Santorini vs. Rhodes: Which Greek Island Is Best for Your Wedding Abroad?

You’ve narrowed it down to Greece (great choice), and now you’re stuck between two stunners: Santorini — the “Instagram-famous” poster child of Greek weddings, and Rhodes — the sun-drenched hidden gem with a bit more soul (and a lot less stress).

So which one wins?
Let’s compare them properly — not just with travel brochure waffle, but the stuff that actually matters when you’re planning a wedding abroad.

🏝️ First, Let’s Set the Scene - Rhodes & Santorini

Santorini

You know the drill: whitewashed buildings, blue-domed churches, infinity pools and views that’ll make your mother-in-law cry (in a good way).

Vibe: Ultra-chic, luxury, Instagram-obsessed
Price tag: 💸💸💸
Guest count: Intimate – most venues have space for 20–40 max
Biggest pro: That view
Biggest con: That price

Rhodes

Less hyped, more heart. Rhodes is all about beautiful beaches, authentic Greek charm, and space to breathe. Think cliffside chapels, private beach venues, and golden hour that deserves its own photographer.

Vibe: Romantic, relaxed, and still wow
Price tag: 💸 (way more affordable)
Guest count: From 2 to 100+ — venues for every style
Biggest pro: Value + versatility
Biggest con: Not as “famous” — yet 😉

💸 Budget: What You Actually Get for Your Money in Santorini vs Rhodes

Santorini

Weddings here don’t come cheap. Even the smallest ceremony can cost £10,000+ — and that’s without flights, hotels, or your cousin’s last-minute plus-one. Why?
High demand + limited space = premium pricing for everything from venues to flowers.

Expect:

  • Higher supplier fees

  • Limited accommodation options (mostly luxury)

  • Travel costs that creep up fast

Rhodes

Much better value without compromising on wow-factor. You can plan a full wedding in Rhodes for under £5,000 — including legal bits, flowers, cake, and a stunning sea-view ceremony.

Plus, Rhodes has:

  • More venues = more flexibility

  • Affordable supplier rates

  • All-inclusive resorts for guests = big savings

  • Budget airlines flying direct from the UK

Winner: Rhodes — hands down, especially if you're not keen on selling a kidney to pay for peonies.

👰 Guest Experience: Will They Love It Too?

Santorini

Perfect for small weddings. But if you’ve got more than 20 guests? It starts to get tricky.
Accommodation can be limited or spread out across the island. Transport = lots of steps, expensive taxis, and not ideal for Nan or toddlers.

Flights are also less frequent, and often more expensive.

Rhodes

Much easier for guests. Bigger resorts, family-friendly options, and loads of direct flights from all over the UK. You can even turn it into a group holiday with everyone staying in the same resort.

Plus:

  • Great nightlife for the after-party crew

  • Quiet, romantic areas for the chill guests

  • Smooth airport-to-resort transfers

Winner: Rhodes — better for guests, better for your stress levels.

📸 The Aesthetic: Let’s Talk Wedding Photos

Santorini

Yes, the views are stunning. The white buildings, the blue domes, the caldera cliffs — it’s basically a postcard.

But (and it’s a big but)… everyone gets the same shots.
You’ll likely have tourists walking through your photos, and venues are tightly packed — so unless you pay top dollar for privacy, you might be sharing your "I do" with a crowd of camera phones.

Rhodes

Endless variety. Want a private beach ceremony at sunset? Done. A cliffside chapel with panoramic views? Easy. Want to get married in an ancient monastery or dance under fairy lights by a pool? Rhodes has it all.

More space = more creativity.
And less chance of a random cruise ship tour photobombing your first kiss.

Winner: Rhodes — for variety, privacy, and breathing room.

📝 Legalities & Logistics of Getting Married in Santorini vs Rhodes

Both islands follow the same rules when it comes to legal weddings in Greece (because, well, they’re both Greece).

But here’s where Rhodes really pulls ahead:
When you book with a local full-service planner (👋 that’s us), we take care of:

  • Translations & apostilles

  • Marriage certificate processing

  • Registrar bookings

  • Witness coordination

  • All legal admin from start to finish

AND… we’re the only wedding planners in Rhodes who are part of a UK-based travel company — so we can book your flights, hotels and guest holidays too. All ABTA and TTA protected.

Santorini? You’ll likely need separate companies for your planner, travel, and accommodation — and the costs add up quickly.

Winner: Rhodes — smoother, simpler, safer.

💡 Bonus Bits: The Stuff No One Tells You

Santorini Pros:

  • Serious luxury for small weddings

  • Incredible sunsets

  • Iconic, polished photos

Santorini Cons:

  • Can feel very ‘package-tour’ if not careful

  • Strict venue rules

  • Less flexibility with food, style, and décor

  • Very commercial — you might feel like guest #1,248 that year

Rhodes Pros:

  • More personal, more variety

  • Easier to customise (menus, décor, vibes)

  • Great for mixed-age guest lists

  • Less pressure, more fun

Rhodes Cons:

  • Not as instantly recognisable on Instagram (yet)

  • You’ll have to explain it to your aunt who thinks all Greek islands are the same

🏆 Final Verdict: Santorini vs. Rhodes

Category Winner

Budget-Friendly Rhodes

Guest-Friendly Rhodes

Legal/Logistics Rhodes

Photo Variety Rhodes

Big “Wow” Factor Santorini

Best for Micro Weddings Santorini

Best for Real Weddings (with actual people and fun) Rhodes

🎯 So... Which One’s Right for You? Santorini or Rhodes

If you want a tiny, high-end, ultra-luxury wedding with that famous cliffside photo — go for Santorini.

But if you want a gorgeous, affordable, fun, and still-stunning wedding that won’t bankrupt you or stress you out?
Rhodes is your winner. Every. Single. Time.

And if you want someone to sort the whole thing for you — wedding, flights, hotels, legal bits, welcome drinks and the lot — that’s what we do.

👉 Let’s chat and make your wedding abroad feel like the easiest decision you ever made (besides who you’re marrying, obviously).

💌 Ready to Ditch the Stress and Plan the Wedding Abroad You Actually Want?

Whether you’ve fallen in love with Rhodes or are still tempted by Santorini’s sunsets — one thing’s for sure: you don’t want to be buried in paperwork, supplier chasing, or wondering whether your marriage is even legal.

That’s where we come in.

👉 Download our free guide: “Planning a Wedding Abroad in Greece – Everything UK Couples Need to Know”


It’s packed with checklists, timelines, and real talk about what to do (and what to avoid).

Or skip the guide and contact us today for a free, zero-pressure chat.
We’ll walk you through everything — from venues and legalities to flights and flower choices.

You're one message away from making this whole thing simple, stunning, and sorted.