Evagoras Mandrides
The People's Photographer
Evagoras Mandrides
The People's Photographer
A Greek Orthodox wedding is far more than a ceremony. It is a sacred sacrament, rich in centuries of tradition, symbolism and family heritage. From the Stolisma on the morning of your wedding to the final dance of the evening, every part of the day tells a unique story that deserves to be preserved with care and authenticity.
Having photographed Greek Orthodox weddings in churches across London and throughout the UK, I understand the traditions, the order of service and the significance behind every stage of the day. This experience allows me to anticipate each meaningful moment while working discreetly and respectfully, ensuring you can remain fully present with your family and guests.
Whether you're planning a small, intimate wedding or a large celebration, my approach remains the same. I combine natural documentary photography with gentle direction when needed, creating a collection of timeless images that capture not only how your wedding looked, but how it felt.
From the quiet moments of preparation through to the celebrations late into the evening, every chapter of your wedding day is documented thoughtfully, allowing you to relive one of the most important days of your life for generations to come.
The morning of your wedding sets the tone for the rest of the day. Whether I am covering one preparation location or both, I photograph everything in a relaxed, documentary style while gently guiding portraits when needed.
The morning of the wedding begins with the details. Before preparations start, I photograph every carefully chosen item that tells your story.
This typically includes the suit, shoes, cufflinks, watch, tie or bow tie, rings, cologne, invitations and any sentimental items that hold special meaning for you and your family.
The Stolisma is one of the most meaningful traditions of a Greek wedding morning. Surrounded by family and friends, I capture every stage naturally, documenting the laughter, emotion and interactions without interrupting the occasion.
Before leaving for the church, I take a selection of relaxed portraits with immediate family, close relatives and the Koumbaro or Koumbara, ensuring everyone has beautiful photographs together before the ceremony begins.
The bridal preparations are among the most emotionally rich moments of the entire day. I begin by photographing the details before anything is touched or moved.
This typically includes the dress, shoes, jewellery, perfume, bouquet, invitations, stefana, candles, rings and any other meaningful keepsakes that have been carefully chosen for the day.
The bridal Stolisma is filled with emotion and tradition. From the final touches to the assistance of family and friends, I quietly document each moment as it naturally unfolds, preserving the excitement and anticipation before the ceremony.
Once preparations are complete, we spend a few minutes creating elegant bridal portraits. These are relaxed, timeless images that showcase your dress and the excitement of the morning before leaving for the church.
Before departing, I capture a final selection of photographs with parents, siblings, grandparents and immediate family, creating lasting memories before the ceremony begins.
With extensive experience photographing Greek Orthodox weddings across London and the UK, I am familiar with the traditions, order of service and the preferences of many different clergy.
The arrival at the church is full of anticipation. I photograph guests arriving, the atmosphere outside and the arrival of the wedding party as everyone gathers.
These early moments outside the church often produce some of the most natural and candid photographs of the day, as family and friends reconnect and the excitement builds ahead of the ceremony.
I position myself to capture both the wider atmosphere and the intimate moments between guests, ensuring nothing is missed before the ceremony begins.
Every Greek Orthodox wedding follows the same beautiful sacrament, rich in tradition and meaning. My experience allows me to anticipate every key moment throughout.
Although each church and priest may have their own preferences regarding movement and photography, my familiarity with the service means I can always adapt without missing anything important.
Throughout the ceremony I document every key element, including:
After the ceremony, we take a carefully organised selection of family photographs outside the church. Working from a pre-prepared list, I ensure every group is included quickly and efficiently.
Having a list of your required family groups in advance makes this section of the day run far more smoothly. I work through each group in a logical order to minimise movement and keep things moving.
My aim is always to complete the church family portraits as efficiently as possible so that you can move on to the celebrations without feeling like you have spent too long standing in formal groups.
These photographs are an important record of the people who shared your day. Even with a large family, I can typically work through a full list in around twenty to thirty minutes.
The moments immediately after the ceremony are some of the happiest and most spontaneous of the entire day. I capture everything as it unfolds naturally outside the church.
Whether you have a confetti exit, bubbles or simply warm embraces from loved ones, the energy and joy of this moment is something I always make sure to fully document.
Family and friends pour out of the church full of emotion and celebration. These are the photographs that capture pure, unscripted happiness.
