| If you want to an extraordinary wedding | | | | donkey! |
| experience, then how about the ultimate romantic | | | | Top Tips for Wedding Bliss in Santorini: |
| wedding on the Greek Island of Santorini -- the | | | | - For your wedding dress choose something |
| most romantic of all the Greek Islands! World | | | | comfortable, lightweight and un-crushable. My wife |
| famous sunsets, spectacular views over the | | | | chose a lightweight white halter neck, full-length |
| Aegean Sea, guaranteed sunshine, and warm, | | | | Grecian goddess wedding dress for her special |
| friendly people. What a perfect start for your | | | | Greek Island beach ceremony. I wore white |
| perfect relationship! | | | | trousers and a white, lightweight open neck shirt. |
| Santorini is becoming THE place to get married, | | | | - Allow at least six months to arrange your |
| renew vows and enjoy a fabulous honeymoon. | | | | holiday, honeymoon and organisation of |
| My wife and I married on the Greek island of | | | | paperwork including translation. |
| Zakynthos, and it was the most beautiful, | | | | - When choosing your wedding date bear in mind |
| romantic experience of our lives. We would | | | | that May until October are the best months with |
| recommend getting married in Greece to | | | | all facilities open on the island. July and August are |
| everyone! | | | | the busiest and hottest months. Also remember |
| After all, you only do it once -- right! | | | | that you need to be resident a full eight days in |
| There is no reason why a Santorini wedding | | | | Greece BEFORE your wedding date. |
| should be anything less than a blissful and romantic | | | | - Ensure ALL your paperwork is in place long |
| dream experience. You'll have a great time | | | | before your wedding date. Your wedding will not |
| choosing your fabulous location for your Santorini | | | | proceed if it is not. |
| wedding, as well as choosing outfits, selecting your | | | | - The local Greek mayor will conduct your civil |
| flowers and the cake. However, there are the | | | | ceremony in Greek and translate into English. The |
| legalities of getting married abroad you'll need to | | | | ceremony itself lasts no longer than 15 minutes. |
| consider. | | | | All you need say is "Yes!" in English. So there's no |
| There is a minimum residency stay of eight days. | | | | need to worry about learning Greek. |
| This allows the local authorities time to receive | | | | - Keep your wedding clothes simple, cool and |
| and process your application. On completion of the | | | | lightweight. Footwear too. Three inch stilettos for |
| necessary paperwork the bride and groom will be | | | | a beach wedding shout disaster! (That goes for |
| able to pick up their Marriage License, ready for | | | | the bride too!) |
| the wedding ceremony. | | | | - Be flexible with your flower choices. Demanding |
| There is some basic documentation needed as | | | | a particular shade of chiffon lemon or salmon pink |
| you would expect, but don't worry, there are | | | | or an out of season rare flower may cause |
| plenty of top class hotels in Santorini that can | | | | difficulties. Remember Santorini is a small island so |
| assist with your wedding plans, providing complete | | | | rare and unusual flowers will need to be shipped in. |
| wedding packages, including: | | | | But if you are flexible and not too demanding be |
| - full civil ceremony | | | | assured your flowers WILL be beautiful. |
| - photographer | | | | - Hair and makeup need special consideration as |
| - wedding bouquet | | | | heat plays a big factor in melting make up and |
| - musicians | | | | frizzing curls! Again keep it simple. |
| - wedding reception | | | | - Just one witness is required at the ceremony. |
| - champagne | | | | And one will be provided at the ceremony if it is |
| - honeymoon suite | | | | just the two of you. |
| - stunning sunset (that last one is free!) Many | | | | - Don't get stressed! Remember getting married |
| holiday companies like Kosmar, Argo and Libra | | | | in Santorini is an alternative to a stuffy formal |
| offer a complete wedding package too, including | | | | affair at home. The pace is slower and simpler |
| flights, accommodation, a wedding planner, | | | | and things do not have the same stressful |
| photographer, wedding cake, bouquets and the | | | | urgency as they do elsewhere. Be assured your |
| all-important choice of location. | | | | wedding will be fantastic even if the mayor turns |
| You're definitely spoilt for choice with Santorini | | | | up 20 minutes late in his working clothes to |
| locations for your wedding ceremony. Choose | | | | conduct your ceremony. (This happened to us -- |
| from a wedding on the beach or aboard an 18th | | | | his apology included an explanation that his donkey |
| century sailing ship. Or you have the chance of | | | | was sick and he had to help with the grape |
| getting married in a traditional winery located on | | | | picking!) |
| the Caldera. | | | | - Enjoy your wedding day! |
| You can even arrive at your ceremony by | | | | |