| As every married couple will tell you,
their most special day to celebrate being one goes by as quickly as you
can snap your finger or blink. Ours was no exception. If only we could
relive our day again and again and again, Groundhog Day The Sequel:19th
May 2008.....Without all the amazing help and work put in by Justine
over the previous 7 months, and especially in the last month, I know our
day would not have been the same. Indeed, we may not even have had our
day but for Justine and her mercurial efforts in overcoming the
seemingly endless wall of bureaurocracy we encountered constantly along
the way. The reason for this is that my wife is Russian (I am English)
and from our experiences it appeared that Olya was the first Russian to
marry in Rhodes!! For our wedding we chose Kalithea Spa, a newly
renovated 1930s Italian style spa. It is in an absolutely stunning
location just before you reach the hotels that mark the outskirts of
Faliraki. The Spa is built next to a small cove which has a lovely
secluded beach and waters which are so clear and warm that it is used by
numerous diving companies and boat excursions. I arrived with my family
and all our guests before my beautiful bride so we were able to look
around, take photos and it gave me time to relax and take in what was
about to happen! Olya arrived with Justine from our hotel whilst we were
all inside the Spa, taking photos, gasping at the views from the alcoves
of the Spa overlooking the sea. I have to say that I wasn't nervous at
this time, I just wanted to see my (then) fiancee. Thankfully Justine
made sure that our photographer (arranged by Justine) made Olya's short
walk to the Spa take three times longer than it should have been with
lots of photos along the way. And so the moment arrived. Our friends and
family all seated, cameras at the ready, the wedding music signalled
that Olya was making her final steps towards me with her Dad. I was now
grinning like the Cheshire Cat, looking at everyone in front of me but
wanting to turn round and watch Olya make her way to the 'alter' as
everyone else was able to do. Her father let go of her hand and then she
was next to me. Olya looked stunning in her ivory wedding dress she made
with a friend. It was an overwhelming moment. All I can remember of the
next 15 minutes, the ceremony, was continually to look at Olya and
trying not to let the emotion of the occasion get the better of me. The
ceremony was conducted in Greek, with a colleague of Justines
translating into English, and one of our friends translated into
Russian. Before we knew it we were putting the rings on each others
finger and signing the register. Married! Absolutely unbelievable! We
then spent some time walking around the spa with the photographer, with
Justine making sure that we were photographed in the most beautiful
areas in the grounds of the spa, of which there are many: backdrop of
the sea, the beautiful little cove, the rocky paths around which the spa
is built. We met up again with our party at the lovely fountain at the
entrance to the spa and here we took more photos all together. Justine
had arranged for transport to our reception venue and so we all headed
off to Faliraki and the Opera Piano Restaurant, again a recommendation
by Justine. With our party inside Olya and I entered accompanied by
music from a pianist on the grand piano, the centre piece of the
restaurant. This is a beautiful looking building both inside and out and
I would not hesitate in recommending it, just tell Jimmy I sent you! Our
party wasn't big enough to book the whole restaurant but such is the lay
out we had our own private area. Justine was on hand to ensure that we
got some more photos, some welcome drinks and that we were settled in
and comfortable and then she left us to continue our wonderful evening.
The quality of the food and the service was amongst the best I've
experienced in Rhodes (I've been to the island 3 times now) and Jimmy
(the owner) made sure that our evening was a special one. He even let
Olya's son play a couple of tunes on the piano! I have to say, our
wedding cake looked great and was the tastiest wedding cake I've ever
had. Neither Olya nor I are fans of fruit cake but here a traditional
wedding cake is more of a sponge cake, so I loved it, as did Kevin, who
had 5 pieces! Before we knew it our evening, our wedding day, was over.
Just where did the time go! We didn't want it to end! It was a wonderful
evening to end a wonderful day. As I said earlier, Justine's help was
invaluable. From the very first contact we made last November via email
to our meeting for the first time on our arrival in Rhodes, she helped
us every step of the way. There were definitely times when both Olya and
I were not sure if everything would be ready in time for our wedding
day, but Justine was always very supportive and positive. I'm sure she
must also have had moments when she felt like pulling her hair out with
the bureaucratic obstacles that seemed to pop up constantly in the last
month or so, but she didn't show it with us. Always professional, always
prompt, always on our side! I know we chose the best company in Rhodes
to help us in planning our wedding and I wouldn't hesitate in
recommending Exquisite and Justine for anyone who decides to marry on
this beautiful island. John and Olga Welsh. |
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