Twenty-eight years have flown by since that sunny October Saturday when I married my Prince Charming. We both lived and worked in Geneva, Switzerland then and most of our common friends lived there as well. Most importantly, we had met and fallen in love in Switzerland. So we decided to get married at the Orthodox Church of Chambesy in Geneva. I also wanted to avoid the traditional Cyprus wedding where more than 2000 people are invited by the happy couple's parents! In Cyprus, after the church ceremony, a reception is usually held at a hotel during which the happy couple receives the wishes of hundreds and thousands of people - most of whom are complete strangers! But they're the parents' friends and relatives!!! After the hotel reception dinner is held for close friends and family - usually about 300 people!
Most guests would give the happy couple an envelope containing money instead of a real present! Surely, by the end of the day all the wedding expenses have been paid off in addition to the fact that the happy couple can also purchase the house of their dreams. All this sounds like business to me and this is the only reason why I did not do my parents' favour and get married in Cyprus. In the end, parents and close family accepted our decision and travelled to Switzerland for the wedding.
Our wedding reception was held at Le Parc des Eaux Vives by lake Leman. Alkis and I had a great time and so did our 73 guests. A dinner was organised for our families and close friends but we did say that we wouldn't be there! We wanted to start our honeymoon and spend our first night as a married couple in the city where we first met - Fribourg. The following day, we set off to Falera - a small village in the Swiss Alps near Saint Moritz.
Twenty-eight years later, I feel blessed to have known so much happiness. We had our ups and downs, bad and good moments but we've been through them together. This year, our wedding anniversary is on a Saturday and we are going to celebrate it just the two of us. Alkis said he'd surprise me!
Happy Anniversary, Anastasia! Thank you for sharing an important part of your life. May your happiness last forever!
Posted by: Laura | October 08, 2011 at 04:30 PM
Χρόνια πολλά, Αναστασία μου. Να ζήσετε πάντα ευτυχισμένοι.
Posted by: Olga P | October 08, 2011 at 07:23 PM
Thanks for sharing these beautiful photos of your wedding. You are a great couple!!! My very best wishes to the both of you.
Posted by: Alexia M | October 08, 2011 at 07:31 PM
You are a cute couple. Happy anniversary!
Posted by: Katie White | October 08, 2011 at 08:06 PM
Remember the yesterdays, plan your tomorrows and celebrate today. God bless both of you!
Posted by: Christina | October 08, 2011 at 08:19 PM
I know that the love you shared years ago is still as strong today. Happy Anniversary!
Posted by: Constantinos T | October 08, 2011 at 08:31 PM
May the love and happiness you shared for so many years last all your life through. Happy anniversary.
Posted by: Marilou Kyriacou | October 08, 2011 at 08:37 PM
Happy Anniversary, Anastasia. What a wonderful tribute to an undoubtedly great love! One day I will have my own WEDDING anniversary with my own Prince Charming. I love you. I pray God blesses you with AT LEAST 28 more years together. (My one friend just had her 57th Anniversary.).
Posted by: Faith Barndt | October 08, 2011 at 09:58 PM
Happy Anniversary!
Posted by: Kofla Olivieri | October 08, 2011 at 10:59 PM
You look wonderful together! Here's wishing you love and joy forever.
Posted by: Jim | October 09, 2011 at 12:44 AM
Best wishes to you both on your anniversary. You make a great couple.
Posted by: Mark Hammot | October 09, 2011 at 01:11 AM
Happy Anniversary my dear friend and may your marriage be blessed with love, joy and happiness for all the years of your lives.
Posted by: Andy | October 09, 2011 at 01:26 AM
They say that 40 is the maturity of youth and 60 the youth of maturity. Happy anniversary!!!
Posted by: Jeff Atkins. | October 09, 2011 at 01:40 AM
Faith, I know you and Mesut will have your wedding anniversary one day. Just be strong and beleve in him.
Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone
Posted by: Anastasia | October 09, 2011 at 02:11 AM
Here's a toast to the two of you as you celebrate together. May your love shine through the years. You are an example for the rest of us.
Posted by: Lakis Ioannou | October 09, 2011 at 09:35 AM
Gorgeous wedding dress!! And I love your hat!!!
Posted by: Karolina | October 09, 2011 at 09:51 AM
Thank you all from the bottom of my heart for your kind wishes.
Posted by: Anastasia | October 09, 2011 at 04:04 PM
Your description of the Cyprus wedding reminded me of My Big Fat Greek Wedding.
I love these photos Anastasia. And wow, 28 years -- congratulations.
Posted by: Agnes | October 11, 2011 at 03:12 PM