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dpappas87

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I know this is a HUGE question...but i'm thinking of getting married in Greece and I really have no clue where to start. Does anyone have any tips??
 
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If you can afford it, maybe consider getting a wedding planner in Greece who has the connections to venues, flower shops, etc.
 
This might help you get started, and I would also get a wedding planner in Greece!

 
I'm planning my second ceremony (first one was civil with 10 people) in Greece as we speak so both of our families can attend.

There are two ways you can do this. The first way is you do everything yourself (you go to a church and pay for the priest at the church, you find a reception venue and book it, etc...). The second way is to use a wedding venue.

Wedding venues usually provide the music, food, decorations, church, and reception area - it's all inclusive. That said, i have seen the decorations at many of these places and some of them are tacky so you may consider hiring someone to decorate for you if you don't like their decorations. If you work with one of the venues then they will ask you to attend one of the weddings going on so you will know what to expect - they'll bring you in and have you sample the food, show you the church, show you the reception area, and everything else. The new trend in Greece is to have outdoor weddings, so the church will usually be a small one and there will be an alter in front of it.

Something you should know is that you will need to get things put into the newspaper and you will need to send a letter to the priest showing that you haven't previously been married - this letter is only good for 6 months in Greece so don't give it to them too early.

If you're inviting people from Greece, then you should know that invitations are sent 3 months in advance - they don't do save-the-dates followed by a wedding invitation. Greeks put their bank account info on their wedding invitations because they give you money for your wedding, not gifts.

If you do everything by yourself and work with venue then it will be much cheaper than hiring a wedding planner (wedding planners aren't really needed in Greece anyway if you go this route).
 
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I'm planning my second ceremony (first one was civil with 10 people) in Greece as we speak so both of our families can attend.

There are two ways you can do this. The first way is you do everything yourself (you go to a church and pay for the priest at the church, you find a reception venue and book it, etc...). The second way is to use a wedding venue.

Wedding venues usually provide the music, food, decorations, church, and reception area - it's all inclusive. That said, i have seen the decorations at many of these places and some of them are tacky so you may consider hiring someone to decorate for you if you don't like their decorations. If you work with one of the venues then they will ask you to attend one of the weddings going on so you will know what to expect - they'll bring you in and have you sample the food, show you the church, show you the reception area, and everything else. The new trend in Greece is to have outdoor weddings, so the church will usually be a small one and there will be an alter in front of it.

Something you should know is that you will need to get things put into the newspaper and you will need to send a letter to the priest showing that you haven't previously been married - thus letter is only good for 6 months in Greece so don't give it to them too early.

If you're inviting people from Greece, then you should know that invitations are sent 3 months in advance - they don't do save-the-dates followed by a wedding invitation. Greeks put their bank account info on their wedding invitations because they give you money for your wedding, not gifts.

If you do everything by yourself and work with venue then it will be much cheaper than hiring a wedding planner (wedding planners aren't really needed in Greece anyway if you go this route).
How nice! I love second ceremonies and renewing of vows, congratulations!

I have to agree with you, many of my friends have gotten married in Greece and they don't use wedding planners. The whole process is a bit easier and simpler in Greece. Less wait times as well. I love the trend of outdoor weddings, but be careful because summers are getting hotter and hotter in Greece and it might be a better idea to do it in the spring or fall. I wonder if outdoor venues are cheaper, I would assume so but that's something you'd have to research!
 
How nice! I love second ceremonies and renewing of vows, congratulations!

I have to agree with you, many of my friends have gotten married in Greece and they don't use wedding planners. The whole process is a bit easier and simpler in Greece. Less wait times as well. I love the trend of outdoor weddings, but be careful because summers are getting hotter and hotter in Greece and it might be a better idea to do it in the spring or fall. I wonder if outdoor venues are cheaper, I would assume so but that's something you'd have to research!
Thank.

