From chalk-white buildings and candy-colored houses to sapphire waters and black sandy beaches, there are many elements that will add a magical charm to your Santorini wedding.
Walk along the beaches of Oia which are famous for their kaleidoscopic colors and beautiful sunsets. The place enchants many young couples from all over the world because of its natural beauty, unique architecture, delicious wines, fresh flavors, and so much more.
It’s a romantic getaway that’s different from the rest as you can enjoy the beauty of clear waters when you sit near an active volcano. Whether you like beaches, wineries, or hiking trails, there is a lot to do here.
Vedema, with its 59 spacious villas and suites, is perfect for a large-scale Santorini wedding. It discovers luxury in a new manner with its terraces that have exclusive swimming pools and Jacuzzis. It is located in Megalochori village and provides spectacular views of the sea.
This gorgeous resort was formerly a wine cellar but has been reimagined for couples yearning for genuine love. The resort’s stunning architecture, traditional design, and breathtaking views of the Aegean Sea make it a perfect location for couples looking for a unique and romantic wedding venue.
It embodies the essence of Santorini with its robust arches and delicate play on white and pastel colors. This resort’s unusual architecture gives it the appearance of an old Greek hamlet. Every accommodation has its patio or balcony with a view of the resort gardens, giving the property a distinctive island feel.
Explore the Alati, a 400-year-old winery cave now a dining room, while in Vedema. Enjoy the cave-like raw atmosphere while dining on some fantastic meals.
Surrounding the resort are various vineyards where you may sample their most excellent wines. Make your wedding even more memorable with the stunning splendor of the Vedema resort’s background.
Mystique Resort is a luxurious and enchanting destination wedding venue in the picturesque town of Oia, Santorini. This one-of-a-kind resort is carved into the Caldera cliffs and overlooks the Aegean Sea’s gorgeous beaches and azure waves. You can see the Cycladic architecture that captures the genuine character of Santorini.
The arches and curves have a soft and pastel color palette that adds brightness to the area. The resort’s gorgeous broad horizons and romantic surroundings make it ideal for a Santorini wedding. The old and rustic ambiance of its cobblestone walks and breathtaking sea vistas will appeal to you. The location contains 41 villas and suites, adequate for a medium-to-large-sized wedding.
Visit Charism of the resort to experience fresh, delicious Greek cuisine that emphasizes the area’s rich epicurean tradition. To spend time with your friends, go to Captain’s Lounge. It is ideal for chit-chatting while sipping a glass of fresh juice or enjoying fresh fruits and ice cream.
Soothe at the Elios Spa, which provides unique treatments to soothe your entire body as you prepare for your wedding. And if you want to spend quality time with your special someone, go to Lure, a modern paradise that offers nature’s calm and scenic magnificence.
Intercontinental Hotel Group provides the Santorini Sky for a small peaceful area for your Santorini wedding. This desolate location can be reserved for a private wedding event. This stunning location offers couples a dream wedding destination with breathtaking views of the Aegean Sea, romantic sunsets, and unique architecture.
This is the spot for you if you and your spouse are looking for silence. Away from the hustle and bustle of city life, read your vows and combine beneath the Mediterranean sky here. If you wish to cherish some personal moments with your partner beneath the stars, the Sky Bedroom is where you need to be.
This motel is a historic farm shelter 500 meters from the town road. It has all the latest facilities, such as a Jacuzzi, a rooftop patio, and a day bed in its open Sky Bedroom.
The lodge has villas with kitchenettes and full kitchens. Because there is no restaurant, you may get modest breakfast items such as yogurt, juice, and pastries. This is a peaceful location with excellent hiking opportunities.
It has various spots to sit and enjoy Santorini’s beautiful sunsets. There are several wineries around where you may go on a wine-tasting tour.
Choose a venue that provides indoor and outdoor wedding alternatives to add a special touch to your Santorini wedding. With Le Ciel, you have a variety of venue possibilities and a vast range of culinary selections for your menu.
Enjoy the spectacular background of world-famous sunsets over the gorgeous cliffs in an exquisite location that adds glitz to the occasion. This location is exclusively devoted to weddings, and they have skilled wedding planners that can help you make your ideal wedding a reality.
Communicate what you’re looking for with them before you come, and they will have everything prepared for you when you arrive. Their wedding preparation is entirely customizable, and you can pick the most minor aspects of the occasion. Instead of worrying about event preparations, you can enjoy the lovely location with your loved one more.
There are no accommodations available at the motel. You can, however, reserve the entire facility for a private event open only to you and your friends and family. The venue can accommodate up to 80-120 people.
As your guests see you combine, read your vows against the background of the vast sea. The picturesque setting provides several opportunities for Instagram-worthy photos.
This charming small location nestled among the cliffs of Megalochori town provides a lovely setting for your Santorini wedding. If you wish to be far from the noise and bustle of the city, here is the place to be.
Enjoy the most fantastic time in Cycladic style by reserving El Viento’s rebuilt windmill villa. It is the oldest windmill on the island of Santorini. It was newly restored into a beautiful apartment with lavish décor and fantastic views over the Caldera.
The inside of the villa features a living area with a kitchen, a tastefully appointed bedroom, an attached bathroom, and an exclusive sun patio with a beautiful view of the Aegean Sea.
