Getting married in Greece: An Ultimate Guide (Updated in 2024)

INTRO: BEFORE GETTING MARRIED IN GREECE

Congratulations on your engagement! We realize this is an exciting time for you, and we are extremely happy to help you out on your journey. As a result of this ultimate wedding guide, you’ll know all that you need for getting married in Greece.

Firstly, the guide will focus on Greece as a destination wedding location. Yet a lot of knowledge shared here can apply to other planned weddings.

A wedding is a very harmonious event but, at the same time, it requires a lot of planning. Especially if you are planning to get married in Greece. Hence, it’s not uncommon to sort ten details and have another one hundred appear.

Wedding favours, wedding stationery, florists, venues, save-the-dates, florists (vale decorations), photographers, guest accommodations…

The list goes on and on…

Please don’t discourage yourself! As with many things in life, no one is born with the knowledge to effectively plan their wedding.

COUPLE REQUIREMENTS

Couples need:

• Wisdom
• Haste
• Intelligence
• Time-management skills
• Experience

 

• Safety
• Trust
• Order
• Reliability
• Iconic moments
• Endless Adventures
• Satisfactory Results

on such a journey. If you lack one or more of the above, then this article is meant for you.

Are you a wedding professional in need of extra knowledge?

Maybe you’re trying to become more aware of the wedding preparation process?

Perhaps you are a wedding enthusiast, and you consume every bit of knowledge about weddings you find?

Are you the lucky bride or groom stressing out about their upcoming wedding?

Maybe you stumbled on this guide, and this intro section sparked your interest. Bottom line: whoever you may be, this mega-guide has a lot for everyone.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Get married in Greece: Pre-wedding general guidance 
2. Greece as a destination wedding location
3. Hiring a Greek Wedding Planner
4. The Great Influencers
5. Get Married in Greece: Planning Timeline
6. Pre-Planning Stage
7. Legal Framework and paperwork
8. A Phase-Planning Stage
9. B Phase-Planning Stage
10. C Phase-Planning Stage
11. D Phase-Planning Stage
12. Execution Stage: Get married in Greece!
13. Post Wedding Stage
14. Conclusion

GET MARRIED IN GREECE: PRE-WEDDING GENERAL GUIDANCE

IDENTIFYING THE “ONE”.

This section can be thought of as what occurs before getting married in Greece.

What occurs before the wedding date.

And the wedding planning.

And the wedding pre-planning.

View it as a trip back in time. Visualize a couple happily dating. They visit restaurants, take long walks on the beach, climb hills to see the sunset. Almost like watching a romantic movie.

The longer they date, the more they develop intimate feelings for each other. As a result, the more time they spend together, the more questions start their friends and family ask.

THE ONE

Have you met their close friends?

Have you met her/his family?

Are you guys serious?

Is he/she the one?

The one. Now that’s a million-dollar question. There are approximately 7.7 billion humans roaming on planet earth.

That’s a huge number.

Even if you wanted to meet everyone currently alive it would be impossible. And that’s just having a quick conversation. Imagine spending some quality time with each one. Or even discussing getting married in Greece with everyone. What a headache.

Factor in how your personality may change as you grow older. Someone who you liked ten years ago might be a big red flag now.

So, at what age are you most likely to meet your soulmate? The answer to this question doesn’t lie in statistics or logic. You might meet 100000 people in your lifetime and see them as strangers. Or you might meet a total of 100 people in your life and fall in love with the 20th person.

At the end of the day, it’s a feeling.

CHECKLIST FOR IDENTIFYING THE “ONE”

Here is a quick checklist to help you out:

Do you automatically have a smile every time you think of that special person?

Do you feel that you have known that person for a lifetime even if you haven’t spent that much time together?

Are you instilled with a feeling of calmness and security when you are around that person?

Does your mind wander on spending more joyous moments together?

If the answer to the above questions is a yes, then you are one step closer to realizing you have found your one. And simultaneously, one step to getting married in Greece.

Once we remove logical thinking from the equation, we are left with a good ol’ gut feeling. An instinct that calms your mind. Humans have surprisingly good instincts, as evidenced through the flight or fight response.

So, don’t worry too much. Once you relax you will allow your mind to make the decision for you.

POPPING THE QUESTION

By this point, you’ve realized you want to commit yourself to your special person.

You’ve dated for a while. Their smile excites you. You love the intimate feeling you get.

The question pops, and the answer is a resounding yes. You hug, you kiss and you exchange happy thoughts.

Congratulations you are engaged!

The days pass. The excitement begins to die down. Soon another question starts creeping through your mind.

For how long?

How long will you be engaged?

Specifically, should you wait and savour the moment?

Plan every detail about getting married in Greece immediately?

Or rush to officially marry the person you hold so dear?

LONG VERSUS SHORT ENGAGEMENTS

Marrying without waiting too long in an engaged state will help you:

• Actually, marry sooner rather than later! Isn’t the whole point of this special occasion to finally marry your sweetheart? Why wait too long?
• Avoid second-guessing. Less time means you will get to decide once and avoid pondering over your choices. Less stress for everyone involved!

Marrying after being engaged for a while:

• Popular vendors are popular because they do a damn good job. Hence they are in high demand. More time to plan your wedding means a much greater chance of having the vendors you want. This makes sense when you consider that many couples book popular vendors many months in advance.
• You get to plan each wedding detail exactly how you want it. More time to consider wedding themes, and customize them

There are more pros and cons you can factor in. Ultimately it comes up to the factors you value the most.

However, the bottom line is that you’re going to marry your soulmate. Namely, finding your soulmate is a unique feat on its own, so shouldn’t the marriage ceremony reflect how special the occasion is? The speciality of this occasion needs great attendance to detail and with it, time to perfect plan.

The two soulmates should celebrate their wedding in a uniquely beautiful location.

Specifically, each detail should proudly represent you and your special person. Above all, each detail should be an ambassador of the pure love you feel for each other.

A love that even the ancient Greek goddess Aphrodite would be jealous of.

Can you imagine? A wedding so sacred and stunning that it evoked the jealousy of a goddess.

All in all, what other location has the bonus of making Aphrodite jealous, other than getting married in Greece, her home country?

GREECE AS A DESTINATION WEDDING LOCATION

The land of the Goddess of love

As a result, it is not uncommon to hear the country of Greece when someone mentions stunning locations. A wedding in Greece is often the answer when asked questions about elegance, beauty, history, and culture.

When people ask:

1. Where is the best place abroad to host your wedding?
2. Where is the most beautiful place to implement your wedding?
3. Best places for destination weddings?

The answer is that Greece is always included. Greece has beautiful landscapes: stunning rivers, traditional snowy mountains, world-famous beaches. A majority orthodox country, one can find stunning churches throughout the country.

Natures beauty, is impossible to replicate. As a result, wedding couples consider it a prime candidate for a destination wedding in Greece.

This also begs the following question:

HOW DO YOU PICK A DESTINATION WEDDING?

1. budget
2. wedding theme
3. desired landscapes
4. guest number
5. wedding venue size
6. pre & post wedding activities

These are amongst several important factors when picking a destination wedding.

Getting married in Greece allows couples to satisfy their varying wants:

• Ancient Greek themed weddings are possible here
• More secular elopements occur in quiet villages of immense beauty
• Honeymoons can combine with your wedding in popular seaside locations.

It is amongst the top wedding destinations, if not the best one, to be worthy enough to celebrate your sacred soulmate union. With the appropriate planning, Greece can offer more than your wildest expectations.

Yet, there’s a small catch.

Chances are that your destination wedding day will be the first time you’ve visited your country of choice. Micro and macro managing details from abroad may become too overwhelming for you.

And it’s ok.

We’ve got some assistance for you.

HIRING A GREEK WEDDING PLANNER

Do I really need a wedding planner for a destination wedding?

Well, the answer comes down to you. For instance, do you value having great control over every wedding detail? Making sure everything gets done in time? Reducing unexpected surprises to a minimum? Do you want to have your budget under control?

Then yes.

First of all, wedding planning is a huge time commitment with immense responsibility. Having work and family obligations places great stress on the wedding planning process. The pressure furthermore increases when a lack of experience comes into play.

For example, your budget spikes because you underestimated the cost of a venue. Or the venue quote given to you did not contain the sound & lighting company. The reality of the situation is that couples often decide to forego the wedding planner’s fee. They take it upon themselves to plan a magnificent wedding.

As a result in most situations, this backfires. That is particularly true in destination weddings such as this one where the couple is looking to get married in Greece.

When the planning situation overwhelms couples they take delayed action. With this in mind, couples will book the wedding planner further down the line. Often they also end up rebooking vendors because they were not satisfied with their previous negotiations.

WEDDING PLANNER EXPERTISE

At the end of the day Greek wedding planners, such as ourselves, have encountered such scenarios numerous times.

