Grecian romance
By Samantha Daniels | Photography by Catch Light Studio
Posted: Wednesday, Jun. 27, 2012
ShareIt was a beautiful August day when Kiki Kabouris and Harry Tournas arrived in the small Greek mountain village of Georgitsi. The village, home to Harry’s Greek ancestors, has a mountaintop where Harry’s grandfather had taken him as a little boy and a place that would now hold a new memory. Kiki took in the breathtaking views and snapped pictures. She turned around to find Harry down on one knee. Surprised and excited, she said yes. In true Greek fashion, the couple celebrated the night surrounded by family. “I was shocked at the whole thing,” says Kiki. “It was amazing!”
Kiki and Harry, both with Greek family roots, met by coincidence at a Greek restaurant in Harry’s home state of Connecticut. It was only natural for their wedding to have a Grecian feel. “I wanted it to be light and airy with a lot of gold,” says Kiki.
When it came time to pick the gown, Kiki got help from none other than Kleinfeld Bridal in New York City and TLC’s hit show, “Say Yes to the Dress”! Her sister signed Kiki up, as she had actually never heard of the show. The day of her Kleinfeld visit became a family affair. They all came up from her hometown, Charlotte. Choosing the dress turned out to be pretty easy since she fell in love with the first one she tried on! Although she tried on others, she couldn’t forget the first and said “yes” to the strapless gown by Kenneth Pool.
On Oct. 1, 2011, Kiki and Harry wed in Charlotte at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church. Her bridesmaids looked like Greek goddesses in one-shoulder, sailor-blue dresses from New York Bride & Groom. It was Kiki, however, who took everyone’s breath away as she walked down the aisle. “I remember looking through the door and there were so many people staring at me,” says Kiki. The walk down the aisle with her father was an emotional experience. Harry remembers the moment too: “Seeing her walking towards me was one of the most amazing feelings I’ve ever experienced,” he says.
Kiki says she still cries when she watches the wedding video. “I loved that feeling.”
The reception hall was decorated with navy, gold and Greek key designs provided by Classic Party Rentals and Connie Duglin Specialty Linen. The Grecian theme flowed throughout the room with olive trees and Greek statue floral arrangements for the centerpieces. Their guest sign-in book was a hand-painted olive tree. Photographer George Lainis from Catch Light Studio was there for every photo op. He even flew up to New York to take the bridal portraits in the city.
The celebration quickly turned into a nonstop dance party. “At one point, I remembered looking at the clock and it was 2:30 a.m.,” says Kiki. “I was thinking, ‘Wow, I can’t believe everyone is still here dancing!’” The band and DJ played until 3:30 a.m.!
The newlywed couple honeymooned in Hawaii and quickly began enjoying married life. Kiki’s dress fittings and the wedding can be seen in the new upcoming season of “Say Yes to the Dress.”
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