A Greek wedding is traditionally unique; there are many ceremonies, each representing a specific meaning. Here is some information about Greek wedding traditions.
Like every culture, a Greek wedding portrays a unique combination of traditions, each of which has different meanings. Starting from the engagement till the marriage day, many ceremonies are held in a Greek wedding. In Greece, the couples are not supposed to get married on certain days like Lent and other Christian observances. Though the wedding traditions may vary depending upon the region and/or beliefs, there are certain wedding customs that are commonly followed.
Before the wedding, an engagement ceremony is held, whereby the bride and groom exchange rings. In Greek tradition, it is common that the bride's mother gives dowry (especially housekeeping items) on the wedding day. One significant feature of Greek culture is that the bride and groom do not exchange wedding vows, rather they have the popular belief that the bride and groom stand in the church only after they are serious about marriage. Let's take a look at some popular Greek wedding traditions.
Wedding Gifts: Before the wedding, the bride and groom invite their friends to their new house. It is a common tradition that the bride's single friends decorate the couples bed, with candied almonds spread on it. Then, the relatives and guests present money and wedding gifts for the bride and groom, to bring luck and fortune.
Rings: Wedding rings are blessed twice, first on the engagement day and second on the wedding day. During engagement, the priest will bless the rings, after which the bride and groom wear the rings on their left hands. As a part of the wedding ceremony, the weddings rings are again blessed by the priest and this time, the bride and groom will wear it on their right hands.
Wedding Crowns: During the wedding ceremony, the bride and groom are adorned with crowns. While doing so, the crowns are exchanged three times as a part of the Greek tradition. The wedding crowns represent glory and honor; usually crowns are white or orange in color, designed with blossoms and/or vines. These crowns are joined with a silver ribbon that symbolizes the union of the couple. The couple wear these crowns till the end of the marriage ceremony.
Ceremonial Walk: After the bride and groom are adorned with the wedding crowns, they will walk around the church altar for three times. This ceremonial walk is an important tradition in a Greek wedding, as it symbolizes the first steps of life as a married couple.
Wedding Dance: There are two types of traditional Greek wedding dance viz. the Isaiah and the Kaslamantiano. The former dance is performed only by the bride and groom during the wedding ceremony. The Kaslamantiano, on the other hand, is performed at the reception. In this dance, the bride and groom along with the guests participate and dance by forming a circle.
Wedding Reception: Immediately, after the wedding, candied almonds are distributed in odd numbers among the guests. The odd number signifies that the couple are united henceforth as one and cannot be separated. Candy coated almonds are also a favorite for Greek wedding receptions. Wedding receptions are always associated with music and dance, and the guests are treated with special food dishes and drinks.
On the wedding day, the bride and groom are treated as a queen and king. Till today, some traditional beliefs are still followed, like the bride carrying a lump of sugar, so that her married life will remain sweet. The bride also wears a yellow or red veil that signifies fire, so as to protect her from evil spirits. A Greek wedding is always a lively event and a memorable time to cherish.
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