Nikki & Alex’s Big Fat Greek/Filipino Wedding

Designing a custom menu that beautifully melded Greek and Filipino cuisine was all our pleasure and just one way we helped make the Stavropoulos’ dream wedding a reality.

Nikki & Alex’s Dream Wedding in Galena

Personalizing the Venue with a Travel Theme

Finding a space that could comfortably host hundreds of guests was only one of the challenges that Nikki and Alex faced when sorting through top venues. When they fell in love with LeFevre Inn & Resort, they had to ask vendors who had never serviced this space to lend their expertise. For example, it would be Blue Peak Tents’ first time setting up at this location.

Fortunately, all of their wedding vendors worked together to seamlessly create the relaxed vibe they hoped for. Throughout the space, earthy tones like ivory, greens and gold were beautifully contrasted with slate blue, navy and gray. Delicate touches of florals and greenery like eucalyptus provided by Valley Perennials completed the naturally beautiful scene that took guests on a travel-themed adventure.

Throughout LeFevre Inn & Resort, Nikki and Alex added personal touches that exemplified their travel theme and playful personalities. Tables were marked by places that hold a special place in the Stavropoulos’ hearts—both from past trips and future ones they are eyeing. And the seating chart and a reading featured Oh the Places You’ll Go by Dr. Seuss.

Cocktail Hour: Guests’ First Taste of the Delicious Fusion Menu

We loved lending our decades of experience to help Nikki and Alex feature their favorite dishes in a delicious custom menu. With a pig and lamb roast being a prominent feature of their menu, Alex wanted these on display during the cocktail hour. We knew these would get mouths watering, so we were sure to have plenty of scrumptious appetizers ready to go at 4:30pm.

During the cocktail hour, guests enjoyed a wonderful array of drinks including Absolut, Tanquery, Captain Morgan, Jose Cuervo, Jack Daniels, Seagrams 7, Barnard-Griffin Riesling, Elena Walch Pinot Grigio and The Girls in the Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon with their choice of these Filipino and Greek passed appetizers:

• Cherry tomatoes with bacon and aioli: crisp bacon, parmesan cheese and garlic aioli-filled cherry tomato
• Luau shrimp skewer: cilantro lime glazed shrimp and pineapple
• Feta and sun-dried tomato phyllo: with tzatziki sauce
• Honey whipped goat cheese: prosciutto, fresh thyme and poached pear

An Infallible Dinner Service

As the cocktail hour wrapped up, the rain began to come down. But our experienced catering team was unfazed and made sure the roasted pig and lamb were ready to go at dinner time. Following the 6:00pm cake cutting ceremony, guests got their first opportunity to try the traditional roasted pig they had been eyeing since the cocktail hour. We prepared it exactly to the Stavropoulos’ liking—crispy skin, cut into thicker pieces and served with special Filipino sauce and regular BBQ sauce on the side.

Again melding Greek and Filipino cuisine, the Stavropoulos’ dinner menu also offered garlic and herb chicken breasts and herb rubbed salmon filets. Whichever wonderful dish guests opted for, they were able to enjoy it with a phenomenal wine and these fresh sides:

• Mediterranean salad: salad greens with bell peppers, cucumber, sun-dried tomatoes, red onion, Kalamata olives and feta cheese served with white wine and feta vinaigrette dressing
• Grilled vegetables: summer vegetables marinated with herb oil
• Jasmine rice
• Fresh fruit salad: the best the market has to offer
• Hearth baked rolls: sourdough, sesame, old-fashioned knot and multigrain rolls with butter

With tableside wine service provided, guests relaxed and enjoyed the flawless dining experience. From the eloquent toasts to simple conversation, every moment was a memorable one.

The Big Party Began (And Never Let Up)!

At 8:00pm, very satisfied guests were ready to enjoy the couples’ thank you, mother-son dance, father-daughter dance and get to the dance floor themselves! They may have first passed by the coffee/dessert stations for some Hawaiian Kona coffee and bundt cake, but without further delay they were filled with vibrant energy as a talented DJ played a wonderful collection of songs.

Nikki and Alex worked closely with X-Fade Entertainment to make sure the music would carry through the fun experience. For example, as payback for her cousin performing “If I Ever Fall in Love” by Shai, which Alex hates, the DJ played “Take Me Home, Country Roads” by John Denver, which Nikki can’t stand. And the surprises didn’t stop there—water guns were hidden on the tables! And although they made for a bit of a slippery dance floor, they also made for a lot of fun and unforgettable memories.

From sampling traditional dishes from Nikki and Alex’s cultures to breaking plates, guests enjoyed a whole weekend’s worth of experiences in just one evening. At 9:00pm when a trolley was available for departing guests, the party continued on for those who chose to stay while others headed home filled with memories they will long cherish.

While Alyssa and Drew Photography captured every moment that delighted the Stavropouloses at their multicultural wedding, we too were filled with satisfaction. Every opportunity to cultivate a unique wedding vision is something we cherish.