However, it is hard to articulate the time saved, and costs avoided due to experience.

Couples can save thousands in unexpected costs when:

• accounting for negotiation with vendors
• suggesting professionals which we can attest to their quality of work

A Greek wedding planner takes care of an immense number of A-Z services. Namely, it is a stamp of guarantee. Put another way, Greek wedding planners are an act of insurance. They organize and plan every detail so that your budget is not burdened with avoidable costs.

There are several important duties the planner handles, found in greater detail here.

White Stories tip: When it comes to wedding planners, don’t rush your decision. As with your venues and vendors, it is important to understand whether you are a good fit. Good chemistry goes a long way in planning your special day.

However, despite each duty, each wedding plan has three sole components:

1. Pre-planning stage
2. Planning Stage
3. Execution

Before we go through each in detail, we must mention “The Great Influencers”. Specifically, each wedding plan stage must have “The Great Influencers” in mind throughout each step.

THE GREAT INFLUENCERS

Sacred influences on the success of each Greek destination wedding, each held by the glue known as Greek wedding planners.

First of all, before we detail the Greek wedding timeline, it is important to identify and define crucial wedding aspects. Greek event planners will consider these aspects to make your dream come true.

Ultimately, getting married in Greece will be determined by:

1. Wedding Locations
2. Reception Venues
3. Ceremony Venues
4. Wedding Villas
5. Hotels
6. Wedding catering
7. Florists
8. Wedding Make-up Artists
9. Hairstylists
10. Bar Management Companies
11. Wedding Photographers
12. Wedding Cinematographers

Each aspect will include a selection of professionals and locations we favor, as well as general insight.

TOP WEDDING LOCATIONS TO GET MARRIED IN GREECE

The best places to get married in Greece.

SANTORINI

Santorini offers several excellent venues for your wedding ceremony and reception.

Part of the islands that make the Cyclades, and located at the Aegean Sea, it is one of the most popular locations in the world to host your wedding. Every year, thousands of couples tie the knot in Santorini.

Santorini also has a dormant volcano. Its eruptions over the year have given a unique, rugged landscape to the island. Additionally, the sand found on the island’s beaches is grey in color since it’s mixed with volcanic ashes.

Visitors fall madly in love with its unique architecture and breath-taking sunset views.
Santorini offers several excellent venues for your wedding ceremony and reception.

This island is a prime location to host your wedding in because:

• of the amazing view of the sea while you are exchanging your vows
• watching the beautiful sunset hit the sea

All you have to do is look at a few photos from Santorini, and you will see why couples who get married in Greece love this island!

MYKONOS

Similarly to Santorini, Mykonos is part of the islands that make up the Cyclades. Specifically, Mykonos location is on the Aegean Sea.

Mykonos is world-renowned as a “hot” party destination.

It has its famous beaches such as Super Paradise and its massive dance clubs. However, the island also contains historic landmarks, such as 16th-century windmills that face the town of Mykonos.

Recent years have seen a great spike in the weddings that take place here. With this in mind, couples that love popular locations and partying, choose this island over the quieter Santorini.

Mykonos is famous for its more luxurious weddings.

This is because the island is a known cosmopolitan destination. As such it receives a lot of visitors in comparison to other islands. You can read more about how to get married in Mykonos in our get married in Mykonos guide for 2024!

ATHENIAN RIVIERA

We find the Athenian Riviera a few kilometres from the capital of democracy.

This coastline stretches from Faliro all the way to Sounio. The Athenian Riviera decorates its coastline with:

• beautiful sandy beaches
• luxurious villas
• marinas
• five-star accommodation

Its proximity to both the centre of Athens as well as the airport, make it a popular location for those travelling from abroad. Those that choose to marry in Greece often favour the Athenian Riviera. Couples can easily transport and accommodate their guests so close to the airport.

To sum up, the Athenian Riviera offers several breath-taking ceremonies and reception revenues. These include private dining’s to luxurious receptions.

PELOPONNESE

The Peloponnese is a geographical region located in Southern Greece. Specifically, it is right below the region of Attica and it connects through the Isthmus of Corinth bridge.

This geographical region does not have a unified topography. Visitors can find mountains, rivers, deep forests, and seaside locations. Even if it is not as popular as some of the Greek islands, this region has characteristically beautiful:

• stone villages
• centuries-old churches
• luxurious resorts.

The Peloponnese is a good recommendation for couples who seek to get married in Greece in a culturally rich, traditional wedding. Guests can walk through the beautiful forests, run upon the hills, and stride through the beautiful scenery.

In conclusion, couples and their guests can immerse into the old architecture to provide a timely, symbolic essence to their wedding.

SPETSES

Spetses is an island of the Saronic gulf, and one of the closest islands to travel to from Athens. Its location is East of the Peloponnese. Ferry boats frequently bring visitors from the port of Piraeus (located in Athens).

An island rich in history, people believe the name to originate from the Italian word for spices (“spezie”). It is also the birthplace of the Greek heroine “Laskarina Bouboulina”. “Bouboulina” played a central role in the Greek War of Independence that took place in 1821.

As such it has several historic monuments for sightseeing. Combined with the ban of private four-wheeled automobiles (except for taxis) on the island, it makes for a great “traditional” setting.

Hence, couples who wish to get married in Greece can choose this location to give their wedding a unique twist. As a result of the ban on cars, they can choose to arrive at the church by horse carriage.

OVERVIEW

Getting married in Greece offers a variety of destination choices:

• snowy mountains for the cold lovers
• beautiful secluded lakes for the more private preferences
• popular islands full of sun and sand for “party animals”

You will determine your wedding location by:

Your overall preferences: each location has its own perks (quiet, popular, etc).
Budget: more popular locations have higher-priced services and quotes
Guest size: More secluded areas offer more limited guest accommodation choices.
Venue size: More secluded areas offer less venue choice variety.

For a look at more wedding locations in Greece check out our post here, where we include 44 wedding locations in Greece!

Let’s move on to reception venues.

TOP GREEK WEDDING RECEPTION VENUES

The best venues for a wedding reception in Greece

SCORPIOS – MYKONOS

Located at Greece’s most cosmopolitan location, few other choices can rival this glamorous venue. Scorpios‘ location is in the southern part of Mykonos. It offers guests a spectacular view of the Aegean sea.

Any wedding type is suitable for this venue, however, Scorpios is often known for the following styles:

• Bohemian
• Mediterranean
• Romantic
• Sophisticated

The venue is equipped with a:

• Banquet hall
• Bar/ Lounge
• Waterfront sitting area
• Restaurant

The idea behind the venue is creating a space where guests can relax and enjoy life for what it is: a timeless pleasure.

It’s luxurious surroundings and handcrafted approach mixes with minimalistic details. The result is to create the perfect atmosphere.

To sum up, we suggest that couples who wish to get married in Greece and specifically in Mykonos, consider this prime wedding venue choice.

LA MALTESE – SANTORINI

“La Maltese” situates at the top cliff of Imerovigli village in Santorini. This is one of the most sought out wedding venues in Greece due to its breath-taking view.

Those lucky enough to attend the venue will view a magnificent sight: all the Caldera as well as the Aegean Sea.

The venue contains:

• A bar lounge
• Indoor banquet hall
• Outdoor pool area
• Restaurant

We highly suggest couples that have their dream island wedding vision, consider this iconic venue. All in all, it is a truly beautiful location, in a truly beautiful island. Feel free to click here to view more information regarding this stunning venue.

ISLAND ART & TASTE – ATHENIAN RIVIERA

Island Art & Taste consisting of 4 venues, Private House – Residence – C-Lounge and Gallery, situated on the beautiful Athenian Riviera. It is one of the most popular wedding reception choices in the Athenian Riviera. Island Private House offers a modern design and a breath-taking view of the Aegean.

This venue is a prime candidate for couples who seek a venue that is:

• traditional
• culturally beautiful
• “Mediterranean” styled

The venue contains:

• A restaurant
• Indoor lounge
• Outdoor pool area

Island Art & Taste has a seating capacity of 1000 guests, Private House has a seating capacity of 400 guests, C-Lounge has a seating capacity of 140 guests and the Gallery venue has a seating capacity of 400 guests.

Additionally, it is also marvelously decorated with ancient olive trees and a well-maintained garden perfect for couples looking to get married in Greece.

ALEMAGOU – MYKONOS

Alemagou is a beach wedding reception venue situated on the popular island of Mykonos. Close to the Mykonos Chora, Alemagou is conveniently located in Tarsanas beach in Ftelia.
Rather than being a typical Greek beach setting, the venue is thematically designed as a boho haven. Consequently, this means that visitors and guests here will have a “cultural shock” upon entering since they will believe they suddenly arrived in Mexico.

Visitors will experience a dichotomous setting:

• relaxing yet intense
• remote yet popular
• elegant yet simple

Consequently, this characteristic allows the wedding venue to adapt per wedding theme style.

