Rhodes

Just under four hours from the UK, the Greek island of Rhodes is fast becoming the most romantic place to tie the knot. Here’s why...the Wedding Ideas Team visited Rhodes in June to find the island’s best wedding venues

Our first visit on this whistlestop tour of Rhodes was to Faliraki. Forget all the preconceptions you may have about this tiny fishing town – the lager-lout image of the past has gone and in its place, a much quieter, more romantic resort is emerging. Bars and nightclubs do remain, but many areas are undergoing a rejuvenation programme to give British couples an authentic Greek wedding experience. If you’re planning a wedding abroad, we would always suggest that you hire a local wedding planner that can communicate with local suppliers and get you the best deals. For Rhodes, we highly recommend Beverley Kafetzi from Unique Weddings Rhodes. Beverley can organise almost anything you want, from a romantic arrival by boat at your ceremony to an early morning horse ride on the beach. Beverley speaks fluent English and Greek so you can be sure you’re getting exactly what you want. Her policy is not to offer package weddings but simply to use the ceremony as a cornerstone and then assist each couple to build their wedding around this, making each celebration completely unique. Their basic fee for the civil ceremony is 450 euros (around £300), which includes expert organisation and assistance by their UK and Rhodes teams of wedding consultants. The fee also includes basic paperwork (including marriage licence and certificate), registrar’s fee, venue fee and the ceremony itself, which is conducted in both English and Greek.

Apollo Beach hotel, faliraki

We were based at the Apollo Beach Hotel, just off the main road into Faliraki. There are no facilities to get married at the Apollo Beach and no special honeymoon suite, but it is ideal for guests that are travelling over to Rhodes to share your special day. The hotel in is the process of building a luxury property next door, which will offer wedding facilities and is due for completion in late 2008. For more details see www.apollobeachhotel.com

Kallithea Spa, Faliraki

This recently renovated 1920s cultural monument overlooks Kallithea Bay, and makes a beautiful backdrop for your wedding photos. Here you can arrive by boat and walk through the beautifully manicured gardens up to the ceremonial area overlooking the stunning blue sea below. Then, while you have your pictures taken, the semi-circular, pergola-covered ceremonial area is transformed into a beautiful reception. To find out more see www.uniqueweddingsrhodes.co.uk/kallithea_spa.html

profit amon, faliraki

This ancient monastery, set into the hillside, has a magnificent view of Faliraki Bay. It is surrounded by fragrant pine trees and has a large area for an outdoor reception – the wandering peacocks are an added plus!

Atrium palace, lindos

The Atrium Palace is a stunning five-star wedding location, perfect for romantic weddings overlooking Kalathos Bay. The Palace can hold your civil ceremony in its impressive gardens or inside the atrium with its palm garden and serene Koi fishponds. They offer a fantastic wedding package with everything you could possibly think of: free room upgrades and room decoration; wine, fruit and flowers on arrival; one-day entrance to the Thalasso Spa, sauna and pool; breakfast in bed for the newlyweds and more. Thanks to Rhodes’ spectacular climate, you can expect a fantastic outdoor reception beside the magnificent swimming pools or at the beachfront Astrias Restaurant. They can cater for up to 90 people and tables can be laid out and decorated to match your chosen colour scheme. As part of the wedding package you receive a complimentary wedding cake, Champagne toast and even music to end the evening. And if you really want to spoil yourself, for your first night together as husband and wife, book yourselves into one of the romantic villas, complete with your own private pool! There is also an English-speaking wedding co-ordinator on hand to help you plan your day. See more information at www.atrium.gr

Lindian Village, lindos

This beautiful complex of apartments offers you the chance to have your wedding, reception and honeymoon all in one place. There is a small chapel on site where you can hold your ceremony and a luxurious spa where you can have all your pre-wedding pampering. There are a number of restaurants catering for various of tastes, where full sit-down receptions or smaller buffets can be accommodated. The high-quality suites at the hotel boast the utmost privacy – some even have their own private pools. For more information see www.lindianvillage.gr

Chapels in rhodes

One of the most popular places to get married in Rhodes is the Greek Orthodox chapel of St Paul’s, situated in a beautiful location in St Paul’s Bay, within sight of the Lindos Acropolis. Its popularity makes it very busy in high season so be sure to secure your date early if you want a ceremony here. St Apostolos, on the other hand, is a small chapel in Faliraki harbour, providing a unique and quiet spot for an intimate ceremony and a stand-up, buffet-style reception. We also visited San Sofia in Faliraki, a tiny yet stunning chapel with spectacular views of the coastline. Only Greek Orthodox weddings can take place inside these chapels. All other ceremonies must take place outside.

miramare hotel, ixia

Our last stop was the five-star deluxe hotel in Ixia, just minutes from the airport. You can choose between a garden, seafront or waterfront suite, all beautifully decorated and some have trees climbing through them! Our favourite elements were the infinity pool and the land train.

With stunning views and amazing fresh food, this is the perfect place to honeymoon.