How to get married in Greece - Grecian Ceremonies | Sarah Hatjipavlis, a celebrant in Greece

There are so many venue options when planning a destination wedding in Greece, most couples are looking for fabulous views, typical traditional white-washed buildings, summer heat and the relaxed lifestyle that only Greece and its people can offer the approximately 30 million visitors this country enjoys a year.

If Greece is a long-haul destination for you, then you should consider the mainland; Athens airport is a modern hub, with excellent local transportation. This airport is a 30 to 40 minute drive from the Athens city centre and a similar distance from the area known as the Athenian Riviera which stretches from the area of Faliro along the coast to Cape Sounion and the Temple of Poseidon. This majestic monument, dating back to the Athens Golden Age, is dedicated to the Ancient Greek God Poseidon, God of the sea and earthquakes. The sunset views are out of this world and visitors flock to the Temple on a daily basis, to experience Greece at its best, to step back in time and marvel at the myths and history that come alive when visiting this magical site.

Getting married on the Athenian Riviera.

The Athenian Riviera is made up of idyllic beaches, luxurious hotels, elegant bars and restaurants and modern marinas; it is an eclectic mix of Greek traditions meeting the 21^st century and literally has something for everyone. The area takes in the Flisvos Marina, Glyfada, Voula, Vouliagment, Lagonissi, Varkiza, Anavyssos and Sounion and there are all sorts of wedding venues to choose from. Your family and friends will be able to have the perfect combination of beach and culture and will have the time to take in the historical city of Athens, the capital of Greece. With over 3400 years of recorded history, Athens is home to the most famous site of all, the Parthenon, one of the most recognised buildings in the world. The Parthenon was the largest and most lavish temple constructed during 5^th Century BC that the Greek mainland had ever seen. Combined with a visit to the one of a kind, modern day, Acropolis Museum, a day trip to the city centre is a definite must for your guests.

credits: George Pagonakis

A Greek Island Wedding

There are literally hundreds of Islands to choose from when planning a Greek Island wedding. Some Islands are more famous than others, but don’t let fame be the only reason for your choice. Traditional Islands with less development, are a wonderful option for any couple who has chosen Greece for more than just the weather. Unspoilt beaches, small quaint harbourside cafes, family run tavernas, are just a few ideas for your venue on a less touristy Island. On the other hand, if you are set on a more popular choice such as Santorini, Mykonos, Crete or Rhodes, then take a closer look at the reasons for your choice. These areas will have more flights available, more accommodation options, and the best way to get started when planning your destination wedding in Greece, is the budget!

The budget

It is a well-known fact that most couples do go over budget when planning a destination wedding. Be sensible, by choosing the right Island for you and your family and friends, you can cut literally hundreds if not thousands of euro off the price. If there are direct flights from your local airport, if the worldwide travel agents offer this Island as a destination, then you are on to a winner, price wise. You may have family and friends who will only travel all inclusive, and on the other hand you may have relatives who always do their own thing and will only book their accommodation direct. You need to consider all the options for them. Ultimately, of course, it is your choice as to where you will hold your wedding, but when you are travelling such a distance with a loyal group of supporters, it is very important to take their wishes in to account.

Wedding planner or not?

It is a false economy to try to plan your wedding by yourself in a foreign country. If you are planning on a legal marriage in Greece, then you really do need an experienced wedding planner, to ensure that all the paperwork required for a civil wedding is submitted in good time to the authorities, that the registrar is duly booked for your special day, and that you will return home with a wedding certificate ready to be translated back in to your own language. Wedding planner rates vary vastly throughout Greece, but so of course do the weddings. For some couples it’s all about the views, the party and the video, for others it’s all about the ceremony. Whichever you are focusing on, it is your special day, and it is so important that it goes to plan. If you are worrying and stressing about how your wedding day will play out, then how will you have time to enjoy it? A wedding planner will be worth their weight in gold, so definitely find one who suits you.

Legal or symbolic Ceremony?

As a professional celebrant who spends her time writing and officiating symbolic wedding ceremonies in Greece, the answer to this question is going to be somewhat biased! Yes, most couples can gather together all the paperwork required for a civil wedding ceremony in Greece, for some nationalities it is easier than for others. A civil ceremony in Greece, will be a simple ceremony, just like a civil ceremony in your own country. The authorities have a script which will be read out in Greek and translated loosely by your wedding planner, or someone appointed by them. Once you have exchanged rings and vows, you will sign on the day, but you will need to appear in person a couple of days later, at the local registry office to register your marriage before the officials will issue a marriage certificate.

To be honest, I cannot understand why so many couples choose this route. I think mostly because they are unaware of other options. If you can get over yourself and the mindset that everything must happen on one day, then this would free you up to having an unrestricted symbolic wedding ceremony in Greece. Look at it like this; marriage is the legal part and the wedding is the ceremony to celebrate it, so why not pop to your local registry office before travelling to Greece, just with a couple of witnesses, sign the paperwork for the simple administrative fee required and then go ahead with planning your wedding ceremony in Greece, with no time constraints, no set scripts, with family participation, on the beach, at your holiday villa, or even at your favourite taverna. Nobody needs to know, it is your wedding ceremony, there is nothing symbolic in that!

You can include elements from your faith or traditions from your culture, you can even ‘tie the knot’ with a symbolic handfasting. Celebrant led destination weddings are trending in Greece, you can become a part of this trend. For couples from the LGBTQ community, don’t let the missing legislation in Greece prevent you from planning your destination wedding in Greece. With a celebrant led ceremony you will be choosing the best of the best. Now is the time to find your celebrant, the person who is the perfect fit for your wedding day, you haven’t travelled all the way to Greece to choose 2^nd best. Your ceremony, your way in Greece, what could be more special than that?