First however, we had Christina and Harry's wedding!!
The wedding was preceded by a series of events: the Hens' night, the Kitchen Tea, the Kravati (bed making ceremony), the morning of the wedding, the wedding, the BBQ the day after the wedding.
The highlight for me was the Kravati 2 days before the wedding. Basically all of Christina's extended family arrive at the bride's parents' house, and waited for the groom's family to come and 'collect' Christina.
There were about a hundred of us on Christina's "side" and when Harry's family arrived, the bartered with Christina's dad over how much she was worth in terms of dollars and dowry (sheets and pillows etc). If Harry's family feel that they are being ripped off, they are then allowed to ransack the bride's house and take anything of value, as long as no one in Christina's family sees them do it (in which case they need to put it back). Harry's family was able to take: all the solar lights in the front garden and Christina's dad's license plates. I'm glad I wasn't around when he realised they were gone the next day.
While this is all going ahead, Harry was lurking in the bushes out the front of the house. If anyone in the bride's family spots the groom, they are allowed to pelt him with eggs and flour (symbolism of this: unknown). Hence Harry was wearing a woman's wig.
The entire family then picked up all the food and dowry items, and along with the live band we walked down the street to the newlywed's house where Harry was waiting out the front. We stopped traffic, and quite a few locals came out onto the street to see what the crazy Greeks were doing this time. Harry is then required to pay Christina's family for taking Christina, however Harry refused to provide more than $5 to this, which enraged basically everyone. So a picket like environment was set up, and about 100 people all sat on the ground and refused to cross the threshold until Harry recognised the true value of Christina. A grandma was yelled at for crossing the picket line to dash to the bathroom. Hilarious.
When Harry finally coughed up $20, we were all let in the house, were we ate and danced ourselves stupid. I was particularly keen on practising my dancing, much to Michael's delight, as I was due to lead the bridal party in Greek dancing at the wedding, in front of the 400 or so guests. Talk about incentive.
The night was fantastic, and 2 days later, we had the wedding.
The lovely bride, Christina, walking into the Church with her mum and dad.
Me with my lovely nana, who came all the way with my Aunty to watch me perform my bridesmaid's duties. I think she was slightly confused as to what was going on.. particularly because the entire service was in ancient greek, but she hung in there like a trooper.
The bride and her maid of honour. Photo 1 of about 1,000,000.
Harry and I at the end of the night. Harry had just finished delighting the crowd with some serious Michael Jackson inspired dancing.
All in all a great night! Even Michael got into the Greek dancing, the food was fantastic, the people gorgeous and only over the top to the extent that it was fantastic fun.
A big conrgats to Mr and Mrs Xantho!
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