Whenever all of a family’s generations are brought together in one place, magic comes alive in the air: Stories are told, memories are shared, and wisdom passes like a torch from elders to the young. Everywhere around you, you can feel the power family connection has to bind and inspire us. At Mike and Emma’s intimate family wedding at Asterias Beach Hotel, I was once again invited to witness this harmony… And the results were a touching, moving photo session I won’t soon forget.
Though this was my first intimate family wedding at Asterias Beach Hotel, it wasn’t my first visit to the venue. If you’ve been following my journey as a wedding photographer in Ayia Napa, the name might already ring a bell:”. Back in 2019, I was fortunate enough to photograph the wedding of Alina and Marcus here at Asterias Beach. From that experience, I knew Mike and Emma were in for a wonderful surprise: With the blue sky meeting the azure sea in the distance, they would be greeted by arches of flowers. All around them, palms would sway in the sun, as if gently dancing to the song of their joy.
As I began my work as a wedding photographer in Ayia Napa, Mike and Emma got ready for their big day. At Emma’s side were her two daughters, sharing in her excitement: All three were outfitted in white lace gowns, with crowns of flowers in the little girls’ hair. Looking like a trio of princesses, they smiled and posed for the camera, radiating warmth and innocence.
Then, with her daughters close by her side, Emma climbed into the bridal car, driven by her proud father. Exiting the car, her heart filled with nervous anticipation as she strode up the aisle on her father’s arm… With butterflies fluttering in her stomach, she realised the moment had finally come: Her family was about to be officially united as one heart, one soul with many branches.
Walking to face Mike, she met his eyes, her gaze brimming with honest devotion. As they began to speak their vows, their loved ones gathered together. Parents and grandparents drew their children close, wiping away tears of happiness. With the squeeze of a hand, they conveyed the meaning of the ceremony without words, and a hush fell. Into the awed silence echoed Emma and Mike’s words of commitment, and their pronouncement as husband and wife. When they kissed, crowning their union with a simple gesture of love, a chorus of smiles lit up the crowd.
Feet light with joy, Emma’s daughters then rose to perform their honoured duty. Taking their part in the sacred journey of becoming a family, they led the way with baskets of confetti. Behind them walked their parents, beaming with pride, knowing that finally, their paths were interwoven and inseparable.
To close the ceremony, I photographed Mike and Emma against the deep blue sky and white chapel overlooking Asterias Beach. In its purity I saw, symbolically, the clean slate of their future: A fresh chapter had begun in their family’s story, its pages waiting to be inked with laughter, tears, and tenderness. For that, above all, is what family is: A never-ending tale, told from one generation to the next in the language of love.
