I think a few factors swayed my decision to hold my wedding on the island of Kastellorizo, the first were the three gorgeous houses that we used as accommodation (each with 5 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms, they were incredible) the second was the church!
When I arrived on the island for the first time, I met with the priest and discussed the options of where to hold the ceremony, he basically gave me carte blanche and suggested that I set off to tour the island (it takes two hours in total with stops, pictures and several coffees) and looked at all the churches.
As I entered the main square, there were four churches dotted around it, the first was the main church, it was a little average with a courtyard, next to it were two twin churches that were tiny with no particular defining features and finally in the opposite corner was this derelict enormous church with broken windows, stone stairs and overgrown trees......to me this is heaven!
I really set my heart on this, although on close inspection I realised the church had never been completed and so didn't have any icons or any of the required items for a Greek Orthodox ceremony, so I left this idea to the side for the moment!
We continued our walk finding cute options, but nothing as striking and unique, even theatrical as this venue!
I returned to the appointed appointment with the priest and broached the subject of my gorgeous old church and suprisingly he immediately said yes informing me of it's history, a couple had dedicated their lives to building this church, however both passed away before it was completed and the church never had the funds to complete, so it was left to become derelict! I think it's so sad as a story, although I am certain the couple would be happy that at least one wedding has taken place in the building they struggled to create!
By the way did I mention that we were able to hold the ceremony outdoors on the stone platform outside the church at the top of the stairs, truly a theatrical location!!!
When I arrived on the island for the first time, I met with the priest and discussed the options of where to hold the ceremony, he basically gave me carte blanche and suggested that I set off to tour the island (it takes two hours in total with stops, pictures and several coffees) and looked at all the churches.
As I entered the main square, there were four churches dotted around it, the first was the main church, it was a little average with a courtyard, next to it were two twin churches that were tiny with no particular defining features and finally in the opposite corner was this derelict enormous church with broken windows, stone stairs and overgrown trees......to me this is heaven!
I really set my heart on this, although on close inspection I realised the church had never been completed and so didn't have any icons or any of the required items for a Greek Orthodox ceremony, so I left this idea to the side for the moment!
We continued our walk finding cute options, but nothing as striking and unique, even theatrical as this venue!
I returned to the appointed appointment with the priest and broached the subject of my gorgeous old church and suprisingly he immediately said yes informing me of it's history, a couple had dedicated their lives to building this church, however both passed away before it was completed and the church never had the funds to complete, so it was left to become derelict! I think it's so sad as a story, although I am certain the couple would be happy that at least one wedding has taken place in the building they struggled to create!
By the way did I mention that we were able to hold the ceremony outdoors on the stone platform outside the church at the top of the stairs, truly a theatrical location!!!
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| photos by Annie Angelopoulou |
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