1. Real Weddings

An Elegant Greek Wedding at Interlachen Country Club in Edina, Minnesota

Daniel Krmpotich (32 and in sales) and Katerena Kordopitoulas (31 and a recruiter) could have met in 2006, but Katerena, who had been standing by the

Daniel Krmpotich (32 and in sales) and Katerena Kordopitoulas (31 and a recruiter) could have met in 2006, but Katerena, who had been standing by the speaker listening to the band, left by the time Daniel got up the courage to talk to her, much to his disappointment. Fast-forward to 2011: The two were set up by common friends, and Dan couldn’t figure out why Katerena looked so familiar. Two months into dating, during a discussion about music, he finally realized that she was that cute girl at the concert five years earlier. “It’s interesting how fate works,” Katerena says. 

After a courtship in which they were "inseparable," they were married at St. Mary’s Greek Orthodox Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota, with a reception for 250 at Interlachen Country Club in Edina, Minnesota, with plenty of Greek culture in the mix. At the reception, the couple tied in their honeymoon destination—the Greek Islands—by naming guest tables after different islands, complete with island facts on the table cards. They displayed generational wedding photos of family members from Greece, kicked off the party with the traditional Greek circle dance, served Greek pastries (along with cake) and handed out sugar-coated Jordan almonds in cute boxes as wedding favors. In Greek weddings, the solidity of almonds symbolize endurance through marriage, and the sweet flavor represents love and the future. There's even a popular poem that can accompany them: "Five sugared almonds for each guest to eat; to remind us that life is both bitter and sweet. Five wishes for the new husband and wife—health, wealth, happiness, children, and a long life." —Chrissy Sorenson 

Katerena tried on at least 50 dresses before finding this fit-and-flare Amsale gown at L’Atelier Couture Bridal Boutique. “When I tried it on I knew it was what I was looking for,” she says. “I loved the simple elegance of the dress, the magnolia silk fabric, and the touch of bling on the straps and the back—that’s what really won me over. The dress definitely reflected my style and personality.”
The bows on the sparkly heels matched the bow on Katerena's dress.
The groom's boutonniere was a white orchid, complementing his crisp, clean, classic look.
In memory of Katerena’s grandfather, who had recently died, she placed his handkerchief in her roses-and-orchids bouquet, “so I had part of him with me.” She jazzed up her bouquet by adding vintage jewelry to the spine.
The color of the bridesmaid dresses set the tone for the rest of the elegant celebration: shades of gold, ivory and pinkish coral.
The bridesmaid bouquets of light pink and bold coral, garden roses, orchids and blush dahlias were tied together with gold ribbon.
The groom wore a J.Crew tuxedo, Prada shoes, a pocket square from Hammer Made and a Lanvin bow tie.
Instead of using a traditional pillow, the ring bearer carried a custom jewelry box with the couple's names engraved on it. His boutonniere matched the bridesmaid dresses.
The church was selected because of its importance in Katerena's family for decades. "It's the church where my parents were married and the place of my baptism," Katerena says.
The Stefana, or crowns connected by a ribbon, represented the couple's unity. Made of silver and embellished with Swarovski crystals, the crowns were brought in from Greece.
In a Greek wedding, the koumbaro (wedding sponsor) interchanges the rings and crowns during the ceremony and often provides spiritual support to the married couple.
A black-and-white photo is as classic as this couple.
Katerena's cuff bracelet coordinated with the intricate beading of her gown.
The reception was at Interlachen Country Club in Edina, Minnesota. “We chose Interlachen because of its location, and because it’s a classic wedding venue with stunning views and excellent food,” Katerena says.
Pretty blooms create the perfect wedding cake accessory.
The bridesmaids wore classy coral-colored tea-length dresses. Gold shoes and necklaces tied in the color theme. The groomsmen wore traditional black tuxedos and garden rose boutonnieres.