A Luxurious Pre-Wedding Welcome Dinner in Mykonos

Although she is of Grecian heritage, our beautiful bride Kate had never actually been to Greece, so it was without a doubt time for one (very stylish) big fat Greek wedding in Mykonos. An American-Grecian from Los Angeles, Kate was due to marry her fiancé Jordan, who is from Toronto in Canada.

Choosing Mykonos as the setting for their ‘I Do’ moment, the soon-to-be newlyweds invited their friends and family from across the world for a wedding weekend full of glamour, luxury and style.

Planning began during lockdown, where we spent a lot of time communicating via WhatsApp on a daily basis, preparing for their unforgettable celebration in Greece. Finally, after 18 months of email and text conversations, we began their unique and incredible weekend wedding in Mykonos with a traditional orthodox church ceremony, followed by a sophisticated, rustic-meets-luxury pre-wedding welcome dinner afterwards.

This couple had an eye for style and had their hearts set on Kalesma for their main wedding in Mykonos. Fortunately, they managed to fly over from LA to Mykonos for their first ever visit to Greece, where they were spoilt with decadent food tastings, as well as a fun-packed day visiting different churches and boutique hotels on the island. After exploring the various dining experiences on offer, we decided on Rizes for their pre wedding welcome dinner because its traditional heritage and Grecian charm effortlessly made us weak at the knees, while the family owners made us feel endlessly welcome.

Curated around the produce from the surrounding organic farm, the delicious menu is a symphony of Mediterranean flavours showcased in artfully crafted dishes, and rest assured, it will immerse your guests in the ultimate feast. If you’re a real foodie and want to learn to whip up one of their wonderous meals, the owners even offer cookery lessons in the kitchen, which you’ll find brimming with the scent of oregano, copper pots and the sound of goats cheerfully bleating outside – it is Grecian authenticity at its very best! We knew it was the perfect place to celebrate!

A little note for anyone who is looking for a setting to welcome their guests with a welcome dinner – a visit to Rizes will take you all on a journey through time, where you have the rare chance to experience the history of authentic Mykonos.

Located in the very heart of the island, the farm captures the ‘everyday life’ of the Mykonian family – which is something that is indescribably special to be a part of.

From the house décor to the woodfired oven (where they still bake bread and food), all of these elements come together to embrace, celebrate and experience the sheer splendour of simplicity.

Upon arrival at Rizes, friends and family were greeted with fresh homemade lemonade, divine wine and traditional Greek music. Musicians played throughout the entire evening, delivering an electric atmosphere and the soundtrack to their celebration. Two traditional Greek dancers also added to the entertainment of the evening, offering dancing lessons to the guests and teaching them Sirtaki – which went down an absolute treat.

The couple opted for a family-style menu, embracing the traditionally decorated house, glorious gardens, farm animals and the rural setting. Kate and Jordan’s wedding guests were invited to tuck into homemade Greek cuisine, where tables were laden with salads, tzatziki, oven-baked meatballs, roasted chicken and of course, a dessert that was filled with Greek yoghurt with honey and seasonal fruits.

Kate and Jordan also spoilt their guests with koufeta, which were packed in tulle vibrant pink bonbonniere bags that effortlessly matched the florals. White sugar-coated almonds are a traditional Greek gift, with the white symbolising ‘purity’ and the egg shape of the almond representing ‘fertility’ and ‘new life’. The endurance of marriage is reflected through the hard shell of the almond, while the sugar coating is a nod towards a sweet life as man and wife. Tradition has it that an unmarried woman will tuck the koufeta under her pillow so she can then dream of her future husband as she sleeps.

As a style-focused wedding planner in Greece, I have a network of the area’s finest suppliers at my fingertips. This includes incredible florists – who created beautiful, bold and rich floral design in colour-popping shades of pink, working in subtle golden accents for an extra dash of luxury. The colour palette contrasted wonderfully against the blue and white tablecloths displayed at Rizes. The combination results in a chic glamour meets folklore farmstead vibes – one of my favourite design set-ups to date!

Don’t forget to get in touch with our expert wedding planning team at Kiss From Fleur if you are looking to create a wedding experience to enjoy with your favourite people.