Tell us a little about yourselves!
We are an international couple currently living in New York. Ore is Jewish, born and raised in Israel, while I am Korean, who was born and raised in Kyrgyzstan but spent my 20s in Russia and the UK. Six years ago, we met by accident in the mountains of China where Ore was on a solo trip and I was taking a short break from the studies in Shanghai. From our very first encounter, it felt like we would never be able to stop talking to each other – it was just this magic click!
After returning to our respective homes and lives, our connection grew stronger. During the beginning of the pandemic, we decided not to stay apart and let the lockdowns separate us. We packed our bags and started living together in different countries where we were both allowed to travel. In the pandemic year, we lived in Turkey, Serbia, Italy, Croatia, the US, and Georgia (country). Every date and important event that we’ve had, including our wedding, began at the airport. This says a lot about us – we are people who are always on the go!
Ore is an astrophysicist and I am a lawyer. Outside of work and travel time, we enjoy walking, hiking, and being somewhere new.
Why did you decide to get married where you did?
We wanted to bring our family and close friends to a beautiful place that everyone would enjoy and that would be accessible for Ore’s 87-year-old grandma. Corfu offered us a perfect combination of beautiful nature, Mediterranean cuisine, Venetian architecture, and plenty of flight options for most of our guests. Importantly, we were able to find a villa in Corfu that we loved and that was available for our dates, even though we started planning just a few months before.
How many guests did you have?
23.
Tell us about your outfits.
We wanted to keep it light and comfortable for a hot Greek summer, so linen and silk were natural choices. Ore’s suit was the first one we tried at our local J.Crew on Fifth, and I ordered a bunch of silk dresses from Reformation, one of which fit well. Ore likes a relaxed vibe so he wore a white tee and loafers, and I used a vintage veil and red sandals for a touch of tradition and a pop of colour.
What was the most important aspect for you, in terms of planning your wedding?
We had a small wedding, but our guests travelled from all over – the US, Eastern and Western Europe, and the Middle East – so finding a place that would work for everyone was crucial.
It was also important to find the perfect villa to set the tone of the celebration and an organizer we could trust. We were lucky to find Cecilia Estate and our organizer, Goldie, who is part of the family that built and runs the Estate. They helped us put together pretty much everything while we were in New York and had never travelled to Corfu before the wedding.
Were there any elements that were important for you to incorporate?
It is not really an ‘element,’ but we wanted Ore’s grandmother to be present at the wedding. Considering she hasn’t been on a plane in at least a decade, we hoped that arrangements could be made so she could be a part of our day.
Any tips for couples getting married?
Focus on what is truly meaningful and valuable to you, and don’t feel obligated to follow what is customary. Select your vendors carefully and, once you’ve made your choices, trust them to bring your vision to life.
Are there any vendors that you would like to tell us a little more about?
Goldie from Cecilia Weddings was a fantastic partner throughout our planning process. Her impeccable taste and the strong team of vendors she works with ensured that everything was taken care of on the day.
Additionally, Carlotta and Gianluigi from We Wedding Photography were an absolute delight. They exceeded our expectations with the wedding photos, capturing everything as we envisioned – in a candid documentary way – which was a perfect fit for a small and relaxed event like ours. We genuinely enjoyed working with them and will miss their company!
Photographers: We Wedding Photography @we.weddingphotography | Planning & Styling: Cecilia Weddings @cecilia_weddings | Flora: Cecilia Design @c_e_c_i_l_i_a_d_e_s_i_g_n | Ceremony & Reception Location: Cecilia Estate @ceciliaestate | Celebrant: Matt (Brother of Groom) | Hair & Makeup: Bride did her own | Catering + Beverages: Cecilia Estate @ceciliaestate | Cake: Cake Boutique @cakeboutiquecorfu | Stationery: by the Bride | Entertainment: The Music Ark @themusicark | Dress: Reformation @reformation | Suit: J Crew @jcrew | Veil: Vintage | Sandals: Jeffrey Campbell