Saying 'I Do' Under the Grecian Sun: Your Ultimate Guide to a Legally Perfect Wedding in Greece
Καλώς ορίσατε! Welcome, beautiful couples, to the first step in planning your dream wedding in Greece.
As a luxury wedding planner specialising in these sacred shores, I’ve witnessed the magic firsthand: the sapphire Aegean, the cliffside sunsets, the whispers of ancient history. It’s a backdrop unlike any other. But before you can dance the night away under the stars, we must navigate the legalities to ensure your union is as official as it is breathtaking.
The process is straightforward, but it requires attention to detail. The key distinction we make is between a Legal Ceremony, a Greek Orthodox Ceremony, and a Symbolic Ceremony. Let’s demystify it all, step-by-step.
First, Choose Your Ceremony Type
1. The Full Legal Marriage
This is a civil ceremony performed by a Greek mayor or a appointed public official. It is fully recognised in the UK, US, and Canada.
For UK Citizens: This is your most common route. Your marriage will be legally binding back home.
For US & Canadian Citizens: This is also a valid legal route. You will receive a Greek marriage certificate, which you may need to have translated and authenticated for use back home (we handle that for you).
2. The Greek Orthodox Church Ceremony
A ceremony in a Greek Orthodox church is also legally binding in Greece and your home country. This is a profound and beautiful experience, rich in tradition. However, there are specific rules, especially if one or both of you are not Orthodox.
3. The Symbolic Ceremony (The Stress-Free & Creative Option)
This is the most popular choice for my international couples, and for good reason. You get legally married at your local city hall before you travel. Then, in Greece, you have a personalised, non-legally binding ceremony officiated by a celebrant. The benefits?
Zero Paperwork in Greece: You can focus entirely on the celebration.
Total Creative Freedom: Write your own vows, choose any location (even ones not licensed for legal weddings), and tailor every moment.
Simplified Process: It removes all the administrative steps below.
Your Step-by-Step Guide to a Legal Wedding in Greece
If you’ve chosen a full legal or church wedding, here is your essential roadmap.
Step 1: The Preliminary Work (6-12 Months Before)
This is the most crucial phase. Do not book flights until you understand this step!
1. Contact the Local Greek Municipality: You must get married in a specific town hall or community office that is authorised for weddings. As your planner, I will identify the correct office for your chosen destination (e.g., Santorini, Mykonos, Athens) and make initial contact.
2. Gather Your Documents: This is the non-negotiable part. All documents must be recent (issued within 6 months) and accompanied by an official Apostille stamp and, if necessary, a certified translation into Greek.
Document Checklist for ALL Couples:
Valid Passports
Birth Certificates (Long-form, showing parents' names)
Certificate of No Impediment (Single Status Affidavit): A document sworn before a notary public stating you are free and legal to marry.
Decree Absolute (if divorced) or Death Certificate (if widowed).
Specifics for Your Nationality:
For UK Citizens: Your Single Status Affidavit must be notarised and then receive an Apostille from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).
For US Citizens: Your documents must receive an Apostille from the Secretary of State in the state where the document was issued. The process varies by state.
For Canadian Citizens: Canada is not part of the Hague Apostille Convention. Instead, your notarised documents must be authenticated by Global Affairs Canada in Ottawa and then by the Greek Consulate responsible for your region.
3. Finalise Dates & Submission:
You must physically be in Greece to submit your documents to the town hall at least one week before the wedding. A representative (like me!) can often do this on your behalf with a notarised power of attorney, which simplifies your trip.
The municipality will then issue a wedding license, and your ceremony date and time are officially set.
Step 2: The Greek Orthodox Church Ceremony – Additional Rules
If your heart is set on a church wedding, we must add these layers:
Baptismal Certificates: You must both provide a recent copy of your baptismal certificate.
For Non-Orthodox Couples: The Greek Holy Synod must grant special permission. This is common but not guaranteed. A key requirement is that both partners must be baptised Christians in a denomination that recognises the Holy Trinity.
Pre-Cana Courses: Some parishes may require you to attend pre-marital counselling.
Church Availability: Popular churches book up years in advance. We must begin this process very early.
Step 3: Your Wedding Week in Greece
The hard work is done! Now for the magic.
Arrive & Relax: You’ve already submitted your paperwork, so your first few days are for finalising details, enjoying your welcome dinner, and soaking in the sun.
The Rehearsal: We will run through the ceremony at your stunning venue.
The Legal Ceremony: On your wedding day, the mayor or official will conduct a short, beautiful civil service. You will need two witnesses (we can provide these if your guests are not comfortable). You will sign the legal registry.
The Celebration: Now, it’s official! Celebrate with champagne, a fantastic meal, and dance until dawn.
Step 4: After the Wedding
You will receive a provisional marriage certificate on the day.
The official, multi-lingual version will be available from the town hall a few days later. I always recommend obtaining several copies.
For US and Canadian couples, you may need to register your marriage with your local county or vital statistics office upon your return. Your Greek marriage certificate (with an Apostille) is your key document.
My Professional Advice as Your Planner
While a legal wedding in Greece is a beautiful and authentic experience, I guide most of my international couples towards the Symbolic Ceremony.
Why? It eliminates the stress of international bureaucracy. You handle the simple legalities at home, on your own timeline. When you arrive in Greece, your only job is to be present, emotional, and ready for the most personalised, meaningful ceremony of your dreams, without a single form to sign.
No matter which path you choose, my team and I are here to handle the complexities, liaise with the authorities, and ensure your journey to the altar is as seamless and magical as the love you celebrate.
Ready to begin? Let’s craft your unforgettable Greek wedding, together.
With love and philotimo,
Xenia xo
