GreeK aMerICaN
Weddings
february 11, 2017
The National Herald
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www.thenationalherald.com
Greek American Weddings
2
THE NATIONAL HERALD, FEBRUARY 11, 2017
The National Herald
A weekly publication of the NATIONAL HERALD, INC.
(ΕΘΝΙΚΟΣ ΚΗΡΥΞ), reporting the news
and addressing the issues of paramount interest
to the Greek American community of the United States of America.
Greek-American Weddings
By Eleni Sakellis
Publisher-Editor
Antonis H. Diamataris
Assistant to Publisher, Advertising Veta H. Diamataris Papadopoulos
Special Section Editor Eleni Sakellis
Production Manager Chrysoula Karametros
37-10 30th Street, Long Island City, NY 11101-2614
Tel: (718)784-5255 • Fax: (718)472-0510
e-mail: [email protected]
s engagement season begins, The National Herald offers
A
stress and unforeseen issues, and we often forget that our own
some ideas and inspiration with our Weddings issue. As more
attitude can make a world of difference. Take a deep breath and
and more couples look to make their special day even more
keep a positive outlook on the situation and on life. Make sure to
special and personalized, a few simple touches can create a
dance as much as possible and have fun. It’s your wedding and it
fantastic impression that will live in the heart and memory for a
is a party after all.
lifetime. Family and friends joining the happy couple in
Democritou 1 and Academias Sts, Athens, 10671, Greece
Tel: 011.30.210.3614.598 • Fax: 011.30.210.3643.776
e-mail: [email protected]
celebrating the union between two loving people is a tradition
The modern wedding as we know it evolved over time to include
going back through the millennia.
many traditions that are not perhaps as old as we think. The
white wedding gown is one of those. Many will tell you that the
GreekAmerican
Weddings
Page 2
The Top 8
Wedding Day
Tips from
Newlyweds
Pages 4-5
Planning
a Fabulous
Destination
Wedding
in Greece
Pages 6-7
Confessions
of a
Bridesmaid
Page 10
Today’s
Wedding
Cakes
white dress is symbolic of the bride’s purity, but white in other
and witnessing a traditional wedding in Greece is impressive to
cultures is the color of mourning and red is worn for good luck.
say the least with some weddings lasting three days or more. In
The ancient Greeks with their white robes are often associated
view of uncertain financial times, couples may choose to scale
with white for weddings since the color symbolized youth, joy,
down their weddings, but that doesn’t mean there should be any
and purity. In Biblical times, blue was the color of purity and was
less attention to detail. That love still conquers all is a blessing
worn by both the bride and groom as a blue band around their
and should be cherished and celebrated as much as possible. As
wedding outfits. The 19th century rhyme, “something old,
the couple embarks on a life together, it is important to remember
something new, something borrowed, something blue, and a
that the wedding is just the start. There will be challenges ahead,
sixpence for her shoe” for bridal attire remains popular today,
as in any relationship, but with faith and hard work, any obstacle
though many probably leave out the sixpence unless they happen
can be overcome. The wedding day itself may be fraught with
to be in Britain. Something old symbolizes the link to the past
Page 11
A Few
Words about
Interfaith
Marriages
Page 12
Wedding
Jewelry
Trends for
2017
Page 13
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To subscribe please contact us at: 718-784-5255 or email: [email protected]
THE NATIONAL HERALD, FEBRUARY 11, 2017
Greek American Weddings
3
As engagement season begins, The National Herald offers some ideas and inspiration with our Weddings issue. As more and more couples look to make their
special day even more special and personalized, a few simple touches can create
a fantastic impression that will live in the heart and memory for a lifetime.
Family and friends joining the happy couple in celebrating the union between
two loving people is a tradition going back through the millennia.
and family; something new for good luck and success; something borrowed for
a reminder that family and friends will always be there to help; blue for loyalty,
and the sixpence for wealth.
Queen Victoria who married Prince Albert on February 10, 1840, is often
credited with the white wedding gown trend, though she wasn’t the first royal
to wear white. At the time, only the very rich could afford to wear white and
especially a dress that would only be worn one day since it would inevitably get
dirty and was too expensive, and likely impossible, to clean. Most brides in
previous centuries wore their best dress, whatever color it was. Victoria’s white
wedding gown settled into the consciousness of western culture in a way few
other clothing styles have. The problem with white, besides how tough it is to
keep clean, is that it doesn’t really flatter every complexion. More and more
options are available in off-white shades and subtle hues to make sure the bride
looks her best on her special day.
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Greek American Weddings
4
THE NATIONAL HERALD, FEBRUARY 11, 2017
The Top 8 Wedding Day
The day of the wedding should be a joyful celebration of the happy couple, their family, and friends. In a perfect world, everything would
run smoothly that day. In the real world, things are hectic and unpredictable, but there are a few things that can help ensure things go as
smoothly as possible on that special day. The National Herald asked newlyweds for their wedding day tips in an unscientific poll. A
compilation of the results of our findings is included below as TNH’s top 8 wedding day tips.
COPY EDITING
Y
es, that is write… right, I mean. Copy editing may seem
out of place on a list of wedding tips, but it can save time
and headaches later on. Several days in advance, check your
printed materials including place cards, table numbers,
EAT
SOMETHING
menus, and programs for typos and the little errors that can
be annoying or completely confusing on your wedding day.
The correct spelling of Greek names should be of special
concern since you want your guests to be able to find their
M
any brides, grooms, and members of the bridal party
place cards and be seated at the correct tables.
BE PREPARED
attest to this fact, the day of the wedding is hectic and
M
ake sure to get the limo driver’s cell phone number on
you may not even feel like eating, but you need to eat! If
THE
EMERGENCY KIT
the day of the event. An office number won’t be much
you’re worried about fitting into your formalwear, it’s too late
help when you need to contact the driver directly. When it
anyway and you need energy to get through the day. There is
comes to vintage luxury cars, be prepared for a breakdown, or
nothing worse than standing through hours and hours of a
two, or three, on the day of your wedding. No matter how
Greek wedding on an empty stomach. You also need
great those “vintage” cars look, they are still old cars, so
something to soak up all the alcohol you will consume pretty
always make sure there is a back-up plan for transportation.
much throughout the day. Take advantage of the snacks
You should also review your rental agreement carefully since
available at the house when you’re getting ready before the
you may want your money back if a car issue ruins your day.
ceremony and the bridal suite service at the hall when you get
Or they send you a replacement limousine that also breaks
there. The wait staff is usually more than happy to serve you
down. If a third limousine arrives and also breaks down, you
before the big entrance into the reception. Make sure to make
might want to rethink the whole wedding, God could be
time to eat some dinner in between all the usual wedding
sending you a sign. Also, make sure your bridal party has a
reception traditions. It may not be possible to clean your plate,
way to get home. Stranding your attendants at the end of the
but some protein and carbs will help you dance the night away
reception is not cool.
and not faint away from hunger.
P
acking a wedding day emergency kit could help avert
many big day disasters. Backup hair accessories, bobby
pins, hairspray, makeup, face powder, lip gloss, lipstick,
deodorant/antiperspirant, safety pins and hemming tape for
quick repairs, traction pads for heels, panty hose, an umbrella,
shawl, stain remover, and tissues, could all be included in your
emergency kit. A list of your music choices could also be added
to the kit. It also helps if the bridesmaids are familiar with the
bride’s wedding gown construction. Knowing what type of
bustle she’s working with can save time, especially if the
groom accidentally steps on the dress and some tearing occurs.
One bridesmaid was able to salvage the bride’s French bustle
with the skillful use of safety pins.
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Greek American Weddings
THE NATIONAL HERALD, FEBRUARY 11, 2017
5
Tips from Newlyweds
PHOTOGRAPHER/VIDEOGRAPHER
S
THE MUSIC
C
ouples might be tempted to submit a list of their favorite
music to the band and/or DJ because it is their day and
they should celebrate their wedding with the music they love,
right? Within reason is the correct answer. There are all ages at
your wedding and probably all music tastes, so try to
electing an experienced and highly recommended
photographer/videographer can make this aspect of the
wedding a lot easier. An organized professional will know what
shots to take, but don’t leave the decisions all up to the
photographer. If you have a certain shot in mind and you want
certain groups of family and friends to be photographed, make
sure you let the photographer know. Creating a schedule for your
photographs will save a lot of time on the day of the wedding.
Make sure you discuss with your photographer about exactly
whom you would like photographed and make sure the family
members and friends are on time for the scheduled shoot.
Designating a friend or family member as the person who will
round everyone up can also be helpful since they probably know
all the people that should be included in the photograph, and that
goes for both sides of the family. Remember, that this might be the
only chance to photograph the whole family all together, until the
next big event. Especially if your relatives live overseas, as many
Greeks do, you might never have the opportunity to gather
together again and share a few special moments and memories
with your loved ones. Make sure to order copies of the big family
photo for your loved ones. They will be touched by your
thoughtfulness, as one newlywed couple noted. They had
intended to send out the family photo with their handwritten
thank you notes, but the photos were delayed and it ended up
being a much-treasured Christmas gift. Letting your family know
in advance if you’re sending a photographer to their house is also
a good idea; in advance means a few weeks or days, not two
hours before a stranger shows up at the door with a camera.
Unless the photographer is a family member, no one likes a
surprise photo shoot in their house no matter how neat and tidy
they are. There are always things that need to be put away and
tidied up before a house and its residents are photo-shoot-ready.
