The first kiss Antigoni The bridesmaids in pink and green The ceremony The little church at the venue Guest dancing until 06:00 Mr Carrion with his daughter Daniela High spirits Bride and groom arrive Cretan Dancing Dinner in the open Dinner in the open Brides maids resting their feet Sharing the cake Toula and Yannis, the parents of the Groom Dimitris View from the wedding venue Wedding dance Fine seating for a wedding Decoration under the tree
Friday May 30th 2014
Friday I was at the Wedding of Dimitris and Daniela. The son and new daughter in law ofour friends Yiannis and Toula Koulakis. The wedding arrangement was a charming mix of Cretan and American traditions. The Bride is American and the groom Greek-American.
The setting for the wedding was stunningly beautiful and very romantic. A wedding in Crete is never a small occasion, a Traditional Wedding will have from 200 to 2000 guest, more or less. This wedding had around 250 to 300 guest.
The setting was on a hillside overlooking a cove and the blue blue sea, a little church and chairs for the guest. The ceremony was held outside on a sunny afternoon with a deep blue sky. Three priests conducted the Orthodox Wedding Ceremony. I could not hear the ceremony because of the wind and people talking, however, it was still lovely and very romantic. Dimitris is a handsome young man and his Daniela is a lovely girl made-up in a fifties hairstyle and make-up for her big day.
After the ceremony we sat at the outdoor tables with Pikelias (starters), wine, Raki and refreshments. Lots of food, the traditional Cretan wedding dinner with a twist, Pilafi rice (a risotto type), boiled lamb, roast pork and potatoes. yummy yummy!
Dimitris and Daniela cut the cake and toasted each other and all of us with Champagne and opened the stage with their first dance as Mr and Mrs Koulaki. They were then followed by a very good group of professional Cretan dancers and then all of the’ guests took over the dancing. Dimitris’ grandfather Giorgos played Bouzouki with the orchester untill the small hours and the dancing did not stop until morning. My feet are still sore, but it was great fun.
Thank you for a great party Yianni and Toula, it was so much fun.
Lisa and Yiannis, Amazing Crete
June 1st 2014