Make your big day more special with its one-of-a-kind setting. Whatever wedding style you like, you can make it a reality here. Not to mention the restaurant’s incredible cuisine. You may plan your wedding just as you want, whether it’s a lavish buffet, a family-style serving method, or the iconic El Viento celebration.
There is a wide variety of fresh seafood and local wine available. They also provide vegan and gluten-free cuisine. When you book here, include their famed Sweet Table – a table filled with delectable treats ranging from cake pops to colorful candy, all creatively arranged.
With yummy fresh gastronomical delights to outstanding natural features, there is so much in Santorini for young couples. The romantic ambiance of this place is enhanced by the black and red sands on its beaches.
Enjoy the magnificent views of turquoise waters as you visit the local villages of Oia, Akrotiri, and Fira. No matter where you’re from, you cannot miss the blue domes and white walls near the cliffs that are famous throughout the world.
When you’re in this Mediterranean heaven, everything becomes more appealing. Become one with your soulmate as you celebrate your Santorini wedding.
Average Cost of a Destination Wedding in Santorini
Santorini wedding costs vary depending on the venue you select and the number of guests you invite.
A no-frills symbolic wedding ceremony at the beach would cost about €650 and a civil wedding will be approximately €900. You can also have a cruise wedding that will cost you €1200 for a basic ceremony.
An orthodox wedding in the church can cost you €1500. These are the basic wedding costs that don’t include reception and accommodation.
You can add the number of guests, reception, cocktail hour, accommodation, and flight tickets, and the total will go up considerably. However, Santorini is not a very expensive place and you can have a decent-sized wedding here without burning a hole in your pocket.
Legal Requirements for Weddings in Santorini
Legal Weddings vs. Symbolic Weddings
Getting legally married means some extra document work. When you visit Santorini and sign the papers here, you register the marriage in Santorini, Greece. The marriage will be legal in your home country too.
However, if you want to register your marriage back in your home country but want to come to Santorini to read your vows and celebrate the event, it is a symbolic wedding.
A legal wedding is also called a civil wedding and it involves some extra document work, which is why most couples prefer symbolic weddings after getting legally married in their home country.
Required Legal Documents & Cost
For a civil Santorini wedding, here are the documents you need:
Passports of the bride and groom
Marriage license or a no-impediment certificate
Birth certificates of the bride and groom
Divorce or death certificates of the previous partner(s), if applicable.
The documents should be translated by a government-approved and certified translator.
For a religious wedding where both parties are orthodox, you can have a legal orthodox wedding. And if one of them is orthodox and the other is not, they will need to sign a legal paper that their children will be raised orthodox.
Legal Marriage Timeline
It’s important to obtain a marriage license before coming to Santorini. Visit the Greek consulate in your country to sign a no-impediment certificate. You’ll get a license for marriage only after filling out the no-impediment certificate form.
Get the required documents translated into Greek by a translator who has been approved by the embassy.
Once your paperwork is done, you can travel to Santorini and hold your wedding ceremony here. Your marriage will be registered in Greece and will be recognized all over the world.
Greece doesn’t recognize same-sex marriage. However, you can get a same-sex cohabitation agreement.
Santorini Destination Wedding Planning Tips
How to Get There
You can visit Santorini by air or by water. To reach here via air from the U.S., you can fly to Athens and then take a local flight to Santorini.
Athens to Santorini flights take approximately half an hour and you’ll reach here in no time.
If you want to travel by water, you can take a flight to Athens and then a ferry from Athens to Santorini. A ferry will take about 5-8 hours to reach, depending on the kind of boat.
Santorini also has ferry links with other Greek islands.
Santorini Weather
One good thing about a Santorini wedding is that it’s always sunny and warm. Since it is a Mediterranean place, it’s warm in the summer and cool in winter. And there’s plenty of sunshine all year around.
Summer months start in June and go up to September. Summers are warm and dry. The place gets showers during the winter, especially in December and January.
Summer months aren’t very hot with the temperature reaching about 85oF in peak summer months. The evenings are mildly cool in the summer. Winter temperatures can go down to 50oF in the nighttime. Daytime is pleasant and it’s always fun to take a dip in the warm ocean water.
Budgeting tips
Santorini isn’t exactly very expensive. Most hotels and resorts here are easily affordable. But if you want to save money on your Santorini wedding, here are some tips:
The major part of wedding expenses is due to accommodation. Invite a minimum number of guests so you can save on that cost.
Booking the wedding venue and accommodation separately can save money as you can get married at a beautiful place but settle for affordable accommodation.
You can try cutting back on the menu costs by reducing the number of dishes. While doing so, make sure you include some Greek delicacies to capture the essence of the place.
Best Time of Year to Get Married in Santorini
Summertime is the best month for a Santorini wedding. Since summers are dry and winters have rain showers, cold months can hamper your beach wedding.
November is the month when dark clouds begin to appear and the sun isn’t very readily available. Plan your wedding in September or October and you’ll get the best weather. However, it’s also the tourist season, so make sure you book the hotel or resort on time to avoid any last-minute rush.
Summer is a contributor at WeddingGoals.com and is here to help you plan the perfect wedding. She's been in the business for over 10 years and has planned hundreds of weddings. Her goal is to make your wedding planning process as fun and stress-free as possible. She'll help you with everything from finding the perfect venue to picking out your wedding dress. So whether you're a bride-to-be or a groom-to-be, she's got you covered with fantastic advice and guidance.
