Your guide to getting married in Greece or Cyprus

Planning your big day abroad? Get the lowdown on two of the hottest spots to tie the knot.

Have you always wanted to tie the knot in Greece or Cyprus? We’ve teamed up with bookyourweddingday.com to make it even easier to book your big day there. This international online booking system lets you instantly book the date and time of your wedding at your chosen venue, for a small fee. From historic Rhodes to beachfront Ayia Napa, read on for your guide to getting married in Greece or Cyprus…

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WHY GREECE IS A FAIRY-TALE WEDDING DESTINATION

Greece pulls in more than 20 million holidaymakers each year, thanks to its picture-perfect beaches and wealth of historical sights. So, its credentials are as good as it gets when it comes to impressive wedding venues. Some of our favourite places to get hitched include Rhodes, Zante and Chania. Here’s why they top our list…

Feeling inspired? Check out our holidays to Greece

RHODES

Rhodes is the ultimate fairy-tale setting for weddings. It’s got endless ribbons of white sand, an enchanting old town filled with ancient ruins and whitewashed villages, which make the perfect backdrop for your wedding photos. This island also boasts more than 300 days of sunshine each year, making it the sunniest island in Greece – so, you can ditch those weather worries when you book a wedding here.

Find out more about our holidays to Rhodes

ZANTE

Escape to Zante if you’re a fan of floral décor – it’s been nicknamed the ‘flower of the orient’ for good reason. Here, the countryside is flanked by olive groves, lemon trees and every colour of bougainvillea you can imagine, making it the ideal setting for your wedding day. Plus, Zante is the epitome of luxury when it comes to weddings. You can marry on the most sought-after beach in Greece, Smuggler’s Cove – this secluded spot is famous for its topaz-blue waters and dramatic limestone cliffs.

Find out more about our holidays to Zante

CHANIA

Weddings in Chania are ideal if you’re looking for something old and something new. This place packs in Venetian-style architecture in its old town, as well as a charming harbour that’s lined with modern restaurants and powder-soft beaches. Plus, the Akrotiri peninsula is less than 25 minutes’ drive away. Here, there are fascinating monasteries, as well as a national park, called Samaria Gorge, which takes in mountainous landscapes and overlooks the Mediterranean Sea – it’s really romantic.

Find out more about our holidays to Chania

WHY CYPRUS IS THE PERFECT PLACE FOR A WEDDING

Cyprus is dubbed ‘the island of love’ thanks to its connection to Aphrodite AKA the Goddess of Love, who enjoyed secret forest dates here with a number of ancient gods, like Adonis and Ares, according to Greek mythology. The island was also presented to Cleopatra as a token of love. Expect dream-like settings when you swap vows beside the sea or in-between pretty pine forests and sweeping olive groves here.

Find out more about our holidays to Cyprus

PAPHOS

Did you know Paphos is the most popular place to get married in Cyprus? It’s no wonder, either – you’ll have Anglican churches, like St Paul’s Pillar and St George’s, to choose from on your big day. Plus, if you’re after a town hall ceremony, you’ve got three to pick from. There’s Pegeia Town Hall, which is in a peaceful courtyard filled with flowers, Paphos Town Hall – a historic Neoclassical style building with large columns and marble steps – or Yeroskipou Town Hall, a small venue in traditional Yeroskipou village.

Find out more about our holidays to Paphos

APHRODITE HILLS

If you’re after a luxury Cyprus wedding, look no further than Aphrodite Hills. You’ll find it nestled between Paphos and Limassol, where countryside views, Blue Flag beaches and time-stamped sights are all up for grabs on your wedding day. And when you’re finished tying the knot, you and your guests can relax on the sands, hop on a boat trip to the famous Blue Lagoon or visit one of the island’s famous attractions, the Tomb of Kings. The age-old monument dates back to the 4th century. While you’re there, you can explore the ancient Doric columns and frescoed walls that are still fit for royalty.

Find out more about our holidays to Aphrodite Hills

AYIA NAPA

With secluded coves and 14 Blue Flag beaches to its name, there are plenty of seafront spots for an outdoor wedding in Ayia Napa. In the lead up to your big day, the lively town is ideal for stag and hen dos, thanks to its restaurants, bars and clubs. Plus, if you’ve got children coming to your wedding – or you’re a big kid at heart – there’s a waterpark a short 10-minute drive from the centre for a fun post or pre-wedding-day activity.

Find out more about our holidays to Ayia Napa

Feeling inspired?

Browse our weddings brochure and check out the best places to get married abroad. Then, snap up a great deal on your honeymoon.

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Author: Olivia Hunt and Jessica Houtby

Last updated: 18.09.2019