Greece wedding packages range from €900 for simple elopements to €60,000+ for luxury celebrations, but “all-inclusive” rarely means everything is covered. Most packages exclude VAT (24% on services), venue rental fees (€3,500-14,000+), accommodation, and legal paperwork. Couples should budget 30-50% beyond quoted prices for hidden costs and consider whether a package, DIY approach, or hybrid strategy best fits their priorities.
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When I started planning my own wedding in Crete, I was drawn to the idea of a package. Someone else handles the logistics while I approve color swatches and practice my vows? Perfect. But the reality was more complicated. The package that looked perfect on paper came with a growing list of “extras” that weren’t extras at all. They were essentials I’d assumed were included.
If you’re researching Greece wedding packages right now, you’re probably feeling the same mix of excitement and overwhelm. Packages promise simplicity, but “all-inclusive” almost never means everything is covered. Let me walk you through what packages actually deliver, what they don’t, and how to decide if one is right for you.
What a Greece Wedding Package Typically Includes
Wedding packages in Greece follow a tiered structure. What you get depends entirely on what you’re willing to spend, and understanding these tiers helps you compare apples to apples.
Basic / Elopement Tier (€900-6,000)
At this level, you’re covering the ceremony essentials:
- Officiant or celebrant for a symbolic ceremony
- Planning coordination (often limited hours)
- Bridal bouquet and boutonniere
- 1-2 hours of photography
- Basic ceremony location (often a public scenic spot)
These packages work beautifully for couples who want an intimate moment without the production. You’ll say your vows somewhere stunning, capture it on camera, and keep things simple. What you won’t get: a reception, extensive décor, or much flexibility on timing. For couples considering this route in Santorini specifically, our Santorini elopements guide breaks down what to expect.
Mid-Range Tier (€20,000-35,000)
This is where most destination wedding couples land. Mid-range packages build on the basics with:
- Private venue hire for ceremony and reception
- 3-8 hours of photography and often videography
- Ceremony arch and décor
- Wedding cake
- Hair and makeup for the bride
- Set-menu dinner for guests
- Wedding coordinator with more involvement
You’re getting a proper celebration here, not just a ceremony. However, at this tier the gap between “quoted price” and “final cost” starts to widen significantly.
Luxury Tier (€40,000-60,000+)
Luxury packages aim to be genuinely comprehensive:
- Full-day media coverage (photography, videography, drone)
- Reception dinner with open bar
- Entertainment (DJ or live music)
- Premium florals and styling
- Sometimes accommodation for the couple
- Dedicated planning team
When packages reach this level, you’re paying for both quality and convenience. But even here, you’ll find exclusions. Always check what’s not included before assuming you’re fully covered.
What’s Usually NOT Included (The Hidden Costs)
This is where packages get tricky, and where I’ve seen couples caught out time and again. The items below are frequently excluded from Greece wedding packages, yet they’re costs most couples can’t avoid.
VAT (Value Added Tax). Greece charges 24% VAT on services and 13% on food and non-alcoholic drinks. Many quotes exclude VAT entirely. On a €25,000 package, that’s potentially €5,000+ you weren’t expecting.
Service charge. Venues and caterers typically add a mandatory 10-20% service charge on food and beverage. This isn’t a tip you can skip. It’s built into their pricing structure.
Venue rental. Here’s one that surprises many couples: the “package” price often doesn’t include the venue itself. Venue hire can range from €3,500 on the mainland to €14,000+ for a Santorini caldera view. Always confirm whether venue rental is separate. Our cost of a wedding venue in Greece breakdown covers what to expect across different regions.
Couple’s accommodation. Standard packages almost never include where you’ll sleep. Budget €1,140-4,800 for a 4-night stay depending on the island and luxury level.
Legal ceremony fees. If you want a legally binding marriage in Greece (rather than symbolic), expect €800-1,500 for translations, Apostille stamps, town hall fees, and administrative costs. The process takes 8-12 weeks and involves strict documentation requirements. For the full process, see our legal requirements guide. US citizens have additional considerations covered in our US citizens getting married in Greece guide. Find here additional guides for UK citizens getting married in Greece and Australian citizens.