As for the video of the event, make sure the team is recording a
variety of people and not just propping up the tripod by the dance
floor and leaving the room. You might end up with the same three
people dancing through your entire wedding DVD as if no one
else attended your wedding, one bride complained, noting that
she didn’t even want video of her wedding and only agreed to it
to make her mom happy. Taking a look at examples of the video
team’s work is always a good idea since recording the events of
the day is only part of the process. Editing should never be
overlooked since it can make the difference between a watchable
video and one you have to fast forward through. Tell the video
team that you don’t want random songs playing on the video
soundtrack and give them a list of your wedding songs to use for
the edit. One couple received a video that was basically a photo
HAVE FUN
WITHIN REASON
S
slideshow to terrible music they hated. The groom noted that he
could have done better with his iPhone. Technology is pretty
advanced these days and even cell phone videos can look pretty
professional in the right hands, but don’t take choosing the
wedding videographer for granted. Remember, you’ll be forcing
your relatives to watch it with you eventually, and you don’t want
to hear the complaints for years afterward.
ome couples told TNH that their wedding was a blur and it
can be difficult in the moment to step back and actually
enjoy the celebration. A simple pause for a deep breath and a
look around at all the smiling faces of your loved ones should
remind you that this special day is just one day, a new
beginning, so appreciate it and have some fun. Dance the
dances and enjoy your cake. You may be tempted to drink
excessively at your wedding reception, but don’t. Drunk people
rarely look good in photographs or videos and those reminders
of your behavior that day will be with you for the foreseeable
future. Party within reason and you’ll actually be able to
remember your wedding and how much fun it was.
accommodate some classics to go along with your favorite death
metal. Traditional Greek weddings have certain songs that are
expected to be played and danced to, depending, of course, on
the region of Greece. Do you really want to disappoint Yiayia
and Pappou, your aunts, uncles, and cousins? Let them dance
the traditional dances and be proud of the culture and heritage
that made you who you are. It is after all good luck for everyone
to dance at your wedding. Consult with your family about
which traditional songs should be on the list if you’re unsure
about what to include on the list for the band/DJ. It will also
help other members of the extended family feel included in the
planning of the big day.
MONEY MATTERS
C
heck with vendors, confirm arrangements, make sure the
florist, makeup artist, hairdresser,
photographer/videographer, limo drivers, and other professionals
have the directions to wherever they need to be for your wedding
day, and everyone has the correct contact numbers. Make a list of
the vendors that need final payments and set aside envelopes for
tips to the appropriate people with their names on them and
include the correct amount of the tip, and seal the envelopes. You
might want to bring along extra cash in case other tips are
appropriate during the day. As one New Jersey newlywed noted,
“Sometimes, someone goes above and beyond the expectations
and is just so helpful you have to tip the person.”
When your vendors collect their final payments, make sure they
sign a note that it was received, in case they can’t give you an
official receipt on the spot.
Also, let the vendors know what time the wedding ends since they
might have to charge overtime fees if they stay later than the
agreed amount of time.
Greek American Weddings
6
THE NATIONAL HERALD, FEBRUARY 11, 2017
Planning a Fabulous
By Eleni Sakellis
W
ith wonderful packages available in
exotic locations, destination weddings are increasing in popularity. Weddings in Greece are especially sought after with the perfect weather and natural
beauty of the country just two of the reasons Greek-Americans book the big day
in the ancestral homeland. Getting in
touch with their roots and the exceptional service provided by many venues are
also reasons why couples choose Greece.
At first glance, it may seem complicated,
but with a little forethought and the wonderful wedding planners and teams available, your destination wedding in Greece
will be an unforgettable experience for
you and all your guests. Among the locations to consider are Grand Resort Lagonissi near Athens, Elounda Beach Hotel in
Crete, and Melenos Luxury Hotel in Lindos, Rhodes.
Situated on the beautiful seafront known
as the Athenian Riviera overlooking the
Saronic Gulf, by the south suburbs of
Athens, the 5-star Grand Resort Lagonissi
enchants its guests with a spectacular setting, romantic ambiance, and majestic
sea view. Special wedding packages are
available, inviting couples to say I do at
one of the most spectacular wedding
venues in Athens, while enjoying the 5star luxury. The setting offers a wonderful backdrop for weddings and receptions
for up to 1200 guests. Exclusive wedding
packages offer the help of experts who
will plan the wedding down to the last
detail. The resort’s wedding planner can
tailor any wedding in Athens to the couple’s needs and help make their dreams
come true. The resort invites couples to
let the professionals work their magic.
The services include the personal wedding planner, renowned chefs available to
suggest creative menu options, pastry
chefs for fabulous wedding cakes and
desserts, private party planning arrangement in the comfort of a hotel suite or by
the beachfront, professional designers for
your flower arrangements- on table and
for the venue decoration, DJs and technical support for state-of-the-art sound and
lighting, specialized services such as photography, special effects, and limousine
rentals, the exceptional Honeymoon
Suite, special bridal treatments and beau-
ty facilities, and romantic dinners by the
private pool prepared by a personal chef.
The resort’s exclusive wedding and honeymoon packages offer romantic and elegant luxury sea view suites, a beachfront
bungalow, or a private villa right at the
waterfront for newlyweds to enjoy. More
information is available online at lagonissiresort.gr
Elounda Beach Hotel in Crete is a beautiful location for your destination wedding.
As noted on the hotel’s website: “The
most special and happiest day of your life
deserves all of our dedicated assistance
and first-rate experience. In a variety of
choice settings, surrounded by the splendor of beautiful skylines, sea views, and
endless gardens, we will design your
wedding in a charming way that suits
your every whim and dream.
