We had the absolute thrill to capture Sébastien Meyer and Arnaud Vaillant’s wedding on the beautiful little island of Hydra that was later featured on Vogue! So close to Athens that you can hop across whenever the mood takes you, this small, hilly island in the Saronic Gulf has over the years mesmerized its visitors with its quaintness, rich history, and cultural allure and as you imagine, it’s the perfect destination to have a wedding!
The wedding was a long waited affair eight months in the making. The creative director and co-founder of Coperni and the brand’s CEO and co-founder have planned their wedding for August 7, 2020, in Hydra, but ultimately, like so many other couples, they had to postpone due to the pandemic. The date, location, program, and guest list all remained the same—but the event was one year later – and it was breathtakingly beautiful and pure.
On the morning of the wedding, Sébastien and Arnaud made a point of not seeing each other – the traditional and romantic way. Instead, they got ready separately with their witnesses and then walked all the steps down from the port of Hydra. The beautiful thing about Hydra is that there is no transportation on the island, which makes it even more beautiful and quaint. It’s an island that has a following for its quiet and romantic side, the one Sebastien and Arnaud fell in love with.
For the ceremony, Sébastien wore a vintage Helmut Lang suit in ivory linen with a Santangelo necklace and Celine moccasins. Meanwhile, Arnaud was in a complete Saint Laurent look—sailor style with a double-breasted striped wool jacket, a white linen shirt, beige chinos, a braided belt, and black moccasins. Guests—wearing white, cream, ivory, and pastel colors—met at the port where shuttles were organized to take them to the tiny island. Sébastien and Arnaud arrived by taxi boats to the site, where benches and carpets were set up under sun umbrellas. The little island of Kivotos where the wedding ceremony took place is literally a rock in the middle of the sea with 360 degrees of water surrounding it. It’s a location pure and grand at the same time, a quite special place to say “I do”.
Bridesmaids and groomsmen processed down the aisle. Then witnesses—including best friends, brothers, and sisters followed. Sébastien and Arnaud then met each other and both walked down the aisle with their mothers. Once the ceremony began, the speeches started and oh my word were they all very different and all very emotional. Everyone was tearing up, a truly special moment of the day.
The party that followed the ceremony was a black-tie affair. Sébastien wore a black Saint Laurent le smoking look and Arnaud was in Brioni, both with matching bow ties and patent shoes from Saint Laurent. After the ceremony, the group went for lunch and then to rest before the party that evening which was the epitome of summer celebration.
Sébastien and Arnaud’s wedding was so beautiful and romantic and pure, it was a joy and a privilege to be along their side at the beginning of their life’s most exciting part!
Planning a wedding on the beautiful island of Hydra and looking for perfect wedding day photographs? We’ll be happy to do it! Contact us!
