18 Essential Destination Wedding Tips from a Crete Wedding Photographer

After months of planning and anticipation, you hope your Crete destination wedding will be everything you wished for and more. Yet, even with meticulous research, there may be situations you miss or don’t even know to prepare for.

As a Crete wedding photographer, I have been behind the scenes of countless destination weddings. Learning from my own experiences and those of my brides, I share with you 18 game-changing tips every new bride should know for their own Crete wedding.



From advice on how to beat the heat and enhance your professional photos, to maximizing your budget, read on and discover how to get the most from your Crete wedding day. 

18 Crete-Wedding Tips for Brides

No.1 Prepare for the Heat

Summer temperatures in Crete range from 25-35°C. Most wedding ceremonies take place outdoors in direct sunshine. A combination of a heavy wedding dress, nervous excitement and flowing champagne can intensify the sun’s effects. 

A mini electric hand-held fan is the perfect way to cool down discretely and can be easily stashed in your bridal bag. Of course, staying hydrated is always essential, but even more so when you’re planning on enjoying alcoholic drinks. Take plenty of sips of water between the bubbles! 

Finally, don’t forget to apply SPF on any exposed areas, such as the chest, shoulders and arms, as you would on any other day of your holiday. Opt for an invisible stain-proof formula to protect your dress. You don't want to be struck with sunstroke mid-reception. Find some great, stain-proof SPF options, here!

No.2 Don't Skimp on Your Photographer

I know; you probably think I’m biased! However, my reasoning for encouraging you to invest well in your Crete wedding photographer is sound. Your wedding day is exactly that; a day. It is a wonderful and momentous occasion, but once the cake is eaten, the champagne is sipped, and the guests return home, the only lasting element will be your wedding photos. 

When looking back at your wedding album, you want to be transported back to that moment and how you felt. Your images should re-kindle all those emotions and showcase your love in its most natural light. Candid images will help you see moments from your day that you didn’t even notice at the time. For that reason, investing in your photographer is not a decision you will ever regret (just ask my brides & grooms!). 

No.3 Hire a Wedding Planner

The best way to avoid stress and stay within budget when planning your destination wedding is to hire a Crete wedding planner. Investing in a wedding planner may sound counter-productive when trying to cut costs. However, an experienced wedding planner can help you save money. 

A planner will help you secure the most competitive rates with vendors thanks to local connections. Plus, they’ll only show you options within your budget, saving you time going back and forth between individual suppliers who may not align with your needs. Not to mention that a Crete wedding planner will communicate with your vendors on your behalf, saving you the stress of overcoming a major language and distance barrier. 

No.4 Check your Venue for Shade

When deciding on the best Crete wedding venue for your needs, take into consideration the design and layout of the ceremony and reception area. For example, are there shaded areas where you and your guests can cool off? Will the reception area still be exposed to direct sun during your meal? 

During low-season months, such as April, May, September and October, temperatures are milder, so this may not be such a concern. However, during June, July and August, when temperatures peak and the sun sets later, it’s vital to consider how you and your guests will stay comfortable. 

No.5 Make a Group Photo Shot List

Group photos with family members and loved ones are essential to any wedding album. In my experience as a Crete wedding photographer, family and friends are eager to enjoy a refreshing drink, cool off in the shade and start socialising immediately after the ceremony. Without organisation, group photos can become drawn out and unenjoyable for guests and risk bringing down the atmosphere. 

The best way to avoid this is to sit down with your partner and write a list of group photos you want. I recommend limiting this to no more than 10-12 combinations. Next, share this list with your wedding planner and photographer. Finally, designate a member of your wedding party to assist with rounding up guests and stopping them from wandering off on the day! 

No.6 Choose a Crete-Based Wedding Photographer

While searching for a Crete wedding photographer, you may find photographers promoting destination wedding services in your local area. Most request their regular fee plus travel/accommodation expenses. Some international photographers may offer a discount on their rate as they’re eager to use your destination wedding as an opportunity to dabble in something new and expand their portfolio. 

Your wedding day only happens once. Crete’s intense sunshine can create challenging lighting scenarios. When capturing those once-in-a-lifetime moments, you need a Crete wedding photographer with extensive experience and the necessary skills. Your wedding should not be used as a learning curve for a photographer not used to handling these lighting conditions. 

No.7 Have a Device-Free Ceremony

Device-free or unplugged ceremonies are a growing wedding trend. An unplugged ceremony involves asking friends and family to down their phones, tablets and digital cameras for the ceremony. Not only does this mean your loved ones are more present in the moment but will also elevate your wedding photos.

In my opinion as a Crete wedding photographer, nothing ruins a romantic shot of your first kiss or walk down the aisle more than an iPhone obstructing the way! Plus, with your guests all focused on you and your groom, your wedding photographer will be able to capture even more candid shots of your loved one’s emotional reactions. 

If you’d like to learn more about unplugged ceremonies and how to have one, read my dedicated blog post here.

No.8 Take Care Tanning

Countless times brides have told me they plan to start sunbathing as soon as they arrive in Crete so they’ll be tanned for their wedding day. Unfortunately, Cretan sunshine can catch the best of us, resulting in sunburn or awkward tan lines that your wedding dress may not hide. 

