Cardeia, our name, is derived from :

Kardhia: Greek, meaning the heart, the home of love and passion,

Deity: a divine character, god or goddess, symbolising the bride and groom and the divinity of their marriage.

As the story behind Cardeia’s creation is influenced by love, we've brought it to you in the words of the founder herself.

"I grew up in a small town at the end of South Africa's Garden Route, born to a Greek father and South African mother. Both were entrepreneurs and natural organisers, and I lost count of the amount of friends & family weddings and celebrations they orchestrated - Mom taking care of the decor and Dad, who owned hotels for many years, handling tables, food and fruit arrangements. They were always memorable events. I remember many late nights 'helping' and eventually falling asleep on a pile of table linen. And one wedding where my mom 'persuaded' a farmer to forego a field of crops for a season to plant sunflowers for his future daughter-in-law's wedding.

Like most kids, I didn't automatically follow their lead. I first did a Marketing degree in Cape Town, but continued to do event management. I went on to become Events Coordinator for then South African Breweries, now SAB Miller. I moved to the UK, complete my Honours Degree in Marketing, which led me into a role planning and project managing for Diageo, later working on Smirnoff Ice.

Then I took a 2 month break in Greece to be the 'koubara' (maid of honour) for my best friend’s wedding on the special little island of Paros. I was back in the role of organiser, and got great fulfilment from being able to make things happen without the bride having to take on the stress.

Something else happened on that trip. I met and later fell in love with the 'koubaro' (best man) at my best friend’s wedding – it seems the cliche is true after all! So I spent 2 years travelling back to Greece regularly, and at the same time scouting venues, and speaking with florists and caterers as well as hairdressers, make up specialists and even nail technicians. (Trips back home to South Africa and visits around Europe and Africa saw me do the same).

Since then, I've left my life as brand manager at another large company and moved to Paros – all for love. And I couldn’t think of a better way to spend my time than planning your destination wedding and making sure your memories are the best they can be, with your very own original twist.

May you always be happy,
Mimmika"