By Emma Morley

Last updated at 11:02, Saturday, 29 March 2008

Gemma Bruce and Steve McCombe want their wedding to be a quiet and relaxed affair and have chosen a spectacular location to do this.

Relaxed: Steve and Gemma are getting married in Greece

Santorini in Greece is where they will tie the knot on June 6 this year; and it is a country they are familiar with because it’s where they got engaged.

Web developer Gemma, 26, said: “We love Greece and got engaged when we were on holiday in Corfu in September 2005.

“We wanted guaranteed sunshine on our wedding day so we thought getting married abroad was the answer.

“We both have large families but we wanted a quiet wedding so going abroad seemed like the perfect option.”

The couple, from Longsowerby in Carlisle, chose the island of Santorini because of the spectacular scenery. They will spend their first week in Kamari before moving to Imerovigli for their wedding. They will be getting married at Santo winery overlooking the Caldera.

The couple started organising the trip at the beginning of 2007.

“We talked about getting married in this country,” said Gemma. “We thought it would be the best way to keep it quiet.”

When they arrive in Santorini they will make the final decisions for their wedding day, including deciding on the flowers.

Close family and friends will also travel to Santorini.

Gemma and Steve are planning on holding a ‘reception’ following the ceremony in a local taverna. They hope to find a venue that plays traditional Greek music.

Gemma said: “There will be about 20 of us so we’re not going to book anywhere beforehand. There will be plenty of traditional Greek places to choose from.”

The couple are feeling relaxed about the whole thing; they didn’t want the stress of running around organising everything in the run-up to the wedding.

“It could rain, but this is the only thing that could go wrong,” said Gemma. “Even if it does it won’t be that much of a disaster.

“I don’t have that many expectations so I can’t see anything going wrong.

“We are going to enjoy it rather than get caught up in all the details. I have seen brides-to-be get really stressed about things such as table settings and I didn’t want to be like that.”

Gemma has already bought a dress, although not a traditional white wedding dress.

Steve, 38, a learning information officer, is still to decide on his outfit.

Gemma said: “I didn’t think wearing a big white dress in a hot location is appropriate so I have gone for a formal dress instead. Steve will probably wear a linen suit although he hasn’t bought anything yet.”

The couple have been together for three-and-a-half years and met in the Purple Lizard Lounge in Carlisle. Gemma is from Welton originally while Steve is from Workington.

Their honeymoon will be in Santorini following the wedding.

First published at 11:47, Monday, 04 February 2008
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk