A couple of weeks ago we were honoured to attend the wedding of Stephanie and Leon. Actually there was no great selection process involved - this was a Greek "open" wedding at which 1500 guests were anticipated!We have known Stephanie for about 15 years, She lives in the village and mother Vicky is British-born. She married Leon (of Jamaican heritage) whom she met when studying in the UK.
The Church bit started at 6.30 and we decided to watch the arrivals from the comfort of outside Cosmogonia. En route there from the beach we passed the main car bein
g decorated by the florist.The path from gate to church was also decorated in ivory and gold, and there were glorious dresses and Leon looking elegant in a totally white outfit. We didn't go in but went back home to change. On the way back to the church we passed the priest (one of our neighbours) and thought we might have missed the ending - but far from it! The marriage was followed by the baptism of their daughter Anastasia:- which from the sound of it she did not like!
Eventually there was a drifting off of guests and we collected our bag of almonds and went to kill time before going up to the reception in Koundouras.
Most weddings end up in the huge function hall there. It has been recently renovated and can allegedly cope with 3000 guests. The procedures and menu are always the same. We joined a "foreigners'" table on which were all the things that could be placed in advance:- wine, water, tsikoudia, sticky cakes, sweet bread, cheese pies, cheese and nuts. (Invited guests were on their own tables - we saw staff from the bank, supermarkets, several restaurants, and other businesses.)
Then came some me
at :- we were expecting goat liver but it was ordinary goat. The waiters have to navigate around densely packed tables and they work in pairs - with one carrying a huge tray above his head, and the other doing the removal and placing of plates. It was then hours before the wedding couple and attendants arrived. After a grand entrance we all queued up to shake all the hands and hand over the gift envelope. (Contrary to what is often described these are put in a basket - not pinned to the dress!)The meal continued with goat and lovely creamy and lemony pilafi, then salad, lamb and potatoes, and fruit. The wine was free-flowing and the couple, parents and best man and woman toured every table to drink a toast with all. Then dancing and singing. We left at about 2am!