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mj_toronto8

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Can anyone give some advice for what food is best for weddings? I’m getting married in Greece this summer and I want the wedding to pretty traditional in some senses. I’m not Greek, but I love the food and culture and want to make it a part of my wedding.
 
Some of the best authentic Greek foods that I have eaten at a Greek wedding have been (in no particular order!):
Tiropita, Spanakopita, Greek style steak, Greek salad (many different types) and of course Greek style roasted Lamb!

spanakopita-recipe-768x512.jpeg
 
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Congrats! If you want the environment to be elegant but traditional, I would suggest lots of traditional meze as appetizers and a plated dinner for the main course. It's a perfect balance! Some meze favorites: Spanakopita, tiropitakia, meatballs, dolmades, marinated olives, grilled octopus & calamari!
 
If you want to make the wedding traditional and fun :), I would recommend spit roasted lamb or chicken. It’s always so fun when people go all out and roast meat! If you’re not Greek, then some of your guests might not be used to seeing whole animals roasted outside, but it would be a great moment to try something new and get involved in the culture.
 
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I vote for serving kourabedies - the ultimate celebratory dessert!

kourabedies.jpg
 
I would suggest serving some traditional Greek wines, your guests will appreciate it and it's a great way to buy local when you're there.
 
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I would suggest serving some traditional Greek wines, your guests will appreciate it and it's a great way to buy local when you're there.Y
YES! Greece does have some amazing wines!
 
Congrats! I got married to a Belgian guy in 2019 (I’m Greek) in Greece and the food that he (we) chose was mostly Greek. Eggplant with meat, dolmadakia, pork and chicken skewers, Greek salad, tzatziki amongst other delicious dishes that I didn’t try (since the hubby decided to eat my food as well as his ? .!). Still though it was great! I would also add different types of pitas (feta cheese pie, spinach pie etc). As far as the wine goes, our Belgian and British friends loved it (one of them drunk 6 bottles..!).
enjoy the special day!
 
Some of the best authentic Greek foods that I have eaten at a Greek wedding have been (in no particular order!):
Tiropita, Spanakopita, Greek style steak, Greek salad (many different types) and of course Greek style roasted Lamb!

View attachment 63
What is Greek style steak?
 

Greek Easter Celebrations in Greece?

I’ve been thinking a lot about Greek Easter lately and realized I don’t actually know what it’s like to experience it in Greece itself.

I grew up with the traditions here, like church services, red eggs, the midnight “Christos Anesti,” and of course the big Sunday feast, but I’m curious how it all feels in Greece. Is the atmosphere different? More intense? More communal?

What are the days leading up to Easter like there, especially Holy Week? Are there specific customs, processions, or local traditions that stand out depending on the region?

I’ve also heard things about candles at midnight, fireworks, and entire towns participating, how true is that?

Would love to hear from anyone who has experienced it in Greece or grew up there. What are the moments that really define Greek Easter for you?

What Does Philotimo Mean to You?

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the word, or really, the concept, of philotimo. It’s one of those Greek words that just doesn’t translate neatly into English. I was recently trying to explain it to a non-Greek friend, and I realized how difficult it is to put into words!

I ended up talking about ideas like honor, dignity, courage, generosity, and doing the right thing because it’s simply the right thing to do. I even used some historical examples, including the 300 Spartans at Thermopylae and the spirit of Ochi Day, to try to explain the sense of duty and selflessness that I associate with philotimo.

But I know the concept can also show up in much smaller, everyday ways. How would you explain philotimo to someone unfamiliar with Greek culture? What does the word mean to you personally?

Greek Tsiknopempti Traditions?

I realized Tsiknopempti is coming up soon, and it made me curious how everyone celebrates it, especially outside of Greece. Growing up, I always associated it with grilled meat, lots of smoke in the air, and a general feeling of celebration before Lent started, but we never had a really structured tradition at home. Now I’m wondering if I should start one.

Do you usually grill at home, go out to a Greek restaurant, or gather with friends and family? Are there certain foods you always make, or is it more about the atmosphere and being together? I’ve seen photos from Greece where entire neighborhoods are grilling outside, which looks amazing.

I’d love to hear what Tsiknopempti looks like for you, whether it’s something big and festive or just a simple meal that still feels meaningful.

Greek Traditions from Childhood?

I’d love to hear everyone’s memories of Greek traditions from childhood, especially the small everyday things that may not even seem unusual until you look back on them later.

For me, some of the strongest memories are tied to food, church, family gatherings, name days, holiday preparations, and the feeling of constantly having people around. Even certain sounds and smells immediately bring everything back.

I’m also curious how traditions differed depending on region or family background. Did your family keep strong village customs? Were there things your grandparents insisted on doing a certain way? Any traditions connected to Easter, Christmas, weddings, coffee, hospitality, music, or food?

For me, we ate a family-oriented Sunday meal where everyone go together after church. That was a big part of things for me.

Why do Greeks celebrate name days?

I grew up with name days being a big deal, and I’ve always wondered why they feel more important than birthdays for so many of us. I know they’re tied to the Greek Orthodox Church feast days and the saints we’re named after, but it feels like there’s something deeper going on culturally.

In my family, name days were always open-house style, people calling, stopping by, bringing sweets, and it felt very communal. Birthdays, on the other hand, were more low-key.

Do you feel like name days still carry that same weight today? Or has it changed depending on the generation or where you live?
Share and discuss Greek traditions related to Greek weddings, christenings, dance & holidays!

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