Your Santorini Elopement Photographer’s Guide to Saying “I Do” Under the Aegean Sky

Elopement costs in Santorini vary widely depending on your choices. A simple ceremony with just photography can start around €3,000-€5,000 (including photographer, officiant, and basic florals). If you add a luxury villa, hair/makeup, dinner at a high-end restaurant, and extended photography coverage, you’re looking at €8,000-€15,000+. The beauty of eloping is you control exactly where your budget goes.

Not necessarily, but it can make your life easier. For very simple elopements (just the two of you, a photographer, and vows), you can absolutely plan it yourself. However, a planner becomes valuable if you want to coordinate multiple vendors, need help navigating permits, or want someone on the ground handling logistics while you focus on enjoying your day. Many couples find a middle ground—they handle the big decisions themselves but hire a planner for day-of coordination.

Yes, but it requires significant paperwork and advance planning (often 2-3 months minimum). You’ll need documents like a certificate of no impediment, birth certificates, divorce decrees (if applicable), all translated into Greek and apostilled. You’ll also need to publish your intent to marry in a local newspaper. Many couples choose instead to have a legal ceremony in their home country and a symbolic ceremony in Santorini, which captures all the emotion and beauty without the bureaucratic complexity.

Spring (April-June) and fall (September-October) offer the ideal combination of beautiful weather, fewer crowds, and better pricing. May and September are my personal favorites—the temperatures are perfect for outdoor ceremonies, and the island feels more intimate. Summer (July-August) is stunning but hot, crowded, and more expensive. Winter can be beautiful but some vendors and restaurants close, and weather is less predictable.

From a photography perspective, late afternoon (about 2 hours before sunset) or early morning (within 2 hours of sunrise) provide the most beautiful light. Sunset ceremonies are incredibly popular and romantic, though you’ll have more company at famous viewpoints. Sunrise ceremonies offer more privacy and equally stunning light—plus there’s something magical about starting your marriage as the island wakes up. Mid-day ceremonies are possible but the harsh overhead light and heat make them less ideal.

I recommend at least 4-5 days total. This gives you a day to arrive and settle in, your elopement day (without feeling rushed), and a couple days afterward to explore the island, enjoy romantic dinners, and simply be together. Many couples extend it to a full week, combining their elopement with their honeymoon. Remember, you’re traveling all this way—give yourself time to actually experience Santorini beyond just the ceremony.

Wear what makes you feel most like yourselves, but keep the setting in mind. Light, flowy fabrics work beautifully in the Aegean breeze and photograph gorgeously. Many brides choose simpler, less formal dresses for elopements—think elegant and romantic rather than traditional ballgown. For grooms, linen suits or dress shirts with trousers work perfectly. Consider the terrain too—if we’re walking on cobblestones or volcanic rock, comfortable shoes matter (many brides bring both heels for photos and flats for walking).

It depends on the location. Private venues like villas, hotels, or restaurants handle their own permissions. Public locations can be trickier—some famous spots in Oia, for instance, require permits for any organized event or professional photography. As your photographer, I can guide you toward locations that offer the views you want without permit complications, or help you navigate the permit process if your heart is set on a specific public spot.

Absolutely! “Elopement” doesn’t always mean just the two of you. Many couples invite 5-10 close family members or friends to share the experience. This is often called a “micro-wedding” or “intimate wedding,” and Santorini is perfect for these celebrations. You get the intimacy of an elopement with the joy of having your favorite people present.

For symbolic ceremonies, you can hire a professional celebrant who specializes in destination weddings (I can recommend several who are wonderful). Some couples ask a friend or family member to officiate, which adds a personal touch. For legal ceremonies, you’ll need to go through the local municipality and use their designated officials. Many celebrants offer personalized ceremony scripts and can incorporate elements from your cultural or religious traditions.

Rain is rare in Santorini, especially during the peak season (May-October), but it can happen. Most venues have indoor backup options, and many villas have covered terraces that still offer views. Honestly, some of my most dramatic and beautiful images have been captured in unexpected weather—overcast skies, moody light, even light rain can create incredibly atmospheric photos. We’ll have a plan B, but often plan B turns out just as magical as plan A.

This is entirely personal preference. A first look gives you a private, intimate moment before the ceremony and can help calm nerves. It also means we can do more photography before the ceremony, making the day less rushed. Seeing each other for the first time during the ceremony is more traditional and creates a powerful emotional moment. There’s no right answer—choose what feels most meaningful to you.

Typically, I recommend 1-2 locations for a 3-4 hour elopement session. Moving between locations takes time, and you want to actually be present in each spot rather than constantly rushing. We can often capture variety within a single location—for example, Oia offers narrow streets, blue domes, cliffside views, and intimate courtyards all within walking distance. If you want multiple distinct locations, we can plan a longer session or even split it across two days (ceremony one day, additional couple’s session another).

Yes, and it’s one of the most popular choices! Santorini’s sunsets are world-famous for good reason. Just be aware that popular sunset viewpoints get crowded, especially in summer. If privacy matters to you, we can find alternative spots that offer equally beautiful sunset views with fewer people, or consider a private villa where you’ll have complete seclusion.

When you book me for your Santorini elopement, you receive comprehensive coverage that includes pre-planning consultation, timeline assistance, location recommendations, full-day or half-day photography coverage (depending on your package), both candid and guided portraits, use of both digital and film photography, professional editing, and a private online gallery with high-resolution images delivered within 4-6 weeks. I also provide guidance on vendors, logistics, and what to expect. My goal is to be not just your photographer but a trusted resource throughout your planning process.

I recommend booking 6-12 months in advance, especially for peak season dates (May-October). Popular dates around holidays or full moons book even earlier. That said, if you’re planning something more last-minute, reach out anyway—I occasionally have availability for spontaneous elopements, and I’d hate for you to miss out just because you didn’t ask.

Yes! While I specialize in Santorini, I photograph elopements and weddings throughout Greece. Mykonos, Paros, Crete, Milos, Folegandros, Naxos—wherever your love story takes you, I’m available to document it. Being based in Athens means I can easily reach any Greek island, and I have local knowledge of the best locations across the country.