Our Grecian Elopement
“I am vested in you, verily loving you for vast eternity.”
— David
“I bind myself to you, as the sea to the sky.”
— Erin
Syros, Cylades, Greece
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Just after sunrise we unfurled a daisy patterned beach blanket on the edge of a swimming dock and took our places seated in silent meditation.
Shortly after meeting one another’s gaze, we exchanged vows, rings, and a kiss before we stood hand-in-hand.
On the count of three we jumped off the dock and into the warmth of late autumn’s Aegean Sea.
We smiled at one another and the morning sky while swimming alongside locals out for their morning exercise.
All unsuspecting witnesses to the beginning of our union as man and wife.
The rest of the day unfolded…
Over breakfast at the Armadillo Coffee Brewery. David was tasked with running to Vakondiou Flowers to pick up a flower crown and boutonniere, and Erin would begin hours of hair and make-up appointments just after noon.
Erin drew bridal inspiration from French movie star and fashion icon Brigitte Bardot and British singer and It-Girl Jane Birkin. Her stylists on the island delivered on the vision, with APLO creating lived-in, voluminous curls and Katerina bringing 1960s soft-glam to life.
As the make-up artist departed, the photographer arrived.
After a few shots on the intimate patio of their host’s home, Dimitris and the couple rode scooters down to Ermoupoli and to the delight of onlookers began posing for portraits in the quaint alleyways, surrounded by neoclassical architecture at every turn.
As the sun set and a late evening dinner reservation at Mazi approached, the newlyweds happily accepted complimentary Ouzo and heart warming well wishes summed up in a simple English phrase said with perfect Greek exuberance for life and for love-
“Ah! What can I say?! Other than- I wish you much happiness!”
Gelato at Django rounded out the night on the town before bride and groom began the ride back home.
Helmets off for the night, the wind whipped through Erin’s hair as she hugged David close, winding the scooter through busy streets under starlight- a scene reminiscent of one of David’s favorite films from Ms. Bardot and Ms. Birkin’s era.
Poetry in motion in a chic and genuine setting.
Perfection beyond their wildest dreams.
David’s Vows
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V for Vow
I vow to be your Valentine and Vice in life
to venture valiantly with you
in creating a life filled with vibrant love, venturesome paths, and vivid vitality.
I vow to veer ever towards you,
valuing your valiant visions and vibrant dreams,
and venturing into voracious learning and virtuous growth with you.
I vow to venerate each victory and moment of vivacity,
to be your vigilant vanguard in the darkest vortices and vexations,
and to worship, venerate and value you with all my heart.
Though my voice may be less verbose and vivid than this vow
I am vested in you, verily loving you for vast eternity.
Erin’s Vows
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Today, I bind myself in marriage to you.
Vows are honest, wholehearted promises and as such I must avoid saying anything I do not find to be immutably true.
I cannot promise to be your best friend, your soul’s singular mate, or even the prize-winning love of your life.
None of the oft repeated phrases ring true for me, though deeply romantic and poetic in their own ways.
These words, roles, state of being and relating do not quite capture what my spirit most sincerely intends when I say-
“David, you have my forever.”
Instead, I will vow-
I bind myself to you as the sea to the sky.
Each of us containing epochs of lives lived, complexities beyond comprehension.
Each of us tasked with the duties of our own unique purpose and designs.
I vow, as the sea does to the sky
To reflect all your brilliance as you shift from day to night, replacing the sun with the stars
And I will intrigue you with mysteries of my depths and the gorgeous comedies of my shallows.
I will remain steadfast in my vows to you, the sky to my sea, even in the midst of my most tumultuous waves.
Even in the face of your darkest storms
Until we are both able to see the serenity in one another again.
As you change your constellations, I too will change my tides.
Each of us brining new adventures and fresh perspectives to the other.
Each of us bearing witness to the necessity in the evolution of the self.
And where we meet…
The grand and inspiring Horizon…
May it Be the Edge of Eternity upon which our love dances, forevermore.