An old Venetian estate, clouds of gypsophila, airport codes, Irish traditions and a very good reason to keep the beer cold.
Some weddings stay with us because of the location. Others because of the design, the challenges or the people. Sabrina and Gary's wedding at Metohi Istoria near Chania had a bit of everything. But above all, we remember the people: a lovely couple from Dublin, their wonderfully warm families, plenty of laughter, speeches, music and, naturally, a considerable amount of beer.
The setting was quite something, too. With its weathered stone walls, old wooden doors and enclosed courtyards, Metohi Istoria has always reminded us of Sicily. There's something of Palermo and the visual world of The Godfather about it — minus the family disputes, thankfully.
Add delicate lace, white flowers and a group of Irish wedding guests, and the contrast becomes rather wonderful.
From Dublin to Crete: Finding the Right Wedding Venue
Sabrina and Gary had both worked for Ryanair and spent years travelling around the world. Their relationship was, quite literally, a match made in heaven. When they decided to get married in Crete, they hadn't yet chosen a venue.
They contacted us through our Wedding Venue Consultation & Scouting service, and we spent time travelling around the island together, visiting different locations. That’s how a the couple discovered Metohi Istoria.
Located in Nerokouros, just outside Chania, this historic estate has roots in Crete's Venetian period. Once an agricultural property, it retains old stone buildings, a former olive mill and courtyards surrounded by olive and avocado groves. It has become increasingly popular for destination weddings, particularly among couples looking for somewhere with history and character rather than a conventional hotel setting.
We had visited Metohi Istoria with other couples several times before, but Sabrina and Gary's was our first wedding there. The place had been waiting for the right people, apparently.
After our final venue visit, we went for lunch together. Sabrina later mentioned this in her Google review, remembering how comfortable she had felt from our first video call and how that day in Crete confirmed her decision to work with us. It's a small detail, but one we remember fondly.
Lace, Gypsophila and a Love Story Told Through Airport Codes
Sabrina wanted a rustic wedding with lace and romantic details. Together with Ana from Caactus Care, who was responsible for the decoration, we took the idea quite seriously. Possibly more seriously than Sabrina originally imagined.
Large lace elements softened the old architecture, while clouds of gypsophila brought a delicate, almost floating quality to the setting. The combination worked particularly well against Metohi Istoria's heavy stone walls. The estate didn't need to be disguised or transformed beyond recognition. Its age and texture were part of the design.
We also wanted to acknowledge Sabrina and Gary's shared history in aviation. Instead of ordinary table numbers, we used airport codes representing cities that had been important in their relationship.
Guests received personalised luggage tags bearing their names as wedding favours. Ana brought vintage suitcases and a globe, completing the travel references. It could easily have become an airport-themed wedding. Thankfully, it didn't. The details were personal, playful and just subtle enough to belong in a historic Cretan estate.
An Irish Ceremony in an Old Cretan Courtyard
The symbolic ceremony was conducted by Kalliopi, our longtime wedding celebrant. Sabrina and Gary included handfasting, a ritual associated with Irish and Scottish marriage traditions. Their hands were joined and bound with cords or ribbons, symbolising the commitment they were making to one another. It was a lovely way to bring something of home into their wedding in Crete, without attempting to recreate Ireland in the middle of the Mediterranean.
And the Mediterranean made its presence felt. It was an extremely hot day.
Metohi Istoria's enclosed courtyards are atmospheric, but the surrounding walls also limit airflow. On days like this, even a small breeze would be welcome. The guests had white parasols, but the heat remained intense until the early evening. By around 6:30 PM, the temperature finally became more comfortable.
For couples considering a summer wedding at Metohi Istoria, this is worth remembering. A later ceremony, generous shade, drinking water and possibly outdoor fans can make a considerable difference. The surrounding groves may also offer alternatives for a ceremony away from the most exposed parts of the courtyard.
We know Irish couples come to Crete for the sunshine. We simply recommend enjoying it with a little shade.
Salis Catering, Irish Speeches and Plenty of Beer
We were fortunate to begin installing the decoration the day before the wedding, with the cooperation of the venue and our suppliers. In the Cretan summer, working during cooler hours is a considerable advantage.
They chose Salis, one of the strongest catering teams we work with in Crete. Catering was probably among the largest expenses of their wedding, but it was a conscious choice. Good food mattered more to them than spending money simply for appearances.
The dinner was followed by the sort of celebration you might expect from a large Irish gathering: speeches, jokes, conversations, music and plenty of beer. There was no shortage of things to talk about, and nobody seemed particularly eager to call it an early night.
Which brings us to the music.
Dancing Under the Stars: The Music Restrictions at Metohi Istoria
We had started planning Sabrina and Gary’s wedding that took place on June 27, 2026 approximately a year in advance in 2025. During that time, the conditions for amplified outdoor music at the venue changed. What had originally been a later finishing time became an 11 PM cutoff for loud music. Not ideal when you're organising an Irish wedding.
We worked with the venue owner to find a solution and eventually managed to continue the outdoor celebration until 2 AM, keeping the sound within an agreed limit of 80 dB. In our experience, this wasn't quite enough for the kind of energetic dance party we had originally imagined in that outdoor space. We suggested moving indoors for an after-party, where the celebration could continue in a different setting.
But there was one small problem: hardly anyone wanted to leave the courtyard. And frankly, we understood why. After travelling from Dublin to Crete, sitting beneath the stars on a warm summer night was part of the experience. Moving indoors wasn't particularly appealing.
This is something we would advise future couples to consider before booking Metohi Istoria. It is a beautiful venue for a ceremony, dinner, speeches and a relaxed celebration with family and friends. But couples dreaming of a loud outdoor party until the early hours should investigate the current music restrictions carefully.
A wedding venue needs to suit not only your aesthetic preferences but also the way you want to celebrate.
A Wedding We Remember with Great Affection
Sabrina and Gary were a pleasure to work with from the beginning. Their families were equally welcoming, and the atmosphere throughout the wedding was relaxed, generous and full of good humour. We genuinely enjoyed spending time with them, from our first venue visits to the final hours of the wedding.
Afterwards, Sabrina wrote in her Google review that she had been able to relax and enjoy the day with her family and friends, without worrying about the organisation. Behind the scenes, there had been plenty to manage. But that was our job, not hers.
An Irish couple, an old Cretan estate, good food, a little aviation history and a long evening under the stars. Not a bad way to get married.
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