Why “Weddings
In Santorini”?
> We are the original wedding planning on the island that
has grown and developed
__over
the past 2 generations to
become the company we are today and
with top reputation.
> We are a Santorini based company with a vast team of wedding coordinators
in Santorini
__and
in our Athens offices.
> We have the most “internationally” experienced
staff of wedding coordinators on Santorini.
> We know Santorini and offer the widest selection of services.
> We collaborate with the most professional vendors available on and off the
island.
> We offer wedding services to suit all budgets.
> We offer a contract to guarantee all services.
> We are members of A.S.T.A. (American Society of Travel
Agents),
__members
of A.F.W.P.I. (Association
For Wedding Professionals International),
__registered
with the G.N.T.O. (Greek
National Tourism Office), and many
other organizations.
> We have a long history of successful event coordination for native Greeks
__as
well as foreigners from all over the
world.
> Our goal is to create something unique and special for
each and every wedding couple.
__Your satisfaction is our highest
priority. |
Can We Trust
Weddings In Santorini?
We are experienced, have been in the wedding planning, travel, hotel
and hospitality business for over 2 generations. Weddings In Santorini
is based in Santorini with 2 satellite offices in Athens. Thus, we
personally know and work only with the best and most reliable vendors
on the island and in Greece.
Nevertheless you should not take our word for it but check our numerous testimonials,
check our credentials and contact us for references.
In addition, we offer a contract to be signed by
both you and Weddings In Santorini to ensure a mutually beneficial
relationship. |
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What is a
Destination Wedding? *
A wedding that takes place out of town, usually
at a vacation resort or locale. Since 1996, there
have been over 65,000 couples per year who have
opted for destination weddings to avoid the usual
hassles associated with wedding ceremonies close
to home and to give themselves an instantly romantic
location for their honeymoon.
Here are other details regarding what makes a
Destination Wedding happen and what we will arrange
upon request.
Save the Dates / Invitations
Please ask us for ideas or give us
yours. Upon request.
Domestic Travel Arrangements
your personal wedding coordinator
will put you in touch with our travel
partner for the best prices and secure
service.
Hotels / Accommodation
Our hotel reservations department can
assist you and your guests with all
their accommodation needs. We work
with all the accredited hotels in Greece
and offer you our special wedding discounts.
You and your guests are able to communicate
directly with the reservationist via
email, phone or fax regarding any hotel
queries. Brides and grooms need not
worry about these details as we can
assist your guests without worry.
Arrival/Departure Transportation
Destination weddings may require specific
transportation arrangements from arrival/departure
to pick-up/drop off for the wedding
day.
Welcome Packages for Guests
This can be waiting for each guest
upon arrival in hotel and include maps,
brochures and program of events. Baskets
can also be arranged to include refreshments,
local snacks and/or gifts.
Guest Activities
Often, in association with all sizes
of destination weddings you can have
one or more days of exciting activities
planned for your guests.
> Bachelor/Hen Parties
> Special beach BBQs or beach luncheon.
> Special boat excursion with a trip
to a fishing port for a fresh and authentic
seafood lunch or dinner.
> Excursions to any points of interest
on the island such as the Akrotiri
ruins, a winery,
_ day
tours to the Volcano and Hot Springs,
etc.
Rehearsal Dinner
A special rehearsal dinner in a typical
restaurant reflecting the region's
culinary heritage can be offered to
your guests. From 3 to seven course
meals starting from rustic local restaurants
to luxury 5 star restaurants. Special
wine tasting evenings paired with gourmet
menus have been organized to make a
rehearsal dinner a little bit different.
Dinners / Reception
Certain couples require only an intimate
gourmet dinner for two while others
request a 4 - 12 course wedding banquet
for 100. Menu printing, wine lists,
seating arrangement, and finding the
perfect setting - are some of the details
involved in selecting a reception location.
Whether you decide on a simple gourmet
dinner for two or prefer to celebrate
with a magnificent reception our staff
will work with you on:
> Table Arrangements and Settings
> Color scheme
> Centerpieces
> Menu printing and menu selection
> Wine list
> Finding the right venue
> Hiring the appropriate entertainment
From sophisticated Greek-Meditteranean
Cuisine to rustic Greek country banquets,
we cover all the bases to meet your
requests.
What is a Full Open Bar?
Full open bar includes all
spirits/hard liquor, wine, beer, soft
drinks & mineral
water.
This does not include French
cognacs, specialty scotch/whiskey,
or champagne.
The rates are set per hour and per
person for unlimited consumption for
the pre-set duration.
Minimum duration: 1 hour.
What is a Wine Open Bar?
Wine Open Bar includes your choice of on
type of red wine, one type of white wine,
beers,
soft drinks and mineral water.
Rates are set per hour and per person for
unlimited consumption for the pre-set duration.
Minimum duration: 1 hour.
