Thursday, November 19, 2009

“Αστέρι” is Greek for Star : The Big, Fat Greek Wedding!


Of course, when you're as obsessed with weddings as I am, even though you're on vacation (and already married!), you can't stop thinking about weddings.

The Greeks love their weddings every bit as much as we do, if not more. While we were on Santorini, we saw THREE separate weddings! I love how they do weddings there, with the whole island getting involved practically. They drive a parade of cars carrying the bridal party and family members through the streets of the villages, honking and making a huge, celebratory ruckus. Then they end the night with a good round of fireworks. I love how they make everyone on the island know that someone is marrying the love of their life that night.

I happened to snap a few pictures of one of the weddings that we stumbled upon, because their receiving line was so long that it ran into the public square in Oia and we happened to accidentally walk right through it practically. They had at least 300 guests, the whole village was overtaken!



This was unfortunately the best picture I could snap of the bride without being too creepy and stalkerish. She had one heck of a statement dress! And sooo sparkly! Most importantly, she looked very, very happy.




Gratuitous detail shot! I loved the huge candle lanterns she had lining the public square and walkway up to the church. And what gorgeous flowers!




This was the stunning church they got married in. And a storm was rolling in, so the sky was absolutely magical.




Part of their firework send-off. What a celebration!



Back in Athens, I couldn't believe how many bridal stores there were! Most of them were more high-end than this one that I happened to grab a picture of, but there were definitely more wedding salons per capita than there are here, even in NYC! I was so impressed.



And as we walked by this window display at a men's apparel store right by our hotel in Athens, I couldn't help but smile and think of our wedding. And wonder when I was going to stop thinking in terms of purple :)

What places have you been reminded of weddings when you were least expecting it?


If you're following along, the Star honeymoon recaps are:

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