I have sent you a PM!

Apart from the bride, groom and koumbaros (and, maybe, the parents) dress is usually pretty informal with men in shirtsleeves - depending on temperature - and especially amongst the younger women there's not much covering of shoulders, arms and hair.  In many cases there's not much covering anywhere.  Little cocktail numbers seem to be the order of the day.

The last wedding we went to, around September, was a small affair with only about 500 guests, scheduled for 8:00 p.m.  The koumbaros arrived at about 8:15 and the groom five minutes later.  Everyone stood around outside the church, men more or less universally in short-sleeved shirts and trousers or jeans.  Older ladies were more formally dressed while most of the younger ones wore low cut, off-the-shoulder mini dresses (lots with sequins etc.) and very high-heeled shoes or boots.

The priest arrived at 8:50 and the bride, escorted by three musicians and bridesmaids, made her appearance at about 9:10, joined the groom and koumbaros at the church gate and proceeded straight into the church followed by everyone else jostling for position. We got into the church about two minutes after the couple and the service was well under way.

People were moving about the church constantly trying to get a better view, going outside for phone calls or smokes and everyone with a camera running round for a position as close as possible to proceeding - which was pretty close.

Towards the end of the ceremony baskets with bags of rice were brought round the congregation who proceeded to throw handfuls of the stuff with gay abandon until the bride and groom were practically knee deep in the stuff.

The ceremony ended with a formal receiving line as people left the church and the last in line was the bride's father holding a big basket-weave tray to receive the little envelopes as people left the church. It seems that the basic contribution is €50 from distant relatives and friends with the amount expected increasing the closer the relationship. At that wedding almost everyone gave a little envelope and there was very little evidence of any other kind of gift although, often, relatives will give TVs or domestic appliances etc.

There was another envelope collection at the wedding feast for those who had not attended the church ceremony. There's no formal seating plan for guests and tables were already set out with bottles of wine, bread, olives and so on and most guests started eating and drinking as soon as they sat down. The bride and groom arrived about twenty minutes into the festivities and performed their brief dance on a mini stage with indoor fireworks all around and balloons cascading from nets above their heads then settled down to the serious business of eating and drinking. There were no speeches or, at least, none that I heard.

Whatever gift you make, whether it's cash or anything else, don't expect to get a note of thanks as that's not generally done here. The little envelopes can be bought at any stationers and they come complete with a small card for you to put your name.

Great fun.  Enjoy.

Filippos.

I asked a similar question last year.  Follow this link to read the advice given then

http://www.britsincrete.co.uk/cgi-bin/bicforum/YaBB.pl?num=1156224411/13#13

Margarita

PandB wrote on 09. Mar 2007 at 19:49:


What a happy little soul you are!

Even if most are much the same - and the food is likely to be as it's a traditional menu - they're still great fun.

I never noticed much difference between one wedding and another in the UK.

Filippos.

Jue wrote on 10. Mar 2007 at 12:33:

It's usual here, that if you do give a gift other than cash, to include the receipt so that the couple can change anything that's duplicated or hideous.

Filippos.

Hi since I have ben in crete about 2yrs +e been to maybe 10 weddings in our village, the norm seems to be the family and close friends decend on the house 2-3 days before the big day to bless the wedding bed where presents and envelopes are placed or pinned. The groom has a stag night with his friends which usually seems to mean copius amounts of raki and of course johny walker.
The night before the village ladies start the cook up of goat and lamb etc for the official stag night where the groom serves hi family brides family and elder friends who may not be able to attend on the day ( all male of course ) this usually goes on til the early hours where even more raki and johnie is consumed.

If the wedding is being held in the village work starts at about 8.00 am with the setting up of tables and chairs and preperation to butcher the meat by the men and the ladies are busy preparing the veg salad etc. It is a long day and if people wish to help it is rarely turned down and is greatly appreciated by all. I have even had to buy my own knives to butcher the beasties a lot of fun but very messy first time I was a little queasy which the locals found hilarious, especially when I informed them that me being a city boy all meat came in a polysesterene tray covered in cling film.

Ever since when their is a wedding due I get ""Pavlo avrio octo endax " I even have set duties now the evening is long so do not imbibe in too much booze before about 8.30 pm as the wedding will probably take place quite late and then the food will be served with plenty of wine water soft drinks etc , the wine never seems to slow in its flow to your table. During the evening just before the dancing gets into full flow the bride and groom will around to every table to thank you for attending closley followed by the best man and bridesmaid with a box which will usually contain sugar almonds or a small gift also a second box into which your deposit your envelope ( friends and guests normally give about 50 euro close friend and family increase by their own personal affordability ) from then on it is all about everybody having a really good time lots of dancing, eating and drinking and you may be suprised to see a family turn up at 2.00 am be seated table clearsed and a full 3 course meal be served. The raki and johnie usually appears late and will be kept supplied until the last person leaves the latest I have seen is 08.00, which is a killer if you have offered to help clean up as you cannot touch a table until all have gone.
You will have a great time as everything including dress is pretty much informal but all go to enjoy themselves and ensure the couple have a night to remember.

Do not be suprised if you are asked to join people at their table for a drink and a bite as this is usual, have a great time and take a camera to remember your evening  :)