Are destination weddings in Greece going ahead this summer?

As a country, over all Greece has done well in controlling the pandemic. Not only because the country relies on tourism for so much of its income but also because the Greek hospital system is not geared up for thousands and thousands of sick people. As we speak the numbers of cases of Covid-19 in the country are minimal in comparison to many other countries in Europe.

Now I wish I had the answer to the question, are destination weddings going ahead this summer, but here is the latest update on the situation in Greece.

Lindos views, photo credit Savvas Argirou

Greece is getting ready for the tourist season.

Greece is already preparing for the tourist summer season. Shops and businesses are in the process of fixing and renovating. Hotels are being painted and upgraded. Here in Greece, we are all going ahead as planned. A great point to note is that we were open for business last summer when life was even more uncertain so why not this summer with all the scientific progress that has been made during the past year?

Photo credit Nikos Kokkinakis Akzot Photography-Grand Resort Lagonissi

The latest lockdown in Greece.

Greece has been on lockdown since early November. There is a text message system in place for all citizens, which must be used in order to move around away from home. Supermarkets, exercise, limited shopping have been the way to go for months on end. In fact, with all the local cafes and restaurants closed the Greeks have exercised so much during this lockdown that we may become the fittest race on the planet!

Kato Petres, Rhodes at sunset

Back to normality.

The plan is that Greece will be open for business in good time for the summer season. As a country with fabulous weather and open-air venues and restaurants, Greece really is the perfect choice for a destination wedding in Europe during such uncertain times.

Rescheduled weddings in Greece.

There are literally thousands and thousands of couples who are ready and waiting to get married in Greece this year. So many weddings were postponed from 2020 and then there are the weddings that were originally booked for 2021.

TOP TIP Many of the very popular venues in Greece are already fully booked for high season dates next year.

So much stress, so much anxiety, so many tears, this uncertainty has been really hard for so many people; couples and wedding suppliers alike.

Photo credit Nektarios Maniatis

If you are planning a wedding in Greece this summer here are my 5 top tips to help your sanity!

Do NOT read and watch every news bulletin. Every day things are changing. It is only February and it is really, far too early to start giving up on your plans of a wedding in Greece this summer. Do not postpone your wedding yet unless you really feel you must.
Keep in touch with your local wedding planner. They will have the best information about the situation in Greece and will be the only point of contact to rely on.
If you have a wedding planned for May 2021 and just can’t get over your feelings of anxiety, put a back-up date in to place if you can.
Do NOT stress if some family members or friends are simply unable to make the decision to travel. For those who are not able to join you at your wedding in Greece, live stream your ceremony and then have a party back home to celebrate.
AND final tip- Never give up on your dreams. You will have your special day in Greece, you just need to be patient a little while longer. I know it is easy to say and so much harder to do, but it will be those couples who can remain calm and optimistic who will get their dream wedding in Greece this year.

Photo credit Savvas Argirou

Sarah Hatjipavlis is a wedding celebrant who lives on the Island of Rhodes in Greece. She writes and officiates symbolic wedding ceremonies anywhere in Greece.

With a ‘symbolic’ celebrant led wedding ceremony in Greece, there is no legal marriage documentation done on the day, so no stressful paperwork during uncertain times. Your ceremony will be written just for you, so it will be filled with love, fun, romance and heaps of emotion.

Will the ceremony feel symbolic?

Will it be the real thing?

The ceremony will not feel symbolic it is the real thing, it is your wedding! Most couples will sign the official documents at their local registry office without any celebration and this will free them up for a celebrant led unique wedding ceremony in Greece.

If you would like to learn more about celebrant led wedding ceremonies in Greece take a look at my website www.grecianceremonies.gr and contact me by email info@grecianceremonies.gr

Sarah Hatjipavlis-Grecian Ceremonies-Celebrant in Greece

Creating lifelong memories.