The idea for this shoot started on a bus. That is where photographer George Liopetas told event designer Rena Tzevelekou he wanted to build a workshop around the art of wedding photography. They decided to build it together, and the location they chose was not a studio or a blank-slate hotel ballroom. They picked Achaia Clauss, a winery in Greece that has been standing since 1861.
The estate is perched on a hillside above the Gulf of Patras. It was founded by Gustav Clauss, a Bavarian, and it holds the title of the oldest organized winery in Greece. Locals call it the “Wine Castle,” or Oinokastro. The property has stone architecture, courtyards, cathedral-like towers, and cellars filled with giant oak barrels that were carved by hand. Over the last century and a half, it has hosted royalty. For this editorial, the team treated it as the lead character in a story about old-world romance.
The design brief started with the winery’s own palette. Tzevelekou, who owns Rena & Co. Events and handled both planning and design, leaned into the deep wine tones of the venue. She paired soft ivory, champagne, and blush with heavier hits of burgundy, blackberry, and dark wine hues. The contrast was deliberate: light bridal elements against moody florals. The goal was a look that felt both classic and current.
The gown came from MADE BRIDE by Dimitra Antonea. It was an A-line silk tulle dress with lace embroidered with raffia daisies and pearls. The bodice was fitted, the neckline oval, and the back swept low. It was built to catch the Greek sun, and the team positioned the model so the light moved through the fabric.
Florals were handled by Anthea Floral Design Studio. They used sculptural arrangements with deep burgundy blooms, hellebores, calla lilies, and greenery. The arrangements were layered through the ceremony and reception areas. Drapery softened the stone, while candlelight, crystal glassware, custom stationery, and linens rounded out the look.
Tzevelekou said her favorite part of the design was how every detail connected back to the venue’s story. The stationery was vineyard-inspired. The florals echoed the wine. She noted that nothing competed with Achaia Clauss itself. Each element was meant to complement the space, letting the history and atmosphere carry the day.
The shoot was also about the people behind it. The credits list a full team: Anthea Floral Design Studio for flowers, The Cakers for the cake, Sartor for the groom’s attire, Giorgia Xristodoulou for beauty, Savrani Creations for bridal shoes, and LOV and CONT as content creators. Tzevelekou said the most memorable part was bringing together people who genuinely love beautiful celebrations.
The venue’s history did most of the heavy lifting. Achaia Clauss has been a working winery since the mid-1800s, and its cellars and towers give it a gravity that a rented hall cannot replicate. The design team leaned into that rather than fighting it. They let the stone, the barrels, and the vineyards set the tone, then added florals and fabric that matched the mood.
The result is an editorial that reads less like a styled shoot and more like a period film. The deep reds and ivories sit naturally against the old stone. The gown moves like it belongs in the courtyard. The candlelight does what candlelight does best in a space that already feels historic.
Tzevelekou’s takeaway was simple. The designs that stick with you are the ones that evoke emotion and feel tied to the place they occupy. At Achaia Clauss, the place did most of the talking. The team just made sure the details listened.
According to Style Me Pretty.
