A real-life step-by-step guide to planning your wedding in Greece

blush pink and white wedding flowers

Selina and Chris's love began in Australia in 2022 where is clear early on that they had a special connection. They built a connection on laughter, love, and a genuine appreciation of each other. When it came time to choose a wedding destination, Santorini emerged as the perfect choice due to the island's stunning sunsets and picturesque "infinity blue" landscapes. Planned with the help of DW Events, Selina and Chris’s destination wedding at Rocabella Santorini was a true vision of “heaven on earth” with a cliffside ceremony framed by a breathtaking Caldera backdrop and an elegant reception adorned with luxury chandeliers, modern furniture, romantic flowers and candles, creating the perfect blend of modern luxury and timeless beauty. Keep scrolling to hear advice from DW Events about how to make planning your Greek wedding a breeze, one step at a time.

white and blush roses wedding floral arrangements black and cream invitation suite

Step 1: Define your vision

The most important part of beginning the wedding planning process is to define your wedding vision. This will be instrumental when booking your wedding planner and beginning to discuss what your budget and priorities will be. For Selina and Chris, they knew they wanted to start the weekend of right, so their three-day celebration kicked off with a welcome cocktail party at Buddha Bar.

cream wedding shoes classic bridal updo

Step 2: Set the Date

Deciding the date of your wedding is the most critical decision to make. In Greece, it's especially important to think about local celebrations and weather. The islands are most active and beautiful during summer months, hence the high demand for September! Once you've set your date, the venue and vendors will follow.

high-neck backless wedding dress

Don't wait on the dress!

Purchasing, receiving, and altering your dress can take many months. Because of this, it's important to start looking as soon as you can. For their gorgeous Santorini wedding, Selina wore a dress from Chosen by Kyha purchased from a local vendor on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Sphere Bridal. The Rafferty dress epitomized understated glamour and featured a statement-making neckline, fluid draping, an open back, and gently fitted skirt.

cream bridesmaid dresses

Step 3: Create your guest list

Making the guest list is an art, and it's important to tread carefully. If guests will be travelling, it's important to communicate with them early on about their invitation. The guest list will also directly impact your budget, so it's important to be mindful of that when making the final decisions. What made Selina and Chris's day even more special was that the couple's friends and family travelled across the world to see them say, "I do." Guests were able to stay right at the venue, and for the celebration, they opted for a neutral color palette to create a seamless vision throughout the day.

gold furniture

flower arrangements with roses and orchids cream pillars

cream and white roses and orchids arrangements

Step 4: Plan your ceremony

The ceremony script is an important part - if not the most important part! - of your wedding day. Decide on the kind of ceremony you want including the kind of vows you'd like to repeat to each other. Selina and Chris opted for a small, intimate ceremony photographed by Wed Visions Studio that included heartfelt speeches and plenty of personal touches. Lush white roses and orchids by Red Box Days surrounded the couple as they said, "I do," in the gorgeous natural setting.

Santorini destination wedding

Step 5: Work on your aesthetics

When selecting your wedding elements from attire to decor, it's important to consider that they should be suitable for the warm Greek climate and complementary to the natural beauty of the space. Selina and Chris wanted to create a romantic celebration that blended elegance with the natural beauty of the outdoors. Filled with romantic florals, elegant decor, chandeliers, modern furniture, and candles, the team at DW Events nailed their vision at every turn.

gold cream and white reception color palette

gold outdoor chandeliers gold and cream place settings

Step 6: Solidify your theme

It's important to collaborate with your planner to solidify your design theme, particularly if you will be travelling for your wedding! Pick out colors, arrangements, and decor that blend with the selected venue and align with your own style. From custom menus to heartfelt, handwritten notes for each guest, Chris and Selina made a point to infuse their personalities into every aspect. Florals included white and cream orchids phalaenopsis, roses, and hydrangeas, while gold rentals, suspended chandeliers, and a plethora of candles provided a romantic touch.

sunset Santorini wedding

Step 7: Confirm the details

Make sure to contact all suppliers and organizers prior to your big day to confirm that everything is on track and ready to go. Double check contracts and ensure your schedule is complete. For Selina and Chris, they wanted to make sure that their cocktail hour and reception were set against a breath-taking sunset and surrounded by the stunning cliffs next to the Aegean Sea, so timing was everything! Their outdoor reception featured beautiful crystal chandeliers that set the mood for an enchanting dinner experience that carried into plenty of dancing and celebrating as the night went on.

sparkler wedding exit

Step 8: Have the best day (or weekend)!

On your wedding day (or throughout your wedding weekend) make sure to be present and fully enjoy the experience. Focus on the love you two have for each other and the beauty of your surroundings, because no matter where you choose to get married in Greece, it will be absolutely stunning! Selina and Chris made sure to explore the island together with their friends and family on their last day together, visiting the beaches and charming villages before hosting a recovery pool party at the beachside venue, Laze.

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