Why should you have your destination wedding in Greece?

“Greece, first and foremost, has a beauty that’s unlike anywhere else....The sky here has a unique translucence, the sea is especially blue, the stars are brighter and the landscape is dramatic...”

Victoria Hislop 

The romance and beguiling beauty of Greece will capture your heart and that's more than enough reason to book a ticket for your next holiday,  but is it enough to justify having your destination wedding here?

Of course it is! But, while I sit here watching the sun set on the Athens Riviera, with a refreshing ouzo in hand and delicious meze to compliment, writing this blog on my laptop, I am very pleased to present you with several more reasons as to why you should have your destination wedding in Greece:

• Getting to Greece is super easy! Situated between Europe, Asia Minor and North Africa, Greece is often chosen as the ideal meeting point for an international destination wedding.

There are frequent flights from all over the world especially in the summer months.

• Greece's “summer” lasts and lasts. From May to mid-October, Greece has warm, sunny weather. This gives couples the opportunity to set the perfect date according to their needs and budget.
• There are so many places and venues to choose from!
• Greece has a rugged mountanous mainland with pristine forests, rivers and waterfalls and picturesque towns featuring traditional benevolent stone architecture. It is full of little-known locations that are absolute treasures, such as wineries, medieval castle villages, monastries, and beautiful chapels set on the shores of glassy lakes.
• Greece's capital city Athens, the cradle of western civilization and the birthplace of democracy, offers the perfect blend of historical and modern features, ranging from archaeological ruins to ultramodern bustling neighbourhoods overflowing with award-winning restaurants, first class hotels and quality nightlife. Leaving the urban landscape behind, the southern suburbs boast the infamous Athens Riviera where one can find the perfect church and venue next to the azure brilliance of the aegean sea. On the Athens Riviera you don’t need to go far in order to get a real taste of Greek summer!
• And of course we all know Greece for it's beautiful islands, each one unique, offering  its own share of stunning landscapes, ancient sites, nightlife, entertainment and cultural delights. A diversity of landscapes that cannot be found together anywhere else! Have your ceremony and/or reception on a sun-kissed beach or beachfront venue with a breathtaking view, or in a white washed achingly pretty village, or in a luxurious or rustic boutique hotel, or in a stunning villa perched atop a rugged mountain with an endless view of the aegean. The choices are endless...
• The P.A.R.T.Y! Every wedding reception, pre-wedding party or after-party is an oppurtunity to have some real fun – wether its dancing at your reception or sailing with friends the next day! The Greeks are known for their zest for life and their love for celebrating... anything! And as for dancing, let's not forget that a good party needs a good DJ and we have plenty of those, so be ready to kick off those heels and dance the night away!
• The Light! Yes the light.. Every photographer knows that the light in Greece is unique. And we all know how those special moments are best captured with natural light. As the author Walter F. Howe wrote: “Whoever has seen Greece will carry forever in his heart the remembrance of a miracle of light. No blinding glare, no blazing colors, but an all-pervading, luminous brightness which bathes the foreground in a delicate glow, yet makes the furthest distances clearly visible. ”
• Greeks are are intensely friendly and hospitable so your wedding will be even more memorable when everyone involved is welcoming, warm and helpful, allowing you to relax and to savour every special moment!
• The marriage license issued in Greece is legal and valid throughout the world, so it is an opportunity to consider it especially if you are looking to combine your wedding with your honeymoon or vacation with families and friends, too. If you find the option of a legal wedding abroad quite complicated, there’s always the alternative of a symbolic blessing ceremony. In any case, invest on an experienced wedding planner, who is able to take care of all the paperwork.
• The food in Greece is well, excellent. Many newlyweds would probably not agree but George Bernard Shaw once said “There is no sincerer love than the love of food.” The Greeks love food so it would definitely explain why the food is so good!!! And if you are a foodie, then Greece is for you!

So if you decide to have a destination wedding here in Greece, you have a very good excuse to limit your guest list and invite the people you really want to have around you on these very special moments. A destination wedding can be considered as the most private wedding you can have!

Its also the perfect way to make your wedding last longer and spend some quality time with your dearest ones, combining an unforgettable event with your honeymoon or vacation.

And just a note, as I finish writing (and bragging) about all the good things Greece has to offer for newlyweds looking to finally say “I do”, remember that planning a wedding abroad might be extremely time-consuming and stressful with language barriers, legalities and paperwork, differing business practices and social culture, so do hire a professional planner!

So there you go (as I sip the last of my ouzo), there are several super reasons to have your destination wedding here in Greece.

Need I say more?

Cheers!