Our couples: Josh & Danielle

December 19, 2023

Tell us about yourselves, and how did you meet?

We are Josh and Danielle, we met while working together as students at a startup in Tel Aviv. Josh is originally from Liverpool, England and Danielle is Australian- Israeli

What made you decide to get married in Greece?

We fell in love with Greece when we first travelled to Crete together. After a few more visits we toyed with the thought of getting married there one day. After a failed attempt to get married conventionally in a wedding hall In Israel we decided to follow our gut feeling and contacted Sirtaki to find out if we could make a wedding in Greece happen.

How long did it take to plan the wedding? Tell us about the challenges you faced

We faced many challenges when planning our wedding in Israel.
But from the second we contacted Sirtaki the process was seamless.
All of a sudden, everything became possible and we discovered our dreams could become reality.

Sirtaki:

When D+J first approached us, worn out from challenges and heartbreak of trying to plan their wedding during the Covid-era. We knew we had to get them over to Greece so they could begin to relax, get excited and comfortable enough to dream big again.

Tell us about the wedding planning process with Anat and Yonathan?

From the second we spoke with Anat we understood each other, and there was confirmation that what we wanted – a small wedding with friends only, intimate and fun with a whole place to ourselves, was possible. Instantly a plan in the making was formed. Then, it was time to scout locations. We flew to Evia Island where Yonathan graciously picked us up from the airport and then drove us for miles over the next couple of days to see the different venues. It was such a great time and the excitement grew as we could see the plan become reality – when we decided on the Selina in Limni. It had everything from a beautiful beach, swimming pool. Lots of space and enough rooms to accommodate all our guests. All within our budget.

Sirtaki :

One of the key stages of planning a destination wedding with us is arranging a pre-wedding visit to Greece for the couple. Many aspects of your wedding are based on a feeling; you might have a clear image in your mind of what you want, whether it's related to the dress or the venue, and then the feeling just isn't right. We truly believe that coming out and touring venues, meeting vendors, and getting to know each other builds trust and helps us to really get a sense of who they are, allowing us to create something which embodies their character. Our couples leave with peace of mind, confident in the knowledge that we will do everything it takes to give them the wedding they have dreamed of.

What part of the planning did you enjoy the most?

We enjoyed getting weekly updates from Anat and Yonathan. We really enjoyed how passive we could be and relaxed while they finalised all the vendors, menus and schedules. And when we had an opinion they were there to listen and implement or give us their professional opinion which turned out just perfect.

Sirtaki :

For us the combination of their personalities and their two cultures coming together was a really special experience for us, from everything down to the flavours on the menu and the more intimate, family style of the weekend.

What was the most important thing for you in the process? Was there anything you weren't willing to compromise on?

For Danielle the design was important but it was as simple as giving Sirtaki the inspiration and they took care of the rest. We really wanted to look after our guests and make sure they were fully set up for a good, worry-free time so a lot of thought went into the transportation, accommodation and scheduling.

Sirtaki :

Once the guys had chosen their venue, their desire to give their guests an amazing experience became our mission. Danielle had a quirky, floral and fun vision which was a complete joy to bring to life.

Tell us about your wedding day - the decor, the food, the vibe, the feeling

Our wedding day was on the second day of the wedding weekend. So the afternoon before, as our guests arrived we all got to enjoy a beautiful dinner where everyone could get better acquainted and even enjoyed a good boogie to our favourite techno music till the late hours of the night. So the wedding day had already felt like we were one big family. We enjoyed spending time with everyone by the pool with great music and lunch. Then In the evening it was the chuppah, everything was managed by Anat and Yonahtan- scheduling was perfect and we felt like true guests of honour. Having to worry about nothing and just take in the moments. The food was absolutely incredible throughout the whole weekend. We enjoyed every bit and it was so aesthetically pleasing. All our guests went crazy for it.

Sirtaki :

The most rewarding part for us was being able to breathe life into their ideas and seeing how pleased they were with the end result. This wedding party was so youthful and connected, all of our team loved getting to know them and seeing all their friends come together to celebrate their love, was so special.

What tip would you give to couples who plan a destination wedding?

Trust your planners. Set expectations in terms of budget and any other desires at the beginning and let your planners do the rest. Also only invite people you want to spend time with. This allows you to be present and really enjoy the magic.

Sirtaki :

We couldn’t agree more! Hiring an event planner doesn’t necessarily mean a bigger budget, what it does mean though is you are handing off all the worry and stress. Destination weddings by nature also allow you to share your day with those who truly matter.

Share with us an unforgettable moment from the wedding

The chuppah. It was absolutely beautiful, overlooking the stunning ocean lit by a magical sunset. Our friends wrote speeches which they shared and it was incredibly special.

Sirtaki :

The moment I will never forget: After their reveal and pre-wedding shoot, Danielle, looking flawless, casually mentioned she could use a nap. So, we pulled off a bit of magic—she settled on the bed fully dressed, hair and makeup intact, managing to sneak in a 30-minute power nap, before I woke her up and escorted her down to the beach for the ceremony. It was a fantastic feeling knowing she felt so calm and relaxed amidst the wedding frenzy.

It was an absolute pleasure working with Danielle and Josh and we can’t wait to see what life has in store for them!