We will be happy to organize the ceremony under your guidance and fulfill the
wedding of your dreams.” The hotel offers a choice of venues for large or small
weddings with sea views to lush gardens
available. Among the services on offer are
a private picturesque chapel for the ceremony, buffet settings made to order, private parties in the suites or by the beach,
a variety of entertainment options, professional photographer and floral services, exclusive Mediterranean Suite for
honeymooning couples, special bridal
treatments and hairdresser facilities, and
limo transportation for the guests. Additional services include traditional Cretan
Lyre music during the ceremony, a special
children’s menu, a clown or magician for
the children’s entertainment, and a fireworks display at the reception.
More information on the wedding package and the services offered is available
at eloundabeach.gr
The National Herald asked: What do
Greek-American couples look for the
most when they book their wedding with
your hotel as opposed to what Greek couples look for? Are there any major differences, either in scale or preferences?
How many guests attend an average
Greek-American wedding at your venue?
Helios Hotels & Resorts replied, “When
booking a wedding at Helios Hotels & Resorts’ two leading hotels Elounda Beach
Hotel & Villas and Grand Resort Lagonissi, the Greek-American couples’ main
consideration is hosting the wedding and
guest accommodation in the same location.
As it is a destination wedding, guest convenience is the key. When booking their
wedding at our hotels, Greek-American
couples reserve the chapel, the reception
venue, and accommodation for their
guests all in the same location.
The picturesque white chapels located on
the cliff-side offer majestic views or in a
lush green garden in the center of the resort. Ceremonies taking place during the
golden sunset present the perfect backdrop for exchanging eternal vows. GreekAmerican couples can choose from a
number of wedding venues in both resorts which evoke a sense of grandeur
and refined elegance.
Friends and relatives able to attend and
traveling from the States will be paying
for airline tickets and accommodations,
so Greek-American couples try to minimize any additional expenses. Grand Resort Lagonissi is located only a short drive from the International airport and 45
minutes from the center of Athens. At the
same time, Elounda Beach Hotel & Villas
is only 1 hour drive from Heraklion Airport on the island of Crete and is located
in the picturesque village of Elounda.
Guests combine attending the wedding of
a loved one with enjoying their holiday in
luxury sea front summer resorts. Both
Grand Resort Lagonissi and Elounda
Beach offer plenty of restaurants and
bars, the revitalizing spa facilities by
Chenot Company, sports activities, and
entertainment choices. Our concierge service can organize special travel arrangements, shopping assistance, VIP transfer
services, all tailored to cater to every individual desire.
The average Greek American wedding
hosted at our resorts ranges from approximately 100-150 guests.”
TNH asked: What should Greek-American
couples be aware of when they decide to
plan a wedding in Greece? Do they need
special paperwork or permission?
“Planning a destination wedding in
Greece can be a little challenging as
Greek American couples will be planning
it from abroad. The experienced sales
team of Grand Resort Lagonissi and
Elounda Beach Hotel & Villas will be with
them every step of the way. They will
provide them with all necessary paper-
work requirements, introduce them to
professional vendors, assist in menu planning, everything to ensure an exceptional
wedding celebration that exceeds all expectations.
Specifically, the following documentation
is required 10 days prior to the wedding
date, which must have been translated by
an authorized representative of the Greek
Embassy:
• Local Authority Permission and Certificate of non-impediment
• Originals of full birth certificates
• If previously married and divorced the
“Decree Absolute” is required
wedding couple
• Civil ceremony outside of the Hotel’s
Church Timia Zoni or at their preferred
location.
• Bridal bouquet, groom’s boutonniere,
decoration of the club car
• Bottle of sparkling wine and Greek
wedding sweets after the ceremony for
the bride and groom
• Music (taped) during the ceremony
• Blessings by a Greek Orthodox priest
• A complimentary room for the preparation of the groom on the wedding day,
from 2 PM until the wedding ceremony
• Room upgrade on the wedding day
ELOUNDA BEACH
• Copy of the passports
Each document should also be accompanied by an apostille from their government’s foreign office. (This is a legalization certificate, which confirms that the
signature, seal or stamp on each document is genuine).”
TNH: What kinds of packages are available now for weddings and honeymoons?
“Grand Resort Lagonissi and Elounda
Beach Hotel & Villas offer the below exclusive wedding packages. When choosing one of them, the couple leaves everything to the hands of the professional
experts making their wedding and honeymoon a dream come true down to
the last detail.”
