The land of Gods, the birthplace of democracy and philosophers like Aristotle and Socrates, is both mystical and ethereal. The wedding world has always been drawn towards the beauty of Greece and what it has to offer to both the couples and the planners to convert their dream wedding into reality.
With COVID-19 taking over the world one country at a time, Greece is coping with the current pandemic much better than some of its European counterparts. As per Reuters, “Greece was swift in implementing measures of social distancing after its first case of COVID-19 which surfaced in late February, imposing a nationwide lockdown days later which is being respected with few exceptions across the country.”
With our 7th annual DWP Congress taking place from November 4-6th at the Mitsis Alila Resort and Spa in Rhodes Island, Greece, we got in touch with our official partners and suppliers in Greece and Belgium to understand why Greece needs to be a part of your wedding wishlist, and with their extensive expertise, seek advice on how they are navigating through the current times. Read on below to know more about it.
1. Three things you love the most about Greece that make it an ideal wedding destination.
A. Dream Palette: Beautiful landscapes
“From mountains to beaches, urban or rural landscapes, extravagant or simple stunning backdrops, there are hundreds of ideal places for a wedding party that can host any number of guests. It has an adventurous mainland and more than 2000 islands, though a blooming nature for all tastes. It is the dream pallet for any wedding planner because they can design their masterpiece in many different ways.” Shares Vassilis Mentzelopoulos, Managing Director, Amuse
Picture Courtesy: @dgiouvris
“The infinite color palette; within a short distance nature offers us an incredible variety; green, beige, brown, blue and white, all of which we can use as inspiration for our event, and even make them part of it. The great weather; from mid-April up to mid-October and with a little luck, a wedding can be held under the clear Mediterranean sky. The cultural and historical references which are intertwined with the unique landscapes. Places that allude to well-known myths, monuments that travel us to every time and culture that has left its trace on this land.” Adds Iokasti Skandami, Art Director, Mazi-Chirography
B. Charming Greek history and hospitality
“Even though 3 things are not many, the Greek hospitality in liaison with the Greek cuisine and taste is a sense that will be unforgettable to the couple and their valued guests. Additionally, we strongly believe that Greece is an ideal destination since a visitor can combine the element of the sea and the mountain at the same time but also individually covering all tastes. There are so many domestic destinations that can be visited at all seasons. Last but not least, the history of Greece is also a reason to host your wedding. Many historical monuments and sightseeing can become the wedding backdrops making a moment unique. For example, imagine yourselves getting married having the Temple of Poseidon at your background.” Recommends Thomas Politis, Owner, FYE- For Your Event
Picture Courtesy: @amuse.bespoke
B. Top-notch vendors and powerful collaborations
“This is one of the strong points that puts Greece high in the wedding destinations ranking. Anything from technology, to arts and crafts, decoration elements, creatives, and manpower, sub-contracting, as well as a culture of collaboration and high-end deliverables, makes Greece one of the preferred destinations for getting married abroad.” Further adds Vassilis Mentzelopoulos, Managing Director, Amuse
2. What advice will you give organizations for sustainability during current times?
“Exchange know-how for health and safety. For the next few months and till the vaccine comes out, minimize cost and organize events for fewer people.” Says Stavros Mitsis, Managing Director, Mitsis Hotels
Picture Courtesy: @mitsishotels
“We are experiencing many challenges during this period. To be honest the situation seems to be still very vivid and the future is still unclear. I’ve learned though, that thinking positively always pays off. Having said this, I imagine that the situation is the same mostly all over the world and I think that the keywords for succeeding during these difficult times are safety and flexibility. Also, sustainability is not only about being ”green” but also about supporting the locals. Whichever the destination of the wedding will be, please do sustain locals and local products. This will help to make us all stand up again quickly.” Beautifully sums up Jolanda Kappa, Business Development Manager, Kapco Travel Services Ltd
Picture Courtesy: @naiads.synchro
“Whether we like it or not, we have to adapt and face the current circumstances. Although I believe that, NOW more than ever we have to be creative and bring new – fresh ideas to the wedding society and the clients. We have plenty of time to look at things from a different perspective and expand our boundaries. We have to get in touch with vendors, make new collaborations and create a new base for our work. At least this is my plan for now: Adopt, Vision, Contact and Create.” Shares Kostantina Galiotou, Founder, Naiads
3. What are the measures taken by your sector to fight the current situation?
“We are trying to speak to our couples and reassure them that they can count on us. We discuss possible alternative dates and creating a backup plan. Greece has fastly taken every possible measure to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Over this period, we understand and with great responsibility, we inform our clients that our team is always at their disposal to schedule calls or Skype meetings answering to any possible questions and organize everything according to their needs on their special day.” Says Anna Maria Rogdaki, Event Designer, Diamond Events
Picture Courtesy: @diamondevents.gr
“Contact your clients, make them feel relaxed, and don’t stop spreading your business. We would suggest the couples go for a November wedding, and choose a venue that gives them the option for an inside reception area, due to weather conditions that may occur.” Adds Giorgos Kontogeorgos, Founder, Black and White Drums
Picture Courtesy: @black.and.white.drums
“I think that our sector, tourism and event planning, are one of the most hit by this crisis. Again, flexibility is the key. We are trying to request people not to cancel but to postpone. Additionally, all venues, hotels and also flight companies give the possibility to amend the dates with the same rates as the initial booking, with no cancellation or amendments fees. Also, all professionals are trying to get organized and apply all safety measures that are currently requested by the WHO. Of course, the situation does not depend only on us. Once the instructions on how to proceed will be clearer, I’m sure that all of us will do whatever it takes to implement them correctly. Adds Jolanda Kappa, Business Development Manager, Kapco Travel Services Ltd
“In Belgium, the sector is reunited in an organization B.E.S.A – Belgium Event Supplier Association. This association is sticking up for the interest of the event suppliers and pushing the government to provide emergency funds. Platforms that promote all event suppliers offer free memberships, free legal advice, information from the government, and information about changes in the regulations.” Says Sébastien Meiresonne, CEO, Organic-Concept
Picture Courtesy: @organicconcept
4. What are the preferred months for weddings in Greece? Now with the season getting affected due to COVID-19, what kind of advice you can give for planning weddings in November?
