We Couldn’t Believe This Venue Wasn’t Actually in Santorini – They Found Greece in California!

Lauren Megerdichian
November 20, 2019
Categories: Real Weddings, The Blog, Traditional Elegance
Tags: California Venues

We’re not kidding when we say we never would have known this wedding was anywhere but Santorini from just looking at the gorgeous gallery from Jessica Grazia Mangia. I mean… whitewashed buildings, a blue-domed church and traditional Greek elements in ever corner – all signs point to Greece, right?! WRONG. This gorgeous wedding was actually in Santa Barbara, California (yup, we couldn’t believe it either.) What’s even better than the location, you ask? That’s an easy one – THIS. COUPLE. The happiness and sheer love is beaming out of every picture. Imagine Weddings & Special Events made their Mediterranean inspired wedding dreams come true. Keep on reading for the inside scoop on this heavenly day from

From Jessica Griazia Mangia… Eleni and Costa are both of Greek origins, their families migrated to the US just a generation ago and they live their lives surrounded by their festive, colorful and rich traditions. When Costantino proposed to Eleni they both wanted to elope to Santorini but they quickly realized that pretty much all of their family members and friends, now live in California. With the fine art curation of Rebecca owner of Imagine Weddings in Santa Barbara, they created a whole Mediterranean experience for their guests and themselves with a ceremony at the beyond stunning Orthodox Greek Church nested on the Santa Barbara Hills, and a festive reception at The Biltmore Four Seasons in Santa Barbara. Every little detail was customized to bring a unique experience to life: from the invitations, that the bride personally created, to the “bomboniere” (in Greek: favors) filled with chocolate “confetti” (in Greek “sugared almonds”). The Biltmore Four Seasons resort was the perfect scenario for the Mediterannean vibe of the celebration, and the sunset photos remind entirely of the gorgeous coastal photographs that you can find when looking to book a romantic vacation in Greece.

From the bride… The Bride, Eleni, was born and raised on the East Coast in Northern Virginia. The Groom, Costadenos, who often goes by Costa, was born and raised in Los Angeles, CA. Eleni grew up with rolling green hills in her hometown, and Costa had the golden coast in his backyard. Eleni lived in Greece for one year while in Elementary school, and Costa had Greek speaking parents, both were raised admiring their heritage and cultural values. It was important to them that their wedding portrayed who they’re as individuals, and how their love and friendship unified so much of their life’s passions. Costa proposed to Eleni while on vacation in Santorini, Greece a year prior and while on their trip and engagement of a lifetime, they knew for certain they wanted their Wedding Ceremony to be inside the Greek Orthodox Church. They were both baptized Greek Orthodox, and felt this to be a pretty easy decision. They wanted their ceremony to feel quaint and intimate, and they knew just the place. Santa Barbara was not only the area Costa courted Eleni during their dating years, but it very quickly became ‘their place”, it also turns out to have one of the most beautiful Greek Churches they’ve ever seen. Saint Santa Barbara Greek Orthodox Church, sits nested on top of a heel overlooking the Pacific Coast, and the inside the church displays gold mosaics icons of saints, it’s quaint, authentic, beautifully spiritual and has one of the kindest Priests and members they’ve ever met. Their Wedding Ceremony location was an easy choice and one that they’re forever grateful.

They knew they wanted their Wedding Reception to be by the water, and have a Mediterranean feel. They found their perfect location at the Resort Four Seasons Biltmore in Santa Barbara and after viewing the “La Pacifica” floor plan, they new this was going to be their wedding reception location: on top of the water, overlooking rocky cliffs, on a terrace on the pacific waters with lights strung under the nights sky. When it came to the photographer, we knew we had to have the best. Who was going to get our vision, execute and deliver. After the bride reached out to photographers that were referred, she decided to do her own research and is so happy she did because that’s when she had an hour long phone call with the extremely talented, high end magazine worthy, fun-loving personality, wedding destination photographer, Jessica Griazia Mangia. Her work was not only flawless, but you could feel the love through her portfolio. Each photograph spoke a thousand words, and effortlessly. Not only is she fantastic to work with, she asks the right questions, dives deep into understanding exactly what it is that you want, feels your style and makes your vision a reality! We love you Jessica and cannot wait to use your services again soon!! The bride knew she wanted a beautiful yet versatile Wedding Gown. One that was appropriate for the Church, and felt freeing by the ocean. She purchased her gown from, The Dress Bridal, in Santa Barbara, CA, and the Australian Designer was, Made with love She worked closely with the boutique owner, Jayna, to customize pieces of her wedding gown. The bride is a Fashion beauty blogger and is passionate about fashion, fabrics and putting her own twist on things making it her own. She added an overskirt and vail made by the designer, Made with love, and this is the look she wore for the Wedding Ceremony in the Church. Jayna ordered extra application from the Designer, and the Bride and Jayna worked together to add the lace application to the back of the vail, strategically placing the material in the desired areas creating a elegant look that would tie in the front of the dress on the back of her extra long veil.