Elounda Beach Hotel & Villas:
Wedding Package – € 1,000
• A dedicated consultant
• Roundtrip airport transfers for the
and for the rest of the stay (accommodation type subject to availability)
• An exclusive bridal turn down service
• Romantic wedding gift
• Relaxing massage for the bride and
groom the day prior to the wedding
• Wedding cake
• Breakfast in bed the following morning
• Escorted transfer to the relevant authorities for the registration of the wedding
Honeymoon Packages
For Minimum Five Night Stay:
• Confirmed upgrade by one category
THE NATIONAL HERALD, FEBRUARY 11, 2017
Greek American Weddings
7
Destination Wedding in Greece
For Minimum Seven Night Stay:
• Confirmed upgrade by one category
• Exclusive rose petal turndown service
• Welcome bottle of sparkling wine and
basket of fruit
• Use of gym and tennis courts
• Express check-in and check-out
• His and Her bathrobes
TNH: How far in advance should couples
book the hotel for their wedding?
“We suggest reserving the wedding venue
and room accommodation at least one
year prior to the wedding event, as
Greek-American couples must allow time
for their guests to make arrangements for
their Greece holidays.”
Melenos Luxury Hotel in Lindos, Rhodes
overlooking the Aegean Sea offers a picturesque location for a destination wedding with remarkable attention to detail.
“Imagine the day and we will make it
happen,” as noted on the Melenos website. For small, intimate weddings or
large, extravagant ones, the Melenos
team will work with the couple to create
a dream wedding. The hotel suggests reserving the entire hotel venue for at least
three days to allow for a relaxing stay
and an opportunity for guests and the
couple themselves to de-stress for the occasion. With high professional standards,
the team provides guests with thoughtful,
personal attention. Couples can choose a
civil ceremony, symbolic wedding, or a
traditional Greek Orthodox service. The
wedding planner will take care of paperwork, organizing document filing, marriage license registration, government
and administrative fees, to help reduce
stress for the couple. The wedding coordinator will work with the couple to help
organize tasks, plan the budget, and assist on creating a detailed itinerary of
events.
Among the services available for weddings are seasonal flowers arranged by
local florists, menus based on Greek traditional cuisine with south Mediterranean influences as well as authentic local Lindian recipes, and skilled chefs who
will create personalized menus for those
with specific dietary requirements or food
allergies. Let the staff know in advance
about dietary requirements and/or allergies as they are happy to accommodate
their guests’ preferences. Among the services available are: a rehearsal dinner
with the wedding guests on Melenos’ terrace; a pre-wedding cocktail party to welcome friends and family; professional
photographer and videographer services;
hair and make-up artist for the bride and
her guests; and DJ or live traditional
Greek music for the reception can be
arranged by the staff. Couples can enhance their wedding experience with a
private guided tour led by a professional
archaeologist to explore the most beautiful parts of the island and by booking a
private boat trip with their wedding
guests to sail to the exotic hidden spots
and beaches around Lindos. The hotel
can also arrange for local transportation
for guests and even donkeys to transport
the bride and the groom to the venue.
Maria Fegkou, Sales & Reservations Manager at Melenos Lindos Exclusive Suites
& Villas spoke with TNH about what
Greek-American couples look for when
booking the venue, noting that “Melenos
Lindos has a wonderful setting. A Greek
authentic touch and a wonderful view
that together with the top quality food
and service offers any event the Greek
feeling at once. This is what the GreekAmericans are looking for. The number of
guests usually attending a Greek-American wedding here is 100-150 people.
Greek couples are looking for the quality
and the nice view. Fegkou added, “For
those who would like an Orthodox wedding ceremony, they should contact the
Administrative staff of the local Metropolis for detailed information regarding the
paperwork and permission.”
When asked about packages available
now for weddings and honeymoons and
how far in advance couples should book
the hotel for their wedding, Fegkou said,
“Weddings at the Melenos Lindos are tailor-made. That means that we work together with the couple long before their
Big Day, we share our thoughts so that
we organize their event the way they
have dreamed it.”
More information is available at melenoslindos.com.
Grand Resort Lagonissi:
Silver Package €1,000:
• Upon arrival at the International Airport of Athens our wedding service begins as you will be greeted by dedicated
resort host who will be with you through
your entire wedding experience. Your driver will assist you with clearance of your
luggage and transportation to Grand Resort Lagonissi.
• From the moment you book your wedding with us you will have contact with
our wedding planner. Once you have set-
tled into the resort your wedding planner
will meet you to go over the final details,
to ensure that extra special personal attention is given to your event.
• The wedding couple will receive a
complimentary romantic Mediterranean
Bungalow for the wedding night where a
bottle of wine and Greek wedding sweets
will await their arrival.
• Documents arrangement for the Wedding Ceremony.
• Wedding Ceremony arrangement in St.
Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church located on the Grand Resort Lagonissi premises.
• The morning after the wedding reception, the newlyweds will enjoy breakfast
in bed.
• Relaxing massage for the bride and
groom on the day prior to the wedding
• Spa Manicure and Pedicure for the
bride
• Private use of the selected wedding
venue
• White chair covers for the wedding
dinner
• Wedding cake
• Italian Sparking Wine with the wedding cake for the couple and their guests
• Security
• Guest loyalty rates for your guests
• Romantic wedding gift for your 1st
wedding anniversary
Gold Package € 1,500
Includes all the amenities provided in the
Silver Package plus:
• The wedding couple will receive a
complimentary romantic Mediterranean
Suite for the wedding night where a bottle of wine, fresh seasonal fruits & Greek
wedding sweets will await their arrival.
