Tad & Alexa in the Summer Gown
Alexa and Tad wed in Santorini, Greece. Their dream venue, Rocabella, embodied the quintessential Santorini style the two lovebirds were searching for. Their Mediterranean seaside disco wedding overlooked the breathtaking view of the Caldera, with an endless sky and sea as their backdrop.
The Love Story
Like any good love story, Tad and Alexa’s began well before their first official date. The couple met in college, forming a friendship as teammates on their university’s swim team. It was a slow transition from friends to romance, but mornings spent together on the beach and grabbing coffee would soon turn into something more romantic.
Tad flew from North Carolina to visit Alexa in Pittsburg over summer break and it was on this trip that the couple had their first proper date, going to a concert to see the Zac Brown Band together. It was over an evening of country rock ballads that their love story truly ignited, and the rest is history!
A Pinterest Perfect Wedding
When we think about the dream destination wedding we think of Alexa and Tad’s picture-perfect day in Santorini, Greece. With the couple previously visiting the destination together, their shared love for travel and Greece brought them back. It was a location with sentimental value, feeling the most natural and meaningful spot to tie the knot.
Their venue, Rocabella, emulated all they hoped their Greek wedding would be. We’re talking absolute Pinterest board dreams! Their ceremony took place on the uppermost terrace, with an endless sky and sea backdrop. For the reception, they moved down to the venue’s infinity pool space, the perfect spot for their disco ball dance floor and sparklers. When it came to the décor, the couple wanted to keep things simple and highlight their already picturesque location. Alexa shares “given the natural beauty and landscape of our location, we selected neutral tones as to not distract from our surroundings. We used lighting, mirrors, and simple florals to set a romantic tone.” The centrepiece of their day was a gorgeous, mirrored dance floor structure, complete with disco balls, twinkle lights, and a custom dance floor wrap. The couple’s priority was to have fun, and you can see that instantly from the incredible atmosphere they created with the help of their wedding planner
A Family Filled Ceremony
When it came to the ceremony, it truly was a family affair with Alexa’s grandmother and Tad’s aunt co-officiating their ceremony. While they added a sentimental touch to the ceremony, there was also one memorable moment, all thanks to Alexa’s grandmother. She started the ceremony, however forgot to tell everyone to be seated, which meant guests continued to stand. When Tad realised, he whispered to Alexa that everyone was still standing. Alexa shares, “we quietly told my grandmother to ask everyone to take their seats to which she loudly said ‘WHAT? I'm doing that bad already? You want me to sit down?” The moment caused everyone to erupt with laughter, which instantly eased the couple’s nerves. The perfect way to kick start their beautiful ceremony!
The Experience Behind the Dress
Alexa’s first ever bridal experience was at our San Diego showroom. Alexa chose Summer as her first gown, stepping out of the showroom and instantly bursting into tears. Alexa shares, “at first, I thought, perhaps it was just the emotion of trying on my first dress, but I eventually went back to Grace Loves Lace, tried on Summer again, cried again, and then knew for sure, Summer was my dress.” Alexa loved the simplicity and subtle design of Summer. She felt it matched her style and personality perfectly.
Words of Wisdom
Picking the right vendors is so much more than just picking someone good at their craft. Alexa believes you should find vendors that you connect with on a personal level - you need to be able to communicate clearly and trust in them. "Choosing people that you ‘vibe’ with makes this so much easier!"
Most importantly, embrace every moment of your day. After all, it will be one you remember for the rest of your life. Alexa shares ”there is no ‘right’ way to do things. We made so many unconventional decisions and we don't regret any of them! It's your day, so do whatever feels right to you.”
Vendors
WEDDING DRESS: SUMMER GOWN
ACCESSORIES: PIERLOT VEIL & LUCINE BACKPIECE
groom outfit: JOSEPH ORLANDO
photographer & VIDEOGRAPHER: PHOSART
VENUE: ROCABELLA
FLORIST: BETTY FLOWERS SANTORINI
hair STYLIST: MORGAN BELLEVILLE
MAKEUP STYLIST: JULIA AFANASENKA
CATERING: ROCABELLA
WEDDING PLANNER: JULIA AND EVITA
The Love Story
Like any good love story, Tad and Alexa’s began well before their first official date. The couple met in college, forming a friendship as teammates on their university’s swim team. It was a slow transition from friends to romance, but mornings spent together on the beach and grabbing coffee would soon turn into something more romantic.
Tad flew from North Carolina to visit Alexa in Pittsburg over summer break and it was on this trip that the couple had their first proper date, going to a concert to see the Zac Brown Band together. It was over an evening of country rock ballads that their love story truly ignited, and the rest is history!
A Pinterest Perfect Wedding
When we think about the dream destination wedding we think of Alexa and Tad’s picture-perfect day in Santorini, Greece. With the couple previously visiting the destination together, their shared love for travel and Greece brought them back. It was a location with sentimental value, feeling the most natural and meaningful spot to tie the knot.
Their venue, Rocabella, emulated all they hoped their Greek Wedding would be. We’re talking absolute Pinterest board dreams! Their ceremony took place on the uppermost terrace, with an endless sky and sea backdrop. For the reception, they moved down to the venue’s infinity pool space, the perfect spot for their disco ball dance floor and sparklers.
When it came to décor, the couple wanted to keep things simple and highlight their already picturesque location, rather than overdoing it. Alexa shares “given the natural beauty and landscape of our location, we selected neutral tones as to not distract from our surroundings. We used lighting, mirrors, and simple florals to set a romantic tone.”
The centrepiece of their day was a gorgeous, mirrored dance floor structure, complete with disco balls, twinkle lights, and a custom dance floor wrap. The couple’s priority was to have fun, and you can see that instantly from the incredible atmosphere they created with the help of their wedding planner
A Family Filled Ceremony
When it came to the ceremony, it truly was a family affair with Alexa’s grandmother and Tad’s aunt co-officiating their ceremony. While they added a sentimental touch to the ceremony, there was also one memorable moment, all thanks to Alexa’s grandmother.
She started the ceremony, however forgot to tell everyone to be seated, which meant guests continued to stand. When Tad realised, he whispered to Alexa that everyone was still standing. Alexa shares, “we quietly told my grandmother to ask everyone to take their seats to which she loudly said ‘WHAT? I'm doing that bad already? You want me to sit down?” The moment caused everyone to erupt with laughter, which instantly eased the couple’s nerves. The perfect way to kick start their beautiful ceremony.
The Experience Behind the Dress
Alexa’s first ever bridal experience was at our San Diego showroom. Alexa chose Summer as her first gown, stepping out of the showroom and instantly bursting into tears. Alexa shares, “at first, I thought, perhaps it was just the emotion of trying on my first dress, but I eventually went back to Grace Loves Lace, tried on Summer again, cried again, and then knew for sure, Summer was my dress.”
Alexa loved the simplicity and subtle design of Summer. She felt it matched her style and personality perfectly.
Words of Wisdom
Picking the right vendors is so much more than just picking someone good at their craft. Alexa believes you should find vendors that you connect with on a personal level - you need to be able to communicate clearly and trust in them. "Choosing people that you ‘vibe’ with makes this so much easier!"
Most importantly, embrace every moment of your day. After all, it will be one you remember for the rest of your life. Alexa shares ”there is no ‘right’ way to do things. We made so many unconventional decisions and we don't regret any of them! It's your day, so do whatever feels right to you.”
Vendors
