Dourakis Winery

Wedding Day

Fall

Our Wedding

Our Story

It all began in 2018 at a little college-town bar in New Jersey called Toro Loco. Alli was there, drowning midterm stress in a margarita, when her friend Claire asked to bring along someone she’d been wanting her to meet. Too tired (and too despaired over exams) to care, Alli said yes — and fate walked through the door in the form of Erin. Before the night was over, Erin had asked her out — despite already having a date (a fact Claire immediately confessed). Alli laughed and said no. But a month later, Erin asked again. This time, Alli said yes.From that night on, it was kismet. We moved to California, where we shared a tiny apartment filled with sunlight, playlists, and the smell of fresh coffee. We built our careers in tech side by side — late nights, early flights, and the thrill of figuring life out together. We adopted our first dog, Jayda, a soulful little heartbeat who made us a family. In 2021, we traded rush hour traffic for a slower rhythm and set off to build a new life abroad. Croatia welcomed us with open arms, and in Dubrovnik, we found not just beauty, but belonging — a community of friends who became family, sea air that felt like exhaling for the first time in years, and a sense of peace we didn’t know we were missing. It’s also where we met Athena, our foster fail turned forever girl, who filled our hearts again after losing Jayda — and who will proudly walk down the aisle with us (tail wagging, and spotlight stealing, we hope). And then there’s Greece — a place that has shaped so many chapters of our story. We’ve lived here, celebrated here, and fallen in love here again and again — with the food, the warmth, and each other. So when it came time to choose where to say I do, Crete was the only answer. It’s where our hearts already are — and where we can’t wait to share this part of our story with all of you.

Photos

Alli's Party

Abbi Hasenbusch

Adele Hohertz-Serpan

Emily Block

Kayla Block

Sarah Nagle

Heather Hall

Erin's Party

Kyla Donovan

Christian Castro Romero

Claire Yocum

Tara Donovan

Helen Hemmelgarn

Melodie Shafazand

Wedding Party

For Those Looking For Hands-On Travel Assistance, We have partnered with a Travel Planner. Please click the link in the menu for "My Greek Basket Travel Planner".

For Those Who Will Be Booking Their Own Travel

Getting to Crete

There are two easy ways to reach Crete from Athens: a quick flight or a scenic ferry. You can arrive into either Chania (CHQ) or Heraklion (HER), but we strongly recommend flying or ferrying into Chania — it’s significantly closer to where we’ll be staying and celebrating, which means less travel time and more island time. Flying:The fastest (and often, cheapest) option. Flights from Athens to Crete take about 45 minutes and run several times a day. Ferry: You board in the evening, sleep to the sound of the sea, and wake up in Crete ready for breakfast and adventure. A slower, but genuinely lovely way to travel — especially the overnight ferries. Think of them as floating boutique hotels: -- Private cabins and suites (yes, with actual beds)-- Premium/VIP seating if you prefer lounge-style comfort-- Restaurants, bars, and cafés onboard (sometimes, a pool too) Whichever route you choose, Chania is the easiest and most convenient arrival point for the wedding.

Flying Within Greece: Aegean Airlines & Sky Express

If you’re hopping from Athens to Crete, you’ll likely fly with Aegean Airlines or Sky Express — Greece’s two main domestic carriers. Both offer frequent daily flights into Chania (CHQ) and Heraklion (HER), making the trip quick and easy. Both also offer direct flights to Chania from a Number of OTHER European cities-- London, Frankfurt, Vienna, Geneva, and more. <a href="https://en.aegeanair.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Aegean Airlines</a> Greece’s flagship carrier — reliable, polished, and known for its friendly service. Flights tend to run smoothly, and their planes on this route feel comfortable and modern. Aegean is a great choice if you want the most seamless, “set it and forget it” experience. <a href="https://www.skyexpress.gr/en" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Sky Express</a> A smaller, newer airline with surprisingly chic touches — think bright planes, good snacks, and that boutique-airline feel. They also fly multiple times a day and are often a bit more flexible with last-minute seat availability. Both airlines are safe, efficient, and traveler-friendly. The flight itself is only about 45 minutes, so whichever you choose, you’ll be in Crete before you’ve even finished your podcast.