• The wedding day a bottle of champagne with fresh strawberries will be
served in the couple’s room.
• Relaxing massage for the groom on the
day prior to the wedding
• Spa Bridal Package (5 hours duration):
A full program for brides-to-be to enhance your glow for the most beautiful
day in your life. Enjoy a luxurious indulgence in beauty and pampering. Your
choice of Hydro aromatherapy bath with
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therapies of our Vichy showers giving
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Aromatherapy full body massage and a
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Melenos Luxury Hotel in Lindos, Rhodes
• Exclusive rose petal turndown service
• Welcome bottle of sparkling wine and
basket of fruit
• Use of gym and tennis courts
• Express check-in and check-out
8
Greek American Weddings
THE NATIONAL HERALD, FEBRUARY 11, 2017
THE NATIONAL HERALD, FEBRUARY 11, 2017
Greek American Weddings
9
Greek American Weddings
10
THE NATIONAL HERALD, FEBRUARY 11, 2017
Confessions of a Bridesmaid
In the curious selection of bridesmaids’ dresses, many a
bridesmaid has struggled with conflicting emotions. When
the bride says she will definitely allow you to choose your
dress, be prepared to be told what dress you will be
wearing by that same bride. By the time you are asked to
be a bridesmaid, you usually have some idea what style of
dress most suits your figure. Be a helpful bridesmaid and
makes suggestions to the bride on a style that would
flatter most, but in the end, remember that the bride has
the last word. Though the bride will tell you emphatically
that you will definitely be able to wear it again, you
should accept that you most certainly never will wear that
dress again. It’s a bridesmaid’s dress, it looks like a
bridesmaid’s dress, so unless you can manage to convince
another bride to choose that same dress for her
bridesmaids, it will never ever be worn again.
TNH Staff
Y
our relatives will probably need you to participate in a
ceremony or two, when most of your non-Greek
friends may never even attend a wedding until they
themselves are of marriageable age. It is an honor and
privilege to be a part of the big day, and for some that can
mean several big days. For one serial bridesmaid, the
number is an impressive 27.
How you might ask is that possible? If your family is big
enough, you have tons of cousins. First cousins, second
cousins, even first cousins-once removed will start to have
weddings before you know it. Add a long list of friends
and the number makes sense. If your mom has 8 siblings
on her side and your dad has 9 on his side, and each one
of those aunts and uncles has at least one child, you’re
already at 17 weddings. If the family is close-knit and your
parents’ cousins are also as numerous and blessed with
children, the number of weddings doubles at least, to 34
weddings, and that’s just the family. Factoring all that in,
you might wonder how many weddings the young woman
in question actually attended without being a bridesmaid,
or missed entirely.
So, with all this bridesmaid experience, the serial
bridesmaid certainly has advice to share for those
antiquated rituals. So, don’t get caught up in the moment
and raise your expectations unspeakably high just to end
up feeling crushed. Live for the moment, appreciate the
experience of sharing a special day with friends and loved
ones, and be grateful for what you have.
Weddings hold a special place in the hearts of many young girls. We are taught from
a very young age to expect the progression, if lucky, from flower girl, to bridesmaid,
to bride. In most cases, the number of people in your average Greek-American extended family means you will attend several weddings in the course of your lifetime.
accepting their best friend’s or cousin’s invitation to join
the bridal party. Accept only if you truly want to be a
bridesmaid. Being a reluctant bridesmaid is not fun.
Sometimes you feel obligated to say yes, in that case,
make the best of it and stay positive. It’s just one day, but
your attitude can make a world of difference. A
Shakespeare quote can help, “For nothing is either good or
bad but thinking makes it so.” Keep an upbeat attitude
and remember to smile, the photographer is taking
pictures, as most of the family is as well.
Part of keeping that positive attitude is letting go of the
crushing weight of expectations you might be investing in
the experience of being a bridesmaid. There are no
guarantees in life. You might not catch the bouquet. If you
do, it doesn’t actually mean anything. Unless the bouquet
toss is fixed, and in many cases it is, when it just happens
to fall into the arms of your friend who has been in a longterm relationship forever. If you’re single and you catch
the bouquet, there is no guarantee that the groomsman
who caught the garter is Mr. Right. In fact, some weddings
just skip the tossing of bouquets and garters altogether as
Traditionally, the role of the bridesmaid was to protect the
bride from the evil eye, helping to disperse the evil among
a group of young women instead of allowing it to focus on
the one lucky lady. The dresses for bride and bridesmaids
were usually identical to confuse evil spirits and minimize
the effect of the negative energy. The lighter the color of
the bridesmaids’ dresses supposedly augurs well for the
bride and groom. The darker the dress, the more problems
the couple will face.
