Chloe & Darren Rutherford

Published by : MARLEN on 16 September 2024

A family affair in romantic Rhodes

Collage Photos: Darren, Kerr and Chloe visiting Lindos last year during the wedding planning; Darren and Chloe at St Paul's bay on the days leading up to the wedding ceremony; all others from their wedding day this year, June 2024!

Darren and Chloe met in 2014 whilst they were both in their final year at University in Edinburgh. They were both born in Edinburgh but grew up at opposite sides of this wonderful Scottish city. Having briefly chatted on the dating app Tinder, they bumped into each other by chance at a nightclub when they were out with their respective groups of friends, and from then started dating. 

Darren asked Chloe to be his wife on the 1st of August 2022. Marriage had been on the cards for a while, but they decided during the COVID pandemic, after buying their first property together, that they wanted to focus on starting a family first. Happily, they welcomed their delightful son Kerr on 17th October 2021.  Whilst Chloe was still on maternity leave, they went on a sunny evening family walk to a local beauty spot and Darren got down on one knee with Kerr by his side and presented Chloe with an engagement ring. It was a perfect and cute moment, so much so, Chloe had no hesitation to say, yes! 

During a loving decade of being together, Chloe and Darren have enjoyed many holidays in various Greek Islands. “We love the Greek culture, food and climate. We knew we wanted an intimate wedding with our closest family and bridal party, so thought why not combine our special day with our nearest and dearest on a holiday to remember. “ Explains Chloe.

This lovely couple spent time researching which areas in Greece catered best for destination weddings. In June 2023 Darren, Chloe and Kerr travelled to Rhodes, staying at the Princess Andriana in Kiotari and hired a car to travel around seeing all that this island had to offer. They instantly fell in love with St Paul's Bay after pulling into the car park on their road trip and knew this was THE place for their wedding day! As they approached the spot, newlyweds passed by in a decorated wedding car and Chloe adds: “it just felt like it was meant to be”.

Not long after they were engaged, Chloe and Darren began planning their wedding after meeting travel counsellor Niall Wallace at a wedding Fayre. Niall helped the couple organise the Rhodes trip in 2023 and put them in touch with Mathide Robert the managing director of Planet Holidays and Weddings. Soon the preparations were taking shape for the big day in June 2024.

Chloe’s dress was chosen from the first bridal store appointment she made. “My mum and I spent a lovely afternoon out in Edinburgh having lunch and cocktails and I tried on a total of 6 dresses. I knew this was the one for me! Li Gorman expertly altered the dress to my requirements.”

Bridal dress:  Rosa Clara bought at Pan Pan Bridal in Edinburgh

Shoes: The Perfect Bridal Company

Veil:  Li Gorman (Pan Pan Bridal Edinburgh dressmaker/owner)

Tiara and Jewellery: Lace & Favour

Bridesmaid Dresses: Azazie 

“I wanted to blend Grecian blues with a traditional Scottish touch, so incorporated the thistle into the bouquet. I sent over inspiration images from Pinterest and the florist in Rhodes absolutely met the brief. I actually had tears in my eyes when the wedding planner Susanne handed them to me and my bridesmaids, Christie and Alexandria, on the wedding morning as I was so pleased with them.” Chloe continues. 

Darren and Chloe’s father both had kilts handmade recently by a family friend, so it made perfect sense for them to wear them on our wedding day. The best man Rory and Darren's father also opted for the traditional Scottish attire, with a few less layers than they would wear at a Scottish wedding!  The floral button holes for Darren, Rory and both of their dads also worked perfectly with their outfits.  

“We had purchased a matching kilt outfit for Kerr, but in true toddler fashion, he had other ideas on the day. He opted for a more casual outfit (but kept the Scottish Ghillie shirt on for a while), which is completely understandable in the heat we had that day!” Added Chloe.

“It was so memorable turning up at St Paul's Bay with my dad in the blazing sun, then walking down with the bridesmaids and Flower girls and seeing Darren, Kerr and family together by the sea at the chapel.  The kids loved going to Atmosphere bar afterwards for lots of ice cream to cool down with beautiful views of the Acropolis, then we had the most delicious meal at Kalypso and very much enjoyed the warm hospitality there. Our photographer Vassilis was fantastic and captured the day spectacularly, we were so excited to look through our photo album. The whole day went so smoothly that we will never forget it.” Concludes Chloe.

Greece is very special for this couple as they made many memories there and will continue to return for many future family holidays, to also remind Kerr of where his mummy and daddy said "I do". Darren and Chloe were able to have a very personal and low-key wedding, which was important to them both. 

Darren and Chloe also had the pleasure of a few lovely days stay at the gorgeous Lindos Grand hotel for their child-free "minimoon", whilst the rest of the wedding party continued the celebrate at the Lindos Royal hotel, where the couple spent the rest of their holiday in Rhodes this year.  

Darren and Chloe had the best of both worlds, as they also counted down to their celebration party at their local country park on 19th July 2024. “We will eat, drink and dance with our extended family and all our friends, without the pressure of having to walk down the aisle or do wedding speeches in front of over 100 guests! I can't wait to wear my wedding dress again (and hopefully get Kerr in his kilt too!) and we can celebrate being the newly pronounced Mr & Mrs Rutherford!” A happy bride Chloe writes.

“We would definitely recommend Planet Weddings, the whole planning process was really straightforward and no stress at all despite us being thousands of miles away in Scotland!  Everything was explained including all the legal marriage side of things and all our questions were answered along the way, in a helpful and professional manner. Our wedding was just as we wanted it from start to finish!”

Chloe and Darren Rutherford

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