Before leaving the church, we take a short time to create relaxed portraits together. My approach is natural and lightly guided, keeping the session relaxed and enjoyable.
Whether we use the church grounds, a nearby garden or a location you have chosen in advance, these portraits are designed to feel like a natural part of your day rather than a formal shoot.
I keep these sessions short -- usually around fifteen to twenty minutes -- so that you can return to your family and guests without feeling like you have been away for long.
The result is a collection of timeless portraits that beautifully capture the two of you at one of the most significant moments of your lives.
After the congratulations, we take a carefully organised selection of family photographs. Working efficiently from a pre-prepared list, we ensure everyone is included quickly.
Having a prepared list of the family groups you want is the key to making this part of the day as smooth as possible. I recommend grouping photographs logically to avoid people having to move back and forth.
My aim is always to complete the family portraits as efficiently as possible so that you can return to your guests and begin celebrating without unnecessary delay.
From the moment I arrive at the venue, I continue documenting your wedding story through both the carefully planned details and the genuine moments shared between family and friends.
Before guests enter, I photograph the reception room exactly as you planned it -- every detail captured before the celebrations begin.
This includes the room styling, centrepieces, stationery, favours, cake, floral arrangements, table settings and every thoughtful detail that you and your suppliers have worked hard to create.
These photographs are taken while the room is perfectly set, before anything is moved or rearranged. They are a beautiful record of all the planning and effort that went into making your reception look exactly as you imagined.
If time allows, I capture your first look at the finished reception room before your guests are invited inside -- a genuine reaction to months of careful planning.
This is one of those simple but incredibly meaningful moments that many couples overlook. Seeing the room for the first time, exactly as you imagined it, is an emotional experience worth preserving.
I position myself discreetly so that your reaction is completely natural and unscripted, creating photographs that genuinely reflect the excitement and pride of that first glimpse.
During the drinks reception I move through your guests documenting relaxed candid moments, conversations and laughter as everyone settles into the celebration.
This is one of the most natural and relaxed parts of the day for photography. Guests are at ease, conversations are flowing and the atmosphere is warm and celebratory.
I use this time to capture both the wider atmosphere and the smaller intimate moments between friends and family, as well as any additional portraits that may have been requested.
As more guests arrive or family members become available, the drinks reception is an ideal time to capture any additional group photographs in a relaxed setting.
Sometimes not all family members are available immediately after the church ceremony. The drinks reception provides a natural opportunity to capture any groups that were missed earlier in the day.
Because the atmosphere is informal and guests are already mingling and enjoying themselves, these additional portraits often feel far more relaxed than those taken immediately after the ceremony.
I will keep an eye out throughout the drinks reception for any family members you point out, so there is no need to worry about tracking people down yourself.
Portraits of the full bridal party are a celebration of the people who stood by your side throughout the day -- the best man, maid of honour, ushers, bridesmaids, flower girls and page boys.
These portraits are typically taken during the drinks reception when everyone is together, relaxed and in great spirits. The informal atmosphere makes for far more natural and enjoyable photographs.
I photograph the full group together as well as smaller groupings -- bridesmaids with the bride, ushers with the groom, and any other combinations you would like. Flower girls and page boys always make for wonderful photographs at this stage of the day.
These portraits are a beautiful record of the people who helped make your wedding day everything it was. I keep the session light and fun rather than overly formal, so everyone enjoys the experience.
Your entrance into the reception is one of the most energetic moments of the day. I capture the atmosphere, applause and celebrations as you are welcomed by your guests.
Whether you walk in together to music, are announced formally or simply enter to the cheers of your family and friends, this moment is always full of genuine excitement and joy.
I position myself to capture both your expressions and the reactions of your guests around the room, creating a full picture of the celebration as it erupts around you.
Many Greek weddings begin the celebrations with traditional music and dancing before the meal. I document the atmosphere naturally as the dance floor comes to life.
This early dancing sets a wonderful tone for the evening and produces some of the most energetic and joyful photographs of the entire day.
I move around the room capturing both the dancers and the reactions of guests watching, ensuring the full atmosphere is preserved rather than just the movement on the dance floor.
While guests enjoy their meal, I continue documenting the atmosphere, the interactions between guests and the overall ambience of the celebration.
