The breathtaking beauty of Santorini, its majestic sunset with the myriad of colors, the white houses combined with the deep blue Aegean sea, make up an exquisite setting for your perfect wedding.
Famous and adored my almost all who have visited this volcanic island, Santorini is a favorite for thousands of couples around the world - it ranks no. 1 wedding destination in Europe and third worldwide!. Its cosmopolitan atmosphere, the romantic ambience, even the volcanic «energy» of this island make it unique and like no other.
PLANNING
As in any destination wedding the planning is crucial to the success of the whole affair!
Its best to turn to a professional planner or coordinator that will take care of everything from the paper work and wedding license, to the selection of church or reception venue, the flower decorations, the hair and make-up, the photographer and the reception. Its worth the fee as they will relieve you from any headaches or anxiety of running around and trying to do everything yourself! Enjoy the romance of the island and leave the planning to the experienced professionals. There are packages that cater to any budget. Just make sure you start early enough to leave ample time for the preparations , 6 or 7 months ahead, at least.
CEREMONY AND RECEPTION
Many couples choose to be married at sunset, in one of the 500 churches that Santorini has to offer- orthodox or catholic, . There is a great selection to choose from small or big, as they are all traditional, well maintained and accomodating.
In Fira you may want to walk to church on your wedding day if you choose the Mitropoli Panagia. Its stunning view of the Caldera will impress your guests and is probably the only one with the capacity to seat 100.
If you prefer to go to church in a more traditional way, then opt for the Santorinian tradition - on a donkey that will be groomed and adorned with fresh wildflowers all prepared to carry you to church. In this case the church of Profitis Ilias is an excellent choice, or if you are looking for something even more impressive, the sculpted and perched chapel of Vathonas is ideal. St. Gerasimos at Firostefani, Anastasi in Imerovigli also enjoy the incredible view of the Caldera.
If the view of the caldera is an absolute "must" for the choice of church then you can also choose among St. Lazaros, St. Nikolas, St. Catherine in Oia, St. George in Imerovigli and Agia Eirini in Akrotiri. But the most picturesque of all is the small church of Agios Minas famous as The spot on the island for viewing the glorious sunset.
The choices for the reception venue are also many, as hotels and wineries all have the capacity to accomodate your wedding party and the stay of of your guests. The choice of venue is mainly determined by your choice of location, the number of your guests, and the ambience or theme of your reception. If you choose one of the many luxurious hotels, the music volume will go down at midnight, where as in a an informal setting like a beach bar in Perissa, the party can last till morning since there are no restrictions. For large parties, wineries are the best solution as they can accomodate up to 300 guests. A ceremony and firework reception on the beach at Perivolos or Kamari is a nice alternative , and will more than make up for the absence of the famous view that only Oia or Imerovigli have to offer.
HONEYMOON
Romantic Strolls in the picturesque streets of Fira and Oia is a perfect way to start your life together. Enjoy the incredible view of the sunset, visit the historical and archaeological sites, and even go on a cruise on the Caldera during the sunset. Relax and enjoy the local specialties as there are many great restaurants to choose from. A visit and tour to a local winery is an absolute must –taste and enjoy the local Santorinian wine Vinsanto.
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