Getting married in Santorini does not mean your union of love will be one for the books. Or that your wedding will be a dreamy affair. It doesn’t mean that your wedding will have a fairy tale feel. Getting married in Santorini means all three!
With its iconic whitewashed homes and blue-domed churches, it’s hardly surprising that this Aegean island got your vote too as the best destination wedding spot.
However, despite being a mesmerizing destination, the chaos that can surround a long-distance wedding can also strike on Santorini.
As a destination wedding photographer who’s captured countless Santorini celebrations, I’ve seen it all. Language barriers? That’s just the beginning.
This guide is a collection of my insider knowledge to help you avoid any hiccups regarding planning your Santorini wedding.
Dive in, will you?!
Do you want to:
Then, look no further. Santorini is the place for you.
Small and quaint, rich in history and overflowing with beauty—you can’t go wrong on this rolling island!
In Santorini, even a cloudy day looks like Michelangelo painted it.
Yet, I agree that timing can make a difference.
Pro tip: Consider a sunset ceremony. Santorini sunsets are world-famous and will provide a stunning backdrop for your vows and photos.
Alternatively, skip the crowds and opt for a sunrise ceremony. I’ve got you covered for splendid sunrise locations!
My advice? Get the legal part done in your state a few days before you leave or when you return.
Getting married in Santorini requires you to translate and notarise many documents into Greek, and then the finished marriage documents back into English. It is a little bit tricky!
But if you want this part of your wedding to bear the Santorini trademark, here’s your quick checklist:
Your best bet is to be in Santorini for 3 clear business days before your wedding day. You’ll need 2 witnesses for the ceremony or confirm if your wedding planner can provide them for you.
Want a more intimate gathering with your nearest and dearest? A Santorini elopement is the perfect option for you!
Imagine doing as you like on your wedding day and hosting a big reception at home. Your guests save on plane ticket fees. You get more quality time with your freshly minted spouse. Everyone wins!
Another great option for getting married in Santorini would be a smaller, intimate wedding that only includes your best friends and closest family members. Think 10–30 people.
You won’t regret inviting these people to your special day because more of your funds go towards activities (or your dream dress) and less towards covering the guests’ meals (I said what I said).
Perhaps, you want to go out with a bang (I see you, my extroverted friend!); think 100+ people, a big and festive party to celebrate your love, an open bar, and all the Greek appetisers (hello, Dolmades).
No matter what you choose, there is no wrong way!
And I will be there to capture every little detail, no matter how big or small.
Santorini offers a plethora of stunning wedding venues to suit every couple’s taste Here are some top picks that you should be checking out:
For those seeking more intimate settings, consider these private villas:
Here are some top spots for those frame-worthy shots:
Pro tip: Hire a photographer who knows all the hidden spots and best times for that perfect golden-hour glow.
Unless you want to go home with photos that look like your Uncle Bob shot them after a few too many ouzos, you want to choose the right destination wedding photographer for your Santorini wedding.
Here are some tips from yours truly:
Now, here’s where I shamelessly plug my services: If you choose me as your Greece destination wedding, you won’t need to pay my travel expenses. Travel is on me!
I’ll discuss how your photos will be delivered and the timeline for editing. After all, you don’t want to be celebrating your first anniversary before you see your wedding photos!
So, here are some highly recommended vendors in Santorini!
As always, vet everyone further through reviews, video calls, etc. before committing.
Remember, it can sometimes be cheaper and easier to bring your vendors with you (it often is for a photographer), so look into this too!
If you have any favourite vendors in your area, see what they can offer you.
I offer travel for free to certain destinations (including Santorini) but some vendors offer their services free if you pay for their travel and accommodation! Feel free to reach out to me for help with awesome Calgary-based vendors that do this.
Santorini offers a range of accommodation options to suit all tastes and budgets:
Luxury Resorts:
Boutique Hotels:
Local Guesthouses: For a more authentic experience, try guesthouses in less touristy villages like Pyrgos or Megalochori. AirBnbs are a great option too!
When booking accommodations, consider:
Your wedding might be your guests’ chance at a holiday, so help them make the most of it:
Finding parking in Santorini can be difficult, especially during the summer months.
Here’s how to find parking in each of Santorini’s three main towns, Fira, Oia, or Imerovigli:
In Oia, use the Free Oia Parking near the bus station and Kyklos Square Parking.
Private options like Sunset Parking and Oia Parking also provide charging services for your electric vehicle.
In Imerovigli, there are free options like Stationnement or Escobedo’s Parcheggio.
An alternative to these options is the Imerovigli Honeymoon Petra Parking.
It comes with a 5 EUR fee for the first hour and 0.50 EUR for every extra hour.
In Fira, use public options like Parking Lot Sklavenitis, Stationnement, and Fira Main Parking Lot.
Firostefani has 3 big parking lots for free: this public parking, parking 6, and parking 8.
Some restaurants and hotels provide free parking for their guests, so confirm before making your dinner or accommodation reservation.
Navigating Santorini can be… interesting. Here are some tips to keep you sane:
Pro tip: For stress-free wedding day transport, consider hiring a private minibus for you and your guests.
Impress your guests and locals with these useful Greek phrases:
To ensure everything else runs smoothly, here are a few more tips to prepare you:
I hope this guide saves you a huge portion of the legwork required to get married in Santorini. If it’s starting to feel like an endless pile of to-do lists, take a deep breath; you’ve got this!
Remember, you’re marrying the love of your life in one of the most beautiful places on Earth. Everything else is just icing on the (wedding) cake.
I’m patiently (maybe a bit impatiently) waiting to capture every moment of your big day, friend! And of course, I’ll be your biggest support and hype woman during the entire process.
From the first nervous adjustment of the bow tie to the last Greek wine-fuelled dance move, I’ll be there, camera in hand, ready to immortalize your big day and freeze all the candid moments.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a sudden craving for baklava and a flight to Greece.
Peek here for the rest of the gorgeous photos in this Santorini destination wedding photo gallery.
