How I Planned Our Santorini Vow Exchange Without a Wedding Planner
- Heaven Baker
- Apr 28
- 5 min read
There’s something about Santorini that feels unreal.
The white cliffs. The blue water. The way the sun melts into the horizon.
So when we decided to exchange our vows, I didn’t want a big wedding. I wanted something intentional. Intimate. Just us.
And somehow… I planned the entire thing without a wedding planner.
If you’re dreaming about a Santorini vow exchange or elopement, here’s exactly how I did it—from finding vendors to creating the most perfect day of our lives.
Step 1: I Started With the Videographer (Not the Venue)
Most people start with a venue.
I didn’t.
I started with the feeling I wanted our day to have—and for me, that came down to video.
I found I Do Films Global and immediately fell in love with their work.
Eve responded quickly and set up a Zoom call with Vasilis, and from the moment we got on that call, I knew I made the right decision.
We spent about 30 minutes:
Talking through the vision
Discussing the overall vibe
Brainstorming locations
And this is where everything changed—
because Vasilis didn’t just film… he guided the entire experience.
He gave me:
Venue recommendations
Vendor suggestions
Location ideas based on lighting and flow
💡 Advice: Start with a vendor you trust. The right one will help you build everything else.
Step 2: Finding the Dream Photographer
Next, I reached out to Kimonas Photography.
Just like with my videographer:
Quick responses
Easy communication
Truly invested in helping me plan
At this point, I had my dream team forming, and it made everything feel real.
Step 3: The Venue That Didn’t Work Out (And Why It Was a Blessing)
I originally fell in love with Mystique, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Santorini.
It was everything I envisioned:
Luxury
Private
A built-in planner
Stunning ceremony space
I even aligned my date around vendor availability and began planning through the hotel.
But then…
Three weeks before our trip, they informed me:
Due to earthquake damage, they would not be opening in time.
Cue the panic.
Step 4: How I Found a FREE (and Better) Venue
I immediately reached back out to Vasilis.
He sent me a few public location options—and that’s when I saw Skaros Rock.
And I knew instantly.
This was it.
Dramatic cliffside views
Completely breathtaking
Way more intimate than traditional venues
And the best part?
It was completely free.
💡 I ended up saving thousands of dollars while getting a more iconic experience.
Step 5: Hair & Makeup (One of the Best Decisions I Made)
I found Julia Popova Hair and Makeup Artist on Instagram—and I cannot say enough about her.
She made me feel:
Confident
Beautiful
Like the best version of myself
If I could bring her home with me to do my hair and makeup every day… I would.
Step 6: Bringing My Vision to Life (Florals + Design)
I reached out to Bloom De Fleur Santorini with my vision, and they absolutely delivered.
They:
Understood exactly what I wanted
Created soft, romantic florals
Delivered everything directly to my Airbnb
It was seamless.
Our Airbnb That Made Everything Come Together
When our original venue plans fell through, finding the right place to stay became even more important—not just for sleeping, but for the entire experience.
We ended up booking this incredible Airbnb in Imerovigli, and it truly exceeded every expectation. The views were unreal, the space felt private and peaceful, and the terrace became one of the most special parts of our entire trip.
It wasn’t just a place to stay—it became:
My getting ready space
A photo backdrop
Our post-ceremony sunset location
And the setting for our private candlelit dinner
Having a beautiful Airbnb completely changed the flow of the day. It allowed everything to feel more intimate, more relaxed, and honestly more “us” than a traditional venue ever could have.
If you’re planning a Santorini vow exchange without a wedding planner, I highly recommend prioritizing your Airbnb—it can easily double as your venue and elevate the entire experience.
👉 You can view the Airbnb we stayed at here:
Step 7: Creating a Private Dinner Experience
Since I no longer had a venue, I wanted to create something just as special for the evening.
So I booked a private dinner with Caper Santorini.
While we were out exchanging vows, they:
Entered our Airbnb
Set everything up
Prepared a full dinner for us
We came back to the most beautiful setup—and the food and service were incredible.
Step 8: Setting the Atmosphere (Don’t Skip This)
To make the night feel even more magical, I hired Candlelight Santorini.
They decorated our terrace with candles and completely transformed the space.
It turned dinner into an experience.
Step 9: The Day Of (Exactly How It Happened)
This is where everything came together.
We started the morning walking to Imerovigli for breakfast—just the two of us.
Then:
Julia arrived for hair & makeup
Vasilis and Kimonas started capturing Forrest’s moments
The energy was fun, relaxed, and honestly unforgettable
These three had worked together before, and it showed.
We laughed the entire time.
While I was getting ready, Forrest:
Wrote his vows
Smoked a cigar
Just enjoyed the moment
Then came one of my favorite parts—
he helped me into my dress.
No bridal party. No distractions. Just us.
We then drove with Kimonas to multiple locations for photos as the sun started to set.
And finally… we made our way to Skaros Rock.
People stopped us along the way:
Staring
Smiling
Asking for photos
It felt like a movie.
We exchanged vows overlooking the water—and I truly can’t put that moment into words.
Step 10: The Perfect Ending to the Day
After the ceremony, we returned to our Airbnb.
The sun was setting.
Dinner was ready.
Candles were lit.
We:
Drank wine
Talked about the day
Soaked in every second
And when dinner ended?
We weren’t ready for it to be over.
So we walked down the path, found a small hidden restaurant, and kept the night going with beers and laughter.
Final Thoughts: Was It Hard Without a Planner?
Honestly? Not really.
Because I:
Chose the right vendors
Trusted their expertise
Kept my vision simple
And in the end, it became something even better than I imagined.
We called Vasilis and Kimonas the dream team—because they truly made everything effortless.
Planning Your Own Santorini Vow Exchange?
If you’re dreaming about a Santorini elopement or vow exchange without a wedding planner, it is 100% possible.
And it might just be the best decision you ever make.
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