Three Major Greek Wedding Customs
Greek weddings are beautiful and unique. Filled with ancient symbolic practices which are often accompanied by spirited parties, these honor Greek families and the country itself. There are a number of wedding customs done three times to signify the Holy Trinity, which then indicates eternity.
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. At this time, the soon-to-be-married couple exchange rings. Then, the mother-of-the-bride offers a gift to the newlyweds, which is oftentimes a household item. This is also when the man formally asks the bride-to-be's father for her hand in marriage.
Wedding rings are blessed both during the engagement and during the wedding ceremony by a priest. Prior to the wedding rite, the formally engaged couple will have their rings on their left hands, which will then be transferred on their right hands following the second blessing.
While many traditions are being modernized, there are many that remain true to Grecian heart. Here, a number of basic traditions will be highlighted, but keep an open mind since there may be some slight differences in what you may have already seen.
Getting the Wedding Underway
In most wedding rituals, vows are exchanged. But this is not so in a Greek wedding, which makes it quite unique. There is trust that the couple getting married are there for the exact reasons stated in vows, and that there is no need for vows to be read aloud.
Traditional Greek weddings are not only romantic, but these are metaphorical, as well. All facets that are part of a Greek wedding represent unity and traditional values, which is like most wedding rituals.
To begin, the wedding guests wait patiently outside the church for the bride and groom. Guests will be seated as soon as the bride and groom arrive, since visitors will be following the couple as they enter the church. Significantly, the bride will be seen in a veil of orange or red, which is believed to ward off evil spirits. Guests will be all seated together, not separated according to families like in most cultures.
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.
There is a set of prayers for the Ceremony of the Sacrament of Marriage. This will be led by a priest and the bride and groom should hold each other's hands as a representation of their union.
Another beautiful part of the wedding ceremony is the crowning. The stefana or wedding crown will be presented to the bride and groom. A stefana is generally made with orange or white flowers, made with a single white ribbon, and this is also interlaced with ivy at times. The wedding crown is very symbolic. It is primarily a symbol of the honor that God has bequeathed the couple and it also stands for the joining together of husband and wife. The Koumbaro or Koumbara, the religious sponsor, assists in interchanging the circlets between the man and wife's heads.
After the crowning of the bride and groom comes the common cup ceremony. Jesus' first miracle - that of turning water into wine in a wedding at Cana in Galilee - is highlighted by the priest in his Gospel reading. The priest also does the same ritual by presenting wine to the couple and they drink from the cup three times.
The ceremonial walk follows as the couple, adorned with their crowns, circle the altar three times, signifying their first steps as husband and wife. Then, guests throw rice at the couple for fertility and happiness. The crowns are then removed from the couple's heads. As the newlyweds leave the church, the priest places a Bible between the pair's linked hands to show that only God can break their union.
The Wedding Reception
A Greek wedding reception is all about the couple, their families and friends, and traditions. A wedding reception is often expected after a Greek wedding. There are, however, definite Greek rituals that make each party unique.
The Greek wedding dance is quite unique. There are two types of wedding dance. First is the Isaiah - a dance performed by the newlywed couple. Second is the Kaslamantiano, which is danced by the couple and their guests in a circular formation.
A Greek reception is not complete without vast amounts of good food. Distinct to wedding parties are almonds swathed in sugar. The candied almonds are offered to guests in odd quantities because this means that nothing can ever break the union of the newlyweds. The Greeks offer time-honored food and drinks to wedding guests.
Greek weddings are very traditional and poetic. To encourage unity and felicity in new unions, all these age-old rituals and symbolisms are brought to life again and again. Ancient Greek traditions always come alive when there are traditional weddings. These momentous occasions also pay tribute to friends and families.
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. At this time, the soon-to-be-married couple exchange rings. Then, the mother-of-the-bride offers a gift to the newlyweds, which is oftentimes a household item. This is also when the man formally asks the bride-to-be's father for her hand in marriage.
Wedding rings are blessed both during the engagement and during the wedding ceremony by a priest. Prior to the wedding rite, the formally engaged couple will have their rings on their left hands, which will then be transferred on their right hands following the second blessing.
While many traditions are being modernized, there are many that remain true to Grecian heart. Here, a number of basic traditions will be highlighted, but keep an open mind since there may be some slight differences in what you may have already seen.
Getting the Wedding Underway
In most wedding rituals, vows are exchanged. But this is not so in a Greek wedding, which makes it quite unique. There is trust that the couple getting married are there for the exact reasons stated in vows, and that there is no need for vows to be read aloud.
Traditional Greek weddings are not only romantic, but these are metaphorical, as well. All facets that are part of a Greek wedding represent unity and traditional values, which is like most wedding rituals.
To begin, the wedding guests wait patiently outside the church for the bride and groom. Guests will be seated as soon as the bride and groom arrive, since visitors will be following the couple as they enter the church. Significantly, the bride will be seen in a veil of orange or red, which is believed to ward off evil spirits. Guests will be all seated together, not separated according to families like in most cultures.
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.
There is a set of prayers for the Ceremony of the Sacrament of Marriage. This will be led by a priest and the bride and groom should hold each other's hands as a representation of their union.
Another beautiful part of the wedding ceremony is the crowning. The stefana or wedding crown will be presented to the bride and groom. A stefana is generally made with orange or white flowers, made with a single white ribbon, and this is also interlaced with ivy at times. The wedding crown is very symbolic. It is primarily a symbol of the honor that God has bequeathed the couple and it also stands for the joining together of husband and wife. The Koumbaro or Koumbara, the religious sponsor, assists in interchanging the circlets between the man and wife's heads.
After the crowning of the bride and groom comes the common cup ceremony. Jesus' first miracle - that of turning water into wine in a wedding at Cana in Galilee - is highlighted by the priest in his Gospel reading. The priest also does the same ritual by presenting wine to the couple and they drink from the cup three times.
The ceremonial walk follows as the couple, adorned with their crowns, circle the altar three times, signifying their first steps as husband and wife. Then, guests throw rice at the couple for fertility and happiness. The crowns are then removed from the couple's heads. As the newlyweds leave the church, the priest places a Bible between the pair's linked hands to show that only God can break their union.
The Wedding Reception
A Greek wedding reception is all about the couple, their families and friends, and traditions. A wedding reception is often expected after a Greek wedding. There are, however, definite Greek rituals that make each party unique.
The Greek wedding dance is quite unique. There are two types of wedding dance. First is the Isaiah - a dance performed by the newlywed couple. Second is the Kaslamantiano, which is danced by the couple and their guests in a circular formation.
A Greek reception is not complete without vast amounts of good food. Distinct to wedding parties are almonds swathed in sugar. The candied almonds are offered to guests in odd quantities because this means that nothing can ever break the union of the newlyweds. The Greeks offer time-honored food and drinks to wedding guests.
Greek weddings are very traditional and poetic. To encourage unity and felicity in new unions, all these age-old rituals and symbolisms are brought to life again and again. Ancient Greek traditions always come alive when there are traditional weddings. These momentous occasions also pay tribute to friends and families.
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