Outside vendor fees. Want to use your own photographer instead of their preferred one? Many venues charge €500-1,000 per external vendor.
Music licensing. Public performance rights for your reception playlist cost €200-500.
Corkage. Bringing your own wine? Expect €15-30 per bottle in corkage fees.
The bottom line: These exclusions can inflate a quoted price by 30-50%. A package advertised at €25,000 might actually cost €32,000-37,000 once you add the “extras.”
Price Tiers by Region
The island you choose affects your budget as much as the package tier. Santorini and Mykonos command a significant premium over other destinations.
The Santorini Premium
Santorini weddings cost 25-35% more than equivalent celebrations in Crete or Corfu. The reasons are simple: limited venue supply, extreme demand, and complex logistics on an island built into cliffs.
Here’s what that looks like in practice:
| Region | Venue Cost (100 guests) | Per-Guest Cost (F&B) | Budget Stretch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santorini | €12,000-14,000 | €400-700 | €30k = ~50 guests |
| Crete | €5,500-8,000 | €200-400 | €30k = ~75-80 guests |
| Mainland | €3,500-7,000 | Typically lower | Best value per guest |
That’s not a small difference. The same €30,000 budget that hosts 50 guests in Santorini could accommodate 75-80 guests in Crete.
For real-world examples of regional pricing, see our Corfu wedding costs breakdown and Crete wedding costs breakdown.
Shoulder Season Savings
Timing matters too. Weddings in May, early June, late September, or October can cost 30-40% less than peak season (July-August). You’ll find better vendor availability, cooler temperatures, and significantly lower accommodation costs for your guests. Our complete guide to wedding seasons in Greece helps you weigh the trade-offs for each month.
Use our Greece wedding budget calculator to model different scenarios.
All-Inclusive vs. Standard Packages
“All-inclusive” is one of the most misused terms in the Greece wedding market. I’ve seen packages described as all-inclusive that excluded venue hire, accommodation, and VAT. Hardly “all” of anything.
In practice, “all-inclusive” usually means “more inclusive than basic.” You might get catering and drinks bundled in, perhaps accommodation for the couple. What you typically still won’t get: legal fees, photography beyond basic coverage, elaborate florals, or guest transfers.
Before booking anything labelled all-inclusive, confirm:
- Does the quoted price include 24% VAT?
- Is venue rental included or separate?
- What’s the drink allocation: open bar, or limited to wine and beer?
- Are vendor meals included?
- What happens if the event runs over the allocated time?
Get every answer in writing. Verbal assurances don’t help when you’re disputing a final invoice.
Package vs. DIY vs. Hybrid
Should you book a package or plan everything yourself? The honest answer depends on what you value most.
| Factor | Package | DIY |
|---|---|---|
| Cost predictability | High: fixed prices, clear inclusions | Low: prone to budget creep from hidden fees |
| Time investment | Low: planner handles sourcing and logistics | High: vetting every vendor, potentially costly site visits |
| Risk | Lower: vetted vendors, contracts in place | Higher: you’re responsible for everything |
| Flexibility | Limited: work within their vendor network | Complete: choose every element yourself |
| Control | Less: their style, their timeline | Full: your vision, your decisions |
Packages suit couples who: value convenience over control, are planning from abroad without local connections, or don’t have time to coordinate multiple vendors across time zones.
DIY suits couples who: have a specific vision packages can’t deliver, enjoy the planning process, or are willing to invest significant time in research and coordination. Our 10 tips for planning a destination wedding in Greece is a good starting point if you’re considering this route.
The Hybrid Approach
In my experience, the hybrid approach often delivers the best of both worlds. Book a venue package for your core needs (catering, bar service, furniture, basic coordination) to lock in predictable costs. Then independently source the vendors who matter most to you, like your photographer or florist. Consider hiring a day-of coordinator to manage execution if you’re not using a full planning package.
This approach gives you cost control where it matters most (food and drink are typically the biggest line items) while preserving flexibility on the creative elements that define your day.
