Reasons to Have Your Destination Wedding in Rhodes
Destination weddings are becoming more popular, not just among European couples wanting to get away from the traditional wedding day, but also among couples in the Middle East.
If you live in the Middle East and don't want to travel far for your destination wedding, then Greece is an excellent option for you and your wedding guests. This is also true if you plan on having your wedding in a relaxing, stunning, and sunny destination.
There are so many Greek islands to select from; our choice is the island of Rhodes. Located at a crossroad between Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, it is the largest of the Dodecanese islands southeast of Athens in the southeastern Aegean Sea.
Also, check out: Top 6 Hotels and Resorts at Ixia in Rhodes
Rhodes enjoys at least 300 days of sunshine a year, so there is certainly a better chance of good weather at your Rhodes wedding than anywhere else in Europe.
Rhodes has a rich history, its population dates back to 4000 BC and it has been inhabited by Persians, Romans, Turks, and Italians. Historical sites on the island include the Acropolis of Lindos, the Acropolis of Rhodes, the Temple of Apollo, the Governor’s Palace, Rhodes Old Town, the Palace of the Grand Masters, ancient Ialysos and ancient Kamiros.
Wedding Venues in Rhodes
This Greek island offers a lot of flexibility for couples getting married in Rhodes. Whether it is a civil marriage, a Greek Orthodox wedding ceremony, or otherwise, the city facilitates the registration of weddings and welcomes couples from all over the world.
Wedding Ceremony:
For a wedding ceremony, the most popular venue in Rhodes is the Chapel of St. Paul in St. Paul's Bay at the foot of the Acropolis in Lindos. Next in popularity is Kallithea Springs, just 9 km from the City of Rhodes, known since antiquity for their therapeutic properties, the thermal springs of Kallithea were utilized by the Italians, in the early 20th century, being very popular and attracting visitors from all over the world.
Other popular wedding venues in Rhodes include St. Sophia chapel, St. Apostoloi chapel in Faliraki, Filerimos Cross in the hilly area of Ialysos, and many beach venues all over the island that present lovely ceremony venues with a great azure and serene backdrop.
Wedding Reception:
On Rhodes island, there are plenty of venues for your wedding reception and party. From private club facilities to romantic restaurants, from small hotels to large modern resorts, and from traditional Greek tavernas to other cultural venues, you will find a huge selection of possible wedding venues in Rhodes.
Traditional Greek tavernas in the historic centers of Lindos and Rhodes town, or by the sea, are quite popular places for weddings. Another popular option is a taverna with views of the Acropolis which looks spectacular when lit up at night.
What to See and Do in Rhodes
There are so many attractions and activities that your wedding guests could indulge in while they are in Rhodes either before the wedding celebrations begin or after.
Your guests can enjoy several tours and excursions in Rhodes which include:
- City tour: Rhodes Hop-On Hop-Off City Tour Buses are a great way to see the city. The buses stop at many attractions including the Aquarium, the port of Mandraki, Government buildings, the New Market, the Old Town with the Palace of the Great Magister, the New Marina, the hill of Monte Smith with the Acropolis of the Ancient city of Rhodes, the Temple of God Apollonas, the Ancient Theatre and lots more.
- Island tours: Visit Filerimos (a small hill covered in cedar trees, with a medieval monastery and panoramic views over the bay), The Butterflies Valley (600-acre nature park with walking trails & benches offers a summer home for many butterflies), explore Lindos with a direct transfer from Rhodes Town, Ixia and Ialyssos to discover the 4th-century gates of the acropolis and Temple of Athena Lindia or visit Symi Island.
- Day cruises and boat trips: There are plenty of full day cruises (day or night) and boat trips to scenic bays surrounding Rhodes liek: Kallithea Springs (an ancient therapy spa), the Caves of Traganou at Afantou Beach, Anthony Quinn and Kallithea beaches, Traganou caves and more. A high-speed catamaran will cover the 27 km distance from Rhodes to Marmaris in Turkey in 45 minutes. Marmaris is one of the most attractive destinations on the west coast of Turkey.
- Other activities include Jeep safaris around the island with jeeps self-driving, Polaris safari, with the quad vehicle Polaris, visiting the waterpark in Faliraki, visiting wineries and many more things to do in and around Rhodes Island.
DWP 2021 Held in Rhodes
Rhodes has been chosen as the destination for the 7th annual Destination Wedding Planners Congress which took place in 2021. It gathered hundreds from the international wedding destination industry in a 3-day packed strong business platform.
DWP was held at Alila Resort & Spa, a member of Mitsis Premium Collection, located just 4 km from bustling Faliraki and 8 km from the lively town of Rhodes, the Crusader Isle. The hotel provided an ultra all-inclusive program in its lifestyle-oriented, modern, and fresh premises, aspiring to values such as genuine Mediterranean hospitality, an authentic Greek experience, and exceptional cuisine.
The 2021 edition of the DWP Congress boasted a wide-ranging conference agenda including impactful keynote presentations, influential panel discussions, and powerful master classes.