The bride wanted to leave the overskirt open a bit in the front, rather than fully enclosing the wedding gown underneath, this way there would be a compliment of textures and colors as she walked down the aisle. It truly created the most subtle drama, it was perfect. Later, at the Reception at the Four Seasons, the bride took off the vail and overskirt, the Dress become smaller, more fitting, and now Eleni could show off her curves on the dance floor. The intricacies of the beautiful designers plunge neckline and deep-V’s underneath the armpit, was the perfect gown stylistically for a dual location. The bride wanted all of her ladies in white, just like her. The bridesmaids dresses were from, Sabo Skirt, an Australian Designer The Bride has been following for years now. The Bride provided 4 styles for her bridesmaids to choose from, understanding everyone is built differently she wanted her girl squad to feel their most beautiful self on this special day. The meaning of friendship to this bride is unity, standing together in unison, and everyone feeling loved, great and happy.

There were 11 Groomsman, and they all kept it classy with black bow ties and black tuxedos. The Groom treated each of his fellas to their tux, and rented them from The Black Tux. The were all so handsome, and nailed the classic look while all putting on their dancing shoes for the reception. The Brides mother and the bride wanted to treat all 12 of the Bridesmaids to their hair and makeup, so that’s just what they did. The bride wanted all her gals to feel gorgeous and their very best, so she suggested they each have their hair and make up done just how they wish and prefer. Her only recommendation, keep it classy and have fun! Thank you, Team Hair and Makeup for doing 20 gals makeup that morning, they came ready! The Bride liked the idea of keeping the overall colors soft romantic, classy, and with a southern feel. There were Creams, blush pinks and light blue florals with a touch of violent and burst of fall brights inside the ballroom. There was a lot of greenery, red hydrangeas, blue tweedia, thistle, quicksand roses, garden roses dahlias and many more textured blooms. Various foliage were mixed throughout. The entire design was accented with candles.. Thank you to my florist, Precious and Blooming, her floral designs were elegant and captivating. The ambiance was largely due in part to the floral settings and candles places all around the venue.

Inside the ballroom there were pin pushed cram sofas, and cane back chairs, rectangular Tuscan wooden tables and a mix of accent pieces complimenting the floral (gold, silver, mercury glass, etc). Thanks to the incredible vendors, Town and Country.

The Ballroom was draped in a stunning champagne and the lighting inside and outside was impeccable. The dance floor showed off the Brides new last name, and the lighting really showed off all the magic making the smallest details appear larger than life. Thank you Bella Vista. La Tavola Fine Linen, thank you for setting the tables perfectly. Talk about making a vision come to life. The couple decided on Cream Velvet Linens for all their round tables, a mauve velvet napkin. On all the rectangular wooden tables, they wanted the wood exposed and used a cream linen napkin for this table setting. Classy and stunning all pulled together. Thank you MTB Event rentals for the perfect Cream Lace chargers and Blush Pink dinner plates. This brought the look of the table to life, sometimes the smallest details speak the loudest and are the final touch to pull your overall look together.

Music was important to the Bride and Groom, they wanted to dance all night with their friends and family. After hearing the audition of Downbeat LA, it was a done deal. They decided to go with a ‘Live DJ’, this meant they had a DJ, a saxophonist (their favorite) and a percussionist. The trio are extremely professional, polished and pump up the guests like no wedding they’ve ever seen! They get into the crowd and interact with the guests, the live music/ DJ combo was out of this world amazing!

Thank you to the Month of Coordinator for helping the Bride and Groom find a videographer last minute. Imagine Weddings SB, Rebecca, knows the Four Seasons layout well and local vendors well. Thank you for working with all the vendors. Indulge By Mersene, made the most creative Wedding Favors. She customizes and shops everywhere, she has a creative eye, her background is textile design and she gets everything style.