Tessara and Ben’s Santorini wedding under the Mediterranean sun

When Tessara Foster first saw Benjamin Van Beek, she instantly had a feeling he was special.

Though the pair had attended the same high school, they didn’t actually meet until a few years later. “I remember asking my friends to introduce us,” recalls Tessara, 23. “After a few dates, I knew he was ‘the one’.”

At the time, Tessara had been planning to move to Europe for a year. However after falling for Ben, also 23, she cancelled her one-way ticket. “As consolation, Ben suggested a one-month holiday together in Europe. Our last stop of our journey was Greece, where we spent time on the island of Santorini,” she explains. “We fell further in love under the Mediterranean sun.”

Two years later, after a marriage proposal in a beautiful Gold Coast forest, Tessara and Ben weighed up their wedding venue options. “Ben suggested we go to Santorini with our nearest and dearest, but I initially dismissed the idea,” says Tessara. “But then I saw photos of brides walking through the white-washed alleyways overlooking the spectacular Caldera. I was sold.”

On June 20, 2017 the Gold Coast pair exchanged vows before just eight guests at their Santorini wedding in Firostefani, Greece.

“Our wedding was filled with so much love, we are so grateful to our family who travelled across the world to celebrate with us in our favourite place.”

Photos courtesy of Wedvisions Studio.

 

Tessara and Ben spent their wedding morning together. When the ceremony neared, Tessara joined her mother and sister for hair and makeup while Ben and his groomsman got dressed themselves.

Ben’s navy Ferrari Formalwear suit went perfectly with Santorini’s stunning Caldera backdrop.

Traditional Greek musicians led Tessara and her bridesmaid sister to the ceremony.

Due to the wind, Tessara’s veil flew away off the cliffside after the ceremony!

Tessara and Ben were so thankful for their family for flying to Santorini to share their special day, they asked for no gifts.

Tessara and Ben spent the ‘Golden Hour’ before sunset having their wedding photos taken in the pathways of Firostefani, Santorini.

Tessara advises couples embarking on their wedding planning journey to “enjoy every moment. It’s an exciting day so it will go quickly. If you’re nervous, just stare into your love’s eyes and know that you are loved.”

Once the sun had set, the newlyweds made their grand entrance at their reception. “A couple of ground fireworks signalled the start of the party,” Tessara recalls. “We danced into the night and smashed plates while we did the Zorba!”

“Our wedding was an amazing experience, and we are so happy to have spent a wonderful day surrounded by so much love.”