Known as the island of Aphrodite, the ancient Greek goddess of love, Cyprus is undoubtedly one of the most romantic places in the world to get married.

 

Lovely golden sand beaches, pleasant climate all year round, and breathtaking landscapes make it an excellent choice for your big day.

 

Ready to start planning your Cyprus weddings? Read on to find out more about the top locations and the most beautiful venues and the procedures and other important things you should know.

 

1. Best Locations for a Wedding in Cyprus

 

There are many charming cities and towns in Cyprus where you can get married. Here are some of the popular locations:

 

• Bellapais – a beautiful village in the northern part of Cyprus, well known for its enchanting medieval abbey
• Kyrenia – a small picturesque city on the north coast with a wonderful historic harbor and a cobblestoned old town, one of your best bets for a wedding in North Cyprus.
• Nicosia – the divided capital of Cyprus, famous for its old city, surrounded by the 16^th century Venetian walls
• Paphos – a scenic coastal town with great beaches, ancient castles, and historical sites related to the goddess Aphrodite. It is one of the top choices for weddings in Cyprus.
• Ayia Napa – a popular resort town on the southeastern coast of the island, known for its remarkable golden sand beaches as well as excellent bars and clubs
• Protaras – another famous resort town, located right next to Ayia Napa, along the lovely coastline of Fig Tree Bay
• Limassol – island’s second-largest city and the most southern in Europe, recognized for its sandy beaches, vibrant nightlife, and a charming historic center.
• Pissouri – a fascinating village close to Limassol, popular for its stunning views of the sea and hill
• Larnaca – a port city, situated on the southern coast of Cyprus, famous for Finikoudes Beach with a palm tree promenade

 

 

2. Cyprus Weddings Venue Options

 

Choosing a place to tie the knot is an important decision. Luckily, Cyprus has a variety of options when it comes to wedding venues. The following are ten popular places to get married:

 

• Limak Cyprus Deluxe Hotel – a luxury hotel located in Bafra, boasting a remarkable private beach, stylish decor, and a world-class service
• Bellapais Abbey – a charming 13^th-century abbey with a gorgeous backdrop of mountains and sea, situated in the village of Bellapais
• Famagusta Gate – a beautiful historic gate and one of the three entrances into the old city of Nicosia
• Petra Tou Romiou (Aphrodite’s Rock) – a stunning sea stack in the Paphos district, also known as the birthplace Aphrodite
• Cape Greco – a national forest park with sea caves and a small white chapel. One of the most scenic spots in Cyprus, located close to Ayia Napa
• The Enaerios Pier – a romantic spot in Limassol, right next to the Mediterranean Sea
• Costas Kaimakliotis Folklore Museum – a unique museum in Larnaca, perfect for Cyprus weddings with a traditional touch
• Paphos Medieval Castle – a medieval fort near the picturesque harbor in Paphos
• Lemba Vrisi – a lovely spot in the village of Lemba, surrounded by greenery and overlooking the sea
• St George’s Chapel – a pretty chapel with colorful frescos, situated in Paphos

 

 

3. How to Get Married in Cyprus?

 

Taking care of all paperwork and familiarizing yourself with the procedures is an important job before your Cyprus wedding. First of all, you can choose to have a civil wedding ceremony or a religious ceremony. Civil ceremonies take place in a town hall or at authorized venues which have a license.

 

It is worth noting that Catholic couples who opt for a traditional church ceremony must have a civil ceremony before the religious ceremony. Cyprus doesn’t legally recognize same-sex marriage. However, civil unions and registered partnerships are legally recognized.

 

If you are going to have a civil ceremony, you must apply for the wedding in-person with a marriage officer at your choice’s municipality. For religious weddings, you have to contact the church’s registered minister or other prayer houses, such as a mosque or a synagog. Also, you are required to have 2 witnesses to sign the marriage certificate.

 

Cyprus wedding ceremonies are conducted in English, and all paperwork is issued in English as well. A standard civil ceremony costs €128. By choosing this option, you can get married a minimum of 15 days and a maximum of 3 months after the application; therefore, you need to be resident in Cyprus for about 20 days.

 

A special marriage license costs €281 and allows you to get married within 3 days. You also have to be in the country for at least 3 working days before your wedding day. The following documentation is required when applying for a marriage license in Cyprus (documents have to be original and translated to English or Greek by a certified translator):

 

• A passport with a minimum validity of six months
• A birth certificate
• A photocopy of the photo page of the passports of the bride and the groom
• A photocopy of the photo page of the passports of the two witnesses
• A certificate of no impediment (for non-UK citizens)
• A sworn affidavit signed by a solicitor or notary public (for UK citizens)
• Decree Absolute and previous marriage certificate, Deed Poll certificate (certificate of change of name), adoption certificate, death certificate of the deceased spouse, parents consent if either party is under 18 years of age – if applicable.

 

Depending on your country of residence, you may be required to get your documents stamped with the Apostille Seal.

 

 

4. Cost of Wedding in Cyprus, Visas & How to Get to Cyprus?

 

A wedding’s cost depends on many factors and can vary from about €1,000 to €5,000. Here is how much you can expect to pay for a small Cyprus wedding with 20 guests:

 

• Accommodation for a week for the couple and their guests – €2,000
• Reception site – €600
• Paperwork costs – €200-400
• Decorations and flowers – €800
• Photographer – €300
• Wedding planner – €800
• Food and drinks – €1,200
• Cake – €100

 

European citizens don’t need a visa to enter Cyprus, but they must carry a valid passport or national identity card. There are two airports on the island: Larnaca International Airport and Paphos International Airport. Many airlines operate commercial and charter flights to these airports, allowing plenty of choice to travelers.

 

However, if you plan to get married in Northern Cyprus, you will have to arrive either via South Cyprus or via Turkey (by flying to Ercan Airport). On arrival, you will be granted a free 30-day tourist visa.