2009 – The year of the ‘Mamma Mia’ wedding?

While 2008 was the year of Mamma Mia film, 2009 is set to be the year of the Mamma Mia wedding. The irresistible feel-good factor of a Greek island wedding has captured the imagination of many brides-to-be.

Since the big screen production of the global hit ABBA stage show came out last summer, requests for weddings in Greece have gone through the roof. Some couples are inspired by the stunning scenery in the film, others from the idea of a beach or chapel wedding and singing and dancing in the sand and sunkissed terraces.

It was recently announced that Mamma Mia was the highest grossing British film ever at the UK box office, overtaking Titanic. And with the DVD proving to be a popular Christmas present, couples are keener than ever to have their own Mamma Mia wedding.

“January is traditionally our busiest month and in many ways foretells the year ahead” says Andreas Palikiras, Marketing Director of Ionian Weddings, the Greek island wedding specialists. “The start to the season this year is our best yet. So many couples have seen the film or got the DVD for Christmas and now want to bring the Mamma Mia atmosphere to their wedding in Greece”.

“Some couples are looking for a simple beach wedding, others dream of hiring their own private island and recreating the Mamma Mia setting with flickering lights, singing and dancing or even a wedding in an olive grove under the stars”.

In some of their featured islands, Ionian Weddings has placed the emphasis on the setting and ambience of the Mamma Mia wedding by offering chapels with stunning views and traditional taverna receptions suitably decorated. Candles, lanterns, ABBA music and optional donkey rides for the bride and groom set the scene for an unforgettable experience Meryl Streep would be proud of!

With prices starting at just £1200 for a beach wedding (including ceremony, flowers, cake, champagne, local paperwork and transport) it is a dream that most couples can easily afford. Ionian Weddings couples can marry on boats, cliff tops, gardens, chapels surrounded by pine trees and historic buildings…some hire private islands and boutique hotels on an exclusive basis; the possibilities are endless!

Ionian Weddings is a Greek islands specialist wedding consultancy. The company offers bespoke wedding services to couples planning to marry in the Ionian islands of Corfu, Kefalonia, Zakynthos, Lefkada, Paxos and Ithaca; and the Aegean islands of Santorini, Crete, Mykonos, Kos, Skiathos, Amorgos, Samos and Rhodes.

For more information, log on to Ionianweddings.co.uk.