Gina’s Wedding

This is my experience marrying into the Greek culture as an American-Italian.

What an experience!  First, I had to convince everyone that I was willing and wanted to be a part of the Greek Culture. I had to sign my life away and promise that I would convert and raise my children to be Greek Orthodox before the priest agreed to marry us.

In some ways, I was very fortunate my husband and I got married by the Justice of the Peace in the USA, and four years later, decided to have a big wedding in Greece.

My husband went out to Greece three weeks prior to my arrival. He, his family, my maid of honor and best man made all of the arrangements.  All I had to do was show up! Not that simple! I arrived in Athens with my best friend. I attempted to bring my bridal gown out to my husband, when a custom agent confiscated it.  I was horrified.  My husband had to fight with these people to get it back and, of course, we lost. It took one week to get my dress back and I had to pay $100 tax on it! They thought I was going to sell it!! 

Next, my mother, her boyfriend, my grandmother and my cousin arrive in Greece. This was their first trip out of the USA and they did not expect a four-hour drive to my husband’s home village, Monastiraki (close to the island of Lefkada), after a ten-hour flight. People in the USA are sometimes too schedule-oriented. Language and food was a definite barrier!

At this point, we had one week until the wedding.  The priest decides that he does not want to marry us, since we are already married in the USA. We had to visit about 10 Orthodox priests in about five different towns!!  This was painful. We were all very upset.  Finally after being told that it was up to the priest in the town, he finally agreed to marry us the day before the wedding. Fortunately, we were having our reception at my brother-in-law’s outside 2^nd floor café.  At the last minute, someone agreed to make us a wedding cake.

After all of this agony, came the best experience of my life -- my wedding day. It was about 95 degrees. There was no air-conditioning.  The ceremony was scheduled to start at 7:30 pm. I got dressed and was ready to go. I had my husband’s nephew taking photographs and another nephew working the video camera. I really had no idea how the pictures or video would turn out. Luckily, they both did an excellent job.

They sent me to his sister’s house, which was behind my husband’s house. There were several people and the traditional wedding music was blasting in the background. There was dancing prior to going to the ceremony.  It was finally time to go. My husband and some other people went to the church. I was escorted by two of my brother-in-laws. We walked to the church. I had so many people following me -- it was wonderful. I felt so special. As I arrived at the church, the people started clapping and my husband was waiting outside of the church with my bouquet.

We kissed and then walked into the church together.  There were so many people there to celebrate our special day. The ceremony proceeded and even though I did not understand a word that was being said, it was really beautiful. The funniest part of our ceremony was when we walked around the table three times. There was an enormous shower of rice and almond candies coming down upon us. (I had a rice dress under my gown). The next thing I knew, the ceremony was over and all of these people were coming up to us and congratulating us on our marriage and picking up their favors. In the village, the favors are given at the church, not at the reception. They are usually a net wrapping with almond candies inside or a small inexpensive gift. 

After, we left the church and went back to my husband’s house for a pre-party before the reception. We had to walk a different way back home, since tradition says that you can’t leave the same way you entered.

At my husband’s house, they served drinks and gave out kourabiades (cookies) to each guest. We danced with all of our guests at the house. Some gave us gifts and envelopes. It is not like here in the USA where we expect to receive several gifts and a lot of money!   Honestly, I did not expect to receive anything.  It was really a nice surprise.  The people were so friendly and receptive to me. I really felt at home. At the house, I also threw my bouquet.

We went to the reception at the café. I remember my mother-in-law pouring water at our feet as we walked.  I heard that it was a superstition that they were cleansing the path for us as we walked. 

The outside café was nothing special, but it was the best reception I have ever attended. It was so down to earth.  I was surrounded by natural beauty of the mountain atmosphere. 

Traditionally, in my husband’s village, after the wedding ceremony, you are supposed to change into another dress. However, I wanted to stay in my wedding gown .a little longer.  So, I did not change until right before we cut our wedding cake.

The dinner consisted of lamb, chicken for the Americans, home made tsaziki, salad, feta cheese, bread and a beautiful wedding cake. We danced all night. My wedding was an experience I will never forget!

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