Civil or Church?
Understanding Your Options As a foreign couple, you have two main options for your ceremony in Greece: a civil wedding or a symbolic ceremony.
A civil wedding is legally binding in Greece and recognised in most countries worldwide. It takes place at the local town hall and requires specific documentation — more on that below.
A symbolic ceremony, on the other hand, is not legally binding in Greece but allows you complete freedom of location, officiant, and personalisation.
Many international couples choose to legally marry at home before or after their Greek celebration, and have their symbolic ceremony at a cliffside chapel in Andros or a vineyard in the Cyclades.
Legal Requirements for a Civil Wedding in Greece If you want your Greek wedding to be legally recognised, here is what you will generally need:
· Valid passports
· Birth certificates (translated and apostilled)
· Certificate of no impediment to marriage (from your home country)
· Proof of residence
· Publication of marriage banns at the local municipality at least 10 days before the wedding Requirements can vary depending on your nationality and the municipality.
I always recommend working with a local wedding planner who knows the exact process — it saves enormous amounts of time and stress.
When to Get Married in Greece
The Greek wedding season runs from May to October, with June, September and October being my personal favourites as a photographer.
June offers long golden hours and reliably warm weather. September and October bring softer light, fewer crowds, and a warmth that still feels like summer — but without the intense heat of July and August.
If you're planning a destination wedding in Andros specifically, September is magical. The island settles into a quieter rhythm, the light is extraordinary, and the sea is still warm enough to swim in.
Choosing Your Location
Greece offers an incredible variety of settings — and the right location depends entirely on the kind of wedding you envision.
Andros — My personal recommendation for couples who want authenticity, natural beauty, and something genuinely off the beaten path. Cliffside chapels, elegant streets, stunning beaches, and beautiful venues like Topos, Methexis, Aegea Blue, and Paraporti Estate.
Just two hours from Athens by ferry.
The Cyclades — Santorini and Mykonos are iconic for a reason, but they come with crowds and higher costs. For a more intimate Cycladic experience, consider Paros, Naxos, Milos or — of course — Andros.
Athens & the Riviera — For couples who want the energy of the city combined with the sea. Historic venues, rooftop settings, and easy accessibility from international airports.
The Role of a Local Wedding Planner
I cannot stress this enough: for an international couple planning a wedding in Greece, a local wedding planner is not a luxury — it's essential.
They handle vendor coordination, municipality paperwork, venue logistics, transportation, accommodation recommendations, and all the details that can overwhelm even the most organised couples.
I work closely with experienced planners across Greece, and I'm always happy to make a personal introduction if you're still looking for the right person.
Your photographs are the one thing that will outlast everything else about your wedding day — the flowers, the food, the decorations.
They are what you will show your children and grandchildren.
Choosing the right photographer for a destination wedding is about more than style. It's about trust, communication, and finding someone who understands what it means to travel to a foreign country to get married.
Someone who will be there not just with a camera, but with calm energy and genuine care for your experience.
If you're planning a wedding in Greece and would like to talk about your vision, I'd love to hear from you.
