Full of symbolism, the ceremony is split between the betrothal part and the ceremony of the sacrament of marriage. The blessing and exchange of the rings happens during the betrothal ceremony, while the second ceremony features several parts, including the crowning and the ceremonial walk. This is her way to show that she disagrees. Seats at the reception are usually assigned, but at the church, you can sit wherever you like as there are no bride or groom sides.
Standing in the back is perfectly fine too as the ceremony usually has a relaxed vibe. Remember that scene when Toula walks down the aisle with her father and some members of the congregation dry spit on her to wish her good luck?
Well this may happen too. Of course, spitting in this instance involves more words Ftou Ftou Ftou and less saliva. This is meant to ward off any evil from the couple. There will probably be some rice throwing too. A greeting you can use for the married couple is: Na zisete may you have a long life.
To the parents of both the bride and groom, say Na sas zisoune may they have a long life. You may be tempted to point out the unnecessary pressure but restrain yourself, a simple thank you will suffice. The reception is where the fun begins. You can be sure there will be tons of delicious food you will want to try, and you should. If there is a buffet, fill your plate with a little bit of everything in moderation. Something that might happen during a Greek wedding if you are single is that someone is bound to ask embarrassing questions about yourself and why you are single.
There will be a lot of drinking, so pace yourself. Getting drunk is a no-no in most social situations in Greece so use this trick: for every glass of alcohol, drink a big glass of water. That way you stay hydrated and avoid a horrible headache the next day. In Greek weddings, there is no time for digestion or food coma during speeches, since there are no speeches.
From traditional dances to contemporary music, the night will be filled with dancing and fun. The number three representing the holy trinity — the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, is especially symbolic. A tradition dating back to ancient times is to spit after offering congratulations or compliments to the couple.
Continuing the tradition of three, at the start of the ceremony, the couple places the rings on the tips of their wedding fingers, and the Koumbaro will exchange them three times. The priest will then bless them three times. The couple holds candles throughout the ceremony to represent the light of Christ. The couple also shares what is known as a common cup, and take three sips of wine each from the cup representing a successful union.
There are two traditional readings that feature in Greek Orthodox weddings. The Epistle of St. Paul to the Ephesians, which highlights the joining of two people, is the first and the Gospel According to St. John is the second. This is where the miracle of turning water into wine was recounted, and the reading ties in with the couple sipping from the common cup. One of the most recognizable traditions of a Greek wedding is the marital crowns or Stefana. These are two beautiful pieces made from flowers, foliage, or even precious metals and joined together by a strand of ribbon.
They symbolize the union of two people into a single couple. The crows are swapped back and forth by the koumbaro three times, and the couple wear them as they walk around the altar three times to represent their journey through life together. The priest will bless the couple before removing the crowns, and no vows are exchanged by the couple. We all love dancing at wedding receptions.
Traditional Greek wedding dances, from the Tsamiko to the Zeibekiko and the Sirtaki, are where the guests hold hands and dance in a circle.
The newlyweds traditionally share the last dance of the night, and guests can throw money at them or pin money to their clothes. Odd numbers of Koufeta sugar-coated almonds beautifully packaged are given to guests right after the wedding ceremony. They symbolize purity, fertility, and the endurance of marriage. We recommend adding at least one of these sweet traditions to your wedding. Choose one based on the country of your destination wedding or even your own heritage.
The bride and groom are given a single cup, called the Common Cup, to both drink three times from as a symbol of a new shared life. For the final part of the Sacrament of Marriage, the celebrant will lead the groom and bride around the altar table three times for the Dance of Isaiah. The ceremonial walk expresses gratitude to God and the joy of receiving His blessings. Once finished, the marriage between the happy couple is sealed through the Greek Orthodox Church.
During the wedding reception in Greece, the wedding guests may be treated to Koufeta. These are sugar-coated almonds that are packaged in odd numbers to hand out to wedding guests. The hardness of the almond represents the endurance marriage between the couple while the sugar coating symbolizes a happy life in their future.
As for the odd number of the Koufeta, it is believed that odd numbers cannot be separated evenly. Therefore, by making an odd amount of Koufeta for the gifts, it is displaying that the couple will not be divided.
Unlike American weddings, Greek couples save their newlywed dance for last. At the reception, they may play a mixture of modern top hits and traditional Greek music as a tribute to their roots.
In more modern Greek weddings, some may just throw the money on the dance floor as an alternate option. It is best to bring a few bucks just in case the bride and groom decide to keep the tradition going. The parents of the couples may pay for the venue and wedding ceremony.
However, the Koumbaro and Koumbara will most likely pay for the crowns and candles that are used in the traditional Greek Orthodox wedding ceremony performances. Modern couples may still cover some wedding costs. You can expect a traditional Greek wedding ceremony to last anywhere between 45 minutes to an hour.
There are various customs and prayers that must be performed by the Greek Orthodox priest in a traditional wedding that may make the ceremony last for this long. Wedding guests may pretend to spit on the bride as a way to ward off evil spirits. In Greek tradition, pretending to spit on the bride three times as a symbol for the Holy Trinity will protect her and the groom from any evil that may loom on their special wedding day.
Greece has many matrimony traditions from ancient times that have been passed down for several generations. Whether the customs are from ancient superstitions or Orthodox beliefs, you will find symbolism throughout any traditional Greek wedding ceremony you attend.
Of course, if you are not from Greece nor knowledgeable of the culture, you may find yourself lost when attending a Greek wedding. Luckily, these explained Greek wedding traditions will prepare you for your arrival on the big day.
You may even find yourself falling in love with the culture as you witness the happy couple join hands in marriage through such a breathtaking display.
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