How to Spot a Trustworthy Package Provider
I’m not going to name specific providers here. Recommendations go stale, circumstances change, and what works for one couple may not suit another. Instead, here’s what to look for when evaluating any package provider.
Financial protection matters. For UK couples, look for ABTA or ATOL bonding. This protects your money if the company goes under. For others, understand the payment terms and what happens if things go wrong.
VAT-inclusive pricing should be confirmed in writing. If they can’t give you a clear answer on whether VAT is included, that’s a red flag.
Transparent exclusions list before any deposit. Reputable providers will tell you upfront what’s not included. If you have to ask repeatedly or the answers are vague, walk away.
Reviews on independent platforms. Check Google, Trustpilot, or wedding forums, not just testimonials on their own website. Look for patterns in complaints, not just one-off issues.
Willingness to provide past client references. Good providers are proud of their work and happy to connect you with couples they’ve served.
No pressure to use only their preferred vendors. Some exclusivity is reasonable, but if they won’t let you use any outside vendors without massive fees, you’re paying for their convenience, not yours.
Provider Categories to Consider
Without naming names, here are the types of providers you’ll encounter:
- UK-based travel agencies with financial protection and bundled travel arrangements
- Island-specialist planners who focus exclusively on Santorini, Crete, or other specific destinations
- Marketplace platforms that let you compare multiple venues and packages in one place
- Independent luxury planners who create fully bespoke experiences for higher fees
Browse vetted professionals across all categories in our Greece wedding planner directory.
Questions to Ask Before Booking
Before you sign anything or pay a deposit, get clear written answers to these questions:
- “Does this price include 24% VAT? Please confirm in writing.” Don’t accept verbal assurance. Get it in the contract.
- “Is there a mandatory service charge on food and beverage?” If yes, what percentage? This is typically 10-20% on top of catering costs.
- “Please confirm which items are excluded: accommodation, legal fees, vendor meals, transfers.” Ask for a complete written list of exclusions.
- “What’s the fee for using outside vendors?” Know this before you fall in love with a photographer who isn’t on their preferred list.
- “What’s the corkage fee if we bring our own wine?” Relevant if you want to serve something specific or save on alcohol costs.
- “What are the cancellation and postponement terms?” Life happens. Understand your options before you commit.
- “Have we budgeted 15-20% contingency for unexpected costs?” This isn’t a question for them. It’s a question for yourself. If your budget is at its absolute limit with the package price, you’re not ready to book.
FAQs
About Package Inclusions
It varies wildly between providers. “All-inclusive” typically means catering and drinks are bundled in, sometimes with accommodation for the couple. It rarely includes legal fees, photography beyond basic coverage, guest transfers, or the 24% VAT. Always request a detailed breakdown of inclusions and exclusions before booking.
Often yes, but check for outside vendor fees first. Many venues charge €500-1,000 per external vendor you bring in. A hybrid approach (booking a venue package for catering and basics while sourcing your own photographer or florist) often delivers the best balance of cost control and creative flexibility.
About Costs and Budgeting
Plan for an additional 30-50% on top of the quoted price. This covers VAT (if excluded), service charges, vendors not included in the package, your accommodation, and a contingency fund. A package quoted at €25,000 often reaches €32,000-37,000 in total spend.
Yes, significantly. Santorini commands a 25-35% premium over islands like Crete or Corfu due to limited venue supply and high demand. A €30,000 budget hosts approximately 50 guests in Santorini versus 75-80 guests in Crete for equivalent quality.
About Legal Requirements
Most international couples choose a symbolic ceremony in Greece and handle the legal marriage at home. Legal Greek weddings require Apostilled documents, certified translations, and an 8-12 week administrative process costing €800-1,500. Symbolic ceremonies avoid this complexity while still giving you the celebration you want. See our complete legal guide for details.
About Timing and Booking
For popular islands and peak season dates (June-September), book 12-18 months in advance. Shoulder season weddings (May, early June, late September, October) offer better availability and 30-40% savings on many services and accommodations. Our wedding season guide breaks down what to expect month by month.
