Way back (don’t ask) when I first married my wife Anna, never in our wildest dreams did we ever think we would create something of this scale.
A small vacation villa that is also a wedding and events venue on the island of Crete in Greece. Though not as big as some constructions I have had the chance to photograph over the years, but non the less ours. Not a hand down, not a rental and not a lease that will expire. It completely and totally belongs to us. A beautiful feeling I urge anyone to work hard in life to achieve. The idea came after working many years as a commercial and events photographer, and Anna as a wedding planner. We wanted to expand our events network by owning a venue. So we acquired a family property in the village of Embrosneros in the region of Apokoronas Chania. This is where my father Nick was born and partially raised before departing to the city of Chania, then Athens then a merchant sailor and eventually to the US where he met my mom and I was born. After lots of brainstorming and ideas flying all over the place, architect Yiogia Chalaketevaki brought it all together and designed our dream.
The practical part of construction was completely trusted into the hands of Hellenic Homes Sounds easy now, but believe me it wasn’t. Many sleepless nights, arguments, failed ideas and implementations, delays, banks, and many more difficulties. And yet we don’t regret any of it. The result is everything we dreamed of and wanted. A wedding and event venue with a variety of stories to be told around the property, Clean lines with nothing to disturb the eyes of the visitors. Our wedding venue on Crete has to be a private experience for the couples and guests. It is complete with 3 separate restrooms so the guests don’t visit the villa. At the edge of the building and away from the visitors view is a room for the catering and staff to work from. One of the visual highlights of the premises is the private chapel of Saint Nicholas, in memory of my father Nick, that was actually born within a few yards.
The chapel area includes a space for around 50 seated people or up to 80 standing. Making it perfect for ceremonies or additional space. The chaper is situated on higher ground and overlooks the ceremony area and villa. The villa has a small studio that is connected by the covered dinning area, and right next to it is a one bedroom home complete with a living room and kitchen. Most of the interior is white to help the light travel within the space. Including the exposed stone walls. In front of the home is an infinity pool exclusive to the guests of the home. The venue and the villa are never booked separately in order for the guests to enjoy their privacy. All in all the wedding venue and villa provide a beautiful and serine experience one has to book and enjoy.
Architect: Yiogia Chalakatevaki | Construction company: Hellenic Homes | Additional elements of interior and exterior design: Μichalis Chrysocherakis
For bookings visit: www.markakisestate.com