The serial bridesmaid managed to collect a rainbow
assortment of dresses, but most leaning towards the
traditional pinkish hues, especially since most weddings
are held in spring and summer. The curious reader will
ask, “What did she do with all the dresses, 27 in all, to be
exact? The serial bridesmaid assured us that they are not
taking up valuable closet-space. She donated them to a
charity that collects dresses for girls who can’t afford prom
dresses. More information on donating bridesmaids
dresses is available on beccascloset.org.
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Greek American Weddings
THE NATIONAL HERALD, FEBRUARY 11, 2017
11
Today’s Wedding Cakes
By Eleni Sakellis
symbolize their unity and that they will always provide for
child born to the couple. In the Middle Ages, cakes were
Cypriot glystarkes, a type of bread is also traditionally
each other.
stacked on top of each other for the happy couple to kiss
served at weddings, hearkening back to the ancient
edding cakes have evolved over the centuries from
W
The earliest wedding cakes in Britain and the thirteen
over the top of the stack. If they succeeded, they could
tradition of bread at the wedding. Almond cakes are
a bread that was cracked over the head of the bride
colonies were more like fruit cakes than the typical cake
expect a prosperous marriage. It was a bad sign if the
popular in Greece for wedding cakes using traditional
in Ancient Rome for good luck to the fanciful, tiered
served at weddings today. Full of dried fruits and nuts, the
couple couldn’t manage it, or the cakes were knocked over.
flavors. Try the following recipe sweetened with your
creations most often displayed at the reception before the
cakes were often soaked with wine and the top tier was
Traditional Greek wedding cakes featured honey, sesame
favorite flavor of Greek honey. A thyme and wildflower
bride and groom cut the cake and feed it to each other to
meant to be kept and eaten at the christening of the first
seeds, and quince, symbolizing the couple’s commitment.
honey works well in this recipe.
Almond Cake
1 1/2 cups whole almonds, toasted • 4 large eggs, at room temperature, separated • 1/2 cup Greek honey • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract • 1/2 teaspoon
baking soda • 1/2 teaspoon Greek sea salt • Topping • 2 tablespoons honey
1/2 cup slivered almonds, toasted • Olive oil for greasing the baking pan
P
reheat oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare a 9-inch round springform baking pan with a light brushing of olive oil. Line
the pan with a circle of parchment paper and brush with additional olive oil. Set aside.
Place the whole almonds in the bowl of a food processor and pulse until finely ground. In the bowl of a stand mixer with
the paddle attachment beat the egg yolks with the 1/2 cup of honey, the vanilla, baking soda, and sea salt until well
combined. Reduce the speed of the mixer, or switch it off entirely, and add the ground almonds. Beat until just combined.
Beat the egg whites in a separate bowl with the whisk attachment of the stand mixer until very foamy, white, and
doubled in volume, but not stiff enough to hold peaks, about 1 to 2 minutes, depending on the strength of the mixer. Be
careful not to over-beat the egg whites or the cake will sink in the center as it cools. Use a rubber spatula to gently fold
the egg whites into the ground almonds and egg yolks mixture until just combined.
Transfer the batter to the prepared baking pan, using the spatula to scrape all of it from
the sides of the mixing bowl and into the pan. Bake for about 30 minutes or until a
skewer or cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean and the cake is golden
brown. Cool the cake on a wire rack for 10 minutes before removing it from the
springform pan. Run a knife around the cake to loosen it from the ring before removing
it. Slide the cake with a large offset spatula between the cake and the parchment paper to
transfer it to a serving platter. Drizzle the top of the cake with the 2 tablespoons of honey,
sprinkle with the toasted, slivered almonds, and serve.
To toast the whole almonds, spread them out in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake
at 350 degrees F, stirring once, until fragrant, for about 7 to 9 minutes, depending on the
strength of your oven.
To toast the slivered almonds, cook in a small dry pan over medium-low heat, stirring
constantly, until fragrant and lightly browned, about 2 to 4 minutes.
To bring the eggs to room temperature, set them out on the counter for at least 20
minutes or submerge them in their shells in a bowl of lukewarm, but not hot, water for 5
minutes before using.
Greek American Weddings
12
THE NATIONAL HERALD, FEBRUARY 11, 2017
A Few Words about Interfaith Marriages
TNH Staff
I
n the Greek-American community, it
sometimes seems like all we hear
about, when it comes to weddings, is that
so and so is marrying a xeno or xeni.
Studies have been made and the numbers
calculated and Greeks marrying nonGreeks is nothing new; most families
make the best of it. They take a page out
of My Big Fat Greek Wedding and maybe
their life doesn’t turn out quite like the
movie, since it’s always funnier when
things happen to other people, but they
don’t fall apart either.
For the parents, it can
sometimes feel like they’ve
failed somehow, and grown
children should understand
that and see their parents’
point of view. They worked
hard and sacrificed to give you
a better life, they want only the
best for their child, and
struggling with language
issues, religious and cultural
differences seem like
unnecessary impediments to
happiness. In the end, what
other conclusion can be drawn
except that marriage is difficult
for all couples, if they are truly
honest.
Hollywood may sell us an
image of happily ever after, but
reality is not a fairy tale. It
takes work to make a
successful, healthy marriage
last. There are plenty of
unhealthy relationships all
around to use as examples.
