Sian & Aaron — A Coral Residences Wedding in Paphos, Cyprus

Sian and Aaron chose Coral Residences for their wedding, a beachfront events venue near Coral Bay, just outside Paphos, where the ceremony deck sits right at the edge of the sand with the open Mediterranean behind it. It is one of the only private venues on this coast with its own stretch of beach, and Sian and Aaron built their whole day around that sea view.

We covered the day as it unfolded: the quiet of the morning preparations, an all-white ceremony by the water, portraits under the flowers and through the gardens, and a last walk out to the rocks as the sun went down. Here is how it came together.

The morning

The morning was calm. Sian got ready with her mum close by, stepping into a clean square-necked gown with fine straps and a long veil scattered with tiny pearls. It was the kind of dress that does not need much alongside it. A low chignon, a pair of earrings, and she was ready.

Across the way, Aaron and his groomsmen were in soft sand-coloured three-piece suits with sage-green ties and pocket squares, a palette that would sit perfectly against the white flowers and the blue of the sea later on. There is always an easy energy to a groom's prep with good friends around, and this one had plenty of it.

An all-white ceremony by the sea

The ceremony setting was almost entirely white. A generous floral arch of roses, hydrangea and blossom framed the sea; white chiffon draped every chair, each one finished with a sprig of baby's breath; and the aisle ran between low banks of white flowers to a runner laid right at the water's edge. Festoon lights criss-crossed overhead and a 'Sian and Aaron' welcome sign greeted guests as they arrived along the deck.

It is exactly the kind of styling Coral Residences was built for: a clean, modern, sea-facing space that lets the flowers and the horizon do the work. We took our time with the details before the guests were seated, because a setup like this is only fully itself for the few minutes before the day fills it.

The vows

Sian came down the aisle and the two of them met under the arch, the sea directly behind them and their guests, in summer pastels, hats and linen, gathered close on either side. Vows, rings, and a first kiss framed by the flowers.

Then the confetti: a cloud of white petals as they walked back up the aisle, Sian holding a tight bouquet of ivory roses and both of them laughing. It is one of our favourite moments to photograph, and Coral Residences gives it about the best backdrop there is.

Just the two of them

After the confetti we borrowed Sian and Aaron for a little while. First back to the arch, where the flowers and the sea made an obvious frame, and then through the greener gardens behind the venue: soft evening light, rose petals underfoot, and no need to do much more than let them be together.

The veil did a lot of the work in these, catching the low sun as it moved. We keep this part of the day unhurried on purpose; it is usually where the most natural pictures come from.

Golden hour on the water's edge

We finished where the venue always leads you, down at the shoreline as the sun dropped into the sea. Out on the rocks, with the water going gold behind them, Sian and Aaron had a few last quiet minutes to themselves.

A beautiful setting, a relaxed couple, and the kind of light only a Cyprus summer evening gives you. A lovely day from start to finish, and one we were very glad to photograph.