They planned a beautiful, six-guest vegan destination wedding on a jetty in Crete.
What they didn’t plan was rescuing a dying kitten, surviving a violent cat attack, and losing three kittens during international air travel.
This is a vegan travel story you won’t forget.
The Wedding Vision: Getting Married in Crete
In this episode of The World Vegan Travel Podcast, Brighde speaks with Adam and Bethany Mulcahy-Stephenson, creators behind @heretodayvegantomorrow. Deeply involved in animal rescue and vegan living, the couple knew early on that they didn’t want a big, traditional wedding.
Instead, they dreamed of a small, intimate vegan wedding in Greece.
They chose Elounda, Crete, a place they had fallen in love with on a previous trip. With just six guests, their focus was on meaning, simplicity, and staying true to their values — not pleasing a crowd.
A key part of making this possible was working with a local vegan-friendly wedding planner, who handled the legal paperwork and helped them navigate the realities of getting married in Crete.
A Perfect Vegan Wedding Day in Greece
Their ceremony took place on a jetty stretching out into the sea, with the historic island of Spinalonga in the background — a quiet, powerful setting for personal vows and a deeply emotional moment.
Although there was no formal sit-down reception, vegan food played an important role in the celebration. Their hotel clearly labelled vegan and gluten-free options, and a fresh fruit platter served as their wedding breakfast.
Later, the celebration continued at a traditional Greek bar in Mavrikiano, where the local owners went above and beyond — preparing multiple authentic vegan Greek dishes and creating a relaxed, unforgettable evening overlooking the harbor.
The Rescue Saga: Animal Rescue in Greece
While in Crete, Adam and Bethany encountered a severely ill kitten, its eyes glued shut with infection. When Adam tried to help, the kitten’s mother fiercely attacked him — a terrifying moment that shows just how risky animal rescue can be.
With the help of local rescuers, a plan was put in place to save the kittens and their mother and transport them to the UK. What followed was a complex journey involving international animal rescue, paperwork, flights, and airline policies.
Then came the nightmare.
During transit in Thessaloniki, three kittens were mistakenly left behind in a plane’s cargo hold. Panic set in as the couple and rescuers turned to social media to help locate them. Thankfully, the kittens were eventually found and returned safely — but the airline never issued an apology.
Lessons Learned: Weddings and Rescue Travel
Adam and Bethany share important takeaways from both sides of their experience:
For couples planning a vegan destination wedding in Greece
- Keep it small if that feels right for you
- Use a local planner for legal paperwork
- Communicate clearly with venues about vegan needs
For animal rescuers traveling internationally
- Be extremely cautious with airline pet transport
- Don’t assume policies protect animals adequately
- If possible, consider flying with animals individually
Their story highlights serious gaps in how animals are treated during air travel.
Life Beyond the Wedding
Despite everything, Adam and Bethany continue to balance travel with caring for their growing “army of furry felines.” Upcoming plans include Berlin, a heavy metal festival, and their first Formula One race in Belgium.
Their Instagram community, @heretodayvegantomorrow, plays a big role in supporting their journey — from vegan food and travel to real-world rescue work.
Closing Thought
For Adam and Bethany, veganism isn’t a separate part of love or travel.
It’s the thread that connects their wedding, their rescue work, and every adventure they take together.
Want More of Their Story?
👉 Follow Adam & Bethany’s vegan adventures and animal rescue work on Instagram:
@heretodayvegantomorrow
Learn More About What is Discussed on the Podcast
- Vegan weddings in Crete and Greece. Learn more about planning a vegan wedding in Crete, including legal requirements, venues, and why working with a local wedding planner makes the process much easier.
- 👉 https://www.visitgreece.gr/
- Elounda and Spinalonga in Crete. Discover Elounda, the seaside town where Adam and Bethany got married, and the historic island of Spinalonga, which formed the dramatic backdrop to their jetty ceremony.
- 👉 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spinalonga
- Animal rescue in Greece. Find out more about the challenges of animal rescue in Greece, including caring for stray cats and the vital role of local rescuers and volunteers.
- 👉 https://www.greekanimalrescue.com/
- Flying with rescue animals. Learn why traveling with rescue animals can be complicated and what to consider when arranging international pet transport.
- 👉 https://www.iata.org/en/programs/cargo/live-animals/
- Follow Adam & Bethany’s journey. See more of Adam and Bethany’s vegan food, travel adventures, and real-life rescue work on Instagram.
- 👉 https://www.instagram.com/heretodayvegantomorrow/
Other World Vegan Travel Content Connected With This Episode
- Accidentally Vegan Dishes to order on your trip to Greece | Pelagia Komni / The Greek Appetite | Ep 76
- # 7 | Traveling as a Vegan in Greece | Nina from Lemons and Luggage
- Giannis Xanthis’ New Eco-Friendly Hotel in Rhodes
- Santorini’s First Vegan Boutique Hotel
- Rhodes Revealed: A Vegan’s Guide to the Greek Island Sanctuary | Giannis Xanthis | Ep 123
