British beaus Tobi Ojo and Takunda Gwenhure met at university in Northern England, and started dating their third year (“Finally!” Tobi laughs). In 2021, Takunda arranged a photoshoot that, to Tobi’s surprise, turned out to be an engagement shoot after he got down on one knee.
The duo’s wedding vision was “romantic, classy, ethereal—in full bloom by the sea,” Tobi shares. So, to the sea they went: the Athens Riviera, to be precise. For their destination wedding in Greece, “we chose Island Art and Taste for its vibrant and joyful ambience, breathtaking mountains, and waterfront views,” Tobi says. “It truly evoked the magical atmosphere of the musical Mamma Mia, which was a huge inspiration for our wedding location and overall feel.” A color palette of white, green, and dark and light pink locked in the look.
“Not being in Greece while planning [was difficult], but we were so lucky to have the best wedding planner who made us feel at ease every step of the way,” Tobi says of working with Maria Maroulidou of Ineventive Creative Experience. “The planning process was smooth due to her many years experience and deep knowledge of the wedding vendors in Athens.”
Since they were far from home, the couple decided to make a week of their wedding for their guests, planning a host of pre-nuptial events to bring everyone together. “The unforgettable events leading up to our big day created a joyful and lively atmosphere that set the tone for the celebrations,” Tobi recalls. “It all kicked off with a vibrant villa pool party where our friends came together to enjoy the sun, splash in the water, and share in the anticipation. The energy continued to soar as we gathered for a pre-dinner celebration after. To our surprise and delight, a Greek live band serenaded us from the street into the restaurant, infusing the evening with infectious music that had everyone dancing and laughing.”
The following night, the bridal party took a hired taxi to the wedding welcome dinner. “The kind-hearted driver surprised each bridesmaid with a rose, symbolizing love and beauty,” Tobi shares. “He also shared a famous Greek quote as a token of good luck: 'Βίον ανθόσπαρτον,' which translates to ‘a life full of flowers.’ It was a truly touching reminder of the beauty and serendipitous moments that unfolded throughout our wedding journey.”
The next day, on October 3, 2022, the duo finally said “I do” in front of 90 of their nearest and dearest. Keep scrolling to see all the pretty details, planned by Ineventive Creative Experience and photographed by Elias Kordelakos.
Tobi relies on Kiehl’s and Sunday Riley products to care for her skin—but one in particular played a major role for the wedding. “The real game-changer for my skin was the Kiehl's Midnight Recovery treatment I applied the night before the wedding. It was truly a holy grail product, providing me with a luminous glow and helping to repair my skin's natural barrier," she says.
Her directive to the makeup artist was straightforward: “A fresh, simple glow,” she says. “My goal was to maintain my own identity, with a timeless touch. However, my makeup artist, Deji’Racheal, had a last-minute inspiration and decided to incorporate a subtle hint of sparkle to enhance my eyes. It turned out to be a brilliant choice.”
To achieve an ethereal and romantic fashion look that spoke to the setting, Tobi wanted to step outside her comfort zone. She fell in love with an Atelier Pronovias gown online that proved hard to track down in-store—but the effort was worth it. “When I finally tried it on, I was overwhelmed with emotion, on the verge of tears,” she remembers. “The dress perfectly embodied my personality—fun, unique, and elegantly simple. I felt like I was floating on cloud nine.”
Both the bride and groom worked with a stylist, Gioia, to curate their many looks throughout the day. Takunda started in a classic tuxedo, which he accessorized with meaningful cuff links gifted from a family member. “This style perfectly captured the elegance and sophistication I was aiming for,” the groom says.
The couple got the romantic ceremony by the sea Tobi had always envisioned. Not much décor was necessary to make the space stunning, but Studio 7 lined the aisle with lush arrangements of Greek greenery and eucalyptus, roses, hydrangeas, lisianthus, lavender, wax flowers, button roses, and more.
“My eldest cousin walked me down the aisle, graciously stepping in for my late father,” Tobi shares. “Despite his absence, my father's presence was deeply felt throughout the special moment. It was an incredibly poignant experience, as my cousin had also been there to witness my very first baby steps—it was a very full-circle moment.” As they walked, a violin instrumental of Kina Grannis’ “Can’t Help Falling in Love” floated through the ocean air.