I work quietly and discreetly during the meal, moving around the room to capture both the wider atmosphere and the smaller moments of conversation and laughter between guests.
If you would like photographs taken during the meal itself -- of specific tables or particular moments -- these can of course be included as part of your coverage.
This is also an opportunity to photograph any decorative details on the tables that were not captured during the room shots, as well as the cake and any other features of the room.
Many couples like to visit each table during the meal to greet their guests personally. These moments create wonderful photographs and ensure everyone is included.
Table visits produce some of the most natural and genuine photographs of the reception, as guests are relaxed and the interactions are spontaneous and warm.
I follow you discreetly from table to table, capturing each greeting and the reactions of your guests as you stop to spend a moment with them.
This also ensures that every person who attended your wedding appears in your gallery, which is something many couples appreciate when they look back on their photographs.
Whether speeches take place before or after the meal, I focus on genuine emotion, laughter and reactions from both the speakers and your guests throughout.
Speeches are one of the most emotionally varied parts of the wedding day, moving from laughter to tears and back again within a matter of moments. I capture all of it.
As well as photographing the speakers, I pay close attention to the reactions of the couple and their guests, as these expressions and emotions are often the most powerful images from the speeches.
I work quietly at the edges of the room to avoid drawing attention during the speeches, ensuring that neither the speakers nor the guests are distracted by my presence.
The cake cutting is an important milestone of the reception. I photograph both the formal moment and the natural reactions and celebrations that follow.
As well as the formal cutting of the cake, I capture the laughter, the cheers and the reactions of guests around the room as this moment is shared and celebrated.
These photographs work best when they feel relaxed and natural rather than staged, so I always encourage couples to simply enjoy the moment and let me do the rest.
Your first dance marks the beginning of the evening celebrations. I capture the atmosphere, emotion and excitement from multiple angles while remaining completely unobtrusive.
The first dance is one of the most intimate and emotional moments of the entire day. Whether you have choreographed something special or simply want to hold each other and sway, I document it beautifully.
I work around the edge of the dance floor throughout, varying my position to capture different angles and perspectives as the dance unfolds.
As the song ends and the floor opens up, I continue documenting the celebrations as family and friends join you to begin the evening together.
If the timing and weather allow, I always recommend a short portrait session in the beautiful evening light. Usually around ten to fifteen minutes, it produces some of the most stunning images of the day.
The golden hour -- the period shortly before sunset -- produces a warm, soft, flattering light that is simply impossible to recreate artificially. When the timing works, the results are extraordinary.
I keep this session short and relaxed, stepping away from your guests for just a few minutes to make the most of the light before returning you to the celebrations.
These portraits are never forced. If the timing or weather does not allow for it on the day, we simply continue documenting the evening as it unfolds.
Greek weddings are filled with traditions that make every celebration unique. Having photographed many Greek Orthodox weddings, I understand their importance and ensure each one is documented with the care it deserves.
The πλούμισμα (also known as Χορός του αντρόγυνου) is one of the most joyful and generous traditions of a Greek Cypriot wedding. Family and friends pin money to the couple as they dance, showering them with gifts and good wishes.
The tradition varies from family to family and from region to region, but the spirit is always the same -- a celebration of the couple and a heartfelt contribution to their new life together.
As guests queue to pin their envelopes, the atmosphere is one of pure joy and generosity. I capture both the intimate moments between the couple and their guests, as well as the wider energy of the dance floor during this beautiful tradition.
The πλούμισμα produces some of the most emotionally rich and visually striking photographs of the entire day. The expressions of pride, love and happiness from family and friends as they take their turn make for truly unforgettable images.
As the Kalamatiano begins, the dance floor fills with tradition, joy and celebration. Led by the bride, the spiral formation grows as family and friends join one by one.
Followed by the maid of honour, bridesmaids and the Goumeres, this is one of the most visually striking moments of a Greek Cypriot wedding, filled with movement, smiles and genuine emotion.
I capture the dance from multiple angles throughout, moving around the floor to document both the elegance of the tradition and the atmosphere and reactions of everyone watching.
The energy in the room during the Kalamatiano is always extraordinary. I make sure to capture both the dancers and the guests who surround them, preserving the full picture of this extraordinary moment.
