Nikolaos De Grece and Chrysi Vardinoyannis are now a married couple, having been united before God and man on the afternoon of Friday, February 7, 2024. Both members of dynasties, since the groom belongs to the once royal family of Greece, and his wife is now the daughter of businessman Giorgos Vardinoyannis, the daring Cretan “captain” with legendary feats in his naval career, businessman and former president of Panathinaikos.
A Touch of Royalty: Chrysi Vardinogianni’s Tiara and Crowned Wedding Ritual
The most “royal” element of Nikolaos de Grece and Chrysi Vardinogianni’s wedding was the tiara she wore and the crowns used in place of traditional wedding wreaths.
With only fifty guests at the church and seventy-five at Castor Place—a unique venue in Piraeus’ industrial zone—the newlyweds celebrated their special day exactly as they wished.
Prominent figures from business, shipping, and a select few royals, all either close relatives or dear friends of the couple, added a touch of glamour to the ceremony at Agios Nikolaos Ragkavas in Anafiotika, Plaka.
The wedding sealed a whirlwind romance that blossomed after just seven months of dating, despite the couple having known each other for years. It was only last summer that their connection deepened, leading to this intimate and elegant celebration.
The Tradition and the Party
Chrysi Vardinogianni, a woman known for her quiet demeanor, chose not to make any statements on her wedding day, instead offering smiles as she wore the Antique Corsage tiara, a gift from her mother-in-law, former Queen Anne-Marie.
During the ceremony, she upheld the Greek wedding tradition by stepping on her groom’s foot during the phrase “I de gyny na fovatai ton andra” (“The wife shall fear her husband”), a moment Nikolaos de Grece later admitted to with a smile.
Following the wedding service, the reception took place at a location that remained a well-kept secret until just hours before the event.
Shortly after 7 PM, the first of many Range Rovers arrived, with the newlyweds leading the way into Castor Place.
Security was tight to ensure the couple and their guests enjoyed the private celebration they desired.
According to sources, the reception soon turned into a lively party, featuring plenty of Greek music—just as one would expect from a true Greek wedding celebration.
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