Paros has long been a popular place for weddings.  This May Day will see that popularity multiply fifty fold.  The island is hosting a group wedding for 50 couples from China. The ceremony will be followed by traditional Greek food, music and dance.  I wonder which Chinese traditions will be observed.

More about Paros Weddings:
  Parosporos Beach Wedding  --  A British couple make it casual:  photos and video
  Aliki Wedding Venue --  Photos of a large wedding in a small village
  Another Greek Wedding
  Greek Island Weddings and Films  --  Good for business!

Photo Credit:  gtp

Would you want to get married at the same place as you live and work?  If that was the village centre of Aliki, I think you would.

Most of the centre with its various restaurants, tavernas and other businesses is owned by different branches of the same three or four families and they were all turned out in their finest clothes for the wedding celebration of one of the restaurant owners.

My night photos did not turn out well so I lifted this one from Facebook.  Thank you ΣΤΑΥΡΟΥΛΑ ΤΡΙΧΑ

More about planning a wedding in Greece on this page of our Paros Personalized Travel Guide.

According to Greek island wedding specialists 2009 is shaping up to be their best year ever despite a predicted downturn in general tourism.  They say this is due to the success of Mama Mia which recently beat out Titanic as the highest grossing British film ever at the UK box office.

We just watched this farcical musical for the second time and really enjoyed the comedy and the Greek island scenery set to Abba music.  Evidently brides-to-be want their weddings to also be full of fun in the sand and surf with romantic dinners and dance parties.  The island named in the movie does not exist so just about any Greek island will do, including our Paros.  Santorini is the most popular wedding site as well as the most expensive.

The next cinema due out to hype the Greece travel market is My Life in Ruins starring Nia Vardalos of My Big Fat Greek Wedding.  This one involves the trials and tribulations of a travel agent escorting a group around Greece who falls in love with the bus driver--I home the flick is better than the story line.  The many producers include our neighboring Antiparos homeowners, Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson.

The modern grandmother of Greek island romance is Shirley Valentine.  That classic can be blamed for many Brits and others moving home and hearth to the islands.  So why don't you view it and start packing your bags.  We would love to share our piece of Paros paradise.

Cheers,

We were invited to the wedding of Will and Laura held at Parosporos Beach.

The lovely bride, traditional English wedding speeches, Greek food and the location all contributed to a great occasion that will rate high on our list of memorable Greek island events.





We also posted a video showing part of the ceremony with the waves crashing in the background. See it and other Paros videos at
http://www.youtube.com/paroshep

Last weekend one of Aliki villages most popular citizens got married: Manoli of Manoli's Cafe' married his long time girlfriend, Georgia. They had a party at their house on Thursday and the celebration continued-with rest breaks--through Sunday morning.