Planning Your Destination Wedding in Greece: Things to Consider First
Greece has hundreds of stunning wedding locations. Finding the right one for you and your guests starts with one simple decision.
Planning a destination wedding in Greece is one of the most exciting decisions you’ll ever make. Whitewashed villages, turquoise seas, golden light at the golden hour, it’s easy to fall in love with the dream before you’ve thought through the detail. But before you start pinning venues and colour palettes, there’s one fundamental question worth sitting with first.
What matters most to you? Not what looks best on Instagram. Not what your mum thinks. What you, as a couple, actually want your wedding day to feel like.
The Dream Venue vs. The Guest Experience
This is the tension at the heart of almost every destination wedding, and it’s worth being honest with yourselves about it early.
Greece has hundreds of stunning locations. Some of the most breathtaking venues sit on remote islands that require two flights and a ferry to reach, places that feel genuinely otherworldly and completely unlike anywhere your guests have ever been. If that sense of remoteness and exclusivity is what you’re after, and your guests are adventurous travellers who’ll embrace the journey as part of the experience, then a more hard-to-reach location might be absolutely right for you.
But if your priority is having the people you love actually there, your grandparents, your friends with young children, your colleagues who’ve never travelled much, then accessibility has to be part of the conversation from the start.
Think About Where Your Guests Are Travelling From
If you’re based in the UK, a great starting point is looking at which Greek destinations have direct flights from your nearest airport, or from the airports your key guests are most likely to use.
The good news is that the UK has excellent direct connectivity to Greece in summer, with airlines like Jet2, easyJet, TUI, and Ryanair serving a wide range of regional airports. That means most of your guests won’t need to travel to London first, and many popular Greek wedding destinations are comfortably within reach of a single, direct flight.
Once you’ve identified destinations that work logistically, look at transfer times from the airport to your shortlisted venues. A 30-minute transfer after a three-hour flight is very manageable. A 90-minute transfer plus a ferry crossing is a very different ask, especially for older guests, those with young children, or anyone with mobility needs.
Direct Flights from UK Regional Airports to Greece — Summer 2026
Use this table as a quick reference to see which Greek destinations are reachable on a direct flight from airports close to you and your guests. Frequencies shown are typical for peak summer weeks (July–August). Always check current schedules directly with airlines, as operating days and exact dates vary by route.
| Region | Departure Airport | Airport Code | Destination | Island Group | Airline(s) | Peak Frequency | New 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scotland | Glasgow | GLA | Corfu | Ionian Islands | Jet2 | Weekly | No |
| Scotland | Glasgow | GLA | Crete (Heraklion) | Crete | Jet2 | 2x weekly | No |
| Scotland | Glasgow | GLA | Kos | Dodecanese | Jet2 | Weekly | Yes |
| Scotland | Glasgow | GLA | Rhodes | Dodecanese | Jet2 | 2x weekly | No |
| Scotland | Glasgow | GLA | Zakynthos | Ionian Islands | Jet2 | Weekly | No |
| Scotland | Edinburgh | EDI | Corfu | Ionian Islands | Jet2 | Weekly | No |
| Scotland | Edinburgh | EDI | Crete (Heraklion) | Crete | Jet2 | 2x weekly | No |
| Scotland | Edinburgh | EDI | Kefalonia | Ionian Islands | Jet2 | Weekly | Yes |
| Scotland | Edinburgh | EDI | Rhodes | Dodecanese | Jet2 | Weekly | No |
| Scotland | Edinburgh | EDI | Thessaloniki | Northern Greece | Jet2 | Weekly | Yes |
| Scotland | Edinburgh | EDI | Zakynthos | Ionian Islands | Jet2 | Weekly | No |
