Let the games begin!

Yes folks, my two aunts and two cousins are here from Greece to celebrate our wedding and I have to admit, it wouldn't have been the same without them.  It's funny how family, no matter how far they are, no matter how many years you've been apart seem to melt right into the mix instantly. Well, at least my relatives.  They came with pretty packed luggage and to make room for the moonshine they left every ounce of shyness back home (not that this phased me, but it's important to note for future reference.)

Yesterday was a big day for us. My parents hosted my Proika (dowry) party.  My mother, aunts and cousins worked day and night to unpack a hope chest full of handmade linens, towels, blankets, woolen socks knit by my late grandmothers, etc.  They placed it nicely on display for all the guests, (just to re-packed for another 40 years) before everyone was shuffled to the backyard, where about 100 people ate (catered by Omonia on the Danforth, of course), drank (a lot), and danced till the final intoxicated Greek went home.  

My future in-laws, Denis and Carol were there of course. If you took a snippet out of My Big Fat Greek wedding - any part really -  it could have been us. They were troopers though. Both of them, who had never danced in their lives, Greek danced with the rest of us for hours (we'll convert just about anybody).

The culture shock became pretty evident when at one point poor Carol, who had asked a simple question,  got an unexpected response. I didn't realize how stunned she was until she apologized to me for asking. It would appear my uncle's reaction was so loud and boisterous that it scared her I had to explain to her that's just how they speak.

Galen's eclectic group of friends all came and took in the few hours of windless sunshine too. I believe they're responsible for my dad's reaction to all the empty beer bottles. He'd never underestimated beer counts before (thank you WASP contingency).

Today however is a new day. Today I try on my wedding dress for the last time!  I don't believe I've talked about my dress, have I?  Well, I can't, I shouldn't and really I won't. It's just too much of a blast keeping it a surprise. I will however freely talk about the fine woman who sold me the dress, Eunice Yoo of Vogue Sposa. Eunice's store was the only bridal boutique I went to in the entire city (and I went everywhere) where I wasn't rushed out of my appointment, on the hour, where I wasn't limited to the number of dresses I tried on (and not because they weren't busy).  I felt comfortable there, Eunice and her staff where warm and really thoughtful and most importantly, the woman has such a great sense of her own style that I felt confident that her reaction to my dress was exactly the kind of supervising eye I needed to ensure my outfit was a fait a compli.

Which leads me to my next topic: my acoutrements! To match the gown, I had earrings designed especially for me by JOS Originals, a local artist who lives in the Beach just a few blocks away. After spending weeks looking for a pair of earrings that didn't look like they had come from a bridal boutique, I went to Jane who took my Cleopatra/Art Deco vision and turned into two dangling masterpieces fit the Priestess. Herself. The wrist jewels are from DeSanto designs, purchased at Vogue Sposa, but made to measure my look I get them today!

And finally the wedding bands. The wedding bands were an issue. My lovely engagement ring had come from Birks and we had thought our bands would come from their too. It was supposed to be an easy pick, but t didn't happen that way.  Not that their selection wasn't good, but that nothing fit my current ring. Then we met Socrates.   

True to his namesake, this metallurgical artiste of Marquis Jewelers on Cumberland, sat us down and read us like Plato. He felt out our personalities and told exactly what was to be done.  Like the genius before him, he was logical and understood that to be true to myself I needed bling on my ring.  The converse for Galen.  A nice, simple, minimalist band. Simple and Sassy. Exactly like us.  I get those today too.

Now folks, I have to get into the shower as  I'm taking the Greeks to try on my dress. If you've ever want a real opinion, nothing sugar coated or falsely flattering, you bring with you your mom's oldest sister, your dad's youngest sister and your eldest but most fashionable first cousin who all just arrived from the most politically incorrect place in the world, as they will absolutely let you know exactly what they think of your dress! Apple, me, didn't fall far from the tree.

Wish me luck!

Sousie Tsotskos, A Greek Divas Bridal Brigade
		About the author:
		Toronto public relations expert Sousie Tsotskos will walk down the aisle on June 6th, 2009. After years of showcasing Toronto's finest to media from around the world for Tourism Toronto, she uses industry secrets to plan her own wedding, taking us on an intoxicating and zany tour. From unusual dress-fittings, unwelcomed run-ins, hen parties and a minor identity crisis - find out how this Toronto mover-and-shaker learned to plan her BIG, LEAN, STYLISH GREEK WEDDING on a dime. This is one of the most highly addictive columns on WOMAN.ca.
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