Thomas and Emily decided to unite their lives and exchange vows of eternal love and fidelity. The couple, their parents, and their guests traveled thousands of kilometers from Australia to Greece for the ceremony and reception party, which will take place in Halkidiki. This is one of the dozens of cases of couples of all ages who choose the vast blue of the summer season, with the sun, the sea, and the mezedes on the sand, to say “I do.”
Speaking to the Athens/Macedonian News Agency, Nena Papadopoulou, a wedding planner from a company specializing in incoming engaged couples, explains that this summer many couples have booked tickets and accommodation in our country for their wedding and reception, combining it with summer holidays.
“We have bookings from America, England, Switzerland, Canada, and even distant Melbourne. They come from the other side of the world to get married in our country, and what’s impressive is that couples now seek not only the very popular and heavily advertised destinations but also places we suggest as a wedding planning company or that they have found themselves, hoping to discover untouched and alternative destinations in Greece. We have booked weddings for the upcoming period in places in Halkidiki, where local traditions combined with natural beauties elevate both the travel experience and the event itself. Such weddings also take place on the Athenian Riviera,” describes Ms. Papadopoulou.
One of the pioneers in wedding tourism, Nena Papadopoulou, explains that what makes Greece so appealing to couples from all over the world—whether to get married or simply to renew their vows—is its rich history, culture, and, of course, the endless beaches, beautiful stone-built villages, sunny weather, and amazing gastronomy.
According to industry insiders, recent data shows that Greece is one of the top choices for wedding tourism on both a European and international level. At the top of the list of incoming visitors are second- and third-generation Greeks living and working abroad who return to their ancestral lands to honor their family roots and hold their weddings in the homeland of their parents and grandparents, accompanied by the sounds of bouzouki, violin, lute, clarinet, or Cretan lyra.
However, it is not only Greeks who love the tradition, good food, and hospitality services, but also many couples who have no connection to Greece yet choose it because, for them, it is a lifelong dream to enjoy the warm climate, delicious food made with fresh local ingredients, beautiful locations, the generosity of the people, and Greek filotimo (honor and integrity).
“We have clients coming from various countries in Northern Europe, from America, from Arab countries, even from Africa, Asia, or Australia, with different cultures, religions, customs, and traditions, and they all agree on one thing: that their decision to travel to Greece for their wedding event was the best choice they made,” notes Ms. Papadopoulou.
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Guest Lists Shrink for Local Summer Weddings
While the outlook for 2024 is encouraging for wedding planners, with discussions and bookings for 2025 already progressing well, not everything about weddings is easy. For the past month, organizers have been scrambling to ensure everything is as planned with the prospective couples. The peak wedding season starts in early May and extends until mid-October, coinciding with the lengthening of the tourist season. However, brides and grooms are shrinking their guest lists and constantly revising them to keep the budget under control.
According to planners, weddings used to host 300 or even 400 guests, but now the numbers are more limited, typically ranging from 120 to 150 guests. Additionally, couples are choosing to have their weddings away from their hometowns, often opting for an island to combine the event with a vacation.
“The choices are broad, of course, with the Cycladic islands like Santorini, Mykonos, Paros, and Tinos being traditional favorites. However, we also see more unique, less touristy destinations being chosen, such as the Peloponnese, Crete, Rhodes, and Halkidiki. Greece has something for every taste,” said Thomas Politis, president of the Greek Association of Destination Event Planners, speaking to the Athens/Macedonian News Agency’s radio station, Praktoreio FM 104.9.
“Each part of Greece appeals to specific nationalities. For example, many people from the Balkans come to Northern Greece, eager to head down to the sea. Regarding the nationalities that choose to hold their events here, we have many Americans and Britons, as well as people from countries like India, where recently there have been some very extravagant weddings in our country. There have been large weddings in Kastellorizo by second and third-generation Greeks living in Australia, who decide to have a very intense party that can last up to three days,” concludes Mr. Politis.
VIP Weddings with a Hollywood Flair and Confidentiality Agreements
If you see an impressive bride stepping out of a helicopter or a groom in a suit rock climbing, it’s not necessarily a scene from a Las Vegas movie shoot but a mega-production wedding. There are even cases where the organizers sign confidentiality agreements to prevent leaks about the celebrity couple.
“People from abroad, who are well-known in their countries and circles, demand absolute secrecy. Their requirements are different, and we must provide reliability, understanding of their needs, and immediate service. For example, we had a wedding on an island, where the next day the couple planned to travel to another nearby island. During the party, they informed us that they wanted to book a helicopter for the morning. By the time they cut the wedding cake, we had already arranged it. In other cases, we have a dress code for the staff in line with the event’s theme, often organizing shows and setups that rival full-scale productions, and it is not uncommon for us to bring in famous singers and bands to perform at the event,” says Nena Papadopoulou.
