Benita Kolovos, a journalist for the The Guardian Australia, and Jack Gava an exercise physiologist, tied the knot on September 5 on the idyllic Cycladic island of Sifnos—often referred to as the island of Apollon, the Ancient God of music, poetry, and healing.
The wedding took place at the Chrisopigi Monastery, followed by a reception at Lazarou Beach Club in Platis Gialos.
“We chose Sifnos for our wedding after travelling there previously.
“We loved the slow, simple pace, pristine beaches, hiking paths, seafront tavernas, and whitewashed hilltop villages,” Kolovos told Neos Kosmos.
Kolovos also noted that Sifnos is “far less touristy than other nearby Cycladic islands.”
The intimate wedding was attended by close friends and family.
Kolovos personified Hellenic beauty in an elegant Alex Perry design from Bluebell Bridal, perfectly complemented by graceful Valentino shoes. Gava, the groom, opted for a sophisticated white Oscar Hunt tuxedo jacket paired with Hugo Boss Oxfords, exuding timeless style.
“We had around 100 guests,” Kolovos said. It was a traditional Greek Orthodox ceremony.
“The symbolic aspects of the ceremony were very unique and meaningful. It was a special moment, taking our first steps as a married couple, with our koumbara walking behind us and the priest guiding us,” Kolovos said.
Jack Gava, with Italian heritage on his father’s side and Scottish on his mother’s, has embraced Greek culture.
“He’s practically become Greek now,” Kolovos joked.
“We laugh that the longer we’ve been together, the more Greek he’s become.
“He’s been taking Greek lessons online for about a year, and his dancing—you should see it! He’s better than me.”
Gava also followed the tradition of meeting his bride at the front steps of the church with a bouquet of peonies, Kolovos’s favourite flowers.
“My dad, Jim, walked me to Jack, and we were followed by my mum, brother, bridal party, and family to the front of the church. The ceremony was conducted outside, overlooking the sea.”
After the ceremony, the couple took portraits in Kastro, a village dating back to Byzantine times. Sifnos’ significance grew during the Iconoclastic Controversy when free-thinking intellectuals sought refuge there, contributing to the island’s spiritual revival.
As expected, the celebration continued into the early hours of the next morning.
“There were so many memorable moments at our reception—emotional speeches, our first dance, Orea Nifi with our bridal party (we gave them lessons leading up to the day), fireworks, lots of ABBA, plate smashing, and plenty of zeibekiko,” Kolovos said.
“We partied with our guests until 4 a.m., then walked back to our villa along the beach. We will never forget it.”
If love had a destination, this couple’s love found a perfect home in Sifnos, graced by Apollon’s presence.
