Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions: About What We Offer And Your Wedding Day In Greece, On Crete With Us.

 

We offer you the wedding experience and also great holiday locations on Crete with planned excursions. Locations for beach weddings like Matala, lakeside venues at Kournas and Zaros, religious marriages, tailor-made vow renewals, anniversary celebrations, or even engagement settings. Therefore, it is not surprising with so much going on you might have some questions. As a new company, set up in 2012, we have decided on our motto, ‘From the moment you arrive at the airport until the time you leave we are here to help’. And I can promise that if you surprise us with a question we have not already thought of we will be happy to find the specific answer for you! Below are the most obvious questions organized under separate services we offer as an initial step towards helping us to plan your ‘Romantic Wedding OnCrete’. There are five possible steps towards the full wedding service on Crete.

A.    The Engagement Q.2

B.     The Civil ceremony Q.3 – 9

C.     The Religious Marriage Q.10 – 13

D.    The Reception Q.14 – Q. 18

E.     The Honeymoon Holiday Q. 19

F.      Miscellaneous Q. 20 – 22

            You can choose the location you like and we will plan the rest!

Q.1 Do I need to book the whole package with you to use your service?

No, first of all, every wedding is different. So, for us it does not matter if you only want to choose one or more of our different packages on offer for us to help plan your perfect romantic wedding. Therefore, if you are planning popping the question and you only want us to book and organize the restaurant in a romantic location then we would be happy to do so. Or, you may only want to perform the civil ceremony here on Crete as you have no particular religious affiliations. Or you may already be married but would like a religious marriage here on Crete (although there will be some paperwork to go through). You may just want us to help you plan a reception for one of your family with a firework display and other activities during your holiday. Or you may just want us to book a private villa for you at a romantic location so that you can celebrate the honeymoon here on Crete. The list of options and ideas are endless!

 

Q.2 Can you provide help planning our Engagement?

Yes, if you would like us to contact a reputable jeweler for you whose family has been in the business for over thirty years to not only suggest different ring designs but can also design, make and present you with your own special ring then we can. We can also suggest romantic venues around the island to match your particular tastes. We can suggest tavernas, menus and help you create atmosphere with local Cretan dancers and musicians and help you plan a reception to follow after you ‘pop’, the question.

Q.3 What is the civil ceremony?

If you are planning to be married on Crete then you need to have a civil or legal ceremony usually performed by the deputy mayor in the province you choose to be married. Here, you will need various paperwork (cf. Legal Tab). Civil ceremonies take place during the week on different days, depending upon the province and last about ten minutes.

Q.4 What Legal paperwork do we need and why?

It would be a lot easier for you to have translated the following documents, birth certificate, baptism certificate, certificate of non-impediment, certificate of divorce. You would also need your passport, driving license and travel details when you are here. All documents would have to be translated by the Greek embassy in your own country first and contain the Apostolii seal which certifies that the documents are genuine. We can of course do this for you through our lawyer, if you wish to send us the documents well in advance of your wedding, some four to five weeks prior. 

Q.5 Can I only be married in the Council Town Hall?      

There is quite a lot of choice here. It may be possible for you to have the civil ceremony performed at a historical site or even on the beach or in your hotel or private villa. 

Q.6 Does the civil ceremony have to a short affair?

First of all, you don’t have to worry about what you wear that’s up to you! If you would like to save yourself for the religious marriage and reception then the civil ceremony can be a quick affair. However, if you would like to introduce your own exchanging of personal vows or declarations, or you would like to include some readings or music then we can supply you with possible suggestions. It may even be possible for your own guests to provide the musical accompaniment. Therefore, we can discuss all of this as well as providing you with an order of service.

 

Q.7 What time of day is the civil ceremony?

This depends purely upon the province that you are being married in. There are four Provinces in Crete: Chania, Rethimno, Heraklion, and Lassithi. Different provinces perform the civil marriage on different days and times.

Q.8 How will we get to and from the civil ceremony?

For all stages of your wedding and holiday here on Crete we can ensure transportation through either booking a taxi for you or recommending a reliable and safe rent a car company.

Q. 9  Can we arrange for flowers at your civil or religious ceremony and reception?

We can arrange for floral decorations for your civil and religious ceremonies depending upon your selection of where you would like the wedding venue and your reception. We can offer you with a selection to choose from.