| Northern England & Northern Ireland | Newcastle | NCL | Corfu | Ionian Islands | Jet2, easyJet | 2-3x weekly | No |
| Northern England & Northern Ireland | Newcastle | NCL | Crete (Heraklion) | Crete | Jet2 | 2x weekly | No |
| Northern England & Northern Ireland | Newcastle | NCL | Kos | Dodecanese | Jet2 | Weekly | No |
| Northern England & Northern Ireland | Newcastle | NCL | Preveza | Gateway to Lefkada | Jet2 | Weekly | Yes |
| Northern England & Northern Ireland | Newcastle | NCL | Rhodes | Dodecanese | Jet2, easyJet | 2-3x weekly | No |
| Northern England & Northern Ireland | Newcastle | NCL | Zakynthos | Ionian Islands | Jet2 | Weekly | No |
| Northern England & Northern Ireland | Leeds Bradford | LBA | Corfu | Ionian Islands | Jet2 | 2x weekly | No |
| Northern England & Northern Ireland | Leeds Bradford | LBA | Crete (Heraklion) | Crete | Jet2 | 2x weekly | No |
| Northern England & Northern Ireland | Leeds Bradford | LBA | Kefalonia | Ionian Islands | Jet2 | Weekly | No |
| Northern England & Northern Ireland | Leeds Bradford | LBA | Kos | Dodecanese | Jet2 | Weekly | No |
| Northern England & Northern Ireland | Leeds Bradford | LBA | Rhodes | Dodecanese | Jet2 | 2x weekly | No |
| Northern England & Northern Ireland | Leeds Bradford | LBA | Zakynthos | Ionian Islands | Jet2 | Weekly | No |
| Northern England & Northern Ireland | Manchester | MAN | Corfu | Ionian Islands | Jet2, easyJet, TUI | Multiple daily | No |
| Northern England & Northern Ireland | Manchester | MAN | Crete (Heraklion) | Crete | Jet2, easyJet, TUI | Multiple daily | No |
| Northern England & Northern Ireland | Manchester | MAN | Kefalonia | Ionian Islands | Jet2, easyJet | 2x weekly | No |
| Northern England & Northern Ireland | Manchester | MAN | Kos | Dodecanese | Jet2, easyJet, TUI | 3-4x weekly | No |
| Northern England & Northern Ireland | Manchester | MAN | Preveza | Gateway to Lefkada | Jet2, easyJet | 2x weekly | No |
| Northern England & Northern Ireland | Manchester | MAN | Rhodes | Dodecanese | Jet2, easyJet, TUI | Multiple daily | No |
| Northern England & Northern Ireland | Manchester | MAN | Samos | Eastern Aegean | Jet2 | Weekly | Yes |
| Northern England & Northern Ireland | Manchester | MAN | Santorini | Cyclades | Jet2 | Weekly | No |
| Northern England & Northern Ireland | Manchester | MAN | Skiathos | Sporades | Jet2 | 2x weekly | Yes |
| Northern England & Northern Ireland | Manchester | MAN | Zakynthos | Ionian Islands | Jet2, easyJet | 2-3x weekly | No |
| Northern England & Northern Ireland | Liverpool | LPL | Corfu | Ionian Islands | Jet2 | 2x weekly | No |
| Northern England & Northern Ireland | Liverpool | LPL | Crete (Heraklion) | Crete | Jet2 | 2x weekly | No |
| Northern England & Northern Ireland | Liverpool | LPL | Kos | Dodecanese | Jet2 | Weekly | No |
| Northern England & Northern Ireland | Liverpool | LPL | Rhodes | Dodecanese | Jet2 | 2x weekly | No |
| Northern England & Northern Ireland | Liverpool | LPL | Zakynthos | Ionian Islands | Jet2 | Weekly | No |
| Northern England & Northern Ireland | Belfast International | BFS | Corfu | Ionian Islands | Jet2 | Weekly | No |
| Northern England & Northern Ireland | Belfast International | BFS | Crete (Heraklion) | Crete | Jet2 | 2x weekly | No |
| Northern England & Northern Ireland | Belfast International | BFS | Kos | Dodecanese | Jet2 | Weekly | No |
| Northern England & Northern Ireland | Belfast International | BFS | Rhodes | Dodecanese | Jet2 | Weekly | No |
| Northern England & Northern Ireland | Belfast International | BFS | Zakynthos | Ionian Islands | Jet2 | Weekly | No |
| Midlands | Birmingham | BHX | Corfu | Ionian Islands | Jet2 | 2x weekly | No |
| Midlands | Birmingham | BHX | Crete (Heraklion) | Crete | Jet2 | 2x weekly | No |
| Midlands | Birmingham | BHX | Kalamata | Peloponnese | Jet2 | Weekly | Yes |
| Midlands | Birmingham | BHX | Kos | Dodecanese | Jet2 | 2x weekly | No |
