The Big Fat Greek Wedding: A Cultural Celebration

My Big Fat Greek Wedding is a 2002 romantic comedy film about a young Greek-American woman who falls in love with a non-Greek man and struggles to get her family to accept him. The film stars Nia Vardalos, who also wrote the film, and is based on her own experiences marrying a non-Greek man. The film was a critical and commercial success, grossing $368.7 million worldwide and receiving nominations at the Academy Awards and Golden Globe Awards. It spawned a franchise, including a 2003 sitcom, a 2016 sequel, and a third film released in 2023.

Plot

My Big Fat Greek Wedding is a 2002 romantic comedy film directed by Joel Zwick and written by Nia Vardalos, who also stars in the film. The film is about a young Greek-American woman, Fotoula "Toula" Portokalos, who falls in love with a non-Greek school teacher, Ian Miller, and the challenges they face in getting her traditional Greek family to accept him.

Toula is a 30-year-old single Greek-American woman, living with her parents and brother in a Greek community in Chicago. She works in her family's restaurant, "Dancing Zorba's", but longs to do something more with her life. One day, Ian walks into the restaurant, and Toula develops a crush on him. She decides to take control of her life and tells her parents that she wants to go to college to learn about computers. With the support of her mother, Maria, and against her father Gus's initial reluctance, Toula enrols in college and eventually takes over her aunt's travel agency.

As Toula gains more confidence, she catches Ian's attention, and he asks her out on a date. They fall in love, but Toula knows that her family will not approve of her dating a non-Greek. She lies about taking a pottery class to see Ian, but her lie is soon exposed when a family friend sees them kissing. Gus is furious and forbids their relationship, but Toula and Ian continue dating in secret.

Eventually, Ian proposes to Toula, and she accepts. Maria tells Gus that he must accept their marriage, but Gus remains upset because Ian is not Greek Orthodox. To gain the family's acceptance, Ian agrees to be baptised into the Greek Orthodox Church. The Portokalos family eventually accepts Ian, but they constantly insert themselves into the wedding planning, creating some hilarious and chaotic moments.

The film also explores Toula's journey of self-discovery as she navigates her cultural identity and learns to accept herself and her unique family. The film received positive reviews from critics and was a box office success, grossing $368.7 million worldwide. It spawned a franchise, including a 2016 sequel and a third film released in 2023.

Cast

The film stars Nia Vardalos as Fotoula "Toula" Portokalos, a 30-year-old member of a large, loud, intrusive Greek family who works in her family's restaurant, "Dancing Zorba's". John Corbett plays Ian Miller, the non-Greek schoolteacher who falls in love with Toula. Lainie Kazan portrays Toula's mother, Maria Portokalos, while Michael Constantine plays Costas "Gus" Portokalos, Toula's father.

Andrea Martin takes on the role of Aunt Voula, Maria's sister, with Louis Mandylor as Toula's younger brother, Nikos "Nick" Portokalos. Gerry Mendicino portrays Uncle Taki, Voula's husband, and Joey Fatone plays their son, Cousin Angelo. Gia Carides portrays Cousin Nikki, Voula's daughter, and Bess Meisler plays Yiayia, who suffers from PTSD.

The cast also includes Stavroula Logothettis as Athena Portokalos, Toula and Nick's older sister, Ian Gomez as Mike, Ian's best friend, and Bruce Gray as Rodney Miller, Ian's father. Fiona Reid portrays Ian's mother, Harriet Miller, while Jayne Eastwood plays Mrs. White, a non-Greek neighbour.

Sequels

The original cast reprised their roles in the 2016 sequel, "My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2", which introduced new cast members Rita Wilson and John Stamos. The third film, "My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3", released in 2023, also featured the original cast and was dedicated to the memory of Michael Constantine, who passed away in 2021.

Awards and nominations

My Big Fat Greek Wedding received numerous awards and nominations. The film was nominated for Best Original Screenplay at the 75th Academy Awards and for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy and Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy for Nia Vardalos at the 60th Golden Globe Awards. It won the People's Choice Award for Favorite Comedy Motion Picture and the Visionary Award at the Producers Guild of America Awards. The film also received nominations for Best Acting Ensemble and Best Breakthrough Female Performance at the Critics' Choice Awards, and for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture at the Screen Actors Guild Awards.

In addition to these accolades, My Big Fat Greek Wedding was also recognised at the American Cinema Editors Awards, BMI Film & TV Awards, Canadian Comedy Awards, Casting Society of America Awards, Dallas-Fort Worth Film Critics Association Awards, European Film Awards, Satellite Awards, Hollywood Makeup Artist and Hair Stylist Guild Awards, Film Independent Spirit Awards, London Critics Circle Film Awards, MTV Movie + TV Awards, Online Film Critics Society Awards, Teen Choice Awards, US Comedy Arts Festival, Writers Guild of America Awards, Young Artist Awards, American Screenwriters Association Awards, Golden Trailer Awards, Phoenix Film Critics Society Awards, Alpe d'Huez International Comedy Film Festival, Washington DC Area Film Critics Association Awards, Online Film & Television Association Awards, Golden Schmoes Awards, and Gold Derby Awards.

Production

My Big Fat Greek Wedding is a romantic comedy film directed by Joel Zwick and written by Nia Vardalos, who also starred in the lead role. The film is based on Vardalos's own experience of marrying a non-Greek man and her one-woman 45-minute monologue workshop, which she wrote, starred in, and performed in various cities.

Rita Wilson, Tom Hanks' wife, saw the play and recommended that her husband produce a movie version. Hanks' production company, Playtone, contacted Vardalos about producing a film based on her vision, and they agreed to remount the play for a three-night-a-week run in West Hollywood in January 1998.

Vardalos began meeting with executives about making a film version, but she objected to their suggestions to change the plot, cast a known actress in the lead role, and change the family's ethnicity to Hispanic. Eventually, she and Playtone producer Gary Goetzman offered the role of Ian Miller to John Corbett, who accepted on the spot.

The film is a joint international co-production between the United States and Canada. Principal photography began on May 9, 2001, and ended on June 30, 2001, with filming locations in Toronto and Chicago. The film premiered at the American Film Market on February 22, 2002, and was released in theatres in the United States on April 19, 2002, by IFC Films.

The film inspired a franchise, including a 2003 sitcom, My Big Fat Greek Life, and two sequels, My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 (2016) and My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 (2023).

Reception

The reception is a key part of the wedding day and is often a lively affair. It is important to select a theme early on, as this will influence many other aspects of the reception, such as the colours, favours, place settings, linens and music. For a Greek-themed wedding, the colours white and blue are often chosen to reflect the colours of the Greek flag.

The guest list is also a crucial first step, as it will determine the choice of venue. The number of guests will influence whether the reception is held at home, at a restaurant, or in a banquet hall.

Music is an important consideration for the reception. Greek weddings often include a mix of Greek music and popular music, and the couple must decide whether to hire a DJ or a live band. There are bands that specialise in traditional Greek music, but a DJ may be a more cost-effective option if a variety of music is desired.

The food served at the reception is often influenced by the choice of venue, and some venues offer package deals that include flowers, limo services and photographers.

At more traditional Greek wedding receptions, a Greek band will play songs and exuberant group dances will wind their way around the reception space. In smaller Greek villages, there is a tradition of pinning money to the bride's dress during a special dance. In America, this tradition has evolved into guests showering the couple with money as they dance. The money is symbolic of helping the newlyweds get established in their new life together.

Frequently asked questions