You may remember her: Toula Portokalos, the 30-year-old character played to exquisite perfection by the brilliant writer and director, Nia Vardalos. This timeless rom com hits especially hilarious 21 years later when watching it again in 2023 as a now modern-day damsel in Detroit.
Fittingly, the Detroit Greek Independence Day Parade also commenced in 2002, and the 21st annual celebration livened up Monroe Street in May. Next up is the Greektown Heritage Festival on Saturday, July 29. Come for the live music and Greek dancing; stay for the street-side lamb roast. The Greektown Heritage Festival is free and open to everyone.
It’s All Greek To Me
“I had to go to Greek school, where I learned valuable lessons such as, If Nick has one goat and Maria has nine, how soon will they marry?" reminisced Toula in My Big Fat Greek Wedding.
Her diehard Greek father Gus said, “You better get married soon. You’re starting to look… old!”
To which Toula sighed, “My dad has been saying that to me since I was fifteen.”
For anyone who has ever felt the funny weight of familial pressure to tie the knot, this movie is a highly recommended must-watch. The story that follows will serve as a lighthearted, stress-free planning session for a dream destination wedding set in Detroit’s beloved Greektown. From a favorable venue with breathtaking views to the most beautifully designed cake ideas and an ultimate glam squad, we’ll visit various other exceptional elements to consider at your wildly wonderful, sensational wedding right here in Detroit’s center for celebration, Greektown.
With wedding season now upon us, let’s highlight the matrimony must-haves on offer down in Greektown. Known for being a nightlife staple here in Detroit, the party of your life deserves a statement so big, fat, and fit for feasting festively as if it were gifted from Eros and Aphrodite.
Let’s get into dreaming up this Big Fat Greektown Wedding!
Roll the Dice & the Red Carpet
Greektown is home to Hollywood Casino, where a fancy, 4,000-square-foot Grand Ballroom awaits to accommodate your moment and dazzle the dream wedding with loads of luxury. Professional planners can help guide some of the tough decisions, including your delicious Detroit dining experience, to make your reception exceptional. Guests can stay comfortably right on sight, perfect for out-of-towners and anyone who plans to party all night. And those that do will be glad to learn Niki’s Pizza stays open until 3 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. The food is as divine as the place is spacious, and the service is kind, welcoming, and fun. OPA!
The former Greektown Casino-Hotel added a touch of glitz and a splash of glam to what is now Hollywood Casino. Still in the heart of the Greektown district, the pulse of Detroit’s best nightlife surrounds this prime location. When it comes to bringing your grand wedding dreams to life, this venue offers a beautiful backdrop with incredibly breathtaking views all around it, fit for the finest photography to make this memory as eternal as it is ephemeral. Best bet is to be in the moment!
Meet Your Glam Squad
Unforgettably glamorous bridal party pampering starts with Hudson Styling Co. Your picture perfect wedding day glow-up awaits! If you are a bride-to-be in search of the best glam squad experience in Detroit, look no further than Hudson Styling Co’s team of supremely skilled and editorial-focused stylists dedicated to wedding day glam that will have you looking and feeling red carpet ready for all the memorable moments throughout your most special day ahead.
Specializing in event styling excellence, Hudson Styling Co provides hair and makeup services for brides and bridal parties with a keen eye for detail and deep knowledge of the hottest and most timeless bridal trends. Whether you love a classic updo, romantic waves, or a modern, chic look, Hudson Styling Co’s team will bring your bridal glam vision to life for a beautifully stunning wedding day and night to remember forever.
Capture the Magic
We hear it all the time, how wedding prep takes so much effort, and then the big day comes and seems to blur right by in the blink of an eye. The best way to ensure you can hold dear the true essence of your wedding long past the big day itself is with a professional photographer who is gifted in capturing the magic of each moment made into a timeless memory. Not many nail this skill quite as stunningly as Dan Cox Photography. With a whopping 103 perfect 5-star reviews on The Knot, the proof is also evident in the pictures he has on display from this particularly fantastic, big fat Greektown wedding day. Every photo is frameworthy!
For the Love of Cake (No Bundts About It)
If you’re looking for an extra special wedding cake beyond your wildest dreams, look no further than Detroit’s finest bakery, For the Love of Sugar. Your custom cake will be created with love and years spent dedicated to creating the most delectable desserts. For the Love of Sugar adds these two ingredients to every cake: a serious passion for baking and big love for Detroit.
Determined to bring a whole new meaning to the term, sweet, For the Love of Sugar sets the bar for how dessert should be made, how beautifully it is presented, and how divine it should taste, all while incorporating your own style and vision with elegance for your wedding cake.
The hand-crafted wedding cake gallery speaks for itself. When it comes to dessert in Detroit, For the Love of Sugar takes the cake. No bundts about it!
Lions, Tigers, Red Wings, Pistons, and Your Wedding Day
When it comes to choosing the right DJ for your big day, it’s tough to top the accolades of the darling damsel herself, DJ Nicole Myint, named a most influential Detroiter with plenty of good reason. Just check out the incredibly heartfelt testimonials on her website from past wedding day success stories. Recent newlyweds rave about how they love her, and also how much they and their guests enjoyed the music at their weddings. Every dance floor loves DJ Myint.
Nicole has also been the DJ for all of Detroit’s major sports teams, from the Pistons to the Tigers, Red Wings, and Lions. Her passion for music and background in event planning combined with a bright spirit and warm personality make her a most sought-after DJ in Detroit. It’s more than worthwhile to have DJ Myint bring the soundtrack to your wedding.
Less Spinning, More Winning
Save spinning for the slots and the DJ. Stay grooving on the dance floor all night long!
One wise way to curb unwanted chaos on your wedding day is to moderate alcohol intake. Prevent it from creeping up, front and center stage at your ceremony. This can be done without stopping the party by swiftly offering non-alcoholic drinks alongside the full bar offerings. Absence of Proof can help with that! This super hip, hot, and trendy event curation company started in NYC and spread rapidly ever since. They specialize in keeping the party buzzing without alcohol. Brilliant! Simply switching to a tasty NA cocktail can save the whole night and keep your wedding story the best it can possibly be. Cheers to less spinning, more winning on your wedding day! And if anything happens to go a bit off-script, just put some Windex on it.