Flowers/Décor
We work with a variety of florists and a
variety of styles to suit your needs. Some
flowers may not be available throughout the
year, however we have the capability to import
almost anything you wish. Some brides prefer
a small bouquet - others request their entire
venue custom designed in a fantasy of flowers
to suit their personal color scheme. The
choice is yours. Our in house Event Designer
can either create something unique or follow
your lead.
Beauty Services
Hairdressers, Make-up Artists and
beauticians will come to your hotel direct.
Generally
for more involved ceremonies we advise a "trial
run" the day or a few days before. We
work with top professionals who specialize
in wedding hairstyles and make-up
to last all day/evening. Manicures, pedicures
and
other services are also available.
Music
Traditional Greek musicians add the perfect
local flair to your Santorini wedding. Also
available are pianists, vocalists, bands
and DJs. Please ask us for more information.
Wedding/ EventTransportation
Donkey, horseback, decorated Mercedes
taxi, chartered mini vans & buses. Just
ask us.
Wedding Cake
Our wedding cakes are guaranteed to render
you and your guests speechless. Using only
the freshest ingredients, our pastry chef
makes everything from scratch and to order.
Be sure to stop by his shop to take home
some sweets!
Photographer
We know and work with the best professionals
in Greece and Europe in all budget ranges
from a deluxe package complete with leather
album and specially designed coffee table
book of your wedding, to a more modestly
priced but equally professional service.
Our packages may include some black and white
as well as color photos. Couples on a budget
can opt for discount packages and save a
considerable amount of money.
Videographer
Again, we only use the best available professionals.
Packages available from standard 1 hour of
raw footage to multiple days of shooting
including many extra services for a fantastic recording of your spectacular
event.
*See sample destination wedding below. |
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How do I book a destination
wedding?
1) First step – Contact
us.
2) In return, we will contact you to discuss the
various possibilities and mutually
__ assess whether
we will be working together.
3) We will reserve your wedding date upon receipt
of the security deposit.
4) A proposal will be put together with pricing
and forwarded to you for approval.
5) Fine tuning of event and event details.
6) Contract is forwarded and must be signed and
returned with vendor deposit.
7) Balance or subsequential deposit due dates will
be outlined on the contract.
From start to finish you are kept up to date
on all progress and are able to participate as
little or as much as you desire.
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Upon arrival
When you arrive Santorini your personal Wedding
Coordinator, On-Site Wedding Coordinator, or the
Wedding Director will continue to assist you.
At least one of these three will be with you on
the day of your wedding.
Although several people will be assisting you at
different times and places you will always be dealing
with one company and organization.
When you arrive your on-site coordinator will complete
the final steps to make the wedding happen.
Your wedding spreadsheet (that you receive prior
to your arrival) will give you clear directions
on what you will need to do and who to contact. |
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Can you cater to special needs
or provide disability services?
We respect the elderly and any person requiring
special needs during the wedding ceremony or reception.We
are able to assist with finding appropriate accommodation,
activities, as well as interpreters (for the deaf).
Please ask us for details if you have a special
request. |
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What are my responsibilities?
There is not much that a coordinator
will ask you to do. It will all depend on how involved
you would
like to be. It can be as easy as telling us your
arrival & departure date, the number of persons
attending, your budget and your favorite color.
We can manage the rest. |
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Wedding / Event / Hotel Reservations
The sooner you notify us of
your intent to marry on Santorini with us and
send us a security deposit - the greater will
be our ability to reserve for you the location
and date you require. Security deposits will
vary according to the size of your wedding. The
usual fee is 400 euro.
The cost of your wedding will not usually change
if you are late in making your reservations - it
is simply more difficult to secure dates and places
- and eventually will become impossible if you
wait to long.
One good reason to hire us is that we can obtain
the most competitive rates for accommodation. Please
ask us for details. |
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Planning Your Wedding
Once we receive the security deposit, you will
hear from your personal wedding coordinator. This
takes a few days. The planning staff will first
study your initial request, make the necessary
confirmations and check dates. You will then be
contacted by your wedding coordinator.
You will be able to plan everything together via
e-mail and/or telephone and keep current of everything
as we receive updates and confirmations on services. |
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Contract
The contract does not include detailed descriptions
for bouquets, receptions and other services. These
are written in the wedding spreadsheet. These details
are part of the wedding planning that is done with
your wedding coordinator.
The wedding spreadsheet specifies details, but
sometimes your plans may change as you learn more
about the options available and think your budget
over. We try to be as flexible as possible and
treat each wedding with the realization that it
is a once-in-a-life-time event.
Extra or additional services may be invoiced separately. |
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Changes to Contract
You may add or remove services from your customized
wedding spreadsheet and for all practical purposes
these changes will be treated as part of the contract
you have with us. However, any changes must be
approved by us in writing.
