“Luke. My best friend, my compass, my husband from this day forward. You walked into my life when I least expected it, and now, I can’t remember how I ever lived without you.”
Sometimes, it’s the plot twists you didn’t see coming that end up being the beginning of a love story that was written in the stars. Such is the case for Australian digital marketer and co-founder of Lolé Swim, Lauren Peci.
“We met a couple of times through mutual friends in 2020 during the pandemic. I thought he was handsome, but I didn’t realise he was single, so I kept it friendly.” The bride recalls of meeting 34-year-old, Luke Sharp. “One day, he followed me on Instagram and asked if I’d like to go for a coastal walk along Scarborough Beach in our hometown in Perth. I thought he just wanted to be friends as it didn’t really sound like a ‘date’ to me, and he also said his friend would be there too.”
The two immediately clicked and ended up going for drinks that evening, instantly forming an intense connection that neither had experienced before. “I just remember laughing so much and having the best time with him, it felt like we were big kids! Things moved pretty quickly from there. I moved in with him after three months and the rest, as they say, is history.”
Two years after their first date Luke asked Lauren to be his wife. The couple decided their wedding should be an intimate affair and it should take place in a breathtaking European destination. Santorini, of course, sprung to mind. “We chose Greece because of its epic backdrops,” Lauren tells Dream Weddings, “I also loved the idea that we could stay in a cave suite with a private pool – the kind that Santorini is so famous for. It’s somewhere I’ve always dreamed of visiting.”
While their plan was originally to elope in the summer of 2024, the couple felt it was too long to wait, so they contacted their wedding planner to enquire if the date could be brought forward 12 months. “The venue we booked is extremely popular and we were told that the dates were unavailable. We had our hearts set on getting married sooner so we began to look into other venues. The very next day, our wedding planner called me to let us know our venue had just had a cancellation – so we immediately booked it and had six months to plan everything, including finding a dress.”
On June 22, 2023, accompanied by her father, Lauren made her way down the aisle to Can’t Help Falling in Love, by Kina Grannis. “It was so special. I’ll remember that moment forever.” She shares. A vision of beauty in an ivory two-piece by Australian designer, KYHA, the bride complemented her look with bow-adorned heels from Billini.
Exchanging emotional handwritten vows that profoundly underscored their devotion to each other, the couple sealed their union on a stunning clifftop with Lauren’s parents by their side.
“After the ceremony, we had canapés and celebration drinks with my mum and dad. I just remember standing there with them in absolute awe. I never thought I would be standing on the other side of the world in Santorini with my husband, and my parents. It was so special to share the day with them…I’m so glad they ended up being there. It wouldn’t have been the same without them.”
After a touching speech from Lauren’s father, the newlyweds opted for a romantic dinner for two as the sun was setting across the horizon, ending their dream day in spectacular fashion.
As for their honeymoon, Lauren and Luke couldn’t resist a multi-destination escapade, exploring more of the Greek islands, followed by Italy. A dream come true, indeed.
DRESS & VEIL: KYHA Studios , Chosen by KYHA
SHOES: Billini
ENGAGEMENT RING & WEDDING BANDS: Diamond Collective
HAIR & MAKE-UP: Julia Popova
GROOM’S SUIT & SHOES: InStitchu , Aquila
PHOTOGRAPHER: Alex Dobrovolsky
VIDEOGRAPHER: Feel Your Films
EVENT PLANNER: Red Knot Weddings & Events
VENUE & CATERING: Dana Villas & Infinity Suites
FLORIST: Montago Santorini Flowers