“The wedding season in Greece lasts from May till October. Nevertheless, November can still be a great month for a wedding. You can be prepared according to the weather conditions and be ready for even an unexpected rain. A wedding in November may not have the summer vibes that we all love, but it has the warm colors of the fall. This is something we can work on and create great memories under that color pallet.” Beautifully sums up Kostantina Galiotou, Founder, Naiads
“As per our experience, the preferred season with the highest demand for weddings in Greece is from May to September. Although in the latest years, October has shown some increase in demand as the weather has been warmer and nicer allowing hosting outdoor events. As COVID-19 is something new to all of us, the scenario of planning a wedding in November is open but our strongest advice is to follow the measures and necessary precautions by the authorities. On a different note and generally speaking, November is a beautiful month of Fall with beautiful colors and weather conditions. Our main advice is to choose a domestic destination that can someone can get the most of the physical environment consisting of romantic and elegant venues.” says Thomas Politis, Owner, FYE- For Your Event
Picture Courtesy: @fyeforyourevent
“November is the time to embrace autumn! Autumn gives us the most beautiful color palette of all seasons. Shades of terracotta mixed with tints of velvet beige and peach and touched by gradients of pink. A perfect match with the blue water in the background and the setting sun – a spectacle you don’t want to miss and will enjoy long after in the most beautiful pictures.” Tells Sébastien Meiresonne, CEO, Organic-Concept
5. How do you see the trajectory of the upcoming wedding season in Greece?
“Certainly, at least 45% of the weddings have been affected, but given the favorable weather conditions in Greece, the couples have already moved their weddings to another date within 2020. Of course, this can’t happen to everyone. So, hoping that our couples will postpone and not cancel, we will have to get prepared for a busier year in 2021. The financial crisis that is expected will lower the budget, so we will have to cope, recruiting all our creativity. Also, the number of guests will most probably be smaller, since there will surely be reluctance in long traveling.” Believes Iokasti Skandami, Art Director, Mazi-Chirography
Picture Courtesy: @chirography_mazi
“We still don’t have cancellations, only postponed events for later dates. Hopefully, and depending on global and domestic circumstances, we will be active soon.” Says Pavlos Rousiakis, Owner, Pavlos The Flower Workshop
Picture Courtesy: @pavlos_the_flower_workshop
“I think a lot of weddings are going to be organized in a smaller group of people. Let’s make this a year of learning and preparations for better days. Don’t sit still, but keep on working on new ideas and wedding trends!” Reaffirms Thomas Leysen, CEO, Let There Be Light
Picture Courtesy: @ltbl.be
6. What can we do as a community to encourage a smooth workflow for weddings and events in Greece?
“There is much to do and still to discover in Greece. In our sector what counts most are emotions and the experience itself, and Greece is very good at it! Give Greece a chance to show you all the great aspects of it: our cultural and national heritage, our natural beauties and the experienced Greek professionals. Once Greece will have the occasion to show you all the above, the workflow will be smooth as the most important is to communicate well between professionals and understand the guests’ needs and try to meet their expectations. Till then, stay safe, please!” Shares Jolanda Kappa, Business Development Manager, Kapco Travel Services Ltd
Picture Courtesy: @kapcotravel
“Greece is a dream wedding destination. I’m convinced that when this is over, people will come to Greece for weddings and events. A marketing plan will help because no one wants to leave his dream behind.” Sums up Anna Maria Rogdaki, Event Designer, Diamond Events
“Stay connected with clients, especially couples with weddings in 2020. Be informative and helpful. Support them in any way possible. These are times we need to be supportive and stick together to get through this. We will overcome it.” #StayStrong #StayHealthy! Adds Dimitris Giouvris, Founder, Dimitris Giouvris Photography
Picture Courtesy: @dgiouvris
The exquisite charm of Greece continues to amaze us all on historical and mystical levels. And it will remain to be as one of the top destinations for couples to get married.
Save your new dates for the DWP Congress 2020 which will be taking place from the 4th -6th November 2020 at Mitsis Alila Luxury Resort & Spa, and join us on this journey as we take over Rhodes with the world’s strongest business platform in the destination wedding industry! For any queries related to this luxurious event, get in touch with us at editorial@dwp-insider.com to know more.
We wish to see you all in Greece at the DWP Congress 2020! Until then Μείνε ασφαλής (stay safe)!
Feature Image Credit: @dgiouvris