Alemagou is highly suggested for those couples that are lovers of sand and salt. In conclusion, few beach wedding venues can rival its beautiful design and complex yet simple atmosphere.

PYRGOS MELLISOURGOU – LAGONISSI

Pyrgos Melissourgou is a castle, expertly transformed into a wedding reception venue. It’s located in Lagonissi (south of Attica), just twenty minutes away from the Athens International Airport.

It offers a complementary combination:

• a hilly, mountainous location full of olive trees and green grass
• less than a kilometer away from salt and sand.

Greek citizens consider the castle amongst the most historic residences in Greece.
Specifically, it situates on a 15-acre land amongst:

• water wells
• stables
• an old oil factory
• other traditional houses.

This wedding reception venue is an immersion into tradition and history. Guests will touch the cold stone of the building with the palm of your hand in contrast to smelling the olive tree and dirt, and viewing the sunset on this supreme estate is a sure delight to anyone’s senses.

We suggest that couples looking for a deeply traditional wedding setting to get married in Greece, seriously consider this venue. To sum up, its vast space allows planners to produce a unique wedding ceremony customized to each couple’s needs and wants.

OVERVIEW

Greece offers a great number of venues, each capable of hosting any number of guests, any pre-post wedding activities. Couples need to book venue choices as soon as possible. In conclusion, postponing their booking will not guarantee availability on your preferred date.

You will determine your wedding reception venue by:

• Your overall preferences: as each venue has its own perks. (Section or entire venue to yourself, proximity to the sea or other beautiful landmarks)
• Budget: more popular venues have higher rates especially during high-demand seasons.
• Proximity: to hotels, suites, villas, or other accommodation.
• Your guest size: many venues have a minimum required number of guests.

Let’s move on to ceremony venues.

TOP GREEK WEDDING CEREMONY VENUES

The best venues for a wedding ceremony in Greece.

DANA VILLAS – SANTORINI

We find Dana Villas Santorini in one of Greece’s top wedding location choices, in a quiet area outside of Fira. It’s both a romantic and luxury wedding ceremony choice.

Guests attending a wedding meet an awe-inspiring view of the Volcano as well as the world-famous Santorini sunset. Few things in this world are as beautiful and symbolic as getting married in Greece, and exchanging vows while the sun is setting.

In conclusion, having the sunset in the background of your wedding aisle creates a wonderful addition to your beautiful wedding.

SANTO WINERY – SANTORINI

Founded in 1947, Santo Winery is located in beautiful Santorini. It offers a vast terrace with breath-taking Caldera views.

It is hard to perfectly describe this venue. Even carefully chosen words fail to portray how beautifully it blends with the island’s natural treasures.

During the time the sun is setting, guests will feel a very romantic atmosphere settle in. Their wine produced from the island’s volcanic ashes and the mesmerizing colors produced during this moment is unrivaled.

To sum up, getting married at this venue will ensure an unmatched wedding ceremony experience!

PYRGOS PETREZA – SPATA

Located near Athens in the Spata area, Pyrgos Petreza is a magical venue located in the heart of Attica. This venue combines the areas of natural beauty with unique stylistic local architecture.

The designers of this venue were careful to not upset the natural beauty of the environment. A detailed mosaic of colors combines with the sweet odor of flowers. The result ends up being a multisensory experience, characteristic of the Mediterranean theme.

The stone walls offer a great indoor wedding experience almost “sacred like”.

The outdoor area allows for a variety of wedding ceremony locations.

All in all, you cannot go wrong with choosing this wedding ceremony venue. We suggest couples that love natural forest and mountain beauty to seriously consider exchanging vows here.

SUNSET BAR – MYKONOS

Sunset Bar is located within popular Mykonos, near the island’s archaeological museum. Specifically, this venue mixes the natural hilly landscape and the pre-industrial Castle Panigirakis estates.

One can find the famous Mykonos windmills nearby. The breathtaking hillside panoramic view is sure to entice your senses. Few venues in Mykonos can offer the same view of the sunset. The sun beautifully reflects its rays off the white building’s surface.

Consequently, the colors of the deep blue sea produce a perfect background environment for your wedding.

Exchange your vows during sunset to perfectly encapture your dream wedding of getting married in Greece!

SUNSET RESTAURANT – HYDRA

The Sunset restaurant venue sits upon he Saronic island of Hydra, located in the Aegean Sea. They overlook the island provides over the Argosaronic gulf constitutes it one of the most romantic destinations in all of Greece.

Guests and visitors will see remnants of the Greek independence war decorated all over the venue. They will also smell the sea breeze and touch the cold stone walls.

As an illustration, well-preserved cannons decorate the balconies overlooking the sea, evidencing the islands historic roots,

To sum up, couples looking for a beautiful, quiet venue with a cultural touch will be delighted with Sunset restaurant. Few venues in Greece carry as strong a historic significance as this one. Even fewer combine it with charming architecture and natural beauty.

For more information about planning a wedding in Hydra, you can read our Hydra wedding guide!

OVERVIEW

Greece has a deep, centuries-old tie with Christianity. Most of the population had always been Greek Orthodox. Marvelous, century-old grand churches stand as evidence of religious belief. Traditional wedding seekers find themselves in the presence of awe-inspiring religious ceremonies. For those in preference of a less religious manner:

• symbolic beach weddings
• lake weddings
• are also a popular choice.

You will determine your wedding ceremony venue by:

• Your overall preferences: (religious wedding? Symbolic?)
• Budget: Grand churches in high demand require a higher rate than a more secluded choice.
• Proximity: to the wedding reception and accommodation. The closer the distance the less hassle for you and your guests.
• Guest size: smaller venues will be unable to accommodate a high guest size.

Let’s take a look at accommodation villas.

TOP GREEK WEDDING VILLAS

The best villas for wedding accommodation in Greece.

VILLA ACHILLIOS – KEA

If you love secluded, stone exteriors with minimalistic indoor decoration than Villa Achillios is a perfect match for you. Constructed with stone, wood, and glass this structure is carefully complemented with select art paintings.

The master suite is independent of the guest rooms; the guest floor being below the master suite.

To sum up, enjoy an amazing view from the outdoor balcony equipped with a private pool, overlooking the sea surrounding Kea island.

VILLA 1951 – GLYFADA

Located on the Athenian Riviera, Villa 1951 is in the municipality of Glyfada close to both Athens city centre and the International airport.

A villa built originally in 1951, but expertly maintained, the villa happens to be located in the “Hollywood” like part of Glyfada. This two-floor villa has a mesmerizing garden and a glass pool and is within walking distance to the sea.

To sum up, the real distinguishing factor of this villa is the unique character displayed through the architecture and timely furniture. Even though renovated, the designers made sure to keep the original mosaic and character, adding a modern touch to an older structure.

A perfect stay for those looking to get married in Greece!

NOMIOS VILLA – KEA

For those couples who desire a secluded accommodation option, the Nomios Kea Villa is the choice for you.

The Villa is located on a hilltop, within an area of ten thousand square meters. This secluded hilltop is complemented with nature’s beauty and a beautiful view of the sea far down below.

It is split into two floors and contains an outdoor area with a pool where you can relax and spend time with your guests.

A beautiful choice that nature lovers shouldn’t think twice before selecting. You can view more stunning photos and information here.

ARTINA LUXURY VILLA – ZAKNTHOS

Found in the popular island of Zakynthos (Zante), Arting Villa is a luxurious accommodation inside a private property of twenty-one acres. Artina Luxury Villa is located on top of an elevated hill, allowing a view of the marvelous Ionian Sea.

Visitors here have a multitude of viewing choices; they can witness the Keri Lake, Marathonisi island as well as the soothing blue waters of Zakynthos islands.

Couples that’d like to have their own space in the popular island of Zakynthos should seriously consider this villa.

The surrounding areas are bustling with life, so couples can leave their secluded villa for joyous social activities.

VILLA ALEGRIA – MYKONOS

Beautifully situated in a secluded, quiet area of the island, Villa Alegria is a prime candidate for couples looking to experience the Mykonos lifestyle, while retaining their privacy.

It’s a boho style villa of 1500 square meters situated within a plot of 7000 square meters at the village of Kalafantis.

It offers a breathtaking sea view from both the indoor and outdoor areas, along with a private pool. Enjoy the delicate chic decorations and the modern designed architecture.

Couples in love with both the popular Mykonos as well as their privacy should waste no time in booking this luxurious accommodation option.

OVERVIEW

Greece has a high number of grand villas, build a long time ago yet kept alive. A luxurious wedding choice for some, yet a necessity for others. Namely, Some say that booking a wedding villa is a must when looking to get married in Greece.

More often than not, we tend to agree since it allows for a truly magical accommodation for the couple and their guests.