Places to Stay

We are working to secure a hotel block in Chania. Stay tuned for more information around June.

Price Range: $?-$?

Travel

For guests who would like to explore Greece before or after the wedding, we are happy to introduce <a href="https://www.mygreekbasket.com/pages/plan-your-dream-trip-to-greece" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">My Greek Basket Travel</a>, a boutique travel design service specializing exclusively in Greece. They put together the overview below to give you an idea of who they are and how they operate.

Travel Planning in Greece

We do not simply “book travel” — we create thoughtful, personalized Greek experiences. Unlike many travel agencies that sell destinations all over the world, Greece is our sole focus and our true area of expertise. Many of the hotels, restaurants, guides, beaches, villages, and localexperiences we recommend have been personally visited, tested, and hand-selected by us. Our goal is to help each traveler experience Greece in a way that feels authentic, beautiful, well- paced, and tailored to their individual style. Since the wedding will take place in Chania, Crete, some guests may choose to spend their full stay on Crete, while others may wish to add another destination before or after the celebration. Guests are not limited to the destinations below; however, the places listed here are among themost natural and logistically convenient options to pair with Chania. Guests who would like assistance planning their Greece travel to, before, or after the wedding arewelcome to complete<a href="https://www.mygreekbasket.com/pages/plan-your-dream-trip-to-greece" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> our travel form</a>. Based on your preferences, timing, pace, budget, andtravel style, we can recommend the most suitable destinations and design a personalizedexperience around you.

Chania and Crete

Chania is one of Greece’s most atmospheric destinations, known for its Venetian harbor, charming old town, beautiful beaches, mountain villages, traditional tavernas, and exceptional food culture. Crete is large and diverse, so guests who prefer not to island-hop can still enjoy a complete Greek experience by exploring more of the island before or after the wedding.

Milos

The easiest island to reach from Chania is Milos, one of the most visually striking islands in the Cyclades. Milos is known for its dramatic volcanic coastline, white rock formations, colorful fishing villages, crystal-clear waters, boat excursions, and unique beaches. It is a wonderfulchoice for guests who want a classic island experience with natural beauty and a relaxed atmosphere.

Sifnos

From Milos, Sifnos is a very easy continuation. Sifnos is elegant, charming, and especially known for its food, whitewashed villages, ceramic tradition, scenic churches, and refined but low-key atmosphere. It is ideal for guests looking for a quieter Cycladic island with style, excellent dining, and authentic village life. A favorite with the French.

Paros

Paros is one of the most popular and well-rounded Cycladic islands, known for beautiful traditional villages such as Lefkes, Marpissa and Prodromos, beaches, boutiques, seaside dining, and a lively but still relaxed atmosphere. It is a strong choice for first-time visitors who want a polished island experience with more energy, services, and variety. It is also known as a party island if that’s what you are looking for, but not as expensive as Mykonos. Antiparos that is justa 9-minute ferry ride from Paros and known as a “sleepy island” has been recently gaining popularity for its beautiful beaches, clearest waters and the “get away from it all” vibe.

Naxos

Naxos is the largest island in the Cyclades and a wonderful option for guests who want sandy beaches, traditional villages, excellent local food, ancient sites, and a more spacious, lived-in island feeling. It is especially appealing for families, active travelers, and guests who want bothbeach time and cultural exploration.

Athens

Most international guests will arrive in and depart from Athens, and the city can be much morethan a transit point. Athens offers ancient landmarks, world-class museums, rooftop dining, vibrant neighborhoods, shopping, and a dynamic modern food scene. Even a short stay can add an important cultural layer to the trip.

Alli & Erin

Alli & Erin

Athens Tips

Athens Tips coming soon!