How to plan a destination wedding in Crete
Well to start, if you’re reading this then congratulations are in order! You and your partner are taking the next steps in your relationship and are entering the world of weddings and marriage! How exciting.
There are so many options for you and your partner and how you celebrate your big day and what better way to celebrate than a destination wedding?! Destination weddings bring together your nearest and dearest for what is normally a weekend of celebrations in a gorgeous, exotic location and give you the opportunity to have a really special wedding.
Crete is an amazing place for a destination wedding, the scenery is beautiful, the people are wonderful and the food is amazing and you’re spoiled for choice with amazing wedding venues. We’re here to help you with every step of planning a destination wedding in Crete from scouring the best venues to all the things you’ll need to consider such as booking a greek destination wedding photographer or a Crete destination wedding photographer as well as the legalities of getting married in Greece, so you can plan and then look forward to the day of a lifetime!
When is the best time to get married in Crete?
Crete is a place that has a wonderful climate all year round with May through to September all being perfect months to get married. May, June and September are the best months as the weather is sunny but not so hot that it could make guests uncomfortable and there is a limited chance of rain.
If you’re being cautious of your budget or what to spend more on certain areas than others then you can save some pennies by getting married in May, June and September or if you don’t mind cool breezy climes then even April and November still provide a beautiful backdrop and nice weather for your wedding.
Best spots for a wedding in Crete
There are four main areas of Crete - Rethymno, Chania, Lassithi and Heraklion - which are all amazing. Heraklion and Chania both have airports making them super accessible locations for any guests attending the wedding. Whether you’re having a wedding ceremony or eloping, these areas will have something:
Lassithi
Lassithi is situated on the eastern side of Crete and is a beautiful region of unspoilt scenery. Lassithi has been blessed with countless stunning and exotic feeling beaches, lush green valleys and characteristic villages. Vai beach in Lassithi has incredibly crystal clear water and is surrounded by a beautiful palm tree forest - a potentially tropical take on a woodland wedding!
Lassithi Plateau is incredibly picturesque and perfectly embodies the slow and natural pace of the Greek isles. Have fun taking in the amazing scenery with guests and if you have spare time be sure to visit the archaeological gems and mediaeval castles.
Chania
Chania isa place with a lot of history and a wonderful harbour which was built by the venetians. It’s a beautiful blend of culture with venetian, turkish and traditional and modern architecture and culture co-existing and creating a beautiful blend of scenery for its visitors. From temples to old buildings, churches and museums and shops, there are so many buildings that make up this wonderful city!
There are so many options for wonderful weddings in Chania but getting married in The Virgin Mary Chapel is gorgeous and you can journey off into the sunset via horse-drawn carriage along the beautiful cobbled streets of the port with the lighthouse as your backdrop. The perfect opportunity for some stunning wedding photos.
Rethymno
If you love a view and the mountains then Rethymno is a region with some amazing view points and places to say “I do”. The main town is full of character with ancient and enchanting alleyways and a harbour with a range of tavernas, cafes and beautiful restaurants.
Heraklion
Heraklion is one of the more popular regions on the island and is well known as the spot where Greek god of hospitality Zeus met and fell in love with Princess Europa. They then birthed the founding fathers of the first civilised region in Europe. If that doesn’t cement Heraklion as a memorable and strong place then what does?! The region is home to Knossos Palace and Phaistos Palace which transport you back in time and give off a regal feel.
Heraklion town is like a fairytale, with fortresses, fountains, buildings and museums and on top of all that are some of the most beautiful beaches.
Ideas for your wedding ceremony in Crete
There are so many options for a memorable wedding in Crete, what’s your favourite?
Sea View Villas: There are some incredible venues located right by the sea with their very own pools and gardens for you to have an amazing wedding with close family and friends
Countryside Manors: If you want the rolling hills and countryside as your beautiful wedding backdrop then you’ll want a hidden gem in the countryside with beautiful gardens surrounded by trees and a clear blue sky. And remember, you’re never too far from the beach so you could always have your ceremony there and head to your countryside estate for the party of all parties!
Treehouse Weddings: You read that right, there is a treehouse venue in Crete set around ancient oak trees with a treehouse intertwined in the branches. The venue is spread over three floors so you can have your ceremony, drinks and reception on any of the levels - it’s super romantic and perfect for those looking for a smaller wedding.
Farmhouse Weddings: Rural and set in amongst where the olive groves used to grow? Getting married in a beautiful traditional farmhouse conjures up images of romance, wanderlust and charm.
Beach Weddings: Of course, a beach wedding is probably one of the main things on the agenda. A sunset wedding with a warm balmy breeze, the sound of the waves lapping against the shore and a fun night ahead with loved ones and your lifetime partner. Nothing is more romantic!