 

Q.10 How will the religious marriage take place?

In consultation with your particular denominational priest here on the island we can help to recommend readings, music and order of service. We can also help to arrange where the priest will marry you. In general all priests treat the marriage as a sacrament. Therefore it is preferred if the marriage takes place in a secluded, quiet place such as a hotel, villa or chapel. Some priests are happy to marry you on the beach as well; it all depends upon your denomination and location. 

                           

Q.11 Can we be married in an Orthodox church?

If one of you is Orthodox then it is possible for you both to be married in an Orthodox church. Of course, you will have to verify that one of you is Orthodox. Of course, interfaith marriages are something that can be real fun with an exchange of cultural values and religious traditions which you may think will enrich your wedding experience here on Crete.

 

Q. 12 Can we have a bridal car on Crete for our wedding?

We car arrange for you to have a decorated bridal car for your wedding with us from a Mercedes to a convertible or just a driver to drive you from the church to your reception. We can even arrange for you to have a convertible to help you to celebrate your honeymoon on Crete.

Q.13 What time of year is best to be married and what time of day is best?

Crete has a beautiful, warm climate which is ideal for marriage celebrations and honeymoons all the way from late March until late October or even November. The best thing to do is to choose your location and come! Matala has festivals throughout July and August for example, as well as other parts of the island so it will not be difficult. Of course, it is very hot in August over here, so the best thing to do would be to have the wedding ceremony after 19:00 in the evening when things have cooled down!

Q. 14 What do we do about the reception?

We can plan the entire reception for you depending upon your budget and style, from traditional local Cretan dancers and musicians to a firework display. We can even cater your reception in your own private villa if you like. 

Q. 15 Can we choose our own menu?

It is possible to show you a variety of menus and if you are vegetarian it is very easy to provide suitable alternatives. As Crete is in the middle of the Mediterranean we have a variety of very good fresh fish to choose from as well as ‘yemista’, a traditional Greek dish of stuffed tomatoes or peppers with rice and herbs. Although a traditional Cretan wedding meal usually starts with a cold plate of appetizers like stuffed vine leaves, famous assorted spinach and cheese pies, traditional cheese, salad, and the famous Cretan olives! The second course is the typical roast lamb/pork served with roasted potatoes and the desert will be an assorted fruit plate and/or ice cream. Of course, if you feel adventurous and you have a sweet tooth there are the famous Greek Baklava, Kadaifi sweets which are filo pastry stuffed with different types of crushed nuts and spices dipped in honey.

Q.16 What can we drink during the meal?

Crete has developed a budding wine industry with vineyards in every province each competing to be the best – obviously depending upon where you are staying you will be told ‘we are the best’. It seems that every Cretan not only is proud of their own private produce (and rightly so) but also produce their own home-made wine. Not to worry, you will be provided with an extensive wine list.

Q. 17 Can we have a wedding cake?

There are various styles and sizes to choose from depending upon your tastes and budget. We can provide you with a selection to choose from.

                                                        

Q. 18 What entertainment is available at the reception?

From local Cretan musicians, to local Cretan dancers or even fireworks to add more excitement to your special day! There is again, a variety of choice.

Q.19 What can we do during our honeymoon if we want to see Crete?

If you would like us to we can provide guide tours with an official private tour guide in English. We can also organize and help you to plan excursion trips around the island, a boat trip from Matala to Agios Pavlos where St.Paul is said to have landed on the island with St.Titus (a saint equal to the Apostles in the Orthodox Church) perhaps. Or even visits to vineyards to see wine or olive oil production.

Q. 20 If we want to invite family and friends over with us what should we do?

We can book hotels, apartments or villas for you and your guests. We can also arrange for you to be met at the airport or port upon your arrival by a reliable rent a car company where you will be given your chosen size of car, map and directions. And we can plan your reception and general holiday in consultation with you to see that your guests are taken care of which leaves you free to either join your friends and family or to escape for some well earned rest. 

Q.21 Can we have a Stag or Hen night on Crete?

We can give you advice about where to go and what to do offering advice not only about locations but also topics such as safety and local activities.

Q. 22 Can I be pampered before my wedding and/or on the wedding day itself?

If you would like us to book and arrange for a hair stylist to come to your hotel or private accommodation, then we can arrange it. We can also arrange for you to have a day at a spa hotel for a massage and general beauty treatments.