Your wedding villa for accommodation will be determined by:

• Your overall preferences: (do you like a traditional Greek style, or would go rather stay in a more modern style?)
• Budget: Villas are expensive particularly during the high-demand season.
• Proximity: to the wedding reception, and the wedding ceremony. No one likes traveling for a great distance after a thrilling, adrenaline-inducing day.
• Guest size: the booking price for a villa is usually determined by the number of guests.

Let’s move on to wedding hotels.

TOP GREEK WEDDING HOTELS

The best wedding hotels in Greece.

KINSTERNA HOTEL – MONEMVASIA

Located in the popular Monemvasia travel location, in the Southern Peloponnese. This five-star hotel is a luxurious choice for lovers of traditional architecture and history.

Kinsterna overlooks the medieval fortress town of Monemvasia. This luxurious mansion has been carefully restored to bring out the unique architecture it’s known for. A rich natural environment surrounds the estate and therefore visitors can engage in various traditional agricultural activities such as:

• make soap
• produce olive oil.

This five-star hotel is a luxurious choice for lovers of traditional architecture and history.

The group activities offered here as well as the surrounding land, make Kinsterna Hotel a great recommendation.

You can click here to find out more information!

COSTA NAVARINO – PYLOS (PELOPONNESE)

Located near the beautiful city of Pylos in Messinia. Costa Navarino pursues a rigid environmental policy to protect the environment and the natural resources of the region.

It’s one of the main luxury travel destinations in Greece, and a great place to get married in Greece. The resort aims to provide a world of authentic experiences. Most importantly, it does so while respecting the natural environment, the local community and the rich history and culture of the region.

Guests will find themselves between both sea and forests, in a luxurious modern setting.

In conclusion, it’s highly recommended for those wanting their wedding ceremony to take center stage a with diverse panoramic view.

ROCABELLA SANTORINI HOTEL & SPA – SANTORINI

A bohemian style retreat, Rocabella Santorini Hotel & Spa in Santorini comes highly suggested as a peaceful retreat.

A place of simple style and refined luxury awaits you, while the smallest of the elements that will enrich every step of your stay. The Rocabella Santorini Hotel & Spa, has several beautiful suites and will allow you to discover all the desires of your heart and soul.

Highly recommended for:

• Santorini lovers
• Romantic sunset couples
• Those that idolize the perfect wedding moment.

To sum up, your wedding here will be a story that becomes a reality; a lush garden of love. Expect perfection with this hotel choice. The remarkable sunset in Santorini is mirrored by the excellent service and beautifully designed venue.

Feel free to click here for more information on this incredible venue!

FOUR SEASON HOTEL – ATHENIAN RIVIERA

This luxury hotel is an ideal choice for couples considering getting married in the heart of Democracy. Just a 40-minute drive from the city centre, there are few hotels on the Riviera than can rival the Four Seasons.

Take a magical trip through time and experience the awe-inspiring world of Astir Palace.

It’s equipped with:

• luxurious banquet halls
• three ballrooms
• balustrades.

With a brand synonymous with high-quality services and attentive luxury, couples who get married in Greece will get to experience a great wedding.

You can find more information by visiting their website here.

SANTA MARINA – MYKONOS

If you love the party lifestyle of Mykonos, and visualize a beach/sea wedding style, then look no further than Santa Marina Mykonos.

Santa Marina Mykonos marries the picturesque view of the Aegean Sea, with a chic luxurious architectural design. Enjoy all of nature’s amenities by getting married in a combination of elements: salt, sand, and a heavenly breeze.

Amazing pools, as well as a private beach, allows the couples to enjoy their own private part of their island. There are few resorts with access to a private beach that can fulfill such a romantic wedding scene. As an illustration, imagine the couple exchanging vows on the beach.

The waves gently hitting behind them.

The sun setting and its rays bouncing off the sea.

In conclusion, that’s what happens in Santa Marina, Mykonos.

OVERVIEW

Greece is world renown as a popular travel destination. With an industry heavily based on tourism, it comes as no surprise that a large number of hotels populate the land. Luxurious hotel choices can be found in mountainous tourist destinations, as well as popular islands.

You will determine your wedding hotel by :

• Your overall preferences: (will you want all your guests to stay somewhere luxurious? Would you like the wedding reception to take place there as well?)
• Budget: Luxurious hotels can be expensive, even with group discounts.
• Proximity: to the wedding reception, and the wedding ceremony. No one likes to travel for a great distance after a thrilling, adrenaline-inducing day.
• Guest size: during “hot” season it may be difficult to find a vacancy, especially if you wait to book your rooms.

Let’s move on to wedding catering providers.

TOP GREEK WEDDING CATERING

The best wedding catering in Greece.

DIPNOSOFISTIRION

Featuring Greek celebrity chef “Skarmoutsos”, and a vision of viewing gastronomy as an art, this is Greece’s top voted wedding catering service for 2019. Dipnosofistirion’s great variety of menus and mix of local and foreign ingredients ensures that even the most demanding taste buds will be sated.

• Visually appealing dishes.
• Delightful odors.
• Reliable and trustworthy services

To sum up, these are but a few of the great qualities of Dipnosofistirion. After all, this company demonstrates extreme love and passion for the dishes it creates. Those that want to get married in Greece will select them with confidence. And rightfully so.

Feel free to view their website for more information.

OLON-ODOS KASSANDRAS

A strong presence in the catering service industry since 1995. Olon-Odos Kassandra’s brand has remained relevant throughout the years.

Their long-lasting presence in the market has forged positive relationships with several prominent wedding venues including Estate 47, and Melissourgos estate. However, they do not exclusively work with these venues and will be able to attend any venue you may choose.

To sum up, if you’re looking for a luxurious catering service for your wedding, combined with helpful, polite staff then look no further.

ART CATERING

Art Catering believes that some moments of our lives are unique and should be treated with love and care.

After all, this is their goal for the last 12 years: to make sure that everything will be perfect for these moments. To offer a top-quality service from a talented team and a gastronomic journey. This is achieved by using the exceptional products and the knowledge along with the long-lasting experience of the awarded Executive Chef Miltiadis Kioukas.

Art Catering specializing in Private, Wedding or Corporate events, is sure to exceed your expectations! You can click here to find out more.

INTERCATERING

Based in Glyfada, Athens. InterCatering is a professional provider of high standard catering services. It has withstood the test of time, operating in the catering industry for over 25 years.

• Modern decorative designs
• a keen eye for gastronomy
• and experienced staff members

all make InterCatering a very reliable choice suitable for every wedding type.

Whether you’d like a repertoire of tasteful dishes or unique thought-provoking cocktail proposals, Intercatering ensures that every need is met!

Feel free to click here, for more details regarding this top catering company!

GOLDEN FOOD CONCEPT

With 12 years of experience in the catering service industry, Golden Food Concept has become an important player in the market.

With a focus on unique dishes, Golden Food Concept seeks the appropriate ingredients to create the most modern dishes. Golden Food Concept employs not only very experienced chefs but amongst the most creative ones to produce visually stunning dishes. Your experience of getting married in Greece will surely be a tasty one!

To sum up, by selecting Golden Food Concept you’ll be sure to delight your wedding guests by offering them revolutionary dishes to stimulate their taste buds.

OVERVIEW

The Mediterranean diet has become synonymous with the Greek and Italian cuisine. From olive rich foods to vegetarian choices and in contrast heavy meat lovers, the Greek cuisine is all-accommodating.

And delicious.

You will determine your wedding catering company by:

• Your overall preferences: (are your guests fasting? do have certain DIY dessert choices you’d like to be featured?)
• Budget: Catering companies have different rates, determined by your menu and sensitivity of dish.
• Proximity: to the wedding reception, and the wedding ceremony. If the catering company doesn’t have a branch operating in your chosen wedding location you will incur a sizeable travel cost.
• Guest size: higher guest size is proportional to the amount of money you will pay.

Let’s move on to Greek wedding florists.

TOP GREEK WEDDING FLORISTS

The best Greek wedding florists.

REDBOXDAYS

Redboxdays incorporates a complex philosophy in the simplest manner: providing stylish yet simple flower decorations to mark important occasions.

The passion expressed by Redboxdays stems from the owner Kostas. It’s impossible to not feel the love he has for his job. A simple glance at any of his flowers will reveal how delicately he cares for them.

A personal yet luxurious addition to each wedding, you are sure to be more than pleased by the Redboxdays flower decorations of Kostas.

Feel free to view more of his amazing wedding decorations by checking out his portfolio here!

STUDIO 7

Based in Mykonos, “Studio 7” consists of 5 very talented florists:

• Maria
• Dolly
• Natassa
• Nefeli
• Lenia

These creative ladies are ready to take on any project and suggest the latest fashion trends and imaginative designs.

Studio 7 offers something for everyone. Modern designs. Minimalistic approaches. Classical concepts. Vintage aesthetics.

