A flying dress photoshoot in Santorini uses an oversized, ultra-flowing gown — often 10 to 20 metres of fabric — that a second person lifts and releases in the wind so it billows dramatically behind you against the caldera. It typically runs around ninety minutes, is booked separately from your wedding dress, and starts from €350 for professional hair and makeup styled specifically to hold up through movement, sea spray and wind.
Here is how to plan one properly, from location and timing to the styling details that make the difference between a photo that looks staged and one that looks effortless.
What a Flying Dress Photoshoot Actually Is
Unlike your wedding gown, a flying dress is a separate, purpose-made garment — light, sheer fabric in a single dramatic colour or soft ombré, cut with a fitted bodice and an enormous flowing train. During the shoot, an assistant (sometimes your photographer's second shooter, sometimes a dedicated flying dress stylist) holds and moves the fabric to catch the wind at the right moment, creating the sweeping, cinematic shapes these photos are known for.
It can be booked as a standalone session, added the day after your wedding, or built into an engagement or anniversary trip — it does not need to be tied to a wedding date at all.
Styling Package Options
| Package | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Photoshoot (Hair & Makeup) | From €350 | Full flying dress, proposal or fashion sessions — 1.5 hrs for both services |
| Light & Simple | From €250 | Natural-glow makeup with soft waves or a sleek bun — 1 hr for both services |
| Just Makeup or Just Hair | From €160 | Couples who already have one half of styling covered |
Best Locations for a Flying Dress Shoot
- Oia's blue-domed churches — the classic, most-photographed backdrop, with white and blue architecture that contrasts beautifully against a colourful flying dress.
- Caldera-edge viewpoints — open, elevated spots that give the fabric room to move and put the volcanic caldera directly behind you.
- Amoudi Bay — sea-level drama, with rocky shoreline and colourful fishing boats for a different tone than the classic clifftop shot.
- Quiet village lanes — narrow whitewashed streets and staircases for a softer, more intimate set of images away from the crowds.
Timing: Why Wind Is a Feature, Not a Problem
For a wedding ceremony, the Santorini wind is something to plan carefully around — it is a central theme of our guide to choosing the best time of year to marry in Santorini. For a flying dress shoot, it is the opposite: a breeze is exactly what makes the fabric move. This is one of the few sessions where the island's famous meltemi wind works in your favour rather than against it.
Golden hour — the hour before sunset — is the most requested slot, for the warm light and dramatic sky. A sunrise session is a strong alternative if you want the same quality of light with none of the crowds at the popular viewpoints.
What to Bring & Wear
- Your own flying dress, or a rental arranged locally — either way, confirm this well before the shoot, since sizing and colour choice affect how the fabric reads in photos.
- Flat, comfortable shoes for walking to the location, even if you switch to heels for the final shots.
- A light cover-up for between shots, especially in shoulder-season months when the breeze can feel cooler than expected.
- A second, simpler outfit if you are combining the flying dress shoot with a more relaxed set of portraits afterwards.
Hair & Makeup Built for Movement
A flying dress shoot puts your hair and makeup through a different kind of test than a wedding ceremony — less about a full day's endurance, more about looking flawless while your hair moves with the fabric and the wind. Styling is built to hold its shape through motion without looking stiff or overdone, using the same long-wear, weather-resistant approach behind our guide to wedding makeup that survives the Santorini sun, heat and wind.
If you are also planning an intimate, private getting-ready session before the shoot, our island's first Bridal Lounge and boudoir studio offers an indoor, editorial-grade alternative — a different kind of session entirely, built around preparation rather than the outdoor caldera backdrop.
When to Book
Flying dress sessions are in high demand during peak season (July–August) and around golden hour year-round, so book your hair and makeup styling two to four weeks ahead in shoulder season, and six to eight weeks ahead if you want a specific sunset slot in July or August.