7 Key Factors to Consider When Choosing Your Perfect Wedding Venue in Greece

In the process of choosing your perfect wedding venue in Greece? Here is what to ask, and things to consider, coming from a wedding planner in Greece.

Venue scouting can take up to 40% of the wedding planning process. Not only is it time-consuming, it is also stressful as the choice of your venue will affect your wedding in ways you have not considered (yet). So before you put down a deposit, do it like a wedding planner and make sure you look into these factors first:

1. Don't compare the wrong data

Most couples receive a quotation and compare the price per person plus the venue hiring fee,for a general cost projection. Unfortunately, this may not be the right strategy if you are looking for the best value for money deal. So, questions you may additionally ask when discussing your wedding with a venue can be:

a. is there a limit of hourson the "unlimited buffet"/do you have pictures of the portions of served dishes?

b. what type of wines/beers are included in the price? are they bottled?

c. what is the charge for alcohol? Can I bring my own bottles? If yes, is there a cork fee?

e. Is service included?

f. Is tip included?

g. Is cleaning and bartending personnel included?

h. Do parking valets charge per person or car?

i. Does the venue include the basic sound and lights equipment that is required for an event?

I know they sound too obvious as questions, but the answers coming from the Greek market may surprise you.

2. Potential exclusive partnerships

Many Greek venues have an exclusive partnership with a DJ or a catering service (if they do not provide food from their own kitchen). This may affect your originally projected budget, as a venue may appear cheaper compared to another one food/hire wise but it actually isn't if it needs +1500-2000 euros in equipment. Make sure to ask for exclusive partnerships, and if any, contact the exclusive partners in parallel, before you make a venue decision. If their price and quality of service are to your expectations, these partnerships may even be of benefit, as they will already know the space and the necessary logistics and layout. But definitely consider their costs before selecting your Greek wedding venue

3. Location

It may sound as simple as baby logic, but many times it is not. You may be in love with a location, but it is important to consider the distance your guests may have to drive before and after the wedding. Especially in Athens, the farther from the center the venue is, the better the prices. When you have found a great location at a great price, make sure to take shuttle service prices into consideration, or the proximity of theavailable accommodation for guests. Even more important, location can even be a factor in closing time or fireworks allowance, depending on the municipality. For example, Athens center venues have a music curfew at 11 pm, while the seaside venues can keep the party going for hours!

4. Closing time

Based on the location, a curfew may be applied, depending on the proximity of the venue to residences. For example, Santorini is an extremely popular wedding location but did you know all wedding celebrations have to be shut down by 1 am, or even at 11.30 pm at certain venues? Most island venues also have a specific music license allowing them to hold the party until 1 am or 3 am, which will make a huge difference on your wedding day.

5. Licensing & technical layout

In order to host an event in Greece, a business needs to hold permits and licenses defined by law. There are venues where a DJ is allowed to play (until a specific time, check point n. 4), but hosting a live band requires a different type of licensing. Moreover, you need to make sure that a venue has the basic appropriate light & sound party system, otherwise, your DJ will have to bring/set up/hire a production on their own, exceeding your original DJ services budget.

6. Additional services

Many locations offer a bridal suite for the couple, some decor elements, tiffany chairs, or even a church in their plot, free of charge. Before you turn down an "expensive" deal, including a suite and a church, make sure to compare it to a "cheap" one, covering only dinner and wine.

7. Finally, make sure it matches the style of your wedding

I will never forget the day a couple and I were inspecting a fantastic beach restaurant, planning the ceremony on the beach. It was exactly what the couple had requested and at a great price. When we were ready to leave, I jokingly commented on the sand on my shoes and how maybe we should add customized flip-flops for the wedding guests. The bride looked at me dead serious and said "no, no way. I know my guests, they are very chic. Everyone will be wearing high heels on the beach." She demanded to cover all of the beach with carpets. In fact, multiple layers of it so a floor hard enough could be created for high heels to walk on it. Could I do it? Yes. Was it worth it? Well, it certainly did not feel like a beach wedding anymore.

Pro budget tip: understanding the type of the venue!

For the best deals, especially in popular areas, wedding estates are often cheaper than restaurants or clubs. Here's why: Imagine a beach club in July. On a typical day, it might have 500 customers spending money all day. If you want to rent that same space for a wedding, even for a smaller group, you'll likely pay more than what those 500 people would spend. The venue prices its wedding rentals based on how much money it could make if it were open to the public. So, you're paying for potential income, not just the services you get. This is also why weekday weddings are cheaper than Saturdays, and why weddings in the spring or fall are cheaper than those in the summer. Many couples are surprised when they try to book a small wedding at a busy beach club on a Saturday in July and find it's way too expensive.

Ready to book your venue in Greece? Nymfee as a Greece wedding planner already has the above information on a wide selection of wedding-appropriate venues. If you would like to save time and stress from contacting Greek venues, negotiating prices and compare the value of services, then definitely a wedding planner in Greece is the way to go! Contact us today for a free consultation!