WEDDINGS IN KOS
By Emma Karanastasi
ABOUT EMMA
Emma is British, and carries a degree in Events Management from Leeds Uni, specialising in music events management. When Emma met her now husband, Ilias, in Kos, she had no idea where her life path would take her. At 22 years old, after graduating, she made the move to Kos permanently, and enjoyed the hedonistic, party lifestyle of the 90’s that Kos was famous for, helping to run her husband’s bar. Eventually, Emma realised that she was wanting to make use of her events skills and talent, and challenged herself to think of a business concept that would fulfil this. After having helped a few friends organise their own weddings in Kos, she decided that she would tap into something that was lacking on the island – bespoke weddings for visitors to Kos. Putting her excellently strategic mind to work, Emma created a loose business plan and put it out there on the market. The response was phenomenal – people really did want to get married abroad, not through a tour operator and their limitations, but through an independent planner, who would really listen to what they wanted for their big day, and make it happen. And so Weddings in Kos was born. From the concept stage through to today, the last 16 years has seen Emma’s dream become a reality and flourish into the number one independent wedding planning company on Kos. Emma’s team are her proudest asset, and while she dedicates her knowledge, calm professionalism and dedication to designing everyone’s perfect days, she knows she can rely on Jessica, Jayne and Pete to carry out her vision and create the perfect reality that Weddings in Kos is famous for.
ABOUT JESSICA
Let’s meet Jessica - the one that brings into reality our beautiful wedding ceremonies and stylish table settings. Jessica is Swedish, and is quirky, creative and enthusiastic. She’s Emma’s right-hand person, whose ideas and perfectionist eye bring to life what our couples have dreamed of, and more. Because every wedding is unique, we aim to make every setting unique also, and Jessica does this, seemingly effortlessly. While our brides are excitedly having a pre-wedding party with their girls, drinking Prosecco and having their hair and makeup done, Jessica is busy getting our breathtaking venues ready. Jessica also runs a travel agency in Kardamena along with her husband - Ticket Travel. You’ll find her there every morning, until it’s time to go and cast her creative spell over our weddings. Pop in to say hello and book a trip, whilst discussing how you want YOUR wedding to look!
ABOUT JAYNE
This is Jayne, our support system personified. Whether we need paperwork transporting, or decor from yesterday’s wedding picking up so it can be prepared for the next day, Jayne jumps in our van and delivers the goods. Beautiful flowers and mouth-watering cakes don’t make their own way to weddings - they need to be picked up and delivered to the relevant venues. Jayne is constantly on the road and behind the scenes, getting these necessary jobs done for each and every wedding. Jayne is also very creative, having run her own art business for years, so her talents are very much appreciated at the wedding ceremony setup stage also, where her and Jessica create what you see in our fabulous photos. With a confident, clear voice, Jayne also occasionally reads the ceremonies for us, alongside the mayor. She’s a dab-hand at pouring those celebratory Proseccos for you at the end of your ceremony too - so you could say that she always gets the party started!
ABOUT PETE
The heavy lifting and physical nature of setting up a wedding takes a lot of stamina, especially when it’s 40 degrees and windy! Pete is the man that get those wooden arbours and chairs in and out of vans, up onto Kastri Island, across burning sand, and even tells us if the flowers are straight or not. He’s enthusiastic and reliable. Oh, and he’s also our DJ!! From day into night, Pete is a strong team member and provides the support that our creative team needs.
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