Photo by Zuzanna Panaretou
If you’re dreaming of holding your Jewish wedding in an ultra-romantic locale packed with beautiful scenery, vibrant local culture, and delicious food, Greece might well be on your destination shortlist. And with good reason – from glittering blue water and sandy beaches to majestic ancient ruins to rich Jewish heritage, Greece is an incredible destination.
As with any international destination wedding – especially one in a country where you may not speak the language – planning can be a little overwhelming. But we sat down with the team from Sirtaki Events, founded by Israeli couple Anat and Yonathan – who loved their own destination wedding in Greece so much they moved to sunny Chalkida to help other couples make the day of their dreams come true!
Photo by Orestis Zoumpos Photography
As Jewish event planners, Anat and Yonathan have a deep understanding of Jewish wedding traditions, and their entire team is knowledgeable about the customs and nuances of Jewish weddings. They handle everything from arranging a rabbi to kosher-certified (or kosher-style) catering, managing the legal aspects of the day to arranging walkable accommodations for guests who observe Shabbat. They’re all about making the planning process as smooth and stress-free as possible for their couples – and they’ve shared some great nuggets of wisdom with us, so do read on!
Photo by Bendosa Photography
Choosing the Perfect Venue for Your Jewish Wedding in Greece
Greece is chock full of breathtaking locations, and there’s no end to the options when it comes to choosing a venue. That said, Sirtaki’s top picks for a Jewish wedding are Athens, Rhodes, and Evia Island. These cities are not only picturesque but also have a strong Jewish presence with access to suppliers who can provide all the services you need for the perfect Jewish wedding day. Ionanina and Thessaloniki are also home to historical synagogues that make an unforgettable setting for your chuppah.
Photo by Bendosa Photography
Alternatively, you can choose to wed outdoors under a stunning traditional chuppah, framed by the stunning backdrop of the Greek island of your choice!
Photo by Girogos Papacharalampous from Or and Paul‘s Irish-Israeli Jewish Wedding
Timing It Right
When planning a Jewish destination wedding in Greece, Sirtaki Events tells us, it’s crucial to get your timing right. You may be drawn to Greece for its warm, sunny climate – the country does boast 250 sunny days a year – but keep in mind that the summers are really very hot, with temperatures beginning to rise toward the end of May.
If you do want to get married in summer, do like the Greeks and hold your ceremony later in the day to avoid the sweltering midday sun – the average Greek wedding starts after 7:00 PM.
Photo by Girogos Papacharalampous from Or and Paul‘s Irish-Israeli Jewish Wedding
Alternatively, consider planning your wedding for off season – you can save big, and there’s a great chance you’ll still be able to enjoy the glorious weather Greece is known for. If you go this route, though, Sirtaki emphasizes that it’s crucial to do your research – or lean on your wedding planner – to ensure your venue is available and accessible at your chosen time of year.
One more great tip from Sirtaki, regardless of the time of year you choose: make sure to find out in advance where and when the sun sets on your big day so you won’t miss out on the photos you’re dreaming of, whether that’s a sunset chuppah or radiant couple’s portraits.
