FIVE YEARS LATER.  

Mykonos, a Greek island surrounded by the Aegean Sea, typical of its mills and white houses contrasting with the blue water, became the setting for the wedding of Philip and John. The Slovakian-Czech couple met online seven years ago in Prague, then bumped into each other by chance in London and after two more meetings moved in together. They now live in Philadelphia, where they were also officially married less than five years ago. "But it was without friends, parents and a proper celebration. We set the date of our dream wedding with all the trimmings for this year, chose and booked the venue based on photos more than a year in advance, and spent the next nine months planning the ceremony and festivities intensely," Jan says. They spent a whole week in Mykonos with their friends and families. It all started with a welcome party with cocktails and nibbles. On the wedding day, two of Filip and Jan's friends took on the role of wedding officiants and prepared a very personal speech, and the grooms exchanged wedding vows, which in retrospect is the most beautiful moment of the whole stay. Fifty guests then settled down to a four-course plated dinner, all enjoying the magic of the moment and the perfect scenery. The main wedding flower was the lily and the traditional customs included the first dance and the cutting of the cake together. The couple also lived up to an American custom: part of the wedding cake waiting in the freezer for the first wedding anniversary. The next days were filled with beach and nightlife, including a champagne pool party, but the main secret of success was the time spent together with no one rushing anywhere. In the beginning was Jan's wish to have a sunset wedding, in privacy and in a special place. And wishes are meant to come true! 

Text: Hana Janišová | Photo: Matej Kmeť

Coordination: Annika Pappa, MOMENTS Weddings & Events