If you want it, Studio 7’s got it!

PETRIDIS CREATIONS

Amongst the oldest florists in Greece, Petridis Creations has been present in the Greek Market for over 50 years.

The experience accumulated over all these years is hard to quantify. Tens of hundreds of special events. An almost equal amount of weddings of couples who were looking into getting married in Greece.

Petridis Creations has helped accomplish any theme imaginable. From chic luxurious events to more simple, straightforward flower designs.

To sum up, whether your tastes are more traditional or whether they are more contemporary, you will find Petridis Creations has the perfect balance for any wedding!

PAVLOS “THE FLOWER WORKSHOP”

Every florist in the world has a unique style; a little something that differentiates them from the competition. Pavlos and his “Flower Workshop” have several such traits.

Predominately known for the warm, embracing feeling produced by his flower designs Pavlos has attended several different types of events over his 20 years of operations.

Open barren spaces receive inconceivable decorations in the hands of “The Flower Workshop”.

If you have an eye for attention to detail, then “The Flower Workshop” is a perfect fit for you!

FILLOFLOWERSTUDIO

A florist operating over 35 years in the Greek market, Filloflowerstudio is an experienced and creative flower shop.

From the humble beginnings of flower pot construction to the expansion of flower concept creation and delivery, few florists find themselves as experienced as Filloflowerstudio. Such a long operational period means that the florists here find themselves with a brand that hundreds of couples know and trust.

And will continue to trust.

Providing creative flower concepts, by an established florist such as themselves means that any couple will have a guaranteed stylistically beautiful wedding!

You can check out their beautiful designs, by clicking on the link here!

OVERVIEW

Wedding decorations are an imperative part of every wedding, as they are a great delight to the senses. Their sweet smell and visually appealing nature have made them an essential part of wedding ceremonies and receptions. Getting married in Greece is no exception.

You will determine your Greek wedding florist by:

• Your overall preferences: (would you like a colorful wedding full of different flowers? Or perhaps a wedding with a strict color pallet?)
• Budget: Determined by different flower types, different flower decorations and the number of flowers.
• Proximity: to the wedding reception, and wedding ceremony. If the florists don’t have a branch operating in your chosen wedding location you will incur a sizeable travel cost.
• Guest size: higher guest size is proportional to the amount of money you will pay. Often the couples chose a venue that could accommodate more than their guests.

Let’s move on to Greek wedding make-up artists.

TOP GREEK WEDDING MAKE-UP ARTISTS

The best Greek wedding make-up Artists.

KATERINA THEOCHARIS

An avid learner, Katerina is a graduate of the Technological Educational Institute of Athens”, “School of Graphic Arts & Art Studies” Department of “Conservation of Antiquities & Works of Art”.

She’s worked as an instructor for various seminars.

She has also taken part in many photoshoots, and of course, attended many weddings.

FRANTZESKA KOUKOULA

After becoming an experienced graphic designer, Frantzeska soon discovered her love for Makeup and Hair Styling.
Her studies at Freddy’s make-up Stage would eventually supplement her 10-year experience in the wedding industry.

MICHALIS TSOTRAS

With a 15-year presence in the wedding market, Michalis Tsotras is a well-known brand name in Greece. His love for the wedding industry has made him travel around the world to develop his style: from Vidal Sassoon Academy to Tim Hartley.

A solid choice for couples who want to get married in Greece.

CHRISTINE PANAGOPOULOU

With a specialization in bridal makeup and hairstyling, Christina has worked in various magazines, tv productions and advertising companies. Her 26-year experience in the industry has exposed her to various wedding styles and wedding requests.

Words do little justice in describing her beautiful shots.

Feel free to click here to view her majestic gallery!

OVERVIEW

What better service do brides need more than a make-up artist to prepare her and the bridesmaids? Polish your already existing beauty for your special day and externalize the beauty inside you for the world to see.

You will determine your Greek make-up artists by:

• Your overall preferences: (what make-up style would you like? Each makeup artist may specialize in a particular preference)
• Budget: Determined by demand of particular make-up artist.
• Proximity: to the wedding reception, and the wedding ceremony. If the make-up artist doesn’t operate in your chosen wedding location you will incur a sizeable travel cost.
• Guest size: higher guest size is proportional to the amount of money you will pay since extra preparation and time is needed per guest.

Let’s move on to Greek wedding hairstylists.

TOP GREEK WEDDING HAIRSTYLISTS

The best Greek wedding Hairstylists

FRANTZESKA KOUKOULA

(See Top Make-Up Artists)

CHRISTINA PANAGOPOULOU

(See Top Make-Up Artists)

IOANNA KARKANTELOU

A unique hairstylist, Ioanna has specialized in bridal hair over the last few years. Her love for the wedding day has also led to her interest in make-up, and she currently does both.

ATHINA LAMBROU

Similar to the role of a make-up artist, a hairstylist is an on-the-day operator. She will polish your already existing beauty for your special day and externalize the beauty inside you for the world to see. Valuable if you have a particular hairstyle in mind.

OVERVIEW

You will determine your Greek hairstylists by:

• Your overall preferences: (what hairstyle would you like? What hairstyle would fit your dress well? Each makeup artist may specialize in a hairstyle)
• Budget: Determined by demand for a particular hairstylist
• Proximity: to the wedding reception, and the wedding ceremony. If the hairstylist doesn’t operate in your chosen wedding location, you will incur a sizeable travel cost.
• Guest size: higher guest size is proportional to the amount of money you will pay since extra preparation and time is needed per guest.

Let’s move on to Greek wedding bar management.

TOP GREEK WEDDING BAR MANAGEMENT

The best Greek Bar management companies

BAR SOLUTIONS

Create a fine-drinking experience with bar management company such as Bar Solutions. From large bar proposals to individual brand tasting, Bar Solutions offers a solution for everyone. Delight your guests with innovative cocktails served by professional bartenders.

Add the taste that is needed for your special occasion! In conclusion, this is a great choice for couples wanting to get married in Greece.

For more information on this professional bar management company, click here to visit their website!

YOUR BARTENDER

An all-inclusive bar management choice, Your Bartender offers couples:

• a highly experienced team of Barmen & Bar women
• waiters
• supplementary staff

To sum up, it’s an excellent bar management choice that offers innovative bar choices for any taste.

TIPSY BARONESS

A bar management choice popular in those familiar with the Greek wedding industry.

Unique, innovative and reliable.

Tipsy Baroness choice of cocktails and bar proposals will leave any guest satisfied.

BULLY BAR CONCEPT

A very unique entry in this list. Bully Bar Concept’s identity is very distinguishing: mobile bar catering. They use only mixologists and bartenders of great expertise which are further highlighted by the use of their customized van.

A definite choice for couples looking for a unique addition to their wedding.

Feel free to click here to view more information on this special bar management company.

SAY CHEERS!

What characterizes this Greek bar management company the most, is the combination of love, passion, and warmth they display. Their team of mixologists and bartenders always posses an extremely important quality: the power of a smile.

They love being part of special occasions and assisting couples in forging unforgettable memories!

You can find more information about this amazing team of bartenders and mixologists by clicking here.

OVERVIEW

From opening drinks, to more specialized cocktails, bar management companies make sure you have a delightful evening. Greek bar management companies have the bonus of including Greek spirits in their selected variety (Ouzo, tsipouro).

In conclusion, these suggestions are a sure way to delight the senses of your guests when you will get married in Greece.

You will determine your Greek wedding bar management company by:

• Your overall preferences: (are you and your guests occasional drinkers? Would you like only cocktails?)
• Budget: Determined by the number of drinks, variety of drinks, and quality.
• Proximity: to the wedding reception, and the wedding ceremony. If the bar management company doesn’t operate in your chosen wedding location, you will incur a sizeable travel cost.
• Guest size: higher guest size is proportional to the amount of money you will pay since a greater guest size requires a greater alcohol amount.

Let’s move on to Greek wedding photographers.

TOP GREEK WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHERS

The best Greek Wedding Photographers.

SOTIRIS TSAKANIKAS

Based in Southern Greece, Sotiris Tsakanikas is a fine art film & digital wedding photography expert. His presence in the Greek wedding industry is well-known and rightfully so.

In conclusion, his experience in attending destination weddings from couples around the world has allowed his camera lens to capture their special moments in the most unique ways possible.

His website features breathtaking photos, so feel free to click here to view more photos of his impressive wedding gallery.

GEORGE PAHOUNTIS

A graduate of Willam Paterson University. George Pahountis has been a professional photographer since 1999. His practice in foreign soil has seen him assist several fashion photographers from New York. He has also worked with several magazines and advertising agencies.

To sum up, the experience he has gathered has allowed him to perfectly accommodate the needs of couples looking to get married in Greece.

You can see here, his excellent collection of wedding photographs.

