Following the social media trend of #ThrowBackThursday, I am looking back at some of my favourite weddings from the last 10 years and asking past bride and groom’s to reminisce about their wedding day. This week’s story is from Rachel and Adam’s destination wedding in Cyprus at the magnificent Sunrise Beach Hotel Protaras.
Lancashire couple Rachel and Adam chose to get married at Sunrise Beach Hotel Protaras, they fell in love with the resort and just knew it was the perfect location for their dream destination wedding on the Island of love in Cyprus.
The couple chose Wes Simpson Weddings as their destination wedding photographer because they wanted the security of dealing with a UK based wedding photographer before and after the wedding.
Looking back at past weddings, it’s interesting to see how my approach to wedding photography has changed and improved. One thing I have noticed is that styles may change but emotion never goes out of fashion. That’s why I don’t follow hipster trends or use the latest Instagram filters.
Information on destination wedding photography.
Here is their story…
WEDDINGS AT SUNRISE BEACH HOTEL PROTARAS
Hi! we are Rachel and Adam from Skelmersdale in Lancashire. We were married at the magnificent Sunrise Beach Hotel Protaras in Cyprus, and we loved every minute of our dream destination wedding adventure!
We picked whit week half term for the wedding as it suited family members work commitments travelling to Cyprus from England. We opted for a late afternoon wedding ceremony at Sunrise Beach Hotel Protaras because we wanted a more relaxed day and a less formal approach. We also wanted it to flow from the ceremony right through to the evening.
Just 36 guests (plus ourselves) flew out to Cyprus to watch us say “I Do” at Sunrise Beach Hotel Protaras, this made it more intimate and was exactly what we wanted!
WEDDING CEREMONY SUNRISE BEACH HOTEL PROTARAS
We chose to get married outside in the gardens at Sunrise Beach Hotel, it offered the perfect combination of shade and picturesque views of the Mediterranean sea. All guests were seated facing the ocean with Adam waiting at the end of the aisle in his linen suit.
The song I walked down the aisle to was ‘Let there be love’ by Oasis. Both Adam and I have had this tattooed on us since the wedding. Adam’s is in Greek, the language spoken in Cyprus. Also, since the wedding, the song now has, even more, meaning to it for us, as it was playing as I was giving birth to our firstborn son Nathan.
Our ceremony was perfect, the garden is in a quiet area of Sunrise Beach Hotel. The setting was beautiful and overlooking the sea was everything I could have wished for. I had 3 bridesmaids, they walked down the aisle first and I followed with my Dad.
JUSTIN ALEXANDER WEDDING DRESS
My wedding dress was by Justin Alexander, I love it just as much today as I did on my wedding day, I would definitely pick it again. It was and still is a timeless dress! Due to a shorter style than a traditional wedding dress, it was a perfect choice for a wedding in Cyprus. As for the wedding theme, we never went full-on with a theme but we had aspects of vintage to compliment my dress.
RELAXED CEREMONY
Watched on by 36 of our closest family and friends, the ceremony wasn’t anything over the top, and just how we wanted it. The ceremony went smoothly and we all had a little laugh when we couldn’t get our rings on with our fingers being swollen from the heat!!
After the ceremony, we had pictures in the grounds of Sunrise Beach Hotel Protaras, followed by a nice and chilled barbecue reception. We didn’t want the night to end, but knew we had a party planned for when we got home to celebrate and of course I got to wear my dress again!!
LASTING MEMORIES
The standout moment for me from my wedding day was seeing my Dad’s face when he first saw me in my dress when he came to collect me from the Sunrise Beach Hotel Protaras bridal suite… and of course, Adams face as I met him at the end of the aisle, Wes – you caught that moment perfectly!
My favourite picture of the whole day and one which I share on social media every year is a picture of just me and Adam with the sun setting behind us. And of course, let’s not forget the ‘infamous’ picture of Adam and his upside-down smile when it all became a bit overwhelming for him during the ceremony. It’s a classic!
Advice for brides… Don’t let the trivial things stress you out, that’s really not important! Remember the reason you’re getting married in the first place.
Also, enjoy every minute and try to take it all in as it goes far too quick!
Rachel x
ABOUT THE HOTEL
Sunrise Beach Hotel Protaras is situated on the finest stretch of golden sands in Paralimni and just a stone’s throw away from the magnificent Fig Tree Bay and the bars, shops and restaurants of Protaras.
This chic and stylish hotel is just 45 minutes from Larnaca Airport. Situated on the southeastern coast of Cyprus. Staying at Sunrise Beach Protaras you can easily explore places of interest further afield such as Cape Greco and the nightlife of Aiya Nappa.
The Sunrise Beach Hotel Protaras exclusively hosts one wedding a day and the hotel boast both the Panorama Terrace for outdoor wedding ceremonies and Sae View Wedding Room for indoor. Wedding receptions are held at Levanda Deck (outdoor) and Helios Conference Hall for indoor.
UK WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER FOR YOUR CYPRUS WEDDING
Cyprus is a fantastic wedding destination, offering the warmth of the Mediterranean Sea, sun, and a romantic setting. I am a UK based destination wedding photographer, and I have been lucky enough to have been photographing weddings for over a decade at all the leading wedding venues in Cyprus.
Ever since my first destination wedding back in 2008 at the magnificent Grecian Park Hotel, Cyprus has always had a special place in my heart. If you’re getting married at Sunrise Beach Protaras (or anywhere else on the island) and want me to be your Cyprus wedding photographer. Please feel to contact me. My passport is ready!
