The wedding I went to was in Nicosia, Cyprus. It was on September 18th. It was one of the main things that we did that week. The people who were getting married were part of the embassy so I came as well as family and friends. I didn’t need to wear very formal clothes, just a nice shirt and pants. We went to a big church where there were lots of pictures of religious things. One of the pictures was of Jesus.
So, first we all got there before the bride and groom did. We waited at the steps of the church. First the groom came in a car and a small band started to play. The groom wore a nice tuxedo and was in a happy mood. He then came and waited with us. Not long after the bride came in a big long limousine. Her bride’s maids came out first and then she came out in a long white wedding dress. The band started playing a lot. So then we all walked in and took our seats. I sat by the aisle so I could see what happened.
The seats were made so you could lift up the seat to stand, but the only problem was when you put it back down it made a loud bang. Throughout the wedding we could hear the bang, bang, bang, of the chairs. After we got seated, the man at the organ started to play some music. First came the bride’s maids who walked up to the altar followed by the groom and the bride. After the bride and groom reached the altar, some kids came with followers. At the altar, the bishop started chanting words that I couldn’t understand. It might have been because it was Latin, a chant to the god, or he was speaking Greek. I think it was most likely because he was speaking Greek, or at least I think it was Greek.
During the chant another man would repeat the words the bishop was saying in a deeper voice. During the whole thing we had to wait silently. Afterwards everyone but the bride and groom ran outside. There we got confetti cannons and bags of rice. We then waited for the bride and groom to come out. I went over to the marines who were all standing in a line. They had their cannons like guns so when the bride and groom came out they would shoot in the sky. When they came out, everyone shot their cannons. Confetti went everywhere. Rice flew everywhere. It was fun.
Afterwards we went to someone’s house for coffee. Everyone spent that time getting to know everyone and tasting the pastries. During the talking and rejoicing, Erik and I started a foosball tournament with the other kids there. We played until the coffee party was over. We then drove to a big concert like place. We got out of the car and waited inside. We decided to help by holding the doors for people. While we did that, other people set up the concert area so it would look nice. After everyone arrived we got to the door and waited. We watched the bride and groom stand on a high platform. We then all passed shaking the bride’s, groom’s, father’s, mother’s, and bride’s maids’ hands. We then sat down at our table, and we had to take food from a befit table.
There was a table of food that you could take the food and drink. Then the kids were allowed to dance on the stage. During the party music would play. Everyone was having a blast. Lights were flashing everywhere. I had fun too.
If I was getting married I might do it in a church or just with friends. I would have all my friends and family come. I would rent a place out for a party afterwards then have everyone come to my place for hang out time. I would wear my tuxedo, and bride might wear a white dress if she wanted to. I would have my mom and dad is there so help me and my brother to cheer me on. I would have the children of my friends help bring out the flowers. Then I would have poppers and rice to throw.
This day meant a lot to the bride and groom. They were going to be married. Also, weddings are really important in Cyprus, because they usually invite like over 300 people. I really like the party at the end. I was kind of bored when they were saying the first things for the wedding, but then it was fun.
