Greek Weddings

Ethnic Wedding
Greek weddings can be considered a tribute to the celebration. A Greek wedding is an event, the witnesses who never tend to forget. The Greek wedding reception is a hot holiday party, where fun and dancing are the words of the first order. Some traditions originated in antiquity and the remainder are from the Orthodox religion, common to most of the Greek people. A wedding with Greek traditions is always synonymous with history and celebration.

Ancient Greek Wedding traditions
As in many other cultures in the past, Greek weddings were a kind of agreement between the family of the bride and groom’s family. The bride’s family offered the dowry, which could be a plot of land, money or other property of the family. In the bed of the couple married, was placed the money offered by the families, who visited the house and also used to contribute money to the bride and groom’s new life.

Most marriages were celebrated especially in January, because they would be more favorable to the protection of women, because this month was dedicated to celebrating the goddess Hera, wife of Zeus and women’s advocate. The month of January was also considered the month of fertility. The invitations were handed out along with a candy or flowers.

It was common practice to carry the bride, grain or certain herbs as a fertility rite. The wedding cake was typically made with honey, sesame seeds and quince, symbolizing the good and bad that could appear throughout life. Parents witness the ceremony of marriage, accompanying the couple to their new home in a procession accompanied by youths chanting.

The Greek Wedding Ceremony
In Greece the majority of the population is like religion, the Orthodox religion, where marriage is a sacrament. The ceremony is the responsibility of the best man and the priest. The ceremony begins outside the church for a blessing by the priest repeated three times signifying the trinity of Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Then the couple headed for the interior of the church where the bride and groom holding lit candles during the remainder of the ceremony.

Then there is the coronation ritual that symbolizes the recognition of the role of the couple in the kingdom of God. These crowns are placed on the heads of bride and groom. Crowns can be made in various materials such as leaves, flowers, fabric, or material that the couple wish. Before being placed in the grooms, these crowns are placed in front of the church and tied by a ribbon (signifying the eternal union of the couple) being placed on a tray of almonds. The bride and groom exchange the crowns with each other three times. Immediately after the ceremony where the almonds were placed wreaths are distributed to unmarried women.

The ceremony continues with readings and sharing a cup of communion. Finally the priest grabs the arms of the bride and groom and leads the two around the platform of the church three times. Thus ending the ceremony the couple getting together as husband and wife.

Greek Wedding Reception
A Greek wedding reception usually lasts until dawn. This wedding reception is common to be full of joyful moments, including plenty of food, many drinks, and lots of music and dance. These receptions last until dawn, and most important element is undoubtedly the music and dance. The dance is the most traditional Kalamatiano, the traditional scarf dance. The bride and groom dance together united by a scarf that everyone grasps the edges. Usually the bride and groom invite others to join the dance and may continue for hours. It is also common to leave many dishes for luck to the couple.

Greek Wedding Current concepts and traditions
The Greek wedding tradition incorporates many rituals that serve to bless the life that begins for the couple.

Breaks a dish on the porch of the house of the bride and groom to ward off evil spirits.
At some sites throw up an iron for the roof, in other places is a piece of iron inside the house of the bride and groom to give strength to the union.
If the couple intend to have an extended family is common foot crushing a pomegranate, symbol of fertility.

For a sweet life together the couple give each other eating honey.
A traditional Greek wedding is usually celebrated on a Sunday.
Good luck for the bride and groom, the family throws money to the bed of newlyweds.
The invitations always include a floral motif that can be printed. Also put up dried flower petals in the envelope of wedding invitations.
In the wedding business is usual to add herbs like thyme, mint or basil.
The wedding cake is made with honey sesame seeds and quince.
It is also usual family and friends escort the bride and groom to the bedroom, on her wedding night, and make them a romantic serenade.
As a memento of marriage is usual to offer sugar-coated almonds, usually called koufeta.

A Modern version of a Traditional Greek wedding by www.photokastoria.webs.com