So I’m in my first wedding…
And it is in mykonos and I get to wear Cavalli which sounds like a pretty sweet deal. I’m going on a fabulous vacation in Greece, followed by a fabulous vacation in Turkey. I’m traveling with several of my closest friends including my roommates from college and I get to wear (and I think keep??) a Cavalli dress!!! As a bridesmaid, all I have had to provide thus far is the following: logistical support, emotional support for one wedding induced breakdown, an appearance at a dress fitting, something borrowed, and most importantly-tootsie rolls, twizzlers and immodium for the actual pre-wedding jitters. I wasn’t even asked to cough up some valium!! As with everything else in life, there is indeed a catch here. The wedding is a Greek Orthodox wedding. I am not Greek Orthodox so this was lost on me, absent me asking if it is a problem that I’m not Greek Orthodox. I was assured that my status as a girl who was raised in a black Southern Baptist church wasn’t a problem so I moved on to travel arrangements and deciding what to do with my hair, aka priorities. I was happy with my role until another Greek Orthodox friend informed me that my role essentially made me “godmother” to this marriage. What??!! What the hell does that even mean?? How is that even possible??!! If I’m not Greek Orthodox does that mean the man upstairs will not blame me if they get divorced?? My official title is Koumbaro and I am the couple’s “religious sponsor.” At one point during the ceremony I literally invoke the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. No one has even told me exactly how to do these things correctly and the entire ceremony is going to be in Greek. I’m picturing a little old Greek priest totally appalled by the fact that this black chic who clearly isn’t Greek Orthodox is performing this marital ritual. I see myself sweating like a 300 pound man (this is Greece in JULY) ruining my Cavalli, and messing up the entire thing. It will be priceless. After getting myself totally freaked out I have come to realize what is truly important in all this: a-keeping my friend calm and happy before, during, and after the wedding and b-making sure she has an air-tight prenup. I mean, over 50% of marriages (heterosexual ones at least) end in divorce, so really I’m doing all that I can.