Our vows encompassed the lightheartedness and joy that define us as a couple.
The couple wrote their own vows, a combination of meaningful religious excerpts and personal stories. “Our vows encompassed the lightheartedness and joy that define us as a couple,” Tobi says. “We sprinkled our promises with humor and shared laughter, reflecting on our journey so far.” They recessed down the aisle joyfully to “Father Stretch My Hands” from Kanye West’s Sunday Service.
“We aimed for sophistication, simplicity, and elegance,” Tobi says of her bridesmaids' ensembles. “We carefully selected the attire from a Black-owned brand, Kai Collective. Supporting and promoting diversity was an essential factor for us.”
As the couple took stunning newlywed portraits, the smell of the sea breeze rolled off the waves—a scent that the bride's signature perfume played right into. “During the wedding planning journey, my aunt Sylvia arranged a visit to the Jo Malone headquarters in London, where I had the opportunity to create my own personalized wedding scent,” Tobi says. "It was a truly special experience, and the scent I created was a harmonious blend of peony blush and myrrh with a touch of tonka. I chose these particular scents because they evoked a sense of calmness, tranquility, and beauty.”
Fairy lights were strung over the white tables in the outdoor reception space. “As avid travelers, we decided to label each table with the names of favorite trips we've taken together, reflecting our shared passion for exploring new destinations as a couple,” Tobi says.
A buffet-style dinner showcased traditional Greek flavors with souvlaki skewers, eggplant, grape leaves, and freshly baked spanakopita. “Our dessert selection delighted with traditional Greek pastries, including baklava, with its delicate layers of filo pastry, nuts, and honey syrup; as well as loukoumades, heavenly golden-brown dough balls drizzled with honey and sprinkled with cinnamon,” Tobi says.
After the newlyweds made their grand entrance, they hit the floor for their first dance to “Kiss Me” by Ed Sheeran.
“While we incorporated various elements into our celebration, one of the things that truly represented us were the outfit changes. Both of us adore using fashion as a means of self-expression,” Tobi says. The first of two reception outfit changes saw the bride in a May & Grace gown and the groom in a white blazer—but it wasn’t just the newlyweds who switched up their look: The wedding party changed, too. “For their evening look, we wanted to infuse a sense of fun and excitement, seeking a more playful and relaxed style—hence the brown suits and black dresses," says Tobi.
For the evening's entertainment, the couple sought to engage their guests beyond just getting them on the dance floor. “One of the standout moments was an unforgettable karaoke session that took place,” Tobi remembers. “We took the lead, and together with the entire room, we belted out the classic hit ‘Sweet Caroline’ at the top of our lungs. The atmosphere was filled with an incredible sense of joy and camaraderie as everyone enthusiastically joined in.”
Finally, the newlyweds changed into their last look of the night, Tobi opting against white for a black gown by Club London and letting down her hair. It was a look that proved they were ready to party—and party they did, until the wee hours of the next morning.
“Amidst all the noise and chaos of wedding planning, always make each other a priority, and have faith that you’re on your way to the next chapter of your beautiful story,” Tobi advises other to-be-weds. “Prioritize your relationship by setting aside dedicated moments to cherish and support one another. Whether it's a date night, a heartfelt conversation, or simply enjoying quiet moments together, these intentional acts of love and connection will help you navigate the wedding planning journey with grace and unity.”
Wedding Team
Venue Island Art and Taste
Wedding Planner Ineventive Creative Experience
Bridal Designer Atelier Pronovias
Bridal Salon Moshbridal
Bride’s Jewelry Swarvoski
Bride’s Shoes Dune London
Bride’s Makeup Deji’Racheal
Bride’s Second Look May & Grace
Bride’s Third Look Club London
Bridal Stylist Gioia Styling
Groom’s attire Moss Bros.
Floral Designer Studio 7
Music DJ Timz
Catering and Cake Dipnosofistirion
Lighting Loud & Clear Entertainment
Rentals Stylebox
Videographer XW Media
Photographer Elias Kordelakos