ANNA ROUSSOS

A love of “all that is creative and unique” is a statement that strongly conveys Anna Roussos photography style. Her experience across a variety of editorial and fine art wedding ceremonies has revealed one consistent trait throughout the years: the expression of vibrant emotions through her camera lens.

To sum up, whatever the complexity of the destination wedding request, her photographs will surely capture the warmth of the couple’s special moments.

You can click here to view her beautiful crafted wedding gallery!

LES ANAGNOU

A lovely husband and wife combination, Les Anagnou’s practice finds them constantly travelling in and out of the borders of Greece. Appreciating the sacred nature and speciality of the wedding day through their own marriage, they constantly seek to replicate this unique feeling in engaged couples.

Their features in magazines such as Vogue Italy and Martha Stewart are a testament to the reach their European wedding coverage has.

Feel free to check out their amazing gallery by clicking the link here!

VASILIS KOUROUPIS

Vasilis Kouroupis has a unique photography style. He creates beautiful bonds with the wedding couples, despite knowing them for a limited time.

One has but to skim through his carefully crafted galleries to witness the warmness of his work.

You can view his magnificent work by clicking the link here.

OVERVIEW

To sum up your memories of a wonderful wedding, the lenses of a camera will immortalize every detail. You’ll be free to relive great moments of your special day through the photographs of a professional photographer. A very important service essential for each wedding, and rightfully so.

You will determine your Greek professional photographer by:

• Your overall preferences: (what would you like the photographer to focus on? Would you like a particular photography style?)
• Budget: Determined by demand of particular photographer, number of photos and other factors
• Proximity: to the wedding reception, and the wedding ceremony. If the photographer doesn’t operate in your chosen wedding location, you will incur a sizeable travel cost.
• Ceremony and reception size: Greater sizes of both venues will require more photos for the photographer to capture every detail.

Let’s move on to Greek wedding cinematographers.

TOP GREEK WEDDING CINEMATOGRAPHERS

The best Greek wedding Cinematographers.

VASILIS KANTARAKIS

Vasilis Kantarakis and his love for wedding storytelling led him to create a Greek wedding cinematography company: Vk films.

His films perfectly encompass the moments leading up to your beautiful special day and serve as a timeless reminder of your union day.

His unique work speaks for itself, so feel free to click here to view his amazing wedding films!

VASILIS SIOUTOS

Wedcinematics is the wedding filming company behind Vassilis Sioutos.

Vassilis has attended events inside and outside of Greece. A strong believer in creating unforgettable memories through moving pictures, Wedcinematics has been a part of several beautiful weddings.

His site, which you can view by clicking here, contains several stunning films!

KOSTAS KASTANAKIS

A notable destination wedding videographer, Kostas Kastanakis has been travelling around the globe since 2013. His journeys led him to capture awe-inspiring moments from Dubai, to Tuscany. His films have permanently saved the memories of the union of couples of different cultures at different destinations.

A timeless reminder of their wedding day.

AK3FOTOGRAFIA

AK3fotografia is not a single professional, but a team of talented professional photographers and videographers.

Whether you’d like static well-detailed images of your wedding day or a film that will remind you of the flow of your wedding ceremony in the years to come, AK3fotografia is there for you.

OVERVIEW

The videographer immortalizes your wedding through motion pictures. To supplement your memories of a wonderful wedding, the lenses of a camera will immortalize every detail. Hear the laughter of your guests as if you were hearing them for the first time and enjoy every wedding luxury. A very important service essential for each wedding, and rightfully so.

Your Greek professional cinematographer will be determined by:

• Your overall preferences:(what would you like the cinematographer to focus on? Would you like a specific cinematography style?)
• Budget: Determined by demand of particular cinematographer. Number of videos and video size amongst other factors
• Proximity: to the wedding reception, and the wedding ceremony. If the cinematographer doesn’t operate in your chosen wedding location, you will incur a sizeable travel cost.
• Ceremony and reception size: Sizes of both venues will require more time length for the cinematographer to capture every detail.

“The Great Influencers” are vital factors in need of careful consideration. These factors are the foundation for your wedding. Almost all the details you will consider will be influenced by these factors.

White Stories tip: Don’t fret with the volume of information! It takes time to digest every piece of information. Feel free to take a break and revise as many times as you’d like. Remember, Rome wasn’t built in one day!

Read and re-read this section as many times as necessary. Once you have gotten a basic understanding of each influence it’s time to move to the planning timeline.

GET MARRIED IN GREECE: PLANNING TIMELINE

This is your wedding “bread & butter”.

What you need to do and when you need to do it. All your wedding activities and the priority of each task will be accounted for here.

For the sake of simplicity, a planning timeline contains four main sections:

• Pre-planning stage
• Planning stage phases
• Execution stage
• Post-planning stage

This wedding outline will exist in various forms; however, the main sections will always be the same. The amount of planning stage phases will depend on how the planner (and you!) want to organize your wedding in Greece.

White Stories tip: If you’re an experienced computer user you can use a spreadsheet program such as Excel to keep track of your timeline.

To sum up, even though this planning timeline will focus on a Greek destination wedding, feel free to customize it for your own wedding!

GET MARRIED IN GREECE: PRE-PLANNING STAGE

–Time till wedding: 12-24 months

Important considerations (The 6 +1 musts!):

• Setting a budget
• Wedding Size
• Guest Size
• Indicative Wedding Date
• Wedding Type
• Wedding Theme

+1 Booking a Wedding Planner

These are the considerations that you must make before you begin planning anything!

Spending some time researching each aspect is important so you can get a basic understanding of the aspect. One way to do this is to formulate each aspect into one or more questions and provide some general answers.

SETTING A BUDGET

(Priority: High)

We recommend doing some preliminary research to get an indicative estimate of your budget. Start by asking a few questions:

Potential questions (costs):

How much does it cost to host your wedding in your country?

How much does a wedding in Greece cost?

What is the price of a lavish wedding cost?

Between considering:

• wedding and reception venues
• choosing the appropriate Greek location
• photographers
• cinematographers
• guest size
• and others

a Greek destination wedding may cost between 2000-30000 US dollars.

This fluctuates depending on the number of services you would like and the quality of such services.

White Stories tip: A good rule of thumb is to avoid being too general and too specific this early on. For example, if you are considering a Greek destination wedding, you would focus on Greece as a country, but you not at a specific location yet.

Remember “The Great Influencers? Try getting a few estimates for each “Great Influencer” and add their sums together to get a rough estimation of your wedding budget, and the approximate cost of each “Great Influencer”.

WEDDING SIZE

(Priority: High)

This has to do entirely with your preferences.

Would you like a grand wedding ceremony, a grand wedding reception, and a huge party or would you rather have a more private celebration?

You’re probably already lean a direction regarding wedding size, however, this is also directly influenced by your budget. You may want a grand celebration; however, the cost may be too great for a Greek destination wedding. Try weighing these options.

A few points to consider:

• As mentioned before small weddings are less expensive than big weddings
• It May be hard to narrow down the guestlist for a small wedding
• If you pay for accommodation costs, covering a larger wedding can become very expensive.

If you still find yourself undecided, we layout even more considerations here.

GUEST SIZE

(Priority: High)

The guest size number is directly influenced by both the budget and wedding size. Planners require an indicative number to calculate costs (catering, alcohol, accommodation etc) as well as book venues.

Keep in mind that certain venues have a minimum guest number quota that couples need to fill.

INDICATIVE WEDDING DATE

(Priority: Medium)

We place great emphasis on the “indicative” part of the sentence. Although it is very difficult to zero in on an exact date as of yet, it is an important consideration for three reasons:

1. Firstly, Friday-Saturday-Sunday is the most expensive dates of the week.
2. Secondly, the summer months are a high demand season for Greek weddings in Greece.
3. Finally, there are certain days in Greece were the Orthodox religions prohibit weddings.

We’ll mention greater detail on specific dates further down below.

WEDDING TYPE

(Priority: Medium)

This is usually determined by your budget and guest size. Certain churches have a minimum guest size required and certain days where religious Orthodox ceremonies cannot occur.

Greece allows for civil and religious weddings to take place.

However, same-sex civil weddings in Greece are not legally recognized.

White Stories tip: To help keep track of important dates to remember, consider purchasing a calendar or using a calendar app. You can then mark “no-go” religious days, more expensive weekends so that you can easily consider days!

Greece as a mainly Orthodox country offers fabulous churches for religious Christian weddings. However, this does not mean that symbolic beach weddings and other wedding types are not possible.

Here are a few popular wedding type choices:

• Greek orthodox wedding
• Beach wedding
• Lake wedding
• Symbolic wedding
• Civic wedding
• Indian wedding
• Jewish wedding

Feel free to check out different wedding types in greater detail, by viewing our wedding portfolio here!

WEDDING THEME

(Priority: Low)

The wedding theme is an important consideration to have in mind throughout the entire wedding process.

