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| Marianna prepares flowers from her Garden for Wedding |
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| Olive branches decorations for Table |
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| Carly adding ribbons &hearts Wedding assembly line |
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| Flowers are donated from friends Family Gardens &Vineyards |
If you ever saw the movie My Big Fat Greèk wedding, here in Ikaria 100 times that!
When there is a wedding there are no invitations that go out "everyone" In the whole village is invited, including us.
It is not unusual to have over 1000 or more people who come.
Two days before the wedding there is a rehearsal dinner in this case at the brides family home.
In the front yard Goat and Pig are roasting on a spit .
The cost of the meat $0 Wild goat from the top of mountain.
The children wait, watch patiently for goat to be done. Observing as someday they will have this honor.
When they arrive they have their first dance and the festivities begin.
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| Decorations for Bridal bed |
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| Bridal Gown is displayed on wall For all to admire |
When the bed is complete with beautiful sheets and to the grooms liking,he nods aporoval then money as well as children are
thrown onto the bed to symbolize good fortune and children. As people arrive first go to the bed fi to throw money. The feast is served with red wine from their vineyard and of course Music, Greek dancing, plenty of wine, continues well into the night.
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| Yia Yia waiting for Traditional Goat To be ready to eat |
Wedding day has finally arrived, around 7:30ish pm,close friends, family arrive at the church, bride and groom sometimes are hours late, this is typical here on Ikaria.
They leave for wedding venue with close friends & family after the service has been performed everyone beeping their horn along the route .
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| Marianna & I wait for wedding Party To arrive |
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| Paschale &Teddy in beautiful outdoor setting Under gigantic trees with white lights. |
The venue is held out in nature, the trees are festively decorated, with ribbons, lanterns,candles,simple but beautiful. The village supplies all the tables and chairs.
The Koumbaras or to us the bridesmaids, do all the decorations.
The village committee prepares all the food .
The meal consists of Greek salad, roasted Wild Goat, rice, loaves of bread from Fourni (baker) red wine from the family's vineyard .
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| Friends bride &Groom Serve food |
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| Reception goes on well into Next day |
Cost of this amazing wedding around $1000.00, $1 per person.
I don't know about you but I prefer this to our elaborate stressful and pricey weddings.
I agree, what a great post!
ReplyDeleteThis is AMAZING - thank you for this in depth look at Ikaria - we are trying to be more so in our family.
ReplyDeleteThis is AMAZING - thank you for this in depth look at Ikaria - we are trying to be more so in our family.
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