Byzantine Era Wedding Inspiration: A Historic & Luxurious Celebration

Woman with red hair wearing a crown and lace dress

This next wedding inspiration is going Medieval!... okay actually it's pre-Medieval, the Byzantine Empire pre-dates the ten-century long period that we call the Medieval era. But you get the idea, this wedding is going historic.

Keep scrolling to find what made this little art historian heart flutter. From the beautiful venue to the delightfully well thought out table decor, you can see all of this and even more in the full gallery of photos from Les Anagnou below.

Elegant bride near wedding table in a rustic outdoor setting

The Location

Τhis wedding editorial originates from a crisp, cloudy November morning in Athens, in the Nasioutzik Musem Estate. However, if you look closer, it almost seems that it doesn’t take place in Athens. It is set in a period so old, yet timeless, where everything was handmade, yet aristocratic, a period whose art was highly prestigious and sought-after in Western Europe. We are taking you to the Byzantine era.
The table is set, perfectly aligned and just outside of the Meteora building, that has been constructed to resemble a monastery-castle. It was literally built around this magnificent wooden door and is located at the top of the hill, providing a phenomenal view of the entire Mesogaia region.

Outdoor wedding reception table with floral centerpieces

Elegant wedding table setting with dusty blue tablecloth and gold accents Elegant wedding place setting with golden pear and name card

Elegant wedding table setting with gold accents and flowers

Rustic wedding table setting with floral arrangements Elegant wedding table setting with wooden horse decor

Rustic wedding reception table with blue tablecloth

The Table

The color palette is intense and exuberant and the textures are rich and alive. Petrol blue velvet that covers the antique monastery wooden table, combined with old wooden chairs and luxurious tableware. All in abundance. The palette gets enriched by the mustard yellow ribbons that tie the light blue linen napkins, just as the girls used to tie their dresses so tight around their bodies. The flowers are dark red and yellow, in liaison with this autumnal scenery and the light breeze diffuses the smell of honey from the candles in the air.

The Bridal Style

And there she comes. An empress, so elegant like a queen and so airy like a ghost. Again, the orange hair accents the light blue wedding dress, while pairing perfectly with the entire setting. Can you see her look when she takes a glance at him? Can you feel her heartbeat while she reads her vows to him?

Woman in blue gown at a castle wedding table setting

Woman in blue gown at medieval themed wedding venue Elegant floral arrangement on a metal stand outdoor A woman with curly hair wearing a jeweled crown, looking regal

Red haired queen in ethereal gown by birch wood door Woman in a gown stands by window old chest beside her Rustic wedding bouquet with eucalyptus and hydrangeas Bride in a sheer gown and groom by a bright window

Elegant bride and groom pose in ornate wedding venue

Couple in antique church with wedding attire embrace Romantic couple gazing, woman in crown touching man

Elegant man in a suit leaning against a wooden door frame

The Food

The tastes are thick as well. Syrup running all over the era’s delicacies, mixed with the strong leather smell. This amazing set-up, with the orange-ish wall, the wooden table, the leather tags and the petrol blue cake made us stare in awe.

The Details

We used leather to create an envelope to seal the nostalgic wedding invitation, as well as to create pouches for the barley. Oh yes, the barley, because that’s what they tossed to the newlyweds in the Byzantine years. Every single detail was curated, from the wooden and alabaster horses on the tablescape to the styling of the bride and her magnificent crown. As Nikos Kazantzakis once said, based on one of his favorite Byzantine mystics, "Since we cannot change reality, let us change the eyes which see reality”.

wedding invitation stationery with a historic watercolor vibe Wedding invitation with vintage details and calligraphic names

Romantic candlelit wedding bouquet with teal tablecloth Bride and groom posing in a romantic fairytale style

Delicious mini cakes with cream and dried orange slices on a plate

Elegant couple holding hands walking towards wedding, ceremony Wedding seating chart with name tags on wooden backdrop, floral décor Elegant blue cake with candles on a table for a celebration Elegant couple posing for a romantic wedding photo shoot together