It will allow you to have a venue layout in mind and consider the entire wedding flow process. What you would like your guests to see upon entering the wedding reception? What decorations come to mind at your wedding table?

Even though the theme is an important consideration to have in mind, it is not currently a priority. 12-24 months before an indicative wedding day is the right time to think about a theme, without going into too many details.

BOOKING A WEDDING PLANNER

(Priority: High)

Researching can only give you a basic understanding of what you want to find. Expertise and knowledge are impossible to replicate with a Google search.

As you will gradually begin narrowing down the specifics of what you want, the information can become overwhelming.

It’s a smart idea to talk with a wedding planner.

You can bounce off ideas of what you are considering, get a more grounded quote for your wedding budget, and have a person in charge of communicating with every vendor.

After all, it’s a Greek destination wedding. A Greek wedding planner will be able to guide you in getting married abroad, relieving you of tons of stress.

It’s a good idea to ask around. Look at the previous events they have organized. Have a more personalized chat with them. Finding a wedding planner you feel comfortable with is crucial because you will spend countless hours talking to them.

To sum up, the earlier you make your choice of hiring a wedding planner the better for both. Greek planners will have adequate time to address every single one of your needs. They will smooth the entire process saving you avoidable costs.

LEGAL FRAMEWORK AND PAPERWORK

What do you need to get married in Greece?

This section of the pre-planning stage will cover all the legal framework for getting married in Greece. We will answer how easy it is to get married in Greece, documents needed for a notice of marriage, and more.

• Legal Requirements
• Necessary paperwork
• Fees & Costs
• The Process

Let’s begin.

1. LEGAL REQUIREMENTS

Is it easy to get married in Greece?

Do you need to be a citizen of Greece to get married in Greece?

No, it is not required to be a Greek resident to get married there. If however, one of the two is a Greek citizen, then that person must have a valid residence permit.

Note that certain islands or villages may have slightly different legal requirements. Once you decide on a location make sure to double-check with your wedding planner or research the location yourself.

White Stories tip: Keep your important details in check before you begin the actual planning. A wedding organizer goes a long way in remembering details you’ve discussed or want to discuss with your wedding planner.

What is the minimum legal age to getting married in Greece?

The minimum legal age is 18.

Exceptions to this rule can only occur through a court decision after both parties receive parental permission.

2. NECESSARY PAPERWORK

What documents do I need for a notice of marriage?

1. A notarized affidavit of marriage, in Greek and English
2. A passport
3. Your birth certificate with an Apostille stamp certifying the copy
4. The official Apostille translated into Greek.
5. A copy of the newspaper where your marriage declaration was published

Note that translations can happen with a certified lawyer, the Greek Consulate of your country or by sending the official documents to your wedding planner to have them do it locally. For example, US couples can try visiting the Greek embassy USA, for more information on the translation process.

3. ESTIMATION OF FEES & COSTS

What costs am I expected to pay for getting married in Greece?

• Cost of various documents: around 300-400 euros
• Cost of translating documents: 80-120 euros
• Affidavit of marriage: 10 euros

Your paperwork costs and fees for a wedding in Greece will range from approximately 350-550 euros.

4. THE PROCESS

Is there a waiting period between the marriage application and the wedding day?

Yes, depending on the exact location within Greece. An average waiting period for a marriage application in Greece can be between some weeks to a few months. Note that civil marriage has a much shorter application waiting period of around seven days.

Generally speaking, for getting married in Greece, the following process takes place. The interested parties (bride and groom) state their intent to marry either at the town hall or local newspaper. This process needs to take place around 10 working days in advance.

Afterwards, all gathered documentation mentioned above needs to be taken to the town hall. Ten working days later the authorities will issue the marriage license. This will remain valid for six months.

ONE STEP CLOSER

Once the authorities issue a marriage license, you have to submit a joint application to the mayor confirming your wedding ceremony date and stating the location of your marriage.

If you have a civil ceremony, you will probably need a translator since civil ceremonies are made in the Greek language. Two witnesses must also be present at your marriage, and they must have to identify documents with them.

To sum up, once you get married in Greece, you need to file a registration form with the Office of Vital Statistics in the local community you got married in. This is because the Greek government considers marriages valid only after registering.

If you do not do so within forty days of getting married, you will face a fine.

GET MARRIED IN GREECE: PLANNING STAGE: PHASE A

Time till wedding: 6-12 months

While the previous sections dealt with giving you important considerations for getting married in Greece, this is where the actual planning takes place. Now that you have a solid understanding of “The Great Influencers”, budget estimation, guest size estimation, and other factors its time to focus our efforts.

ZERO IN ON VENDORS

(Priority: High)

You’ve spent time researching vendor choices. You have a rough idea of how much each vendor will cost you, and you have a budget analysis to work with.

It’s time to start booking.

Great vendors in high demand will quickly dry out. Postponing this process may mean that your dream wedding may lose out on a crucial component. This is the ideal timeframe to start booking. If you’re still having doubts, consult with your Greek wedding planner.

FINALIZE GUESTLIST

(Priority: High)

You’ve almost decided on a wedding location, the venue, and the vendors that will serve you on your special day. This means you now have a more representative idea of the number of guests you’re going to invite.

Take some time to finalize the guest list. Chances are that a portion of invited guests won’t be able to see you getting married in Greece. A destination wedding is, after all, a great time commitment.

That’s ok though.

To sum up, at this point, you care about having an approximate number to send your save the dates and at a later stage have your guests RSVP when the time comes for your wedding in Greece.

BRAINSTORM WEDDING THEME

(Priority: High)

This is the perfect time to brainstorm your wedding theme and associated details.

After spending some hours google searching and reading different blog posts for ideas, chances are that you probably already have a rough idea of the theme or themes you are interested in.

It is important to consult with your wedding planner regarding feasibility. What you want to do for your Greek destination wedding may be different to what can actually happen.

For example, you might want to get married in Mykonos (a popular Greek island) and have a traditional wedding ceremony at a church filled with flowers. However, the Church may not allow this since there are usually many weddings in one day and there may be no time for the planners to decorate the church in detail.

In such cases, the Greek wedding planner may suggest alternative islands for getting married in Greece.

All in all, Communication is essential as it will allow your event planner to have your overall wedding theme in mind when communicating with vendors and researching for appropriate venues.

PICK YOUR WEDDING PARTY

(Priority: Medium)

Finalizing your wedding party depends on your wedding size, guest size, and other factors. For instance, it would not make much sense to have a wedding party of ten individuals, at a wedding with forty total guests.

You will probably build your wedding party from people who are close to you. This could be your close family members or best friends.

It’s important to notify your party candidates in advance because these are the individuals who will help you out every step of the way. As such, they will have an obligation to seeing you getting married in Greece that they should know as early as possible.

ENGAGEMENT PHOTOS (OPTIONAL)

(Priority: Medium)

Over the last few years, engagement photos have become an increasingly attractive way for couples to share their great news.

Engagement photos allow couples to give a glimpse of their unique style to their potential guests. A style that will be a lot more prevalent through every wedding detail meticulously planned well in advance.

Engagement photos are a great addition to save the dates. They give a more personal, intimate feeling to the wedding invitation. They are also an excellent inclusion for a couple’s customized wedding website, where guests can see a gallery of these photos with a single button click.

All in all, a great way to show your guest how you are planning to get married in Greece.

SEND SAVE THE DATES

(Priority: medium)

As mentioned above, a destination wedding is a huge time commitment. Chances are that your guests will come from many different countries to a country they have probably never been to.

Proper etiquette dictates that for large events, you have to inform your guests well in advance.

Your guests need to have time to modify their schedules.

They must also prepare for travelling and attending your Greek destination wedding.

When you choose your wedding date also keep in mind the other responsibilities your guests may have to attend. For example, planning to implement your wedding during Christmas when most of your guests may want to spend with their family is ill-advised.

CREATE A SOCIAL MEDIA PRESENCE (OPTIONAL)

(Priority: low)

What better way to get your guests pumped up than creating a social media presence they can interact with?

Create your own custom website with important wedding updates and news, create your own wedding quizzes, and offer the ability for your guests to RSVP with the click of a button.

White Stories tip: Creating your own website is one of the most fun yet overlooked ways to interact with your guests. Making one helps you have your own little beautiful, digital space where you can look at all the wonderful memories you made long after your wedding is over.

Additionally, you can also a Facebook group with your guest members to interact and share important information about getting married in Greece.

All in all, the point of a social media presence is to create a sense of unity within your group, that exceeds just your wedding day.

CREATE A REGISTRY

(Priority: low)

One of the most common questions asked after a couple has been engaged is where the couple has registered. The sooner you open a wedding registry, the more flexibility your guests will have in purchasing you a gift.

Even more important than the wedding registry is communicating it to your guests.

