My Big Fat Greek Wedding Returns For A Third Helping Of Family Fun

My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 is an American romantic comedy film written and directed by Nia Vardalos. It is the third instalment in the My Big Fat Greek Wedding franchise and was released in 2023. The film stars Vardalos, John Corbett, Louis Mandylor, Elena Kampouris, Gia Carides, Joey Fatone, Lainie Kazan, and Andrea Martin. The plot follows the Portokalos family as they travel to Greece for a family reunion, in the wake of the death of the family patriarch, Gus Portokalos. The film received generally negative reviews from critics, with criticism aimed at the lazy writing, performances, and plot. However, some viewers enjoyed the film for its light-hearted fun and beautiful scenery.

Family reunion in Greece

Planning a family reunion in Greece? Here are some tips to make it a memorable event:

Choose a scenic location

Opt for a location that showcases the beauty of Greece. Consider a venue with stunning views of the Aegean Sea or the Mediterranean landscape. If your family enjoys history and culture, select a location near ancient ruins or traditional villages. Athens, for example, offers a rich cultural experience.

Set a date in advance

Ensure you give your family members ample notice to plan their travel. Consider choosing a date that aligns with a Greek festival or cultural event, such as the Athens Festival or the Hellenic Festival, to add a unique twist to your reunion.

Create a diverse itinerary

Plan a mix of activities that cater to different interests and age groups. Greece offers a plethora of options, from exploring ancient ruins and museums to enjoying water sports and beach relaxation. Don't forget to include some leisure time for independent exploration!

Embrace Greek cuisine

Food is an integral part of Greek culture, so indulge in traditional dishes. Organise a meal at a taverna, where you can savour dishes like moussaka, dolmades, and grilled halloumi. Don't forget to pair your meals with delicious Greek wine and ouzo!

Engage in cultural activities

Incorporate some Greek cultural activities into your reunion. Learn a few basic Greek phrases, try your hand at Greek dancing, or attend a local festival. You could even organise a cooking class to learn how to make classic Greek dishes.

Capture the memories

Be sure to document your family reunion through photos and videos. Consider creating a designated photo area with a Greek-themed backdrop, or hire a local photographer to capture professional family portraits.

Example Itinerary:

Day 1:

• Arrival and check-in at a seaside resort in Athens.
• Welcome dinner at a traditional taverna with live Greek music and dancing.

Day 2:

• Morning tour of the Acropolis and the Ancient Agora.
• Afternoon visit to the National Archaeological Museum.
• Evening cruise around the Saronic Gulf, with sunset views and a Greek buffet dinner.

Day 3:

• Day trip to a nearby island, such as Mykonos or Santorini.
• Beach activities, including swimming, snorkelling, and sunbathing.
• Casual dinner at a local seafood restaurant.

Day 4:

• Visit to a local winery for a wine tasting and tour.
• Greek cooking class, where you learn to make dishes like spanakopita and tzatziki.
• Evening free for independent exploration.

Day 5:

• Morning visit to the Temple of Poseidon for stunning sea views.
• Afternoon at leisure for last-minute shopping and relaxation.
• Farewell dinner with a photo slideshow or video of the reunion highlights.

Remember to tailor the itinerary to your family's interests and ensure you have a mix of organised activities and free time. Enjoy your family reunion in beautiful Greece!

Gus' journal

Dear Journal,

It's been a year since I passed away, and my family is still grappling with their grief. I wish I could be there for them, but I know they will find a way to move forward together. I am proud of the love they have shown me and each other.

My daughter, Toula, is bringing my journal to Greece to share with my childhood friends, as I had asked her to do. I know she will do everything in her power to fulfil my wish, and I am grateful for her dedication. I want my friends to know about my life and all that has happened since I last saw them. I trust Toula to share my story with them and bring me back to life through my words.

I am sad that I will miss the joy of my family's reunion in my hometown of Vrisi. I know they will create new memories and honour my legacy. They will meet Alexandra, my old flame, and Peter, the son I never knew I had. I wish I could have been a part of their lives, but I am content knowing that they will be welcomed into my family's hearts.

