How We Planned Our Dream Destination Wedding in Skiathos, Greece
When my husband and I got engaged, one thing became clear very quickly: we didn't want a traditional wedding in the UK. We wanted sunshine, the sea, a relaxed atmosphere and, above all, a celebration that would be as memorable for our family and friends as it was for us.
It had to be somewhere that meant something to us, and somewhere our guests could reach without too much expense or hassle.
We had holidayed on the Greek island of Skiathos several times before. The clear turquoise water, the pine-covered hills running down to the beaches, the slow evenings watching the sun sink into the Aegean - it captured our hearts every time. It felt like the natural place to begin our married life together.
Planning it would change my life in another way, too. As I began researching where we could marry, something clicked: I wanted to spend my life helping other people experience the world the way I always had. Our wedding became the beginning of Hamilton Curtis Travel Design.
But once we'd chosen the destination, the real planning began.
Here's how we planned our Skiathos wedding, step by step, and what I'd tell any couple considering the same.
Step 1: Choosing the Right Wedding Planner
Although we wanted to be heavily involved in the planning, we knew we needed expert support on the island itself.
By the time we were planning in earnest, I was working in travel myself, so I could draw on a network of trusted wedding professionals in Greece.
Having someone on the ground who understood the local venues, suppliers, legal requirements, and timelines was invaluable. Our planner, George, became our eyes and ears on Skiathos and helped transform our ideas into reality.
My advice is simple: take your time choosing a planner and find someone whose style aligns with your vision and personality. It's the part of our own planning I'd never do without, and it's why I now bring the same on-the-ground support to every destination wedding I design.
Step 2: Deciding on Our Wedding Venue
One of the biggest decisions was selecting where we would actually say "I do."
Skiathos offers everything from beachfront ceremonies and traditional chapels to luxury villa settings and panoramic sea-view venues.
We created a shortlist based on:
Guest capacity
Location
Accessibility
Available dates
Costs for us and our guests
Reception options
Photography opportunities
Because we couldn't visit every venue in person, we relied heavily on virtual tours, photographs, videos, and recommendations. I could also lean on trusted contacts in my professional network for honest, first-hand opinions.
Eventually, we found the venue that captured the relaxed yet elegant atmosphere we wanted: the Skiathos Palace Hotel. We married on its terrace overlooking Koukounaries Bay, with nothing but sea on the horizon and a sunset I will never forget.
Step 3: Setting a Realistic Budget
Destination weddings often have a reputation for being cheaper than UK weddings, but that isn't always the case.
We quickly realised that costs can add up when you include:
Venue hire
Flights
Accommodation
Wedding attire
Photography
Flowers
Food and drinks
Entertainment
Welcome events
Legal paperwork
After four decades in finance, a spreadsheet was always going to be my first move. We tracked every expense and set aside a contingency fund for the unexpected.
Having a clear budget from the start helped us prioritise what was most important and avoid unnecessary stress later.
Step 4: Sending Save-the-Dates Early
Because guests needed to book annual leave, flights and accommodation, timing was crucial.
We sent our save-the-dates much earlier than we would have for a UK wedding: 16 months before the big day.
Giving guests plenty of notice gave them time to plan, save and book flights while there was still good availability.
Many of our guests turned our wedding into a holiday, which made the entire celebration feel even more special.
Step 5: Organising Guest Accommodation Information
One thing we quickly learned was that guests appreciate guidance.
Rather than leaving everyone to search independently, we researched accommodation options for different budgets and created an information pack.
This included:
Recommended hotels
Apartment options
Villa rentals
Airport transfer information
Local taxi details
Useful island information
This greatly reduced the number of questions we received and helped guests feel more confident about travelling abroad.
Guests could either arrange their own travel or join our bridal party booking. Because we were reserving a block of rooms at the venue, I was able to agree a preferential rate for everyone staying there, one of the quiet advantages of working closely with hotels.
Step 6: Building Our Wedding Vision
My two bridesmaids were an incredible support in shaping our wedding vision and making sure it came to life on the day. Pinterest quickly became our best friend.
We created mood boards covering:
Ceremony styling
Reception décor
Table settings
Flowers
Colour schemes
Bridal party inspiration
Because we lived around 1,500 miles away from our wedding venue, having visual references helped communicate our ideas clearly to suppliers.
Every decision became easier once we had a consistent vision.
Step 7: Selecting Local Suppliers
One of the benefits of using local Skiathos suppliers was their experience with destination weddings.
We carefully selected:
Photographer
Videographer
Florist
Hair stylist
Makeup artist
Entertainment
Our wedding planner, George, was invaluable in helping us choose suppliers. We also read reviews, viewed portfolios, and arranged video calls wherever possible.
This gave us confidence that everyone understood the feel and style we were trying to create.
Step 8: Tackling the Legal Paperwork
I’ll be perfectly honest: this was the least glamorous part of the wedding planning.
Every destination wedding comes with documentation requirements, and Greece is no exception.
Again, George was an enormous help. He advised us to start gathering paperwork well in advance to avoid any last-minute panic.
Having a checklist and completing tasks gradually made the process much more manageable.
Step 9: Planning More Than Just One Day
One thing we loved about having a destination wedding was that it wasn't simply a single-day event.
We planned several opportunities to spend quality time with our guests, including:
Welcome drinks
Beach gatherings
Hen and stag dos
Boat trip
Wedding day breakfast
Post-wedding celebrations
Because everyone had travelled so far, these extra moments became some of our favourite memories.
Instead of a few hours together, we enjoyed several days surrounded by the people we love most.
Step 10: Remembering What Matters
As the wedding approached, there were moments when it felt overwhelming.
Planning a wedding from another country naturally comes with challenges.
There were emails, spreadsheets, supplier calls, timelines, and countless decisions.
But looking back, one of the biggest lessons we learned was that planning thoroughly from day one is what kept the stress in check.
Not every detail went exactly as expected, and that was perfectly okay.
What mattered was marrying the person I love on an island that means so much to us, surrounded by our nearest and dearest who had made the journey to celebrate with us.
Planning Your Own Destination Wedding
Our wedding is the reason I do what I do. Today, I design destination weddings and honeymoons around the couples I work with: the setting, guest travel, the trusted people on the ground, and the days either side of the celebration.
If you're dreaming of marrying abroad, I'd love to hear what you have in mind. Every journey begins with a conversation.