Booking a pre-wedding trip
Any excuse for a holiday right?! If you really have no clue on what you want or you feel like you want to visit the various locations beforehand and view any potential venues and hotels for guests then why not book a trip to delve into the Cretan way of life! Doing this will ensure you’re 100% happy and certain with everything you’re choosing so you feel at ease.
The legalities of getting married in Crete
Organisation is key when planning your destination wedding so make sure you have everything you need documentation wise! Make sure you have all of these documents for a civil wedding ceremony in Crete:
Passports (Plus photocopies)
Birth certificates
A photocopy of your witnesses passports
Name change deed poll certificate
A sworn affidavit from a solicitor
Certificate of No impediment
Divorce or death certificates if needed
Religious weddings require all of the above, as well as:
Certificates of no previous marriage certified by your home country
Family status certificate from local registry
Baptism registration certificate
If one of the party is not baptised a public notary to state children will be baptised as christian is required
Family status certificate for the best man, who must also have had a religious wedding
You’ll need to get the above documents translated via the Greek Embassy of your country and you’ll need Apostle Stamps which acts as an authenticator of your documents for use abroad. These documents can’t be older than 3 months from the day of your wedding date.
If you want to save some stress, many couples do choose to get married at home prior to their destination wedding and then have a symbolic wedding in Greece. This takes away the pressure and stress of paperwork and lets them focus on exchanging vows and celebrating with their loved ones. Same sex couples are also welcomed to have symbolic ceremonies in Greece!
Who will be on your guestlist?
You want all your nearest and dearest there on your special day! Write down exactly who you and your partner want at your wedding to get an idea of numbers, this will help you to inform what size venue you’ll need and also what your budget might end up looking like.
Destination weddings are like a mini holiday for everyone and guests will most likely make a big trip out of it so once you have decided on the venue and your guest list then you can write your save the date invitations. Include the exact location and venue, a description of the area, hotels and apartments that are nearby to suit a range of budgets and how much taxis and flights will roughly cost so guests can decide if they will attend or not.
Set A Budget for your Wedding
Decide with your partner what your budget will be, knowing what you can afford will help you massively when planning your wedding. Here are the things you need to factor in costs for when planning your destination wedding:
Venue: This is the element that will eat up the most of your budget but you need to make sure the venue is perfect for you and your partner! Do you want a wedding overlooking the sea high in the cliffs, a villa wedding or a beach wedding with a buffet and BBQ? Pick somewhere you both love and you’ll remember forever!
Catering: Some may say it’s the best part of a wedding! And the food in Greece is to die for. Many catering companies in Greece offer traditional Greek and Mediterranean menus so that your guests have a good range of choice but make sure to research a range of catering companies and check out their menus.
Lighting & Decoration: Decoration and lighting are essential for creating a certain atmosphere within your ceremony. What kind of atmosphere do you want to create? Do you want it to be airy and romantic - you might want lots of white linen and a cream colour scheme? Tropical with bright blooms and palm trees? Or a breathtaking ceremony up in the mountains with bouquets of flowers and lanterns? Make a list of all the things you’d like and make sure someone can provide it for you or you have a case spare to fly everything over.
Music & Entertainment: What vibe of music do you want to go for? A traditional Greek band, an orchestra or are you happy with a DJ?! Consider the cost of hire, travel and extra vans for equipment in your budget.
Photography: This will be one of the most important aspects of the day as after all the planning, prep and hard work that goes into planning a destination wedding in Crete you’ll want to be able to look back at all the amazing memories for years to come and fill photo albums full of memories. We do weddings all over the globe, why not take a look at some of the weddings we’ve captured and get in contact if you’re in need of a Crete wedding photographer or Crete elopement photographer!? We’re super passionate about documenting couples journeys and what better place than Crete to get married!
Hair & Makeup: Picking your hair and makeup vendors in good time is super important. Will you be picking a local vendor or will you be flying someone out from your home? Maybe you’re doing it yourself! Make sure you decide exactly what you want and any costs associated with your choice!
Travel Costs: Look at flights, transfers, taxis and then any other travel costs for yourselves and your guests that need to be accounted for in your budget. Remember, sneaky things like extra suitcases for all the wedding attire and equipment can impact costs depending on how much you’re bringing. Make sure you discuss any travel arrangements with everyone.
Final notes…
Fly out a couple of days before your wedding and your guests so you have time to go over all the final arrangements, visit the venue to clarify everything and have some fun and spend quality time together before you take that first step into married life. It’s not too soon to be thinking about honeymoons either, why not have a honeymoon in Greece visiting all the other regions and enjoying the first few weeks of being married!