Planning Your Destination Wedding During Covid-19 in 2021/22?
Planning Your Destination Wedding During Covid-19 in 2021/22? Join me in this new episode where we talk with Helena and Paraskevi from Rock Paper Scissors Events
Helena and Paraskevi are the owners and driving force of their pride and passion, RockPaperScissors Events. A destination-planning agency, creating memorable experiences, boutique weddings and materializing event concepts since 2011! Their mission is to create meaningful lifetime memories for all their clients. With their long lasting experience they understand the intricacies of all types of events. From a corporate holiday party in the city, a business incentive trip or a beautiful ceremony on a Greek island.
They believe that all types of combinations are possible, and nothing is too difficult! Is your wish to infuse traditional with modern or laid back with black tie for instance? Their trusted vendors will follow your vision for a bespoke experience. Their events are made for clients who understand entertaining, when done with intention, is an art form.
Featured in numerous blogs and magazines, in 2020 RockPaperScissors Events was voted by their peers in the industry as one of the best wedding planners in Greece.
In this Episode we are talking all about planning your destination wedding during Covid-19 in Greece!
Tell us your story, what lead you to your current career path?
Helena:
Being a marketing post-graduate with a career in the publishing sector spanning over 10 years, I have amassed considerable experience in the management of all kinds of events.
Since 2011, apart from various and ongoing online and offline projects, I let my romantic side run wild. So I decided to pursue the realization of my dream for an agency that would offer exactly what RockPaperScissors does today. Bespoke events for extraordinary clients.
I like to think of myself as a wedding maestro. Orchestrating your selected vendors to achieve the perfect symphony for your wedding day.
Paraskevi:
With over 10 years of experience into the events industry and a degree of Philosophy from the Sorbonne 1 in Paris, I always enjoy serving the wellness of the couples throughout the wedding preparation process. I love helping couples realizing their dreams for their big day. Beyond the decoration and the designing, I enjoy showing ways to integrate their personality into each part of the event. And to be able to take everything in and focus on the love that surrounds them. I try to be a calm person and a good listener.
What inspires you in the business and daily life?
Inspiration comes from pretty much everything. A long walk by the sea, a movie, a nice soundtrack and of course fashion and architecture blogs as well as industry leaders that we admire.
We know some weddings have successfully happened in Greece during 2020. But what about destination weddings?
This is definitely the biggest variant for destination weddings, as every country has different rules. Especially in US even different states have different rules. We try to advise our couples to be calm – since they’re not the only ones that this is happening to – and also that this is something global that unfortunately everyone at this point understands even if a couple needs to decide for a third postponement on their wedding date.
Of course couples that choose to have their wedding with a smaller guest list eventually are much more flexible hence the weddings that took place in 2020. It’s not only about restrictions and measures but also about the absolutely loved ones that would never miss your day.
How does the destination wedding panning during Covid-19 look like?
We can now call ourselves Covid-19 experienced planners as well. In 2020 we have organized 5 weddings in Athens and locations such as Paros Island and Mani in Peloponnese. Depending on the time these happened, different measures were imposed by the Greek Government but all our couples acted in good will and with the right mood so we’re very proud for these successful weddings.
How did pandemic affect your couples?
Getting married to your loved one is a milestone to one’s lifetime. And this milestone is to be followed practically by all the milestones to follow, like creating your family, having kids etc. So yes, as it stands for everyone our couples had to pause their lives’ plan. And this as we can understand it truly harsh for one to bear. So yes, some couples felt really insecure and impatient, whereas others were truly patient and had their true love sustain them and give them courage. It’s not a situation that you can solve or not, but it’s more of a situation where you stand by them, you discuss, you analyze options and of course you change floorplans and dates every other day.
What changed the most in wedding planning during Covid?
Nothing really. We were doing micro weddings way before Covid. So we’re not really keen to this term. Couples that choose bigger weddings are totally on the opposite side of the river from those that want strictly their loved ones around. As a boutique agency, we totally adapt to our couple’s needs and we’re perfectly capable of pulling of a wedding of 9 guests as to a seated dinner of 470. The only thing that changed for the wedding planners is of course that it added a lot of extra work. Communications with vendors are endless and of course we’re always trying to secure our couples but also show trust and understanding for our vendors’ side as well.
Are there some rules couples must follow for their wedding in Greece during Covid?
We would not use the word rules. We would say advice. And this is the same piece of advice we would give before Covid times as well. Trust your wedding planner, praise your wedding vendors since everyone is there to give you an unforgettable day. Surely, they are not the ones to blame for the situation that has affected everyone worldwide. Make the most out of what you have and be present for your day. Cause with the right mood and attitude this day will come!
Would you say Greece is a safe country to plan a destination wedding during Covid?
Greece is definitely a safe country as we follow all the international rules. Ok events might change and there may be new regulations for an event (Such as rapid tests before) but this won’t stop a good party right? Since safety is first and foremost for any type of event.
In your opinion, what is the best month to plan a destination wedding in Greece in 2021/22 considering restrictions?
In 2020 the best months proved to be June and July, since we all got out of quarantine and all islands were truly safe and definitely not packed. This year we believe will be the same. The earliest the better.
What should couples think of before planning their destination wedding during Covid-19 in Greece?
As long as couples follow the rules from their country and then they do this also here with respect to tests and vaccinations they have nothing to fear. As for guests that hesitate to do the vaccine – as we hear that a lot – this is something totally personal. And that they will need to face it in far more difficult aspects in their lives from simply attending a wedding.
Tell us a bit more about what you are currently working on?
Our schedule 2021 still seems to look intact since brides that postponed from 2020 really want their wedding to happen. In the meantime, we did not have any new bookings with all the uncertainty. so we really did miss a year but signs are now optimistic. Since a few new clients arrived mainly from UK especially after the British government news on travel rules.
And for the last question, what advice would you give to all couples who want to get married in Greece?
You many find all wedding vendors online. But no one can share with you the experience of a wedding planner working on this field for more than a decade. Trust your wedding to a professional wedding planner, since this is a day that will never be repeated.
If someone wants to get in touch with you, where can they find you?
Our website, via email, or sorts of social media handles! We’re even on TikTok!
facebook.com/RockPaperScissorsEvents
instagram.com/rockpaperscissorsevents
Find RPS Events in Ellwed Boutique Bridal Magazine for Destination Weddings in Greece Summer No.5 on pages 106-109. Download it here!
Follow on your favourite podcast app!
033 – All You Need to Know About Diamonds & Engagement Rings – Interview with Sonu Company – Ellwed Talks About Destination Weddings in Greece
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- 032 – The Easiest Way to Fund Your Honeymoon – Interview with Sara Margulis of Honeyfund
- 031 – 4 Things You Need to Know Before Designing Your Wedding Stationery
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Thanks to Happily Ever Expo for sponsoring this episode.
Despite all we had to overcome this year, I am most excited about the fact that we are living in the digital era when even the wedding expos are going virtual! Now you can literally join any Online Virtual Expo from around the world! Isn’t that exciting! And if you are a wedding pro, head over to Happily Ever Education, a virtual workshop for wedding professionals and learn from amazing experts from the industry! I will be teaching you all about submitting and getting featured and the mistakes I see as the editor to avoid!
Get all the insider knowledge from me and many other experts and join with the code ELLWED21 for 21% off, as a symbol of continuing to move forward with 2021!
Happily Ever Education will be available for only one month beginning on March 28th 2021! Sign up now!
Go to happilyeverexpo.com that’s happilyeverexpo.com
