This summer many couples have booked tickets and accommodation in our country for the wedding and reception, combining summer holidays
Thomas and Emily from Australia they decided to unite their lives and exchange vows of eternal love and loyalty in Greece – and specifically in Halkidiki – traveling thousands of kilometers away from their homeland. It is one of dozens of cases of couples of all ages who choose the vast blue of the summer season, with the sun, the sea and snacks on the sand, to say “I do”.
Speaking to the Athenian/Macedonian News Agency, Nena Papadopoulou, a wedding organizer from a company that mainly deals with incoming newlyweds, explains that this summer she finds many couples who have booked tickets and accommodation in our country for the wedding and the reception, combining together and summer holidays.
“We have reservations from America, England, Switzerland, Canada, but also distant Melbourne. They even come from the other side of the earth to get married in our country and the impressive thing is that now couples are not only looking for the very popular and highly advertised destinations, but also prefer “cheated”, alternative destinations in Greece”
According to Ms. Papadopoulou, what makes Greece so interesting for couples from all over the world is the rich historyculture and of course the fact that there are endless beachesbeautiful stone-built villages, sunny weather and amazing gastronomy.
In fact, according to people in the field, the latest data show that our country is one of the top choices for wedding tourism on a European and international level.
Who do we… prefer – Where do they get married
The first in the list of …incoming are Second and third generation Greeks who live and work abroad and return to their homeland to honor their family roots and have their wedding in the homeland of their parents and grandparents to the accompaniment of bouzouki, violin, lute, clarinet or Cretan lyre.
Apart from expats, many couples who have nothing to do with Greece choose it for the warm climate, delicious food, beautiful locations, tradition and hospitality of the locals.
“We have customers who come from different countries Northern Europefrom America, from Arab countrieseven from Africathe Asia or Australia with different cultures, religions, customs and traditions and they all agree on one thing: that their decision to travel to Greece for their wedding event was the best,” notes Ms. Papadopoulou.
“The choice of interested parties is wide, clearly we have the islands of the Cyclades, traditionally the Santorinithe Mykonosthe Parothe Tenobut we also come across more unique, less touristic destinations, so we see events taking place in Peloponnesethe Cretethe Rose and the Chalcidice since Greece has something for all tastes”, notes the president of the Hellenic Union of Destination Event Organizers, Thomas Politis.
“Each part of Greece is addressed to specific nationalities. Typically, in Northern Greece many people come from the Balkans who wish to go down to the sea and in terms of nationalities (including those who choose to organize the event) we have many Americans and also British, while we have even seen countries such as India, from where recently there had been very … powerful marriages in our country.
For example, there have been big weddings in Kastellorizos by Greeks, second and third generation, residents of Australia who decide to have a very intense party, which can last even three days”, concludes Mr. Politis.
VIP weddings with a Hollywood flavor and non-disclosure agreements
If one sees a stunning bride descending from a helicopter or a costumed groom rock climbing, it’s not necessarily footage from a Las Vegas movie shoot, but a wedding – blockbuster. In fact, there are cases where the organizers sign as well confidentiality agreement to avoid it famous couple the leak.
“People from abroad, who are known in their own country and in their own circles, ask for absolute secrecy. There the requirements are different and we must provide reliability, understanding of needs and prompt service.
For example, we had an island wedding where the next day the couple would be traveling to another nearby island and at party time they informed us that they would like to cancel helicopter for the morning. By the time they cut the wedding cake, we had already arranged it.
In other cases we have dress code for the event-themed staff, we often organize shows and sets that rival full-fledged productions, and there are many times when we have brought surnames singers and bands to play at the event,” says Nena Papadopoulou.
Source: Skai
I have worked as a journalist for over 10 years, and my work has been featured on many different news websites. I am also an author, and my work has been published in several books. I specialize in opinion writing, and I often write about current events and controversial topics. I am a very well-rounded writer, and I have a lot of experience in different areas of journalism. I am a very hard worker, and I am always willing to put in the extra effort to get the job done.
