As October comes to its end, I have just one more wedding ceremony left. I can hardly believe how fast the past few months have flown by. So here is a little look at my life as a wedding celebrant in Greece summer 2023.
How it began.
So it all began back in May with an intimate elopement ceremony on the wonderful Island of Santorini where Kensuke and Christine enjoyed an emotionally charged ceremony. The venue was the veranda at Canaves Oia. What followed was 40 ceremonies in different areas of Greece.
Featured image is credited to Ben and Vesna Photography.
As a wedding celebrant in Greece, how I got there and who I met along the way.
During the summer I spent numerous hours at Athens Airport. I rented an array of cars good and bad and took many a turbulent ferry. But what stands out is meeting so many amazing people along the way.
There were expert wedding planners, photographers, musicians, hoteliers, florists, caterers, DJs, videographers, villa owners, venue owners. And of course, also all the couples and their families and friends. So life as a wedding celebrant in Greece has been filled with fun and love.
A civil wedding in Greece combined with a celebrant led ceremony of love.
Gary and Amelia’s beautiful set up at the Agreco Farm in Crete.
Two of the wedding ceremonies this summer in Crete were conducted in conjunction with the local registrar. It was important for these 2 couples to do the legal part in Greece. But they didn’t want a generic ceremony. So we combined it with a celebrant led ceremony written especially for them. Connor and Leanne got married at the Grecotel White Palace. They included their children with a family sand ceremony. And at the one of a kind Agreco Farm where Gary and Amelia enjoyed a hand fasting ceremony with cords they made themselves.
One of my favourite villa venues in Greece.
Cycladic Gem luxury villa, Ios. Wedding planner was Ioanna Karatza and beautiful florals – Chaniotis the flower workshop
Life as a wedding celebrant in Greece found me back at one of my favourite venues in Greece. The Cycladic Gem luxury villa on the Island of Ios https://cycladicgem.com/. The Cycladic Gem is an amazing venue for a wedding. Mariesa and Mark’s August wedding was definitely one of a kind. Their little dog Lexi joined them in Greece for their wedding. She played the role of bridesmaid absolutely perfectly! These two enjoyed a signature cocktail to celebrate with their guests. I cant wait to be back next year!
New areas of Greece
Let’s get the party started on the roof of the Historical Archives Museum of Hydra.
This summer found me in some new areas of Greece. One of these was the beautiful Island of Hydra. Here Ari and Lamija celebrated their big fat Greek wedding on the roof of the Museum. And the Cycladic Island of Milos where Josh and Ellie enjoyed a ceremony filled with fun and laughter. They included a shot for all their guests, labelled perfectly. ‘Take a shot, Josh and Ellie tied the knot’.
Dimitri and Cara’s fun wedding in Samos
In June I visited the pretty Island of Samos for Dimitri and Cara’s fun ceremony at a traditional taverna. This one included a sing-along for all the guests ‘The wonder of you’ by the iconic Elvis Presley. It was a great ceremony!
Now the Island of Leros was an unexpected surprise. Another very beautiful Greek Island where Leon and Rhonda celebrated their love with a English/Greek ceremony outside a traditional Greek chapel with their family and friends.
Rhonda and Leon celebrated their wedding outside the church Agios Isideros on the Island of Samos
Weddings and vow renewal ceremonies on the Island of Rhodes.
Blake and Michelle on the beach at Kato Petres, Rhodes
So with numerous visits to Santorini, Mykonos and Crete and several ceremonies in Athens, there were also many ceremonies on the Island of Rhodes. This is where I live. Actually many couples chose to renew their marriage vows, with one surprise ceremony for Blake and Michelle. They were visiting the Island of Rhodes for a few hours during their cruise. And a first for me which was a double vow renewal ceremony at the Aegean View Estate for Tim and Corrie and Chris and Amy. Two couples from the USA who chose to celebrate their love with a joint ceremony.
Alex and Eva celebrated with an intimate ceremony at the Atrium Prestige hotel, Rhodes
In the meantime I was the celebrant for two very special weddings at Kalithea Springs, Ben and Coni and Florian and Chantal. In fact both couples had a family connection to the Island of Rhodes. And at both the Atrium Palace hotel for Matt and Charlene’s renewal of vows and Atrium Prestige hotel for Alex and Eva’s intimate October wedding. Alex and Eva blended the sands just as the sun was setting.
Back to the Cyclades.
John and Lisa’s intimate elopement on the Island of Santorini
September found me in the Cyclades for Michael and Jami’s wedding at the stunning Dante Villa on the Island of Mykonos. Just a day later this was followed by Brent and Mieka’s intimate elopement ceremony on the terrace of their holiday villa on the Island of Paros. Completing the trio was John and Lisa’s truly special ceremony at Eden Villas Canaves on the Island of Santorini. One of the roughest ferry crossings of the summer going from Paros to Santorini, but I survived!
A commitment ceremony at sunrise.
A sunrise ceremony of love at Andrealexia Villa, Rhodes
I conducted a sunrise commitment ceremony for two wonderful souls at the beautiful Andrealexia Villa in June on the Island of Rhodes and not to be forgotten was Steve and Michaela’s ceremony on the veranda in Pefkos at the hotel Lindia Thalassa.
Plan B
Kos wedding planned and coordinated by CL Events and Weddings
Unexpected wet weather meant we needed a plan B for Callum and Sara’s wedding ceremony on the Island of Kos. So in the end we held their ceremony on a stationary boat, perhaps the most unusual venue of this summer in Greece. Thanks to Lila and Christos of CL Events and Weddings.
An intimate elopement on the Island of Kalymnos.
Tim and Molli on the beach in Kalymnos
A few days ago I travelled to the Island of Kalymnos for Tim and Molli’s intimate beach elopement ceremony. This young couple bonded over their love of climbing. Kalymnos was the perfect choice for them. They tied the knot with a hand fasting. In fact, this was followed a few days later with a climbing photographic shoot in their bridal wear with the fearless Klara Stein. I can’t wait to see the images from this one!
There were many other ceremonies that I haven’t mentioned but that will need a whole new blog post! From tiny ceremonies to huge ones, all had one thing in common, which was a whole lot of love and fun! Life as a wedding celebrant in Greece summer 2023 was amazing!
Do take a look at what couples are saying about their ceremonies in Greece www.grecianceremonies.gr/reviews/
If you are considering a celebrant led ceremony of any kind in Greece now is the time to get in touch.
Email info@grecianceremonies.gr
Sarah Hatjipavlis-Grecian Ceremonies-Celebrant in Greece
