Everyone on the planet knows how stunning Greece is. From snow white and sky blue Santorini, clinging to the rim of a volcano 1000 feet above the sparkling Mediterranean, to Athens drowning in so much visible history and culture that it is physically possible to imagine the ancient Greeks wandering the streets in their sheets, sandals and gold crowns.
With the one of the longest coastlines in the world, over 2000 uninhabited islands floating in the turquoise Med, villages scarred with cobbled streets and incredible architecture and all this before mentioning the warmth of the Greek people, Greece is a stunning country and one very well set up for destination weddings.
Get married in Greece under the branches of olive trees, on the white sand or cobbled beaches lapped by crystalline waters, in a Church as old as time or on the top of its highest peak, Mount Olympus, the mythical abode of the Greek Gods in Ancient Greek religion. The Greek world it seems is your wedding oyster.
Like most European countries there is a lot of paperwork involved, all of which needs to be professionally translated, including your birth certificate and you must also place an ad in the local paper in your selected Greek village or town, in case anyone wants to contest your marriage...but it is certainly worth the rigmarole.
Same sex marriage is still illegal, partly I feel, due to the heavy influence of the Greek Orthodox Church, which makes me sad that one of the first civilizations to record same sex relations can't see beyond modern prejudices.
The Greeks as a nation are fiercely proud of their history and culture which is perfectly understandable. Ancient Greek History is considered the cradle of all Western civilization.
It is the birthplace of democracy, Western philosophy, the Olympic Games, Western literature, historiography, political science, major scientific and mathematical principles and Western drama, including both tragedy and comedy. Theatre was born in Greece for goodness sakes! Where would we be without Wicked and Les Mis...we'd be a bunch of uncultured heathens that is for certain.
They are a sociable crowd, loving and willing to share everything they can, especially food. Plate upon plate of Meze cover the tables and if you are lucky enough to share lunch with a Greek family you will wonder if you will ever be hungry again. Food continues to appear, wine or Tsipouro (Raki) glasses continue to be filled and the conversation continues to flow for hours over the most incredible olives, freshly grilled whole fish, barbecued baby octopus and aubergines cooked in a bazillion delectable ways, always dripping in homemade olive oil.
The countryside is breathtaking. 80% of Greece is mountainous, making the country one of the most mountainous in Europe and 50% is covered by forest. The rest is pretty much coastline which is a jagged path of blinding turquoise and ruins of all ages are abundant for exploring.
The climate of Greece is primarily Mediterranean, featuring mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers. Spring or autumn are my favourite seasons there due to mild weather and low tourist numbers. The Island of Corfu is especially stunning when you can wander unabused by coachloads of 'sightseeing' tours.
There is just so much to see, do and eat in Greece that it is a perfect spot for a wedding and better still, you can stay put and enjoy an incredible honeymoon there too.
How to get legally married in Greece - It is best to check the embassy local to where you wish to be married.
Australia
Austria
Brazil
Contact us for more
Czech Republic
England
France
Germany
Greece
Guatemala
Hawaii
Hungary
Ireland
Jordan
Louisiana
Malaysia
Mexico
New Zealand
Peru
Scotland
South Africa
Turkey
Wales
Washington State