| Midlands | Birmingham | BHX | Rhodes | Dodecanese | Jet2 | 2x weekly | No |
| Midlands | Birmingham | BHX | Samos | Eastern Aegean | Jet2 | Weekly | Yes |
| Midlands | Birmingham | BHX | Skiathos | Sporades | Jet2 | 2x weekly | Yes |
| Midlands | Birmingham | BHX | Thessaloniki | Northern Greece | Jet2 | Weekly | Yes |
| Midlands | Birmingham | BHX | Zakynthos | Ionian Islands | Jet2 | Weekly | No |
| Midlands | East Midlands | EMA | Corfu | Ionian Islands | Jet2, Ryanair | 2-3x weekly | No |
| Midlands | East Midlands | EMA | Crete (Heraklion) | Crete | Jet2 | 2x weekly | No |
| Midlands | East Midlands | EMA | Kos | Dodecanese | Jet2 | Weekly | No |
| Midlands | East Midlands | EMA | Rhodes | Dodecanese | Jet2, Ryanair | 2-3x weekly | No |
| Midlands | East Midlands | EMA | Zakynthos | Ionian Islands | Jet2 | Weekly | No |
| South West & South | Bristol | BRS | Corfu | Ionian Islands | Jet2 | 2x weekly | No |
| South West & South | Bristol | BRS | Crete (Heraklion) | Crete | Jet2 | 2x weekly | No |
| South West & South | Bristol | BRS | Kos | Dodecanese | Jet2 | Weekly | No |
| South West & South | Bristol | BRS | Rhodes | Dodecanese | Jet2 | 2x weekly | No |
| South West & South | Bristol | BRS | Thessaloniki | Northern Greece | Jet2, easyJet | 2x weekly | Yes |
| South West & South | Bournemouth | BOH | Crete (Heraklion) | Crete | Jet2, TUI | 2x weekly | No |
| South West & South | Bournemouth | BOH | Kos | Dodecanese | Jet2, TUI | 2x weekly | Yes |
| London | London Gatwick | LGW | Athens | Mainland | British Airways, easyJet | Daily+ | No |
| London | London Gatwick | LGW | Corfu | Ionian Islands | easyJet, Jet2 | 3x weekly | No |
| London | London Gatwick | LGW | Crete (Heraklion) | Crete | easyJet, Jet2 | 3-4x weekly | No |
| London | London Gatwick | LGW | Kalamata | Peloponnese | easyJet | 2x weekly | No |
| London | London Gatwick | LGW | Kefalonia | Ionian Islands | easyJet | 2x weekly | No |
| London | London Gatwick | LGW | Kos | Dodecanese | easyJet, Jet2 | 3x weekly | No |
| London | London Gatwick | LGW | Rhodes | Dodecanese | easyJet, Jet2 | 3-4x weekly | No |
| London | London Gatwick | LGW | Santorini | Cyclades | easyJet | 2x weekly | No |
| London | London Gatwick | LGW | Skiathos | Sporades | easyJet | 2x weekly | No |
| London | London Gatwick | LGW | Zakynthos | Ionian Islands | easyJet | 2x weekly | No |
| London | London Stansted | STN | Corfu | Ionian Islands | Jet2 | Weekly | No |
| London | London Stansted | STN | Crete (Heraklion) | Crete | Jet2 | 2x weekly | No |
| London | London Stansted | STN | Kos | Dodecanese | Jet2, TUI | 2x weekly | Yes |
| London | London Stansted | STN | Rhodes | Dodecanese | Jet2 | 2x weekly | No |
| London | London Luton | LTN | Athens | Mainland | Ryanair | 2-3x weekly | No |
| London | London Luton | LTN | Corfu | Ionian Islands | Jet2 | 2x weekly | No |
| London | London Luton | LTN | Crete (Heraklion) | Crete | Jet2 | 2x weekly | No |
| London | London Luton | LTN | Rhodes | Dodecanese | Jet2 | 2x weekly | No |
| London | London Luton | LTN | Zakynthos | Ionian Islands | Jet2 | Weekly | No |
Beautiful Islands That Require a Ferry
Not every stunning Greek wedding destination has an airport. Some of the most romantic, exclusive and photographed islands in all of Greece are only reachable by boat, and that’s often precisely what makes them so special.
If one of these islands has captured your heart, it’s absolutely worth considering. But it’s equally important to go in with clear eyes about what the journey looks like for your guests, because a ferry adds a meaningful extra layer of planning on top of their flight.
Most ferry-only islands are reached from Athens (Piraeus port), which means guests will typically need to fly into Athens, travel to the port, and then take a ferry. Journey times vary significantly, from under two hours to the better part of a day for the most remote islands.
