WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER GREECE

THE LEGALITIES OF GETTING MARRIED IN GREECE

Many couples planning a destination wedding choose to get legally married at home and hold a symbolic ceremony on their wedding day because the legalities of getting married abroad can be a little complicated.

• Both religious and civil weddings are legally recognised in Greece.

• Civil unions – called civil partnerships in England – are permitted for same sex couples but not civil marriages, let’s hope that changes soon! (At least at the time of writing this page in January 2021).

• Foreigners can get legally married in Greece as you don’t need to be a citizen or resident.

What paperwork will you need?

The legal requirements to get married can be slightly different depending on the city or island so always make sure you do your research and check with the local authorities. Having said that, here are the basics.

• A valid passport

• Certificate of capacity to marry

• Notice of intention to marry by means of a  local newspaper, community office or Town Hall.

• Valid birth certificate translated, authenticated and bearing an Apostille Stamp – the Apostille (from The Hague Convention) is an official government-issued certificate added to documents so they will be recognised and have legal validity in another country.

• Marriage license

• Two witnesses

What’s the process?

As with most countries, you will need to “give notice” before getting married. There will be a waiting period between your application for marriage and your wedding day which can be anywhere from a week to a few months.

When you present the required paperwork you will be issued with a marriage license which will remain valid for six months. The next step is to submit an application to the mayor confirming your wedding ceremony date and venue. 

You will need two witnesses present at your civil ceremony and they must bring their passport or valid Greek ID.

After your wedding ceremony, you have 40 days to file a registration form to obtain your marriage certificate. If you don’t do this your marriage won’t be legally valid.

Plan a stylish wedding in Athens, Greece – 

Athens is ideal for a modern, romantic wedding: choose between a relaxed beach celebration or a classy and romantic wedding overlooking the Acropolis.

As described by the lonely planet, “with equal measures of grunge and grace, Athens is a mix of ancient history and contemporary cool” which is precisely how I remember it from my month-long trip around Greece. It’s a city I’m dying to visit again so what could be better than photographing a wedding there?

Beaches, ruins, history and a creative buzz create electrifying energy which is the perfect inspiration for a memorable and unique wedding, whether you choose the Athenian Riviera or the Acropolis as your backdrop. This city has something for everyone!

Although the islands can be a little more popular for destination weddings, Athens has many advantages. It’s easy to get to, you’ll have plenty of choice for wedding venues and wedding suppliers, including some of the best modern and creative wedding dress designers. Last but not least, you and your guests will be able to find accommodation to suit all budgets and plenty of activities to do while you’re in town.

Picture yourselves saying your vows in the late afternoon and watching the sunset over the city. Then you can toast to your happiness with champagne as the Acropolis lights up behind you before you kick start the party. Chic and magical, the wedding day in Athens.

How to get there

The easiest way is to fly to Athens’ International Airport (code AIA). As the Greek capital and one of the most popular destinations in Europe, Athens can also be easily reached by land or water depending on what takes your fancy.

Plan an intimate wedding or elopement in Santorini, Greece –

Imagine saying your vows as the late afternoon breeze gently sweeps your hair and taking a romantic stroll for photos as the sun sets over the sea. Whether you opt for an intimate elopement or a wedding with all of your loved ones present, getting married in Santorini will be nothing short of magical.

Dramatic cliffs rise from a deep blue sea dotted with whitewashed buildings offering breathtaking views over the sea.

There’s a special energy in Santorini. I’m not lying when I say that I left a piece of my heart there when I was travelling in Greece in 2005. I loved it so much in fact, that I decided to return a week later after spending some time exploring Crete.

How to get there

As one of the most popular Greek destinations for weddings and holidays, Santorini is very easily accessible. You can fly there from Athens and many international airports as well as from other Greek islands. There are frequent daily ferry connections from Athens, Santorini, Mykonos and Ios. Remember that some of these routes are only available during the summer so be sure to check in advance.

Plan a romantic, authentic wedding in Folegandros –

Folegandros is perfect for a romantic, intimate wedding or an adventurous elopement. Imagine a late afternoon ceremony overlooking the sea followed by reception drinks as the sun goes down surrounded by festoon lights and candles.

A hidden gem, Folegandros is picturesque and pretty much unspoilt. Undulating cliff views, gorgeous coast and breathtaking views of the sea with plenty to explore. Getting married in Folegrandos is for you if you’d like a magical, intimate wedding with an authentic vibe.

