Marriage Proposal in Santorini
“We are two halves of a whole, two souls that complete each other” said Aristotle and the Santorini island, as never before, is undoubtedly one of the favorite destinations in the world for couples for a marriage proposal or for celebrating weddings. wedding by saying the desired yes and becoming two halves of a whole.
The largest of the Cyclades Islands archipelago and the southernmost, it is the perfect location for such an important event in life, unique colors and panoramic views, white domed houses with blue windows and doors which in contrast with the black earth form a landscape to literally leave you breathless and let's not forget that here you can see the most beautiful sunsets which have now become the identifying mark of the island, so what is more romantic than a sunset to declare eternal love?
The name Santorini was given to it by the Venetians to pay homage to Santa Irene to whom the Basilica of Perissa was dedicated. A wedding in Santorini is the dream of many and there are many requests from all over the planet, crowning it as one of the best wedding destinations for its romantic atmosphere combined with nature with spectacular views.
The best period to fulfill your dream is from mid-April to the end of June or from September to the end of October. The central summer months of July and August, in our opinion and also according to industry experts, are not exactly the most suitable due to crowding, the terrible heat and above all the prices. Remember that Santorini, like almost all the Cyclades, is among the most expensive in the Aegean. Also think about a plan B in case you decide to celebrate in October, usually the sun shines until the end of the month but as you well know the weather does whatever it wants so it's better to prevent any fatalities.
It is possible to celebrate three types of wedding, the Orthodox religious one, the civil one or a symbolic wedding. Unfortunately, Catholic marriage is not contemplated, it is a purely island choice but don't despair, you can always get married in your country and then opt for a metaphorical wedding where there will still be an officiant for the rite.
If you are Orthodox or just need a civil union, the bureaucracy is quite demanding and for this reason we advise you to rely on some local wedding planner as there are documents that must be translated into Greek and a list of documents to present.
First of all, let's distinguish between a marriage proposal and an actual wedding. For the beginning of your life together which always starts from a proposal, there are many places to ask your beloved for her hand in marriage. Without a doubt you can choose Oia with one of the most photographed and loved views. Where else if not at the Little Pink Church with its three domes perhaps at dawn when everyone is still asleep but the landscape has crazy colours, or at the Bell Towers where the sunset lights are incomparable (be careful at this time it gets very crowded), and again at the Blue Domes not far from the Bell Towers, at the Oia Castle of Venetian origin where the sun descends and radiates the Caldera with warm tones, and finally at the Windmill where you can conclude with a nice aperitif in one of the delicious venues strictly with a sea view. For a truly impressive proposal, book a romantic table with two red chairs at the Lycabettus restaurant, a yes will be guaranteed.
Imerovigli is another symbolic place for love to be declared. Definitely quieter than Oia, one of the most romantic points is certainly the Skaros Fortress on top of a large rock or the Church of Anastasios with its blue domes on top of a hill with a spectacular view of the sea and the island. You can also decide for Megalochori where the heart-shaped rock is located (with a little imagination in observing it!) for your eternal commitment. The Akrotiri Lighthouse above the cliff with a view of the open sea which at dusk fills with people to admire the spectacle that Mother Nature gives us every day. And why not combine business with pleasure by going to the Santo Wines agricultural cooperative with a wonderful terrace overlooking the Caldera where you can then taste one of the native nectars. And do we want to forget about the fateful question about the beach by the sea? Obviously not, here too you will be spoiled for choice, the one that most inspires you and gives you that certain I don't know which could be a perfect place to declare yourself. And finally, a valid alternative could be in a scenic hotel like the Suites Of Goods with a swimming pool on the cliff edge and a loggia with a panoramic view of the sea, wait for the sunset with a colorful cocktail in hand and swear eternal love.
However, as regards the actual wedding complete with ritual and party, you can always decide to organize everything in a winery such as Ventsanos in Megalochori above the port, or at the Chapel of Santa Irini with its terrace overlooking the Caldera with uninterrupted view of the volcano and the majestic Aegean. It is located between Fira and Pyrgos, and can accommodate a maximum of 50 people for an intimate wedding where a banquet is set up on the loggia during sunset, transforming the moment into a fairy tale. If, however, you want a wedding with numerous guests, we recommend the Tomato Museum in Vlychada which can accommodate over 100 people.
Even by the sea you can organize the event, in recent years some beach bars have equipped themselves to be able to offer unforgettable moments such as Akro in Mesa Pigadia before the lighthouse or the Theros Wave Bar in Vlychada. However, nothing takes away from the beaches of Perissa and Kamari as alternatives and certainly with the help of a good wedding planner, you will be able to organize a memorable party.
Let's get to the practical and economic side for a wedding in Santorini, know that it doesn't cost little, it always depends on what you have in your dreams for this magical day. First of all, planning must be done at least a year and a half in advance, the best locations are booked from all over the world with long notice so being able to find a place at the last moment is truly a "mission impossible". There are some costs that are mandatory such as the interpreter for the ceremony, the translated documents and the authorizations, then it all depends on what you want, the type of location whether a dinner or a buffet, the flowers, the photographer, hair and makeup, live music, in short, what you dreamed of for your special day.
Searching the web for example if it is just the two of you with a couple of friends, ceremony on the terrace overlooking the Caldera, dinner in a restaurant, photo shoot and minimal decorations but always with a chic touch we are talking about around €7000. The choice is yours on how much to invest for this event and remember, always rely on a local professional if you can.