The Koumbaroi dance is a celebration of friendship, honour and tradition. It begins with the groom and his best man before expanding to include all of the Koumbaroi.
These are the people who have played an important role throughout your wedding, particularly those who exchanged the rings during the church ceremony.
As the dance unfolds, I focus not only on the tradition itself but also on the laughter, pride and camaraderie that make this such a memorable part of the evening.
The Koumbaroi dance is a deeply personal tradition. I make sure to capture the bond between the groom and his closest friends and family as it is beautifully expressed on the dance floor.
Traditional Greek dancing is at the heart of every Greek Cypriot wedding. From lively Syrtos and Hasapiko to Tsifteteli, the dance floor becomes the centre of the celebration.
As generations come together on the dance floor, the energy in the room transforms into something truly special. I document this naturally, capturing the movement, the joy and the connections being made.
My approach is to work around the edges of the dance floor rather than interrupting it, moving to find the best angles as the dances evolve and different groups take their turn.
The result is a collection of photographs that truly reflects the spirit and energy of your celebration, from the most experienced dancers to those joining in for the very first time.
The parents' dance is a beautiful and emotional moment that celebrates the families who have supported you throughout your lives. At many Greek Cypriot weddings, this tradition extends to grandparents too.
Whether filled with laughter, emotion or a little of both, this dance is a chance to honour the people who have been there every step of the way -- from the very beginning to this proudest of moments.
When grandparents join the dance, the moment takes on an even deeper significance. Seeing multiple generations on the floor together is one of those rare and quietly extraordinary sights that I always make sure to capture.
I photograph these moments discreetly, focusing on genuine expressions, warm embraces and the reactions of family and friends watching from around the room.
These photographs often become some of the most treasured from the entire day, capturing a depth of emotion that words alone cannot fully express.
As the celebrations continue, the dance floor becomes the stage for individual performances during the Vareta and Zeibekiko. These moments are full of character and personality.
Surrounded by cheering family and friends, guests take turns dancing in the centre of the floor, each bringing their own style, emotion and energy to the tradition.
I document both the dancer and the atmosphere that surrounds them -- the encouragement, the applause, the laughter and the pure joy of watching someone give everything to the moment.
Every performance is different. Some are deeply expressive and moving, others full of humour and energy. I capture all of it, preserving the full range of character and feeling that makes each Vareta and Zeibekiko unique.
As the formalities come to an end, the atmosphere shifts into full celebration. I continue documenting the evening naturally without interrupting the flow of your celebrations.
As the music begins in earnest, I capture the atmosphere, energy and excitement as your guests fill the dance floor and the evening truly comes alive.
The transition from the structured part of the evening into open celebration is always a moment of real energy and joy. I make sure to document the atmosphere as it builds.
As well as the dance floor, I continue to photograph the quieter moments happening around the edges of the room -- conversations, laughter and the smaller interactions between family and friends that make up the full picture of your evening.
From traditional Greek dancing to modern party classics, I document the open dancing as it unfolds naturally. With inhibitions down and the music playing, guests give everything to the dance floor and the results are always joyful and full of life.
I move freely around the room throughout the evening, working at different distances and angles to capture both the energy of the dance floor and the quieter moments happening alongside it.
If your venue offers beautiful evening lighting or an interesting backdrop, we can step outside briefly for dramatic nighttime portraits without keeping you from your guests for long.
Nighttime portraits have a completely different quality to those taken earlier in the day. Whether using the ambient glow of the venue exterior, fairy lights, lanterns or the night sky, the results can be genuinely striking.
These sessions are always kept brief -- no more than ten minutes -- so that you can return to your guests and continue celebrating without feeling like you have missed anything.
The final part of the evening often brings the biggest celebrations of the day. I ensure your wedding story is beautifully completed, right through to the very last moment.
Whether you are planning a sparkler exit, a final group dance or simply want the atmosphere documented until the very end, I will be there to capture every last moment of your celebration.
The last dance is often one of the most emotional and energetic moments of the entire day. As the evening draws to a close, guests pour onto the floor one final time and the atmosphere reaches its peak.
The end of the evening often brings a wave of emotion as the day draws to a close. Embraces, tears, laughter and the energy of a final dance floor are all part of the story I am there to tell.
Get in touch to discuss your wedding day and check availability for your date.