Ι always tell my brides, “it’s far easier when editing to enhance a tan than remove sunburn and dramatic tan lines!” So to achieve beautiful, bronzed skin for your Big Day, opt for an artificial tan or proceed with great caution when sitting out in the sun in the lead-up to your wedding day. 

No.9 Keep your Getting Ready Room Tidy

If you’re planning on having your Crete wedding photographer capture “getting ready” photos, keeping the space where you’re getting ready very tidy is essential. I know this can be a challenge, especially for the bridal party, but it’s worth the effort. A clean and tidy room will elevate your photos. 

When getting ready in the same hotel room you have been staying in since arriving, it can be difficult to hide away all non-wedding items. One solution is to book another room in the same hotel for the day of the wedding. That way, you’ll have a brand-new room that will be the perfect clear backdrop for your photos. 

No.10 Gather Important Details for Photos

Before your wedding photographer arrives, gather all the important details and accessories you’d like photographed and ask your groom to do the same. Your wedding day perfume, jewellery, bridal shoes, hair accessories, and gifts from loved ones are all perfect examples.

Without planning ahead, in the fun and chaos of getting dressed, you may forget to let your wedding photographer know about every sentimental detail. If you had your wedding invitations printed, why not bring one? Invitations add an extra special touch to your detail photos.

No.11 Pack an "Essentials" Bag

During your wedding day, there are several essential items you’re bound to need. From your wedding lipstick and pressed powder to blister plasters and perfume. Many brides hand off these items to various friends to stash in their bags before leaving for the ceremony. In the past, I have also helped carry spare flip-flops and hairbrushes in my camera bag! 

While I’m always happy to help my brides, the downside to others holding onto your items is you have to go hunting for the bits you need! Instead, pack a clutch bag and designate someone to hang onto it for you. Then, when you want a lipstick or powder top-up, you will know exactly where everything is. Check out some stunning customisable wedding clutch bags, here.

No.12 Ask Men to Empty their Pockets

Men tend to keep wallets and phones in their pockets. This may not seem like a big deal, but it can be very visible in photos. Ensure your groom and groomsmen empty their pockets before the ceremony and formal group photos.  Bonus points, for also removing apple watches!

No.13 Take it Slow and Steady

As you wait to take your first steps down the aisle, you will likely feel a mixture of excitement, nerves and adrenaline. I have seen many brides rush down the aisle in their anticipation to see their groom! Remember first to take a big, deep breath, then start your steps nice and slow. The same goes for your first kiss at the altar and your walk back down the aisle together. 

Ask any bride if they remember specific elements of their ceremony, and they’ll probably say, “it was a total blur!” Taking things slow and steady helps your wedding photographer capture plenty of beautiful shots of these crucial moments. But, more importantly, it helps you to be fully present in the moment and commit them to memory.

No.14 Provide Refreshments After the Ceremony

Offering refreshments at your ceremony is a thoughtful idea that guests will appreciate. Many couples choose to serve drinks before the ceremony. I recommend serving them after; here’s why. 

Serve drinks before the ceremony, and guests must take their seats while holding bottles or glasses. Guests often have to place these glasses on the floor by their seats. Not only can this make photos look messy, but it also poses a safety hazard if a glass is knocked over. 

Plus, your guests are unlikely to need refreshments as soon as they arrive at the ceremony venue as they've only just left their accommodation. They will appreciate an ice-cold drink much more after sitting out in the sun for a while! 

No.15 Enjoy a Private Moment Together

Your wedding can feel like a whirlwind, and that’s because it is! A wedding day is a busy event filled with dancing, drinks, eating and guests each trying to spend quality time with the bride & groom. But don’t forget to carve out some special, private time just for you both.

After all, a wedding day is a celebration of your love and commitment to one another. Even 10 minutes away from your guests to share a special moment reflecting on the day together will become a precious memory for you both. 

No.16 Don't Over-Do the DIY

After receiving quotes from suppliers for chair setups, table decorations and more, you may feel tempted to DIY some elements. But there is a reason these elements can be pricey. One example that highlights this perfectly is ceremony chair bows. 

Wedding coordinators charge a fee to tie your decorative bows and attach them to chairs. At first, this may seem like an easy job to take on yourself. However, tying dozens of bows neatly and uniformly takes practice and is very time-consuming. Plus, many Crete wedding venues won’t allow you to begin setting up the ceremony area until just a couple of hours before the wedding, so there’s a time crunch! 

While some wedding DIY projects, like handmade favours and guest books, can add a personal touch to your day, don’t overwhelm yourself by taking on too many projects. The last thing you want on your wedding day is to feel pressured and stressed. 

No.17 Bring a Pair of Flats

You buy a gorgeous pair of shoes for a special occasion and spend weeks wearing them in at home, yet the moment the day comes, they start hurting within an hour! During your wedding day, you’ll likely get in thousands of steps while dancing, socialising and heading to private spots for photographs. Pack a pair of sandals or flip-flops and thank me later! You can even go one step further and put out a basket of flip-flops at the reception for guests to enjoy.

No.18 Print Reception Speeches

A small detail but an important one. Ask those who plan on speaking to print their speeches on small cards or paper rather than reading from their smartphone’s notes app! Not only does this look better in your photos, but it also makes their words feel more meaningful and impactful. Not to mention that the written speech can then become a sentimental keepsake.