Jewish Wedding in Greece: A Chuppah in Santorini, Crete or Athens

A Jewish wedding in Greece is a dream for many couples: blue sea, soft evening light, and guests who come to celebrate together for a few days. Santorini, Crete and Athens are three destinations couples often consider, each with its own character. For the wedding to be both Jewish and legally recognized, you need to plan two things: the chuppah ceremony, and the civil marriage with its registration at home. In this article I explain both. General information, not legal advice.

Why Greece

Greece is close to Israel, and the flight is relatively short, even for older guests. It offers a wide range of venues, from white villages on a cliff to villas and beachfront hotels. Many couples love the idea of a few days of celebration with their guests, not just one evening.

Santorini, Crete or Athens

• Santorini: a small, famous island with dramatic views over the sea. It suits a romantic wedding, usually with fewer guests, since venues are small and access is not always simple.
• Crete: a large island with a wide choice of beaches, villages and places to stay. It suits couples who want a bigger wedding, or a few days of trips and time with their guests. In Chania, on Crete, there is a historic synagogue that couples like to visit.
• Athens: a large city, easy to reach by air, with many hotels and venues, and a long established Jewish community. It suits couples who prefer convenience and simple logistics, perhaps combining a city wedding with a few days on an island.

On the Jewish wedding abroad page you will also find other Greek destinations, such as Mykonos and Corfu. If you are also considering Italy, I wrote about a Jewish wedding in Italy.

The chuppah ceremony in Greece

I travel to weddings abroad and conduct a full chuppah ceremony: the chuppah, the betrothal blessing, kiddushin with a ring, the reading of the ketubah, the seven blessings and the breaking of the glass. The ceremony can be traditional, liberal and egalitarian, or secular, as you choose. I arrive the day before the wedding to see the venue and settle the final details. The ceremony can be held in Hebrew and English, so guests who do not speak Hebrew can follow and be moved. Before that we meet, in person or by video, to build the ceremony together.

It is important to understand: the chuppah is your Jewish ceremony, but on its own it is not a civil marriage. For the marriage to be recognized, you also need a civil marriage alongside it.

Civil marriage in Greece: what to know

In Greece, civil marriages are performed by the municipality (Δήμος) where you marry. According to information from the Greek Ministry of Interior and the Municipality of Thira, which covers Santorini, foreigners who do not live in Greece are usually asked to submit:

• A certificate from their own country that there is no impediment to the marriage, or a marriage licence.
• A birth certificate, authenticated with an Apostille and translated into Greek.
• Valid passports.
• For anyone previously married: a document proving the previous marriage has ended.

The exact list, and how documents are submitted, varies from municipality to municipality. So the first step is to contact the municipality where you will marry, or a local wedding planner, and get an up to date list. Start early, because preparing documents, Apostilles and translations takes time.

Registering the marriage in Israel

For Israeli couples, after the wedding you register as married with the Population and Immigration Authority. According to the Population Authority website (in Hebrew), when the marriage certificate was issued abroad you must present the original certificate, authenticated with an Apostille and translated into Hebrew by a notary, and both spouses must attend in person, at an Authority office or an Israeli mission abroad. More on the civil route on the civil marriage abroad page. Back in Israel, see how to register a marriage in Israel.

Tips for planning a destination wedding in Greece

• Book your date early: a destination wedding means coordinating the venue, guests, flights and the rabbi. Start planning well in advance.
• Think about your guests: older guests and families with children need an accessible venue. Many steps or narrow paths can be difficult.
• Check the ceremony time: Greek summers are hot, and an evening chuppah is more pleasant for everyone.
• Arrange kosher food if needed: if some guests keep kosher, find out in advance what the venue can offer.
• Prepare a ceremony booklet: a short booklet in Hebrew and English helps guests from every family understand the ceremony.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a chuppah in Greece a legal marriage?

The chuppah is a Jewish ceremony. For the marriage to be recognized, you need a civil marriage alongside it, at a Greek municipality or by another civil route, followed by registration at home.

Which documents are needed for a civil marriage in Greece?

Usually: a certificate of no impediment, birth certificates with an Apostille and a Greek translation, and passports. You get the exact list from the municipality where you marry.

How do Israelis register as married after a wedding in Greece?

Present the original marriage certificate with an Apostille and a notarized Hebrew translation at the Population Authority. Both spouses must attend.

Does the rabbi travel to the islands?

Yes. I travel to weddings abroad, including the islands, by prior arrangement, and arrive the day before the wedding.

Can the ceremony in Greece be egalitarian?

Yes. The ceremony can be traditional, liberal and egalitarian, or secular, and we build it together in our preparation meetings according to what suits you.

In Summary

A Jewish wedding in Greece combines a moving chuppah with unforgettable scenery, and with proper planning it is also legally recognized. Plan the chuppah, arrange the civil marriage at the municipality, and register when you return home. General information, not legal advice. If you dream of a wedding in Greece, I would be glad to help with planning your destination wedding.