Greek Islands Wedding Guide: Santorini, Mykonos, Crete, Corfu and Rhodes

Greece is one of the most popular destination wedding locations for British couples — accessible (3–4 hour flights from UK airports), affordable relative to Italy or France, reliably sunny from May through October, and possessed of a landscape and architectural character — white walls, blue domes, azure sea, ancient stone — that is both immediately recognisable and deeply romantic. This guide covers the practical and logistical aspects of getting married on a Greek island as a British couple, with photography considerations throughout.

The Main Greek Island Wedding Destinations

• ◆Santorini (Cyclades): The most famous and most photographed — the caldera villages of Oia, Fira, and Imerovigli, blue-domed churches, and legendary sunsets. The most expensive Greek island for weddings; the most international; the most visually iconic. Perfect for couples who want the definitive Greek island image.
• ◆Mykonos (Cyclades): Cosmopolitan, fashionable, and livelier than Santorini. The windmills, the old port (Little Venice), and the labyrinthine Mykonos Town streets offer different photography from Santorini's caldera focus. Strong gay-friendly wedding community. Higher energy atmosphere than the other Cycladic islands.
• ◆Crete: Greece's largest island offers enormous variety — from the Venetian harbour and lighthouse of Chania in the west to the gorges and mountains of the interior to the pink sand beach of Elafonisi. For couples wanting more than one type of landscape in a single island, Crete is the best choice.
• ◆Corfu (Ionian Islands): The most Italian-influenced Greek island — Venetian architecture in the Old Town (UNESCO), olive groves, and a greener, more northern character than the Cyclades. Closer to continental Europe and accessible from more UK airports than Santorini. Quieter wedding market with beautiful venues.
• ◆Rhodes (Dodecanese): The medieval Old City of Rhodes — one of the best-preserved medieval city centres in Europe — offers extraordinary architectural photography. The Street of the Knights, the Palace of the Grand Master, and the harbour and lighthouse are UNESCO-listed. For couples wanting medieval architecture rather than Cycladic whitewash.
• ◆Zakynthos (Ionian Islands): Famous for the Navagio shipwreck beach — accessible only by boat, with a rusted cargo ship beached under towering white limestone cliffs. Very popular for elopement portrait sessions; the beach itself only has about 4 hours per day when it is in shadow rather than blinding white sunlight.

Legal Requirements for British Couples Marrying in Greece

Following Brexit, British nationals are subject to slightly different requirements than EU nationals when marrying in Greece. The process varies depending on whether you want a civil or religious ceremony:

• ◆Civil ceremony in Greece: Both parties need apostilled birth certificates and a Certificate of No Impediment (CNI) issued by a UK register office. The CNI must be apostilled by the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office. Lead time: 3–6 months minimum. The ceremony takes place at the local Greek Town Hall (Dimarcheio) or, for approved venues, at the licensed venue.
• ◆Greek Orthodox ceremony: Available to Orthodox Christians. Both parties must be Greek Orthodox and present baptism certificates. For non-Orthodox British nationals, this route is generally not available.
• ◆Symbolic ceremony: No legal paperwork — a personally meaningful ceremony conducted by a civil celebrant on any location, with the legal marriage registered in the UK before or after. This is by far the most common choice for UK couples eloping in Greece.

Choosing a Photographer for a Greek Island Wedding

For a Greek island wedding, your photographer needs to be either locally based on the island or willing to travel internationally for your wedding date. Both options have advantages: a local photographer has precise knowledge of the island's best hidden locations, lighting conditions at different times of day, and logistics. A UK-based travel photographer brings a consistent style that matches your other portrait sessions (engagement, family) and works with you through the whole planning process from the UK.