Having fallen in love with Paxos on our first visit in 2009 we immediately knew the island would be the perfect setting for our wedding after we became engaged last year.
We first met Stu in Paxos on that first visit, when he assured two quite jaded travellers that there really wasn’t anywhere else quite like the small Ionian island. Not only was he right - we’ve been back three times in the last three years - but we also saw him and Sam in action when they organised a wedding in Loggos that we both wanted to join in it looked like so much fun. As a result we met them both in a rainy London in November 2011 to discuss options for our own celebrations. It was great to find out about potential venues and suppliers for the big day and we never once felt that Sam or Stu were trying to broker any set format for the wedding - they just asked lots about what we were looking for and what we hoped the day would be like. It’s Sam and Stu’s knowledge of (and love for) the island that really sets them apart from any other wedding planning service. We knew instantly that we were in safe hands.
Sam’s sterling work in identifying the right place for us and liaising with local landowners ended up with us having the perfect setting. After looking at her photos, we chose a stunning grove in the north of the island - when we arrived in Paxos this past August and saw it in person for the first time we were both overcome with emotion - it could not have been more beautiful. The ever helpful Spiro was on hand to work with Sam and Stu in turning an ancient olive grove into the most wonderful setting, using only the finest touches.
In line with our desire to have a relaxed, intimate reception Stu secured the Villa Mouzmouli for us as both lodging and venue. It provided the perfect setting and the exquisite views (and the perfectly placed new moon!) had guests literally gasping in amazement as they arrived. The table settings were stunning and the catering was authentic and brilliantly done. We put a lot of trust in Sam’s relationships with her suppliers and we were not let down in any way.
Being more than a little bit of a control freak, and a project manager for a living, I have no doubt that I wasn’t the easiest bride to deal with - especially when so much is done via email and not in person. I did a lot of micro-management of small details and my demands were met with patience, compromise and a lot of good humour. When we arrived, and for the week before the big day, Sam and Stu were always at the end of the phone for the smallest matter, talking me off a ledge when half our guests were stranded on Corfu overnight due to the high winds and my stress levels went through the roof!, and organising transport for everyone for the night before the wedding and the day itself. Sam and Stu were with us for the entire day and evening, Stu even driving me the last few hundred yards to the olive grove on the rocky path that the Mercedes couldn’t get up, and at the end of the night when our guests were all in the pool and no-one was leaving, he managed everything with grace and good humour.
We had a truly magical wedding and it wouldn’t have been possible without the fantastic partnership of Sam and Stu. We hope they know how grateful we are for their time, dedication and unending efforts to make sure we had the best day of our lives - and we’re already looking forward to catching up with them on our next visit to Paxos.