| Island | Island Group | Ferry From | Approx. Journey | What Makes It Special | Accessibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hydra | Saronic Gulf | Piraeus (Athens) | 1.5–2 hrs | No cars, no airport, cobbled lanes and stone houses. One of Greece’s most exclusive wedding destinations | Ferry only |
| Spetses | Saronic Gulf | Piraeus (Athens) | ~2 hrs | No cars, horse-drawn carriages, pine-covered coastline. A royal wedding destination | Ferry only |
| Folegandros | Cyclades | Piraeus (Athens) | 5–6 hrs | Dramatic clifftop village, iconic hilltop church, unspoiled and deeply intimate | Ferry only |
| Ios | Cyclades | Piraeus (Athens) or via Santorini / Mykonos | 7 hrs / ~45 min | No airport, beautiful beaches, increasingly popular for boutique weddings | Ferry only |
| Sifnos | Cyclades | Piraeus (Athens) | 3–4 hrs | Renowned for its food and whitewashed villages, a growing wedding favourite | Ferry only |
| Amorgos | Cyclades | Piraeus (Athens) | 7–9 hrs | Remote and spectacular, setting for The Big Blue. For adventurous couples and guests | Ferry only |
| Andros | Cyclades | Rafina (near Athens) | ~2 hrs | Lush, green, less touristy, elegant villas and chapels | Ferry only |
| Ithaca | Ionian Islands | Kefalonia or mainland port | 1–2 hrs | Mythical home of Odysseus, intimate and authentically Greek | Ferry only |
| Antiparos | Cyclades | Paros (short hop) | ~10 min | Low-key, artistic and private. Paros has an airport so the overall journey is manageable | Short ferry from Paros |
| Meganisi | Ionian Islands | Preveza (via ferry) | ~45 min | Tiny and unspoiled. Preveza now has Jet2 direct flights from several UK airports | Short ferry from Preveza |
| Lefkada | Ionian Islands | Preveza airport (road transfer via causeway bridge) | ~45 min drive | Connected to the mainland by bridge — no boat needed. Increasingly popular for weddings | No ferry — road transfer |
| Ferry journey times are approximate and vary by operator and season. Always check current timetables before planning guest travel arrangements. Lefkada is included as a special case — it requires no ferry as it is connected to the mainland by road bridge. | |||||
The special case: Lefkada
Lefkada sits in a category of its own. It’s technically connected to the Greek mainland by a causeway bridge, so guests don’t need a boat at all, they can transfer directly from Preveza airport by road. Preveza now has Jet2 direct flights from several UK airports, making Lefkada one of the most accessible of the Ionian islands while still feeling wonderfully remote. It’s increasingly popular with couples who want the beauty of island Greece without the ferry logistics.
What to factor in if you’re considering a ferry-only island
- Ferry frequency matters. On smaller islands, ferries may run only once or twice a day, sometimes less in shoulder season. Your guests need flexibility built into their travel plans.
- Build in a buffer day. Most wedding planners recommend asking guests to arrive the day before the wedding if a ferry is involved. A delayed sailing on the morning of your ceremony is a stress nobody needs.
- Weather can affect services. The Aegean can be choppy, particularly from late September onwards. Ferry crossings can be cancelled or delayed in poor conditions, which is worth factoring into your planning timeline.
- Car-free islands need extra thought. On islands like Hydra and Spetses where cars are banned, guests will need to manage their own luggage or arrange boat porters. This is worth flagging clearly in your guest information.
- Supplier travel costs add up. Photographers, florists and musicians travelling to ferry-only islands will often charge additional fees for travel time and overnight accommodation. Factor this into your supplier budget conversations early.
There’s No Wrong Answer, But There Is a Right Question
Some couples decide they want a more intimate wedding, intentionally choosing a venue that’s harder to get to because it naturally narrows the guest list and creates a real sense of occasion for those who make the journey. That’s a completely valid choice, and some of the most breathtaking weddings in Greece happen on exactly those islands.
Others want to make it as easy as possible for everyone to attend, and build their venue search around accessibility first and aesthetics second. The reassuring news is that you can absolutely find a stunning venue and a straightforward travel route, Greece gives you plenty of both. You just need to know which comes first for you.
The key is deciding which camp you’re in before you start viewing venues, not after you’ve fallen in love with a cliffside chapel that turns out to have no direct flights from anywhere north of London and a ferry that runs twice a week.
Practical tips
A Few Practical Starting Points
- Identify your guests’ likely departure airports first. If most of your nearest and dearest are based in the North of England or Scotland, a venue served by direct flights from Manchester, Leeds, Newcastle, Glasgow or Edinburgh will make a real difference to who can comfortably attend.
- Check transfer times, not just flight routes. A direct flight is only half the journey. Look at how long the drive or transfer is from the Greek airport to your venue, and whether it involves any ferries or additional legs.
- Think about your must-have guests. Are there specific people whose ability to attend is non-negotiable? Factor their journey in from the very start of your venue search.
- Talk to your guests before you commit. A quick, informal sense-check with your closest people about travel appetite can save a lot of stress later.
- Don’t forget your wedding suppliers. Your photographer, florist, and wedding planner will also be travelling, consider whether they’re based locally or will need to get to you, and factor that into your budget conversations.
The best place to start is not with the prettiest venue, it’s with the journey it takes to get everyone there.
Next step
Explore more planning resources
Browse more guidance, inspiration, and practical advice to help you plan your wedding in Greece with confidence.