Couples can often benefit from
seeking counseling even before
they embark on marriage
because no one is perfect. Each
person has his or her issues
and could benefit from taking
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a moment to examine their
life, goals, and dreams.
Whether or not faith plays a
role in that examination is
entirely up to the individual,
but if you were raised as a
Greek Orthodox Christian, it
might be worth thinking about
faith as well, especially if you
would like to raise children.
Honesty is paramount.
Many relationships have
foundered on religious
differences simply because the
couple never bothered to have
that conversation. Views may
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change over time as well. An
atheist in his youth may find
God later in life, or Buddha,
who knows?
Communication is vital.
Sharing thoughts and views
early on ensures that people
understand each other. Secrecy
is poisonous to all relationships
and if you need to sneak
around and pretend to be
someone you’re not, how can
you expect to have a
meaningful connection to
anyone?
There is often a disconnect
between perception and reality
and the clergy can offer
perspective that is lacking for
many people. A chat with your
priest can be transformative.
The rules are strict about who
can and cannot be married in
the Greek Orthodox Church, so
it might be worth talking to the
priest to fully understand the
obstacles. If you have your
heart set on a Greek wedding,
it is a good idea to find out the
requirements. If someone is
converting to Orthodoxy from
another Christian
denomination, will a baptism
be necessary or only
Chrismation?
There are many couples that
decide to keep their separate
religions, and it seems to work
for them, celebrating both. The
children are sometimes asked
to choose which religion they
would like to follow,
sometimes surprising the
parents. This can seem
appalling to those raised in a
religious family.
Father Charles Joanides,
Greek Orthodox priest in the
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of
America since 1980, has a PhD
in Human Development and
Family Studies with a specialty
in Marriage and Family
Therapy. A Licensed Marital
and Family Therapist, a
Clinical member of the
American Association of
Marriage and Family
Therapists (AAMFT) and an
AAMFT approved supervisor,
he lectures, teaches and writes
on intermarriage, marital
enhancement, and premarital
preparation. Married and the
father of two children, Father
Charles offers helpful insights
from his unique perspective. In
his work, he addresses
intermarriage challenges,
parenting challenges in
intermarried households,
conflict resolution, problem
solving, America's divorce
culture, Christian marriage,
spouse abuse and finding help
if you are in a conflicted
relationship, among many
other topics. His extensive
research related to
intermarried couples and their
families in the Greek Orthodox
Archdiocese of America, is
shared in his book When You
Intermarry: A Resource for
Inter-Christian, Intercultural
Couples, Parents and Families.
The book contains information
from 376 couples who
participated in the Interfaith
Research Project of the Greek
Orthodox Archdiocese of
America and is available
online. As Father Charles
notes, “About 80% of our
young adults are
intermarrying… The Interfaith
Research Project (IRP) began
in an effort to (a) develop a
clearer understanding of this
population's unique challenges,
and (b) seek to minister more
effectively to this growing
group of faithful.
One outcome from this
research has been the
emergence of an Orthodox
developmental ecological
grounded theory of interfaith
marriages in the GOA.”
Greek American Weddings
THE NATIONAL HERALD, FEBRUARY 11, 2017
13
Wedding Jewelry Trends for 2017
W
something the gang can wear on the big day.
towards the more traditional, don’t worry, there is something for everyone this season
Choose simple, yet elegant styles that can be worn again and your bridesmaids and
edding jewelry is a sure way to make a statement on your wedding day. This
year, the trends offer some striking styles to add sparkle to your look. If you lean
Jewelry is also a nice gift for your bridal party and many couples choose to give
in wedding jewelry trends.
groomsmen will cherish the gift and remember what a great time they had at your
The shoulder duster earring takes the chandelier-style to extra lengths. Not everyone
wedding every time they wear the piece.
can pull off this look, but it definitely adds drama to a bride’s ensemble.
Because the look is so bold, don’t wear any other jewelry with this look, except, of
course, for your rings. The hoop earring is an unexpected look for a bride walking down
the aisle.
The trend this year for the modern bride is a huge, yet thin, hoop.
A more traditional dress paired with hoop earrings creates a unique impression, edgier
than your average bride. Cocktail rings are always popular, but perhaps overlooked for
wedding jewelry. A big statement piece can add glamour to any bride’s look.
A pop of color can add interest without going overboard. Delicate jewelry paired with a
flowing wedding dress can make a strong statement as well, especially for brides who
are not into the big jewelry trend. Indeed, the more delicate pieces can be worn more
casually and even every day, if preferred. Chokers have also made a comeback this year
in wedding jewelry trends.
A wider choker can be paired with strapless gowns and sleek looks for dramatic effect.
A thinner, more delicate choker works well with layered gowns and voluminous skirts.
For the groom and groomsmen, classic cufflinks are the way to go on the day of the
wedding, but a whimsical cufflink can be a great choice for a more casual celebration.
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Greek American Weddings
14
THE NATIONAL HERALD, FEBRUARY 11, 2017
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