Everyone who has planned a wedding or is in the process of organizing one understands how crucial it is to choose the appropriate venue for your event! It’s possible that you want a typical white church wedding, or that you want something a little different, with more of a focus on the gorgeous surroundings of your venue. Or perhaps you want a little of both. The type of venue, whether you want your ceremony and reception on the same site or separately, your wedding theme, an outdoor or indoor setting, and the amount of guests you plan to invite, are all factors to consider when choosing your wedding venue. Fortunately for you, Crete boasts a wide variety of gorgeous wedding venues that can fulfil your wedding vision. Beaches, resorts, hotels, villas, vineyards, and churches are just a few of Crete’s lovely venues. So, with your wedding concept in mind, continue reading to see whether any of the following sorts of Cretan locations are a good fit for you!
Cretan Beaches
Do you recall Meryl Streep singing “The Winner Takes It All” to her future beau, Pierce Brosnan, on a windy cliff overlooking a crystal pure blue sea in Mamma Mia? A bright blue sky stretched above her head, a gentle sea wind blew through her red scarf and hair, and the sun shone brightly on the water behind her. If you haven’t seen it yet, you should, because the coastline scene is no romantic coincidence.
Crete boasts a 650-mile coastline and some of the world’s most stunning beaches, making it a perfect location for wedding ceremonies and celebrations. There are broad open beaches with rolling waves, as well as secluded sheltered bays with calm waters. There are organized beaches with deckchairs, restaurants, cafés, and water sport equipment, as well as secluded peaceful beaches where the only sounds are the current and the sea breeze.
Between Kissamos in the West and Sitia in the East, you will find magnificent beach resorts on Crete’s South coast. Beautiful fishing communities in this area with wonderful beaches include Ierapetra, Agia Galini, Matala, Plakias, Sougia, and Paleochora. Maleme, Platanias, Agia Marina, Kalyves, and Almyrida are popular beaches on Crete’s North coast, located in the Chania prefecture. Georgioupolis, Rethymnon, Platanes, Adelianos Kambos, and Bali are wonderful beach resorts in Central Crete, whereas the lovely Cretan beach resorts of Anissaras, Hersonissos, Elounda, Agios Nikolaos, and Istron Kalo Horio can be found further East.
Apart from the natural beauty, these beaches provide a peaceful and romantic ambiance for weddings. The wedding party will be able to enjoy being outside in the fresh air, with plenty of room to socialize in a relaxing setting. With everything that has happened in the world since the onset of the pandemic, having space and being outside in the fresh air with your wedding guests is highly recommended.
Cretan Resorts, Hotels and Villas
If a beach wedding isn’t for you, but you still want to be in a beautiful environment, one of Crete’s many luxury resorts and hotels may be a better option. These types of venues are ideal for couples that have a large wedding party and want a grand wedding affair. A benefit of having your wedding in a Cretan resort or hotel is that they are usually in gorgeous settings and are large enough to accommodate a variety of choices for your wedding ceremony and reception. Your events could be held in the grounds, beside the pool, or in the indoor or outdoor dining facilities of the property. You’ll have a high-quality dining experience, customized and attentive service, and a variety of deluxe accommodations and gorgeous suites to pick from, all of which will provide you and your wedding party with a touch of luxury.
If you are planning a smaller wedding event, one of the many villas dotted throughout Crete would be ideal. Villas in Crete are typically found on cliff tops and beachfronts, with lush green landscapes and swimming pools. There will be solitude, serenity, and quiet for you and your wedding party. You can also hire a staffed villa with specialized wedding staff who will look after your everyday needs as well as cater for your wedding day.
Cretan Vineyards
Vineyards in Crete are wonderful rural destinations for wine and scenery enthusiasts. Imagine exchanging your vows against a backdrop of craggy mountains, surrounded by draped vine leaves and lovely gardens. Many soon-to-be-married couples prefer vineyard wedding sites because they provide more than just beautiful views. In an elegant and calm setting, a wedding in a Cretan vineyard allows wedding guests to fully connect with one another. Guests can sample the locally produced Cretan wine and learn more about the wine’s link to the region. The wedding party’s children will have plenty of room to run around and play. Not to mention that vineyards are fantastic locations with stunning surroundings for both your ceremony and reception, saving you the hassle of reserving several sites and coordinating transportation. The natural light that a vineyard provides also makes it simple for the photographer to create the perfect wedding album. In Crete, vineyards are known for delivering wonderful locally sourced food together with a selection of exquisite wines for the wedding party to enjoy! Tempting, isn’t it?
Cretan Churches, Chapels and Monasteries
Most people imagine a quaint whitewashed chapel sitting on a mountainside against a blue sky with the sea roaring below when they think of a wedding in Greece. Hundreds of churches, chapels, and monasteries adorn Crete’s landscape, making for exceptionally lovely wedding sites. These magnificent architectural constructions with exquisite wall murals, frescoes, and icons might be very old, going back to the 4th and 5th centuries AD in some cases. The Chania Cathedral is an attractive and remarkable architectural wonder that dates back to the 13th century. The Preveli Monastery, located south of Rethymno, is perched high above the Libyan Sea and offers a spectacular view! Regardless of which church chapel cathedral or monastery you may choose to marry in, you will experience not only the fervent aura of the location, but also the cultural tradition and rich religious history of Crete. A Cretan church is the place to go if you want a traditional religious white wedding. However, in order for Greek Orthodox wedding ceremonies to take place, some legal criteria and papers must be met, which a wedding planner can assist you with.
There are many other lovely venues in Crete, such as lakes, olive groves, and mountain shelters that would make wonderful settings for your big day, and a wedding planner can help you sort through your alternatives. Contact the Luxury Weddings Team for further assistance and get your dream wedding venue!
