Santorini is wonderful place all over the year. Not only
because of its landscapes and views, but also due to its weather conditions. It
doesn't rain often on the island, although when it does you better hide. We are
lucky enough to have sunny days almost all year long. Even now, while I'm
writing this post, I can see the sun picking though the clouds (I started to write the post last week…
today is a disaster!). Winter is relatively warm and pleasant, with the
only exception being the days with north winds. In general Santorini is a
paradise.
Someone may ask, if the weather in Santorini is so good
all year, why does the wedding season is from April till October? Circumstances
mostly. Greece in general is considered a summer resort, and Santorini is not
the exception to this rule. There have been a rise in winter tourism the past
couple of years, so this might actually change soon. With the tourist season
expanding from March till November, the wedding season will do so as well.
Another reason why winter weddings are not yet a thing in
Santorini, is that there are barely any venues with indoor halls on the island.
If you decide to get married in Santorini in winter and you will be unlucky
enough to get a rainy and windy day on your wedding, you and all of your guests
will get soaked to the bone before the ceremony even begins. Don't get discouraged
though, as there are clever solutions to any problem… like choosing an indoor
space for example. Oceanids Estate tossed the idea of winter weddings, and
their indoor location is perfect!
So, when is the best time to come and get married in
Santorini? Anytime is a good time, and you should really choose based on your
own preferences. If, for example, you like extremely warm days, July and August
would be perfect for you. If you prefer cooler temperatures, then go with April
or October. Each month has its good and bad face, and I'm here to show them to
you:
April - Soooo
beautiful!!
April is a wonderful month to come and visit Santorini.
It finally gets warm enough to feel comfortable without a coat, the days are
getting longer and nature puts on her best dress. Everything blossoms! The
whole island is green, the caldera is green and colorful, even the volcano is
covered in flowers and grass. The weather is also quite pleasant, but still
offers some surprises. In April, we get warm, summer-like days, as well as cold
winter days. Thankfully, the warm days happen much more often than the rainy ones.
So, why come to Santorini in April, if there is a risk of
having your wedding day ruined by a sudden rain? Well, because the nature and
the colors of the island are absolutely worth the risk. Your wedding pictures
will be amazing! I personally adore April. When having a wedding in Santorini
during April, be sure to book a venue that includes an indoor area, so that you
could be safe from the rain and wind. Be prepared for cold evenings and nights,
so don't forget to bring warm clothes with you, not just your swimming suites
and shorts.
May - is it
summer yet?
May reminds more and more of summer. They days are getting
long and warm. There is still a possibility of a rainy day, but if it rarely
rains in April, you can imagine that the rainy days in May are so few, that
there isn't much reason to worry about them. The only drawback are the evenings
- they can get a bit chilly, so inform your guests to bring jackets with them,
should you have an outdoor reception.
If you decide to have your wedding in Santorini in May,
there are some things you should know to reassure that your wedding day will be
a success. Consider having your wedding reception at an indoor location, so you
could be safe from the cold and a possible rain. Plan to have your ceremony
start around 16:00 - 17:00. This way, it will start when the day is still warm.
As mentioned above, don't forget to inform your guests to bring something warm
with them, so they won't get cold once the sun sets. If the venue or restaurant
you chose for your wedding does not have an enclosed area, have a plan B.
Keep also in mind, that the last week of May is quite
popular for weddings, so make all your bookings as early as possible, should
you wish to have your wedding during that time!
June - beach
season is on!
It is officially summer, though the weather might not
agree with this statement completely. For the last couple of years, the first
half of June reminded more of a late spring, rather than the unbearably hot
Greek summer. But there are no rains, which is good. As June proceeds it
becomes warmer and warmer until finally summer sets in for good.
Don’t get frustrated if you wake up on your wedding day
and the sky is full of clouds. At some point during the day it will clear up
and you will enjoy the sunshine. Even if the sky is cloudy, don't forget to use
sunscreen. You might not feel the heat, but this doesn't mean it is not there.
If you wish to have small gifts for your guests for the
ceremony, sun glasses with the date of your wedding and hand fans would be a
great, handy gift. If you or any of your guests get cold easily - jackets!
Bring jackets!! When the sun has set, it might get uncomfortable for those of
us (I'm one of you) who get cold
easily.
As with May, the first week of June is quite popular for
weddings, so don't take too long to make your bookings.
July &
August - hot, hot, hot, hot, hot, hot!!
Summertime!! Yes, it is official, the warm hot,
long summer days are finally here. The beaches are full, the tan is getting
nice and even. The island gets more and more tourists every day, we start to
get traffic in Fira, the bars are full, the clubs are full, there are people
everywhere! It is the high season for Santorini, so don't wait till the very
last minute to make hotel reservations.
It is recommended to have your ceremonies around 17:00 -
18:30 during those two months. The later - the better. The heat can become so
unbearable, that you or your guests might miss out the fun, trying to hide from
the sun. The sunset is at 20:40 on July 1st and at 19:47 on August 31st, so
don’t worry about not having enough daylight
when having the ceremony at the time mentioned. I guarantee that you will still
enjoy your wedding day to the fullest. This is also a perfect time for a beach
wedding.
Sunscreen should become your best friend - before the
wedding, during the wedding, after the wedding, especially if you have pale
skin!
When planning the transportation for you and your guests,
take into consideration the traffic in Fira, and in some other points of
Santorini. The traffic points, which can get quite nasty, may result in having people
arriving late for the wedding.
Take good care of your guests, and offer them cool, non-alcoholic
drinks throughout the wedding. Keep them, and yourself, hydrated to avoid any heat
strokes.
September - the
wedding month!
For reasons, that I don't yet know, September is the most
popular month for a wedding in Santorini. It could be because of the weather -
it is not extremely warm, neither it gets too cold in the evening. It may also
be because of the prices on hotels and flights - September is considered
mid-season, so the prices are usually lower than in August and July. It may
also be that the positive energy flows of the island are on their peak!
Whatever the reasons are, book early if you wish to get married in Santorini in
September.
September is still considered a summer month for us, even
though it is technically autumn, so sunscreen, hand fans, sun glasses, and hats
are still pretty handy. Since the days are getting shorter, the ceremonies
should also start earlier. The best time to start a ceremony in September is
around 16:00 - 17:00.
If you plan on having your wedding towards the end of
September, it would be a good idea to think about having the reception in an
indoor venue, just to be on the safe side. It might get windy and you don't want
your salad flying all over the place.
October is the
new May!
Yes, October is much like May, except for the fact that
the weather is a bit more stable. The first winter rains happen in October
which means that it is better to reserve an indoor venue for your reception. It
is also less crowded in Santorini in October, so if you prefer to visit the
island on a calmer period, October is your month!
When it comes to weddings in October, what applies to May,
will apply to this month as well. Have your ceremony earlier in the day,
starting around 16:00, to get most of your wedding day. For an outdoor
reception, think about outdoor heating or tents in case of rain. Inform your
guests to bring jackets and warmer shoes (this
goes especially for your lady guests). Have hot beverages serving at the
bar, in case any of your guests wishes to warm up.
Winter?
Winter is the period when the locals get married, so
weddings still happen on the island. I say, if you are not afraid of the
elements and you are a risky person, I will most certainly find the best
solution for the best winter wedding in Santorini!
Hope you enjoyed this post and that it was helpful.
You have my best wishes for now, and I'll be glad to see
you again!
Special thanks to:
Dream On photography - http://www.dreamonphotography.gr/
Click by Christos - http://www.clickbychristos.com/
for providing the photos for this post! Great wedding photographers, make sure to check them out!
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