This would not alter the terms of the main contract
with us, however simple changes to the list of
services you require will need mutual confirmation
after you authorize us to proceed and after we
have advised you about any additional costs. |
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What if I have to change my
wedding / event date?
You may change your wedding date at any time and
we do try to accommodate changes as best as possible.
Fees for date changes vary depending on how long
before a wedding date the change is made and what
expenses have been incurred up until the change
of date. In most cases, there are no date change
fees (unless a deposit is lost due to change of
vendors or location). |
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What if I want to change my
wedding plans?
You may change your wedding plans provided you
notify us and you have received written confirmation
that we have received your written notice.
The sooner you let us know- the better for all
those involved. Should you have a change in wedding
plans, notify us as soon as possible so that we
can let our vendors know. |
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What is the security deposit
for and how can I pay?
The initial security deposit
can be made via your credit card. Security deposits
vary from 400 euro to 1200 euro depending on
your wedding size and pertinent services.
This non refundable security deposit is deducted
from your final wedding bill and is not a separate
expense. The deposit ensures you that your date,
celebrant and ceremony venue are reserved. |
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What are Vendor Deposits?
Businesses in Greece and Europe often require payments
for services to be made in advance via wire transfer.
However, Weddings In Santorini accepts Euro check,
Wire Transfer, Bank Transfer or International Money
Orders in euro(deadlines may vary depending on
form of payment). Often we must pre-pay our vendors
in cash in order to guarantee services on your
behalf.
It is possible with some credit card companies
for you to request that they issue you a check
(which results as a cash advance towards you) and
we can also accept this method of payment. This
will assist you in gaining whatever credits/advantages
your credit card company offers you. (Such as miles/bonus
points/etc.)
Vendor deposits are very important in order to
ensure your first choice of reception/dinner venue,
hotel rooms, photo/video, florist, etc. Some of
these services may have separate cancellation policies. |
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When do I have to pay the Final
Payment / Balances?
We fully understand that you are entrusting us
with your special event and may have some reservations
regarding full pre-payment. Thus, we offer you
the option to pay your final portion of your balance
(no greater than 30% of the total due) upon arrival
when we meet in person. Again, these parameters
are set based on the size and total cost of your
event.
Final payments may be paid via cash, traveller’s
checks or euro check. |
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Does Weddings In Santorini
accept credit cards?
We do accept credit cards
for the initial security deposit. However,
for any supplementary wedding deposits or
payments via credit card there is a surcharge
on the total amount that is being charged.
Although, credit cards are widely accepted and
becoming a popular means of payment for consumers
in Greece, the surcharges for businesses are so
high, that many merchants will offer you a “cash” price
or a “credit card” price. |
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What if I have to cancel?
You may cancel your wedding with us at any time
prior to the wedding date and we do try to accommodate
changes as best as possible when they occur. Cancellation
fees vary with how long before a wedding date they
are made and the amount of expense we have incurred
beforehand.
The sooner we are made aware of any change in your
wedding date, the better we can accommodate you
and the more we are able to refund you.
A cancellation very close to the wedding date might
not make a refund possible. (Please refer to Emergency
Cancellations below). |
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What if I have an emergency
resulting in a cancellation?
Special emergencies are dealt with on a case to
case basis. We have had emergency situations in
the past and we certainly do everything to assist
you in such cases. However, our contracts cannot
be different for each client - a company cannot
be run on exceptions. Every contract will outline
our cancellation policy.
Weddings In Santorini realizes this is a very important
event in both your lives and every assistance is
offered to help find a solution. The situation
will be evaluated at the time the need arises.
To make predictions/speculations is not advisable.
Payments are retained to compensate the work that
has been done by us and our service providers.
Example: A photographer who has been booked
months in advance and is suddenly cancelled last
minute
cannot accept another job and therefore incurs
a loss of income. |
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Do you accept last minute weddings
on Santorini?
We can, will and do marry people on a short notice.
According to previous couples, we are the most
efficient wedding planning company on Santorini,
thus well equipped to handle any last minute weddings.
If you are in a hurry to get married, kindly e-mail
us or phone one of our coordinators as soon as
you are able. |
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Can I choose my own vendors?
We choose the best-suited vendors
for each wedding / event based on:
1. Where your decide to marry or hold a reception
2. The type & size of your event
3. What services you want to include.
Every wedding is custom designed with a different
selection of service providers. We will inform
you of the different vendors available to you for
your particular event and you will be able to choose
from this list based on your priorities and budget.
When it is possible we can arrange for you to meet
our vendors beforehand. In particular circumstances,
we able to provide you with samples of their services.
However, this requires some advance planning on
our part and an investment of your time and money. |
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Does Weddings In Santorini
charge a consulting/coordination fee?
This is determined when you book with us. Fees
are charged based on the number of persons in your
wedding party. A Private wedding for two requires
less coordination than a larger event of 200 persons. |
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