why are these peopled gathered?

[Alicia Starr]

This photo intrigues me. there seems to be more than one story here. tiny bits of newsprint on intersecting threads can be moved - but - only to the next intersection. I will spend some time with this one. That isn't a bride carrying a wreath is it? First communion veil? Literal translations usually don't appeal to me, hmmm. Thank you Laurence.  

[Katerina Nikoltsou (MomKat)]

[Katerina Nikoltsou (MomKat)]

Oh yes, and it could also be the First of May when Greeks weave flowers and make wreathes like that.

But small wreaths with flowers, today they are made of pearls or plastic(!) , are worn on both the bride and the groom's head during the Greek marriage ceremony: τα στεφάνια

[Alicia Starr]

Kat, seriously, women carried wreaths on their wedding day back then? She is wearing a veil and looks jubilant.

[Katerina Nikoltsou (MomKat)]

Oops, I forgot to mention the lady next to Eirini, that's kyria Marika, the mother of Panayiotis.

[Katerina Nikoltsou (MomKat)]

It's a Greek wedding...well, Greeks at a civil marriage ceremony, maybe Chicago, ca 1948.

Two witnesses...or "koumbaroi" are: Costas, the man to the left, foreground , signing the marriage certificate and the elderly lady, kyria Eleni, to the right, foreground with a black hat over her white  hair up in a bun.

Getting married: Evaggelia, lady with little veil and carrying a wreath..could be a "stephani" for use in photos afterwards...and the groom,Yiannis, the man to the right, his face in shadow of lady's hat.

Back along the wall: sisters Maria , and Eirini, whose face we cannot see, next to her is Panayiotis their younger cousin, obviously from Crete, and then his twin sisters: Penelope with the flowered dress and Aspasia, standing off to the right. 

[Alicia Starr]

lower right, lady wearing a bun? what is is called when you can see two images in one? because it also looks like a man laughing with his tongue sticking out too.

[Alicia Starr]

and the guy in the center wearing shorty shorts.

[cheryl penn]

The vaguely floral dress - is that actually napkins and you?  Nadine - I agree - whats with the shadow on the right hand guy?

[Nadine Wendell-Mojica]

What a complex mystery. It may be sinister.

[Svenja Wahl]

But I'll give you a hint: My frock is made out of napkins I glued together!!