Outdoor venues are all over the place with prices. There are venues on cliffs that overhang the sea, there are venues in the mountains, and in the cities, so location is really going to determine the price.

Here is a site for wedding-γάμος venues-κτήματα (κτήματα γάμου in Greek)
https://www.etoimazogamo.gr/tags/ktimata-gamoy-stin-athina
 
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Thank.

Outdoor venues are all over the place with prices. There are venues on cliffs that overhang the sea, there are venues in the mountains, and in the cities, so location is really going to determine the price.

Here is a site for wedding-γάμος venues-κτήματα (κτήματα γάμου in Greek)
https://www.etoimazogamo.gr/tags/ktimata-gamoy-stin-athina
Hmmm, that makes a lot of sense. I guess you get what you pay for! Especially if there is a great view.

And oh my gosh this website is great and everything is all set up, super boutique. I wonder how customizable these wedding packages are, I know many people are picky. But for me, this sounds great! I don't like the hassle of picking out all of these tiny details. As long as there's good music and food, people will enjoy themselves :)
 

Thinking about the Greek way of hospitality...

I thought I would ask your thoughts oh Philoxenia - or the Greek way, or art, of hospitality. I noticed this when I travel in Greece. People are so kind, they often go out of the way for us, when I feel that they don't have to! How can one describe this to someone?

From what I understand, Philoxenia is not merely a practice but a deeply ingrained value within Greek culture that extends far beyond the simple act of hosting. It reflects a genuine, heartfelt welcome to strangers, treating them with the same respect and generosity one would show to a dearly beloved friend. This beautiful tradition, passed down through generations, turns the act of hosting into an art form, embodying warmth, respect, and a profound sense of human compassion. There have been so many stories I can think of...

This thought process was triggered because we were watching My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 - someone in the village had taken on a Syrian refugee. Is this a Greek hospitality thing? Philoxenia?

Appropriate clothing for Holy Week services?

I was going to wear a floral dress to the service on Good Friday - I pretty much always do - and someone made a comment that they didn't think it's appropriate because it is a service of mourning.

You know, I guess that makes sense - but I haven't that much of it. What are your thoughts on it? I ended up choosing an outfit that looked a little more somber.

I am curious about the best things to wear through Holy Week! I am assuming the really spring-like colors are best on Pascha?

Ideas for Celebrating the New Month - Kalo Mina

Growing up, I heard my family say this all the time when there was a new month. I finally started paying attention to the tradition and ritual of saying it.

Kalo Mina actually means "Good Month" but my family took it a step further. We developed the habit of doing something special as a family to celebrate.It depends which day it falls. Some things we've done:

- Brunch - We do this if it falls on a weekend.
- Dinner - Going out to dinner is great any time of the year!
- Journaling - We've done family journaling parties, sitting together reflecting on the month. Sometimes we read aloud what we write (depends how the month went LOL)
- Goals - No matter if we do anything, like go out to dinner or brunch, we always sit and review our goals for the month together.

Greek Naming Traditions?

I have noticed that in Greece, there are some traditions associated with naming their children. Although some Greek families in the United States have done this, many have seemed to lose the traditions.

Does anyone know what some of these traditions are? I am helping a friend name his upcoming child... Here's some of what I have learned:

1. Firstborn daughter names after maternal grandmother
2. Firstborn son named after paternal grandfather
3. Firstborn son named after father

Those are the ones I have figured out. I don't know what is traditional from Greece and what has just been made up amongst Greeks in the US.

How to choose godparents?

I'm currently planning a baptism for a child in the Greek Orthodox Church and finding myself at a bit of a crossroads. One of the most significant decisions we're facing is choosing the right godparents. I understand that in our tradition, the role of a godparent is not only a great honor but also carries profound spiritual and moral responsibilities. They are to guide the child in the Orthodox faith, ensuring they grow in the church and its teachings.

How do you choose? I have a few candidates and am trying to narrow it down.
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