My family will also face some challenges during their time in Greece. They will discover secrets and navigate the complexities of life and love. I trust that they will support each other and find their way through these trials.

As they explore my childhood home and the village, I hope my family will feel closer to me and understand more about my upbringing. I want them to experience the beauty and richness of Greek culture and create lasting connections with my friends and the locals.

Although I am no longer physically with them, my spirit will be present in every laughter, tear, and embrace shared during their journey. I am confident that my family will emerge from this reunion stronger and more united than ever.

May my journal serve as a bridge between my past and their future, and may my memory be a source of comfort and joy for my beloved family.

Forever in their hearts,

Gus

Secret reunion

In the film "My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3", the Portokalos family travels to Greece for a secret reunion. The family is still grappling with grief over the death of their patriarch, Gus Portokalos, and his friend Rodney, who passed away a year ago. The film centres around the family's attempt to cope with their loss and move forward.

Toula, Gus's daughter, takes on the task of locating her father's childhood friends in Greece and bringing his journal to them, as promised. She is joined by her husband, Ian, and their daughter, Paris, who is facing her own challenges with college and love life. The family is also accompanied by Nick, Toula's brother, who is separated and displaying immature behaviour, and Athena, Toula's sister, who is caring for their mother, Maria, battling dementia.

The supposed reunion is orchestrated by Victory, a distant relative and the mayor of Gus's hometown, Vrisi. However, upon their arrival, the family discovers that Victory's true intention was to have the Portokaloses revive the nearly abandoned village. Despite the initial deception, the family stays in Vrisi and the surrounding areas, searching for Gus's friends and exploring the town.

The film follows the family's adventures and misadventures as they navigate their complex dynamics and individual struggles while immersed in the beautiful scenery of Greece. It explores themes of family, grief, and cultural traditions, offering a mix of humour and heartwarming moments.

While the film received generally negative reviews and was criticised for its unoriginality and lack of humour, it also provided a continuation of the beloved Portokalos family story, giving fans a chance to reconnect with their favourite characters and embark on a new journey with them.

Gus' childhood home

In My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3, the Portokalos family travels to Gus' childhood village of Vrisi in Greece, fulfilling his last wish to have his journal of memories delivered to his childhood friends. The village is nearly abandoned, and the family is surprised to find that their distant relative Victory, the mayor of Vrisi, was the one who sent the invitations, hoping that the family would help revive the village.

The family also discovers that Gus' wife, Maria, is battling dementia, and they grapple with how to deal with this new reality. They ultimately decide to scatter Gus' ashes around the village's oldest tree, as he had wished.

Christos and Qamar's wedding

The wedding also serves as a callback to Toula and Ian's love story in the first film, as Christos and Qamar face similar challenges in their cross-cultural relationship. Christos knows that his father and grandmother would have preferred him to end up with a Greek partner, just as Toula's family had wanted her to marry a Greek man in the first film. Despite initial disapproval from Peter and Alexandra, the family eventually comes around, with the younger generation rejecting external interference and opting to address their relationship issues independently.

The wedding is also significant in revitalizing the village of Vrisi, as the town is filled with life again and Victory proposes filling the unused houses with migrants seeking homes, an idea that Alexandra agrees to. The wedding thus becomes a symbol of unity and acceptance, bringing together not just two people in marriage but also two cultures and communities.

In addition to the wedding celebrations, the Portokalos family also deals with other issues during their time in Greece. Toula discovers that Nick brought their father's ashes to Greece, intending to scatter them by the oldest tree in Vrisi as per his father's wishes. Paris, Toula's daughter, reveals that she failed her first year of college and struggles with her relationship with Aristotle, eventually deciding to take things slow. The family also meets Peter, Toula's half-brother, and learns about Gus's old flame, Alexandra, and her anger towards him.

Frequently asked questions