Wedding churches in Patras and Achaia, through the lens

Insights · A guide for your wedding

Your church is one of the first decisions you'll make for your wedding, and one of the most visible in your photographs. The light, the space, the courtyard and the walk to the entrance will be the setting for the most moving moment of the day.

Here are eight churches in Patras and Achaia that couples often choose: four large churches in the city and four country chapels surrounded by nature. For each one you'll find what makes it special and what to think about before you book it.

Contents (5)

1. The great churches of the city
2. Country chapels in nature
3. What to ask before you book a church
4. A great church or a country chapel? The difference in your photos
5. Frequently asked questions about wedding churches in Patras

From a stone country chapel to a great city church. Andreas & Ioanna at Agia Marina, Sella; Andreas & Dimitra at Agios Andreas.

The great churches of the city

The big city churches have imposing interiors, icon-painted walls and light falling from high above. They hold plenty of guests comfortably and are right in town, close to most reception venues.

Agios Andreas (Saint Andrew's)

The church of the patron saint of Patras stands on the city's waterfront and can be seen from across the Gulf of Patras. The foundations of the great church were laid in 1908, and after decades of work it was consecrated in 1974. Its central dome rises to 40.5 metres. Beside it stands the old church of Saint Andrew, from the 19th century, which houses the saint's tomb.

In a space this large, distances matter. The walk to the altar is long and the guests spread across the whole church, which is why coverage by two photographers makes a real difference. This is where we photographed the wedding of Andreas and Dimitra.

Pantokrator

The Pantokrator church stands in the Upper Town, a few steps from Patras Castle. It is one of the most historic places in the city: the first cathedral of Patras stood on this site as early as the 10th century. Today's church is built in Byzantine style, with domes clad in copper.

With the Upper Town's narrow streets and the castle next door, you can have couple portraits just minutes after the ceremony without going anywhere.

Agios Eleftherios

Agios Eleftherios in Neos Dromos is one of the city's newer churches, easy to reach and with a ramp for guests with limited mobility. It's a good choice for couples who prefer a church a little outside the city centre.

Evangelistria

Evangelistria, on Maizonos Street, has been the cathedral of Patras since 1856. It opened in 1846 and was the first public building of the new lower town; today's city centre gradually grew up around it.

Being right in the centre, it's easy for guests to reach, and after the ceremony the city streets offer plenty of places for photographs.

Country chapels in nature

The country chapels of Achaia are smaller and quieter. Most guests usually stay outside in the courtyard, and the ceremony takes on a more intimate, family feel. The natural light and the landscape around them end up in almost every photograph.

Agios Anastasios, Drepano

A few kilometres outside Patras, just above Drepano, Agios Anastasios sits among shady trees beside a stream, with views over the Gulf of Patras and the Gulf of Corinth. Its courtyard is shaded by plane trees.

It's one of the most popular chapels for weddings and christenings, so it's best to book your date several months ahead. If you'd like refreshments or a reception in the courtyard, you'll need the parish's permission.

Agia Marina, Sella

About half an hour from Patras, just outside the village of Sella, Agia Marina is tucked away in greenery, among trees and running water. From the courtyard, the view opens out all the way to the sea.

This is where we photographed the wedding of Andreas and Ioanna: the stone steps, the paved courtyard and the shade of the trees gave the whole ceremony a soft, natural light.

Church of the Transfiguration, Psathopyrgos

The little Church of the Transfiguration (Metamorfosi Sotiros) sits in the upper part of Psathopyrgos, a seaside village about 18 kilometres from Patras, where green hills run down to the sea. The village looks out over the Gulf of Corinth and the Rio–Antirrio bridge.

Agios Rafael, Demenika

A small stone chapel in Demenika, near Patras, suited to couples who want a quiet, simple wedding with just a few guests. The stone and the natural light give the photographs a warmth of their own.

What to ask before you book a church

A great church or a country chapel? The difference in your photos

In a large church, the light inside is usually lower and the distances are long. The team needs to be close to the couple and the guests at the same time, and the exit down the steps becomes one of the strongest moments of the day.

In a country chapel, the space inside is small and often filled with the people closest to you. But the ceremony also spills outside: the courtyard, the trees and the natural light become part of the story. Whichever you choose, talk it through with your photographer before the wedding. See also how to choose a wedding photographer and how much a wedding photographer costs in Patras.