Corfu, Greece
Destination wedding guide
Corfu blends Venetian elegance with Greek island beauty — a lush, green Ionian paradise of olive groves, turquoise bays, and pastel-coloured villages that offers a more refined and verdant alternative to the classic Cycladic islands.
By Plana Editorial
Updated
Greece
What makes it special
The full picture
Corfu is the Greek island for couples who love Greece but want something different from the iconic but well-trodden Cycladic islands. While Santorini offers white-and-blue drama and Mykonos delivers cosmopolitan energy, Corfu provides something rarer: lush green beauty, Venetian cultural depth, and an atmosphere that feels more like the Italian Riviera than the typical Greek island.
The island's landscape is its greatest distinction. Unlike the arid, rocky Cycladic islands, Corfu is carpeted in olive groves (over 4 million olive trees), cypress forests, and wildflower meadows. The interior is rolling and green, the coastline alternates between dramatic limestone cliffs and calm turquoise bays, and the air carries the scent of jasmine and orange blossom. For couples who dream of a Mediterranean wedding surrounded by nature rather than stark white architecture, Corfu delivers.
Corfu Town's Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the most beautiful urban spaces in Greece. The Venetian-era buildings — pastel pink, ochre, and terracotta facades with green shutters and wrought-iron balconies — line narrow cobblestone streets that open onto grand Italianate squares. The Liston, a grand arcaded promenade modelled on the Rue de Rivoli in Paris, is the social heart of the town and a stunning location for pre-wedding drinks or couple portraits.
Wedding venues on Corfu range from clifftop luxury estates with infinity pools overlooking the Ionian Sea to intimate olive grove ceremonies on family-owned farmland. The island's Venetian heritage means you will find venues with architectural character — vaulted stone ceilings, frescoed walls, and formal gardens — that would cost a fortune in Tuscany or Provence but remain accessible in Corfu.
Corfu's cuisine is distinctly different from mainland Greek food, reflecting four centuries of Venetian rule. Pastitsada (braised meat in tomato-spice sauce with pasta), sofrito (garlic-braised veal), and bourdeto (spicy fish stew) sit alongside classic Greek dishes. Local wines from indigenous Kakotrygis and Petrokoritho grapes, aged Corfiot olive oil, and kumquat liqueur (unique to Corfu) add distinctive local flavour to your wedding menu.
Marriage requirements
Greece allows both civil and religious (Greek Orthodox) weddings for foreigners. For a civil ceremony, required documents include valid passports, birth certificates, a Certificate of No Impediment from your home country's embassy in Greece, and two witnesses with valid ID. Documents must be translated into Greek by an official translator. The ceremony is performed by the local mayor at the town hall or an authorized outdoor location. Religious ceremonies require additional church-specific documentation. A symbolic ceremony can be held at any venue without legal requirements.
Where to actually celebrate
Venetian-era villa estates with formal gardens
Clifftop terraces overlooking the Ionian Sea
Olive grove settings on private family estates
Beachfront venues on secluded turquoise bays
Historic monastery and church courtyards
Boutique hotels with rooftop ceremony spaces in Corfu Town
From people who’ve done it
- 01
Visit Corfu Town's Old Town for couple portraits — the Venetian architecture, pastel colours, and cobblestone streets provide a backdrop found nowhere else in Greece.
- 02
Book a villa that accommodates your closest guests for a multi-day celebration. Corfu's villa rentals are significantly more affordable than comparable properties in Tuscany or the Amalfi Coast.
- 03
Incorporate local Corfiot elements into your reception: kumquat cocktails, pastitsada as the main course, and local Corfiot wines for an authentic island experience.
- 04
Schedule a boat trip to the northeast coast (Kassiopi, Kalami, Agni Bay) for a pre-wedding gathering — the turquoise coves are spectacular and far less crowded than southern beaches.
- 05
Time your ceremony for the golden hour at a west-facing venue to capture the sunset over the Ionian Sea — the light over the water is extraordinary.
- 06
Hire a wedding coordinator with local Corfu experience who can navigate the island's distinct logistics, including ferry schedules, local vendor relationships, and municipal permit requirements.
Frequently asked
How do guests get to Corfu?
Corfu International Airport (CFU) has direct flights from most major European cities (London, Munich, Milan, Amsterdam, Vienna) during the summer season (May through October). From Athens, there are multiple daily flights (1 hour) and overnight ferries. From the Greek mainland (Igoumenitsa), a short 90-minute ferry ride reaches Corfu Town. Provide guests with a travel guide including flight options, ferry schedules, and recommended airport transfer services.
How does Corfu compare to Santorini for a wedding?
Santorini offers dramatic caldera views, iconic white-and-blue architecture, and a more arid, volcanic landscape. Corfu offers lush green beauty, Venetian architecture, quieter tourism, and significantly lower prices. Santorini is better for couples who want a small, design-focused wedding with a legendary view. Corfu is better for couples who want a nature-surrounded, culturally rich celebration with larger guest capacity and better value.
What is the weather like on Corfu?
Corfu has a mild Mediterranean climate. Summer (June through September) is warm and dry, with temperatures between 25°C and 35°C and very little rain. May and October are pleasant with temperatures around 20°C to 25°C and occasional showers. Corfu receives more rainfall than the Cycladic islands, which is why the island is so green — but summer months are reliably dry and sunny.
Can we have a symbolic ceremony on the beach?
Yes. Symbolic ceremonies can be held at virtually any location — beaches, olive groves, villa gardens, clifftops, or hotel terraces. Legal civil ceremonies must be performed by the local mayor, which can take place at the town hall or at certain authorized outdoor locations. Most international couples choose a legal ceremony at the town hall followed by a symbolic celebration at their chosen venue.
