Beautiful weather, stunning scenery, a celebration and holiday all in one; it’s not hard to see why destination weddings are so popular. Offering a real once in a lifetime experience, marrying overseas is a memory you’ll treasure forever – so make sure you get a fantastic photographer on board to capture all the moments you’ll never want to forget. As one of Santorini’s most luxurious wedding venues, we’ve seen some absolutely incredible destination weddings at Le Ciel, all captured by super-talented local photographers who know our venue and the island inside out. Yes, we may be biased but there really is no other backdrop like the beauty of Santorini for your wedding photos. But no matter where you decide to say ‘I do’, these are the 10 must-have destination wedding photographs you’ll definitely want to add to your album.
The getting ready shot
Getting ready on the morning of your wedding is often a whirlwind of excitement and a few nerves. Whether you plan on surrounding yourself with your closest friends or prefer to go it alone the morning of the big day, make sure your wedding photographer is on hand to snap away . These moments of joy or quiet reflection really do make must-have destination wedding photographs to look back on when the madness has calmed down.
The dress
Typically a destination wedding means a smaller guestlist than if you married at home. As a result, there’s likely to be a lot of loved ones at home, desperate to see the bride in her wedding dress. While it’s almost inevitable some pictures will be shared on social media, nothing can replace a professional photograph of the bride in her wedding gown. After all, a dress that gorgeous deserves some time in the spotlight.
All of your wedding party
Even if you’re not a fan of staged group photos, when you look back at pictures of your big day, you’ll never regret capturing the whole of your wedding party together. Whether for a destination wedding or at home, ask your photographer to get all your guests together to pose for a very special group shot. It’s a perfect reminder of when you were lucky enough to have all your loved ones in one place.
Saying your vows
Standing in front of your friends and family, saying your marriage vows, should be a truly memorable experience – but as many of our couples tell us at Le Ciel, it can often go by in a flash. Make sure your destination wedding photographer captures that special moment when you say your ‘I do’s, so you can relive the moment again when you’re not in such a wedding day daze.
The kiss
That first kiss as a married couple is such a classic wedding photo opportunity. When paired with the stunning backdrop of Santorini’s caldera and Aegean Sea, we can’t think of a better ‘just married’ snapshot.
Credit: Zlatkovic Photography
The little details
Just because you’re marrying abroad, it doesn’t mean you have to forgo all the small touches that make your day really personal. At Le Ciel our wedding planners love working with couples to bring their dream big day vision to life. Our Santorini destination weddings have included huge light-up Mr & Mrs letters, quirky guestbooks and even a doughnut wall. Ask your photographer to take photos of all these unique touches, so friends at home can get a real feel for your day.
The local area
If you’ve chosen a wedding away from home, there’s a good chance you’ve fallen in love with the area. Make the most of all the beauty your destination wedding location has to offer by heading off the beaten track a little. An experienced local wedding photographer will know about all of the best spots to showcase the area – whether that’s idyllic, white-washed villages or breath-taking clifftop views.
Your first dance
Whether you go for a sweet slow dance or a show-stopping spectacular, your first dance as newlyweds tends to be a real ‘pinch me’ moment. Here you finally have a chance to soak up the day and enjoy the party to come, so do have your wedding photographer on hand to capture it in all its glory.
The sea
Calling all ocean lovers. If you’re planning a destination wedding by the sea – on the beach or on a coastal Santorini cliff top – you’re lucky enough to have the perfect natural backdrop to your wedding photos. Even a simple shot of you and your new Mr or Mrs in front of the unbeatable beauty of the sea will transport you to back to that happy place in an instant.
The sunset
Nothing is more romantic than a sunset and Santorini takes golden hour to another level. Your wedding photographer will know the best spots to really capture the setting sun at its best, whether that’s on a cliff top (the perfect spot at Le Ciel to watch the sun go down on your Santorini destination wedding), by the beach or from your venue’s balcony. Just grab your new Mr or Mrs and cuddle up as the sun sets on a perfect wedding day.
Planning a destination wedding in Santorini
Feeling inspired? If a Santorini destination wedding is your idea of the ultimate big day, we’d love to welcome you to our beautiful venue. Our friendly team at Le Ciel will help you with every aspect of your destination wedding planning, so you can just enjoy the process and relax knowing you’re in safe hands. If you’d like to find out more about our wedding packages or have any questions for the Le Ciel team, we’d love to hear from you. Just click here to get in touch.