorous details, their Mykonos wedding was nothing short of spectacular.
Overlooking the iconic whitewashed cliffside village and Aegean Sea, they had a picturesque backdrop for their ceremony and a gorgeous pampas arch framing the moment they said their “I dos.” At their poolside reception, towering feathery centerpieces and cascading fairy lights created an ultra-romantic scene as they dined and danced all night. On top of the stunning setting, the couple’s wedding fashion is a must-see. The groom kept it cool in a beige suit, and the bride looked like a goddess in her sheer asymmetrical gown accessorized with a sparkly hairpiece.
It was quite the wedding journey—from long-distance planning during a pandemic to a wardrobe emergency the day before the wedding—but with their expert team of vendors by their side, they pulled it off fabulously! If you and your partner have been dreaming of jetting off to a glamorous location with extraordinary views, then this Mykonos wedding is guaranteed to sweep you off your feet. Junebug member Cinema Pictures captured the magic that made their big day special and unforgettable, so scroll on to see the details up close.
Congratulations to Oksana and Daniel on their elegantly boho Mykonos wedding. And a special shoutout to Junebug member Cinema Wedding for capturing every gorgeous detail and special moment and sharing it with us. See more incredible weddings like this by checking out their profile in our directory of videographers from around the world.
If tying the knot in a beautiful faraway setting feels like the one, set those plans in motion with our planning and budget guides for expert tips and ideas to make your dream destination wedding come true.
When we think of weddings, we equate them with sensory experiences—the sound of chatter that fills the air, the sweet smell of flowers, different textures of food, camera lights flashing, and dancing while music is playing. These experiences may be exciting for some people, but for others, they can be jarring and overwhelming. Weddings can be a lot to take in and can be physically and emotionally taxing, especially for those with neurodivergence.
Autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, and sensory processing disorder are just a few examples of neurodiversity that can make attending weddings a struggle for people of all ages. Each person may be overwhelmed by different triggers, which often results in anxiety, panic, and distress. The good news is that there are ways to ensure everyone has the best chance at enjoying themselves. It’s all about anticipating and understanding needs and accommodating them where possible.
Although your wedding is ultimately about you and your partner, it’s also about your loved ones who are there to celebrate with you. And being able to include everyone you love will make your big day that much better. Whether it’s for yourself or your partner, someone in your wedding party, or you’re doing it just in case any of your guests need it, here are steps you can take to create a sensory friendly wedding.
The best way to anticipate what will make your guests most comfortable is to simply ask them. We recommend putting a note on your wedding website or invitations to encourage guests to let you know if they have any special requests or extra accommodations that would improve their experience. Setting the tone and acknowledging that you want to make adjustments will go a long way to making everyone feel welcome.
Talk to your vendors
Experienced vendors are a must-have to make sure your special day goes off without a hitch. Your planner and vendor team are experts who have participated in many weddings and might already have ideas to make the experience more inclusive for everyone. Most vendors are happy to make adjustments to accommodate the needs of your guests. Being transparent with your wants and goals from the beginning will make the planning stages less stressful.
Give a heads up on what to expect
Consider handing out the wedding day timeline in advance to reduce uncertainty and give any routine-favoring guests a heads up on what to expect. You may also want to let guests see the menu in advance, as many people with sensory sensitivities have limited food choices. Talk to your caterer about including selections that meet your guests’ requests and specific dietary requirements.
Think about the lighting
Flashing lights can be dangerous to people with sensory difficulties. Not only can they make them feel overwhelmed, but they can also cause migraines and nausea. You don’t want anyone at your wedding to get sick, so it’s a good idea to try and stick to soft natural lighting. It will make your wedding feel more cozy and relaxed too. However, if you’re going to include LED lights, strobe lights, or bright lights, ensure all your guests are informed.
Weddings tend to be filled with all different types of sound. Talk to the DJ or band to keep the music at a reasonable minimum, or consider a silent disco for a unique option for entertainment. You can also provide guests with earplugs or noise-canceling headphones—they make for thoughtful wedding favors too.
Junebug Tip: Did you know that hearing loss is at least three times as common in people with autism? If this is something you or someone you love struggles with, check out this resource about how it can lead to anxiety and how to cope with it
Offer a break area
A lounge provides an escape when the sounds, lights, and crowds become overstimulating. Give your guests a separate space, preferably outdoors to diffuse extra noise, where they can sit down and recharge. Set up signs directing towards these areas, so they can retreat to this space for a while when needed. Simply knowing there’s a quiet and comfy area they can go to can make a big difference in comfort levels.
Given that you and your partner are the most familiar with the details of your big day, you must prepare yourselves with relevant knowledge and plan for accommodations suited to the circumstances. There are now many available resources and online communities to learn from. For more insight, you can read first-person stories written by people living with a disability on The Mighty. It’s also helpful to speak with medical professionals.
These best practices are great starting points to creating a more sensory friendly celebration. But remember that there’s no such thing as a “one-size-fits-all” solution. Ultimately, the best way to prepare is to encourage open communication, have several options ready, and adjust as the need arises. Your planner will be there every step of the way and ensure that all your guests are cared for.
While this may seem like a big undertaking, with a trusted vendor team by your side, anything is possible. Creating a welcoming environment will ensure that your neurodivergent guests will feel seen, loved, and valued. So don’t be afraid to pave the way for inclusion, not just for weddings but for all kinds of celebrations.
Fiery, fearless, and passionate—there’s no other color more synonymous with romance than red. Inspired by the phrase “paint the town red,” Sentimental Fools Events collaborated with a talented vendor team and combined bold details and textures to take this red monochromatic wedding to a whole new level! This styled shoot serves as inspiration for couples that crave a contemporary, chic, and edgy take on intimate celebrations.
The iconic Riggs DC—one of the last Romanesque Revival-style buildings in the city—was the gorgeous setting for this wedding inspiration. For the ceremony, draped velvet fabric and an impressive floral installation created a beautiful contrast against the suite’s Art Deco aesthetic. The same backdrop was used as the space was flipped for a romantic reception featuring lush cascading florals, an assortment of candles, and gold settings that popped against a black tablescape for two.
And even with the dramatic scene, the fashion still managed to steal the show thanks to the bride’s three chic bridal looks. If the color red excites you, then these ideas are perfect for bringing intensity to your big day. Scroll down to see every sultry detail captured by Nikki Daskalakis. We’re sure you’re going to want to pin this inspo to save it for later.
Sentimental Fools Events’ Thoughts On This Red Monochromatic Wedding Inspiration
The phrase “paint the town red” is used almost daily to encourage folks to seize the night and make it their own. Red has a rep for being bold and for representing life, vigor, and love. Every red element of this styled shoot was meant to engage and excite you about what is to come. We curated every crimson detail with passion and purpose while pulling inspiration from the Riggs Hotel and Silver Lyan, the award-winning bar nestled within its historic vault.
Thank you to Nikki Daskalakis for capturing and sharing this red monochromatic wedding inspiration at Riggs DC with us. And many thanks to Sentimental Fools Events for dreaming up this gorgeous styled shoot.
The wedding colors you choose can be used in so many ways, and however you choose your color palette is entirely up to you. Using multiple shades in one color family often creates a cohesive yet dramatic feel by playing with textures, just like this wedding inspiration. If you’re struggling to decide on a big day color combo, look to this guide to inspire your own.
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