How to get there

There’s no airport on Folegrandos but it’s well connected by ferry. There’s a direct route from Athens as well as many other islands of the Cyclades like Santorini, Milos and Ios. The nearest airport is Santorini Airport (JTR) which serves domestic flights from Athens as well as a few international flights from Europe.

Plan a modern, relaxed wedding in Cyprus –

Cyprus is perfect if you’re an adventurous couple planning a relaxed, laid back wedding. 

As the birthplace of Aphrodite, Goddess of Love, Cyprus is often called the Island of Love. Since it used to be a British colony (for better or for worse), it has the advantage that English is widely spoken and even paperwork can prove to be a little easier for that same reason.

If you love outdoor activities you will definitely not get bored in Cyprus as there’s plenty on offer. There’s also plenty of choice for foodies. The complex history of this island has left its mark in Cypriot cooking as well as creating a different culinary experience from the rest of Greece.

How to get there

Cyprus is well connected with four international airports, the most popular ones being Larnaca and Paphos. Once on the island, the best way to get around is to rent a car.

OTHER BEAUTIFUL DESTINATIONS FOR YOUR WEDDING IN GREECE

Wedding in Poros & Eros –

Pastel coloured houses, green forests and romantic beaches. For a romantic wedding ceremony, head to the tiny island of Eros – named after the Greek God of Love – by boat and come back to Paros for your wedding reception.

How to get there: Easily accessible from Athens by ferry (3 hours) and hydrofoils (1 hour).

Wedding in Kefalonia –

The largest and most varied of the islands, with secluded coves, crystal clear waters and historic Venetian architecture. Go for a boho chic wedding or an intimate, romantic elopement. Kefallonia offers a variety of backdrops to choose from and is regarded by many as one of the most beautiful Greek islands.

How to get there: You can fly there from Athens (1 hour), Corfu and Zakynthos all year around. In summer there are also flights available from Europe. You can travel there by ferry too, but there are no direct routes from Athens.

Time passes faster than you think and your wedding day goes by in a blur. I believe that you deserve photos that capture who you are, the emotions and your love story in a truthful, effortless way so that you never forget your wedding or the way you felt.

Weddings are a collection of moments that represent your life together and all the days that have led you here. They’re a celebration of love, friendship and all the values that are important to you. Your love is unique and I believe that you deserve meaningful wedding photos that honour your story and capture who you are.

The Answer Is Simple: to get beautiful, natural wedding photos you need a photographer who cares and who will take the time to get to know you BEFORE your wedding. It’s my job to create a space where you feel comfortable and you can be yourselves, unapologetically. This is why I exclusively photograph 20 weddings per year.

Although these aren’t specific to Greece, this is the best advice I can give you as a destination wedding photographer: 

Choose a photographer you trust and whose work you love –

As a wedding photographer, I truly believe everyone can look great in photos as long as they’re comfortable and having a good time. Your wedding photographer will be with you all day and your wedding photos will forever be attached to the way you felt so it’s important you choose someone whose personality you like. Have a chat with your photographer before booking, whether it’s in person or via video call. This will give you a good idea of whether you’re a good fit or not.

Consider the light –

The light sets the mood. If you’ve booked a great wedding photographer, I’m sure they will have already thought of this and perhaps even mentioned it to you. When planning your wedding timeline take into account the sunrise and sunset time as well as when the sun will be at its highest as this will vary depending on the location and time of year. If you’re having an outdoor ceremony, consider having it a little later in the day, this will make for softer light on the photos which is always more flattering but it will also prevent your guests from getting heatstroke while they wait for the ceremony to start. 

Golden hour –

I always ask my couples to set aside ten to fifteen minutes for couple portraits around one hour before sunset on their wedding day. I do this not only because this is the best light for photos but also because usually by this point you’ll be more relaxed. It’s also a great time to sneak away from everyone and spend some time together to reconnect. Trust me, you won’t regret it.

Explore the surrounding area –

It can be really nice on your wedding day to escape for a little while to spend some time just the two of you, this is also a great time for your photographer to tag along and do couple portraits. If there’s any unusual landmark or stunning view near the venue, it might be worth heading over there for the couple portraits as it will allow your photographer to capture beautiful wedding photos, unique to you.

Late afternoon ceremony –

When getting married in sunnier countries like Spain, Greece or Italy it’s also worth holding your wedding ceremony later in the day. This will not only mean the light will be softer and you’ll get better wedding photos but it’s also a good way of avoiding your guests getting heatstroke!

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