Greek marriage ceremonies are great and often traditional. Full of age-old symbolic tradition and ceremonies, and lively parties they pay respect to Greek history and family values. Significant rituals are often repeated three times because the number ‘three’ is representative of the Holy Trinity.

Before the Ceremony

An engagement ceremony is conducted prior to the wedding when following Greek Orthodox tradition. This is also called the Service of Betrothal. This focuses on the ring exchange between the bride-to-be and groom-to-be. The girl’s mother will then present a gift, which is often an article that aids in housework. The groom also takes this opportunity to officially solicit the bride’s parents for their blessing or permission, specifically asking the father-of-the-bride.

The priest will bless the rings on two occasions: the engagement and the wedding. Following the formal engagement, the rings will be worn on the left hand. After the wedding ritual, however, the rings will be put on the right hands.

Although many traditions have changed, there remain several practices that are still customarily done; thus, further strengthening Greek beliefs. This piece will mention familiar traditions. Yet, there are some nuances that may be slightly different from what you may have seen in wedding events that you have been to.

During the Wedding Ceremony

In Greek wedding ceremonies, couples do not exchange vows; which is very different from the usual practices in many religious sects. It is understood that the couple who wish to bind themselves in holy matrimony are there for reasons stated in customary vows; hence, there is no longer a need for these vows to be said out loud.

Traditional Greek weddings are not only romantic, but these are metaphorical, as well. Traditional values and unity are exemplified in all aspects of the wedding, like those in other cultures.

Before the ceremony officially starts, wedding guests are asked to wait outside the church for the bride and groom. Once the bride arrives, usually adorned in a veil of orange or red to protect her from evil spirits, the guests follow the soon-to-be-wed couple into the church where they are seated together. Guests are not separated into families of the bride and groom, but sit all together.

Two basic ceremonies make up a traditional Greek wedding: the Service of Betrothal and the Service of the Sacrament of Marriage. The priest will sanctify the wedding rings during the formal engagement, and the rings will then be worn on the right hands of both bride and groom.

The Ceremony of the Sacrament of Marriage encompasses a sequence of prayers led by the priest, at which time the couple has to join their hands to symbolize their union.

The crowning of the husband and wife is another poignant element of a customary Greek wedding ceremony. The newly wedded couple will be adorned with crowns made of orange or white flowers that are joined with a white ribbon. This is also called a stefana. The crowns signify two important things. The crown itself is a mark that God has "crowned" the couple with honor and glory. Then, the ribbon is a symbol of their union. The Koumbaro, or religious sponsor, exchanges the crowns three times between the couple’s heads.

After the crowning of the bride and groom comes the common cup ceremony. Traditionally the priest performs a Gospel reading of Cana at Galilee, where Jesus performed his first miracle of transforming water into wine. The priest also does the same ritual by presenting wine to the couple and they drink from the cup three times.

Adorned with wedding crowns, husband and wife will then circle the altar three times, representing their first steps as a couple. Rice is thrown on the couple by guests as a sign of fertility and blessedness. Then, the stefanas are taken off and the Bible is placed between the couple’s hands, indicating that only God can break their union.

The Wedding Reception

One can describe a Greek wedding reception as traditional, but also fun and lively. No two receptions are the same. Yet, there are precise traditions which point to a couple’s Greek ancestry.

One is the wedding dance. The Isaiah is danced by the newlyweds, while the Kaslamantiano is a dance wherein the newlyweds and their guests form a circle.

Greek wedding parties also pay tribute to traditional Greek cuisine. Expect an array of mouthwatering fare, from tasty main courses to luscious desserts. Distinct to wedding parties are almonds swathed in sugar. Guests are given these sweetened nuts, which must be distributed in odd numbers only, representing a union that shall never be parted. The Greeks offer time-honored food and drinks to wedding guests.

Greek Weddings are full of emotions and of imageries representative of long-standing Greek traditions. The solemn rituals and the symbols all stand for unity between a bride and groom. Ancient Greek traditions always come alive when there are traditional weddings. These momentous occasions also pay tribute to friends and families.