In the Old Town of Alonissos, every year on the day of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary there is a big festival / Traditional Wedding, which stands out from the usual respectively because along with the well-known holiday the locals represent the custom of the traditional Alonissian wedding. Tradition wants the best man to visit the groom’s house with musicians (violin, lute, clarinet) and their songs. There, they are offered various treats, such as sweets, wine and tsipouro. Then all the previous ones together with the groom are led to the bride’s house where the groom knocks on the door but the door stays closed and opens only when the groom promises a gift to the mother-in-law! After agreeing with the future mother-in-law about the bride, they all start for the church together, with the bride dressed in a traditional dress, the “morka”. The wedding takes place and the big party begins, which lasts until the morning. Traditional island music, dance, tsipouro, wine, braised goat with spaghetti and local sweets, are all that guests will enjoy, in this special festival.

(photo credits: alonissos.gr)