While including it in your save the dates gives your guest a permanent information point to go back to, posting it on your custom website or Facebook group further simplifies the process.

GET MARRIED IN GREECE: PLANNING STAGE-PHASE B

Time till wedding: 3-6 months

WEDDING FAVOURS:(OPTIONAL)

(Priority: Low)

Party favours commonly known as wedding favours are small gift bags chosen by the bride and groom for their guests. Traditionally they were tiny bags with chocolate-covered almonds. Nowadays, couples tend to get a lot more creative with the gifts they choose.

These are not a necessity; however, they have become very popular in recent years. This is because they allow an extra degree of personalization for weddings.

You can find out more about wedding favours here.

ATTIRE RESEARCH

Getting married in Greece is no small deal since it is a unique wedding destination. As such, a special destination wedding deserves special attire.

Researching for the appropriate wedding dress and groom suit takes time and effort. This is especially true if you’re planning on suggesting wedding attire for your wedding party.

Keep in mind that you must research the attire.

You must try it on.

And you must have the time to customize it so that it may be ready for your wedding date.

RESEARCH & BOOK WEDDING BANDS (OPTIONAL)

(Priority: medium)

This is the appropriate time scale to book your wedding band. You’ve already established your overall wedding theme, booked a venue and looked at floral decorations and attires.

Furthermore, this is the time to research and “lock on” your wedding band choices. Having a wedding theme means that you have an overall idea of the type of music you would like to be playing while getting married in Greece.

And your after parties.

To sum up, if you wait to book your wedding band within 90 days of your wedding runs the risk of them being unavailable. This is especially true during the summer months where the majority of Greek weddings happen.

If your particular wedding band travels, you should give them ample scheduling time to do so.

FORMAL INVITATIONS

(Priority: high)

Wedding invitations are typically sent a few weeks before the wedding, however, this is not always the case with destination weddings.

Greek destination weddings and destination weddings, in general, will see their guests travel quite some distance to see the couple getting married.

As such, you should invite them formally a few months in advance with the option of RSVP’ing 1 month before the official date.

GET MARRIED IN GREECE: PLANNING STAGE-PHASE C

Time till wedding: 1-3 months

PRE-WEDDING GROUP ACTIVITIES (OPTIONAL)

(Priority: Low)

People think of these as extra wedding “add-ons”. There are many activities that you could organize before or after your wedding, these include bridal showers, bachelor parties, or any other creative activity you might think of.

These activities usually include the members of your wedding party; however, this is not always the case.

The number of activities you will organize depend on how well you have planned all the other details before getting married in Greece. Planning too many activities risks “burning” out your wedding party and asking for an even greater time commitment from them.

White Stories tip: Keep in mind that for a destination wedding, it may prove very difficult to organize pre-wedding events a few weeks before. If your budget allows it, try organizing a pre-wedding activity one day before your wedding.

All in all, we suggest one-two activities a few weeks before the wedding day. After all, the primary purpose of your destination wedding is to get married in Greece.

CREATE A THOROUGH FLOOR PLAN

(Priority: medium)

This is the point in time where you have already booked your venues and wedding professionals.

You have consulted with your wedding planner and your wedding professionals on your overall theme and specific decorations.

The wedding invitations have been sent, and consequently, your guests have RSVP’d to see you getting married in Greece.

As such, you now have relevant information to form your floor plan and seating chart. You’ll need to answer:

• who will sit where?
• where will you place each table?
• how will you decorate each table?
• how many tables you can fit?

Even though you don’t need to finalize it yet, its good practice to come as close as possible to your ideal final floor plan. This is because your vendors will be more prepared in facing last-minute changes should they occur.

APPLY FOR A MARRIAGE LICENSE

(Priority: high)

The license is valid for six months, and the waiting period can last for a few weeks.

As such this is the appropriate time to obtain your marriage license and get the necessary bureaucracy out of the way.

This way, even with a delay, you will have adequate time left until your wedding day to deal with any complications.

GET MARRIED IN GREECE: PLANNING STAGE-PHASE D

Time till wedding- less than 1 month

REHEARSAL DINNER (OPTIONAL)

(Priority: medium)

Typically, rehearsal dinners don’t occur in Greek destination weddings because the bride and groom arrive in Greece some days before their wedding.

Extending the day for pre and post-wedding activities inflates the budget and the time commitment of your guests.

Additionally, you need to find time to sit down and eat with your guests and drink the beverages.

Ultimately, you’ve made your choice for a rehearsal dinner a few months prior, while booking the venue. This is because the venue will probably not have a vacancy on the previous day of your wedding to run a rehearsal.

Most importantly, to save a time slot you will probably need to pay a sum of money to rehearse for your wedding in Greece, even for a few hours.

GREEK WEDDING TRADITIONS (OPTIONAL)

(Priority: medium)

The closer you approach your wedding date, the more mindful you need to be of wedding etiquette. This is especially true for a destination wedding in Greece.

If you finally choose to host your wedding in Greece, you would definitely have a good opportunity to soak in the Greek tradition. You don’t have to be religious!

You could, for instance, follow the “Stefana crowns” traditions. This is where a white crown is placed on top of the head of the bride and groom. Furthermore, the best man will then switch the crowns between the bride and groom three times to symbolize the couple’s union.

Just make sure you adequately prepare should you choose to follow a few traditions. 

All in all, read more about Greek wedding traditions here.

FINAL DETAILS

(Priority: high)

This is the right time to implement last-minute changes (if any).

Your wedding professionals should have the correct instructions for your wedding. For example, florists have correct instructions on the types of flowers you want as well as their amount.

Your venue should have the appropriate seating and floor plan.

To sum up, consult with your wedding planner to make sure all professionals have been properly updated.

GET MARRIED IN GREECE: EXECUTION STAGE

Time till wedding- less than 24 hours

It’s the final countdown!

GETTING MARRIED IN GREECE

(priority: beyond high)

Months and months of planning have led to this final moment: Getting married in Greece.

You’ve planned your wedding in Greece for hundreds of hours so that this day may pass smoothly. The time for stress and anxiety (if any) ends now, all you got to do is walk down that aisle.

And enjoy the process.

It’s your union that’s being celebrated after all.

Getting married in Greece will be one of the most unforgettable experiences in your lifetime!

Getting married in Greece at a church while rice is thrown.

Finally, the day has come, enjoy it !!!

POST WEDDING STAGE

POST WEDDING ACTIVITIES

(Priority: low)

Your special day is over, but your wedding activities don’t have to be-yet!.

First of all, you can celebrate your first activities officially together with your favorite people. Since you are planning to host your wedding in Greece, why not enjoy this lovely land even more?

All in all, go on museum trips, learn to surf, drink wine, and taste delicious olives- the sky’s the limit!

REGISTER YOUR WEDDING

(Priority: high)

In order for your wedding to be legally recognized, you must register it in the Office of Official Statistics. As a result, you need to do this within 40 days of getting married in Greece, or risk facing a fine.

All in all, what’s one more bureaucratic task before your honeymoon?

HONEYMOON

(Priority: high)

Your first trip together as a couple. Why not extend your destination wedding to include a honeymoon in Greece since you are planning to host your wedding in Greece?

Stay in the same location as your wedding or choose a different one to experience Greece as a couple! You can swim inside the warm sea, walk on the beautiful sandy beaches, or even hike through forest regions.

Get to taste amazing Greek food, and drink delicious spirits!

To sum up, most Greek wedding planners can help you organize this activity, as long as you inform them beforehand!

GETTING MARRIED IN GREECE: CONCLUSION

Congratulations, you’ve successfully made it through our “ultimate” guide for getting married in Greece in 2024.

This guide included a pre-marriage section, a wedding timeline, considerations for picking a wedding planner, and a wedding checklist. Even though we went into more specifics for a Greek destination wedding, you can use all the tips gathered for any wedding you prepare.

After you finish this guide, you should have a solid understanding of the overall wedding planning process.

Don’t feel intimidated by the amount of information. We made a conscious decision of including a lot of text because it was necessary. It’s better to be aware of several wedding planning procedures one-by-one rather than facing them all at the same time during your wedding in Greece.

SHARE OUR PASSION

For those of you that instantly fell in love with our guide, feel free to bookmark the page!

Did you enjoy the guide? Did you think it was helpful? Share it on social media! Moreover, we’d love to reach users who find that the wedding planning process troubles them and help them out. You will help out those that struggle with this complicated process!

All in all, weddings abroad, such as weddings in Europe, weddings in Cyprus, or even getting married in Spain have their own challenges. Furthermore, this guide’s focus is on getting married in Greece, a “married in greek” style, however, feel free to use any information for a destination wedding anywhere!

Would you like to marry in Greece? Would you like our team of experts to assist you? Feel free to click here to contact us directly. We’d love to hear your unique ideas and help with your dream wedding. After all, who could resist making Aphrodite jealous?