Throughout the world, there are many unique traditions and rituals that are included in intimate marriage ceremonies.
Those who have seen the blockbuster hit “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” may think we know all there is to learn about Greek wedding traditions.
This article will either confirm or deny our knowledge level on the subject. Below I highlight some of the most common traditions and rituals practiced in Greek weddings.
Continue reading below to compare what you think you know to what is real.
5 Greek Wedding Traditions and Rituals
1. Walking Through the Guests
As the bride and groom reach the head of the aisle where the Priest resides, the ceremony will begin. A Greek wedding contains two pieces, one in which they exchange rings and another where they perform a series of cultural rituals that cement their union as holy and blessed.
Unlike other countries in the world, Greek couples wear their wedding rings on their right hand, as depicted in the Bible to be the hand of virtue. The Priest will bless the rings three times, and then the best man and Koumbaro will move the jewelry between the couple three times to demonstrate that they are now joined together as one with God.
2. Candle Lighting
Following that, the bride and groom receive a lit candle to demonstrate that, as a couple, they are willing to accept Christ into their union. Following this, the Priest will join both the bride and groom’s right hands and pray over them. The right hands will remain conjoined throughout the ceremony.
After completing the prayers, the ceremony enters the phase where the Crowning of Stefana takes place. With this custom, the bride and groom are adorned with a special crown connected by a single ribbon.
These crowns demonstrate that the couple now occupies the roles of King and Queen in their home. Either the Koumbaro or Koumbara will exchange the crowns three times between the couple to signify their joint union.
3. Scripture Reading
At this point in the ceremony, it is common to read a few passages of scripture from the Bible. Typically there will be two readings, one from St. Paul and another from St. John. After this is completed, the couple will drink wine from one goblet, showing that all aspects of their lives are now shared with one another.
The new couple will then participate in the “Dance of Isaiah,” with the Priest walking in front of the bride and groom while holding the Bible and leading them ceremoniously throughout the church. The Koumbaro will follow behind, holding the ribbon that connects the two crowns.
The last step of the ceremony is the official blessing of the marital union by the Priest. He will signify to all in attendance that God is the one at the center of the couple by placing the Bible above their conjoined hands.
4. After Ceremony Festivities
Once I found my way to the wedding reception, I knew the real party had begun. Guests will discover wedding favors in the form of white Jordan almonds at their seats, each with an odd amount of almonds included. I learned there was a reason behind this: since you can’t divide odd numbers, having an odd amount of almonds means the couple will never find themselves divided.
When it comes time for dancing, things tend to get a bit rowdy! You can vividly remember this element from the movie, as mentioned earlier. Something new I learned is that the celebrations tend to differ based on the village of origin. You will see a variety of different dances and customs depending on where is Greece the couple is from originally.
5. Traditional Dances
At the wedding reception I attended, the bride participated in a dance where guests and fellow dance floor participants pinned dollar bills to her dress. Not all couples in Greece do this, but it’s typical in the bride’s hometown. The tradition is included in the reception to help the couple become established from the start of their union.
Other receptions will see a twist on this traditional element. Instead of pinning money on the bride, reception guests will throw dollar bills at the couple while dancing around the venue.
Where Does a Greek Wedding Take Place?
When invited to a Greek wedding, we will find ourselves sitting in pews at a Greek Orthodox Church. Most commonly, this church is one that members of the family have attended for years, and the Priest is familiar with at least one member of the wedding couple.
For a Greek marriage to happen in an Orthodox Church, both members of the union have to be Orthodox. However, there are ways around this, including being baptized and pledging to raise future children as Orthodox.
In addition to religious requirements, the bride and groom must appoint a male and female sponsor to help guide them through their marriage. These sponsors, called Koumbaro (male) and Koumbara (female), will also serve as the best man and matron or maid of honor.
While non-Orthodox individuals can be part of the wedding party, they are not permitted to be sponsors of the couple.
Through my research leading up to my friend’s wedding, I learned that most Greek weddings take place in the spring and summer, but the other seasons aren’t off-limits.
However, there are several holy days when Priests and Orthodox churches can’t administer weddings throughout the year. Most of these days surround the winter holidays, including the 12 days of Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, and Holy Week.
What Happens During a Greek Wedding?
Those invited to a Greek wedding can expect the wedding to be about an hour in length. Many cultural connotations, forms of symbolism, and Greek wedding traditions are throughout the process.
I have found these ceremonies reverent and focused on setting forth in the marriage with God at the center of the union. They are not the loud and high-energy affair you see at the reception.
Before the wedding begins, the bride often receives a gift from her groom. Culture dictates that this item is a pair of shoes to be worn during the ceremony. On the bottom of the shoes, the unmarried members of the bridal party sign their names on the sole.
At the end of the night, any worn-off names will be married in the near future. As a unique twist from American customs, Greeks will have their unmarried friends sign their names on shoes instead of a bouquet toss!
Another interesting feature of a Greek wedding is that wedding guests are not promptly seated in the church before the bridge enters the building. Instead, everyone waits outdoors for her arrival.
Once she is at the church, they will form two rows that allow her to walk through the crowd. She will step up to her groom, who is waiting at the church entrance. After they have entered, the guests will file in behind them and find their seats for the ceremony.
Frequently Asked Questions
When a person receives an invitation to an event outside of their culture, it can bring about high anxiety levels. I wanted to ensure that I didn’t do anything offensive or that went against the symbolism and culture of the ceremony. Below are a few things I learned about Greek wedding traditions.
Can I attend if I’m not Greek?
Attending a Greek wedding is not off-limits if you don’t hold that nationality. While the couple has to be Greek Orthodox or baptized, the sponsors, other wedding party members, and guests are not required to be.
What are Greek vows like?
Typically the focus of a wedding is the vows that the bride and groom recite to one another. One of the things that stuck out to me during the wedding I attended was that the couple didn’t exchange vows. Greek Orthodox religion believes that the bride and groom make vows to God, not one another.
Is there a formal dress code for a Greek wedding?
Since weddings typically occur in a Greek Orthodox church or chapel, it is customary to dress up for the occasion. While a tuxedo isn’t necessary, dressing in a nice suit or dress is appropriate.
Do you gift anything special at the reception?
Aside from the symbolism held with the odd number of Jordan almonds that the couple gifts to their guests, there are no specific criteria when selecting a gift for the bride and groom. Many will choose from the couple’s gift registry or give money.
Does the Priest say, “You may now kiss the bride!”?
While more modern couples incorporate this element into their ceremonies, it’s not a traditional component of Greek weddings. However, Priests typically allow this activity to occur at the end of the wedding rituals.
Where do I sit in the church?
Your seat location in the church will depend on who you are associated with in the wedding couple. It’s typical for guests of the bride to sit to the left of the venue and guests of the groom on the right side.