Greece has officially opened its doors to single-sex marriages in February 2024, and Crete has quickly become one of the most beautiful and welcoming destinations for LGBTQ+ couples. With its serene beaches, golden light and heartfelt hospitality, the island offers the perfect backdrop for couples who wish to celebrate their love openly and joyfully.

So when Kat and Katie first reached out to us, they shared a dream that immediately touched our hearts — to celebrate their love at their favourite seaside hotel in Crete, a place they had returned to year after year. Knowing this would be our very first same-sex wedding made the moment even more special. Their trust, their story and their vision felt like the beginning of something meaningful not only for them, but also for us as wedding planners on this beautiful island.

They had originally hoped for a full civil ceremony by the sea, but unfortunately, in the region where the hotel is located, civil ceremonies can only take place inside the official state building rather than outdoors. Unlike some other areas of Crete where this is possible, this local restriction meant the brides decided to have their civil marriage quietly in the UK before flying to Greece. They kept it a secret from their families, wishing for everyone to experience their Greek celebration as their “real” wedding day — and what a magical day it was!

As wedding planners specialising in authentic, nature-inspired Cretan weddings, hotel weddings are not usually our signature style. But the moment we met Kat and Katie and heard their creative vision, we were inspired to take on the challenge. Their excitement and ideas completely won us over — and we knew we wanted to bring their dream wedding to life in their beloved hotel.

Navigating a Hotel Wedding in Crete

Organising a wedding in a hotel is quite different from planning an event in a private venue or the raw Cretan landscape. Hotel weddings come with their own set of regulations and management approvals, which means every element — from fireworks to décor — must go through the hotel’s management team. There were many back-and-forth discussions and creative problem-solving moments! For example, colourful fireworks weren’t permitted, so we replaced them with elegant cold fireworks, which turned out to be just as stunning.

Designing the Décor

Kat and Katie envisioned a total transformation of the hotel’s restaurant for their wedding dinner — they didn’t want it to look anything like it does on a regular day. We sourced mirrors for the tables, brought in different chairs, and collaborated with several external vendors to achieve their modern, glamorous look.

Regarding the décor, our main inspiration was to create an atmosphere of simple elegance with a modern feel, incorporating personal details from the brides while still allowing the natural beauty of the venue and the breathtaking Cretan Sea to shine through. It was a perfect balance between sophistication and authenticity — a look that felt effortlessly theirs.

A Two-Day Celebration

The festivities began the day before the wedding, with pre-wedding drinks and fun games at their villa. The following day was the main celebration — a ceremony on the hotel’s veranda overlooking the sea, followed by reception drinks, dinner, live music band, and the after-party with the dj.

Since the ceremony can be one of the most emotional and nerve-wracking moments, we always try to make sure we have a rehearsal day before, or ask our couples do that on their own and submitting us details, so we follow their precise schedule, as all couples have their specific song or songs and particular seconds of the track they would like to walk down the isle. Kat and Katie had very specific timing for their walk down the aisle — every second mattered, from the start of their chosen song to the flower petals falling at just the right moment. In this case, we had both petal girls and a very entertaining flower man, which made everyone smile!

The Wedding Day Flow

Due to hotel regulations, music couldn’t be played outdoors after 10 p.m., so we carefully designed the event flow. The ceremony was held at the veranda, reception drinks nearby, and dinner on the lower level with live music, fireworks, and cake cutting. Afterwards, guests moved indoors to the lobby bar area for the late-night party — which went on until 3 a.m.! Our team worked quickly behind the scenes to transfer decorations and props between spaces seamlessly, ensuring guests barely noticed the transitions.

The chosen colours were classic blue and white — a nod to the Greek islands, symbolising the deep sea and bright horizon. Despite the extra effort and double negotiations required when working with hotel management, the result was breathtaking. Most importantly, Kat and Katie had the time of their lives — and now, every time they return to their favourite hotel, they’ll remember the magic of their wedding day.

The Invisible Work Behind the Magic

It often seems that our job as wedding planners is the most invisible one. The vendors’ performances are what everyone sees — the florists’ arrangements, the chefs’ creations, the photographers’ images, the musicians’ melodies, and the bartenders’ signature drinks. But behind all of that is our quiet coordination — finding the right vendors who suit your vision and budget, ensuring they arrive on time, solving problems before they’re even noticed, and negotiating with external partners (in this case, hotel management) to make every idea possible. Our role is to hold the entire celebration together so that couples can live the day fully, without worrying about what’s happening behind the scenes.

Our Advice for Future Couples

If you’re dreaming of a hotel wedding in Crete, keep in mind that it can often cost at least three times more than a venue or outdoor wedding, due to hotel restrictions and additional vendor arrangements. However, with an experienced wedding planner by your side, every detail will be handled — from vendor coordination and negotiations to on-the-spot solutions when challenges arise.

Your wedding day should be about peace of mind, joy, and celebration — not logistics. That’s what we’re here for.

And as always a gentle reminder……

Trust the Process (and Your Planner!)

As planners, our job is to listen—to truly understand your needs, priorities, and wedding style. From there, we build a vendor team that aligns with your vision and helps bring it all to life. And the best results always come from trust. When our couples feel confident in our suggestions and open to new ideas, that’s where the real magic happens.

Planning your dream wedding in Crete?

Whether you’re focused on food, décor, music—or the full package—we’re here to help bring it all together in a way that reflects you. Let’s create something unforgettable.