Deborah Chan
Greek weddings are known for their unique traditions and lively receptions. The celebrations tend to be drawn-out, with the ceremony lasting about 45 minutes to an hour, and the reception continuing long into the night—often until the early morning. The dress code is typically formal and elegant, with a fancier, the better ethos. The ceremony is solemn and respectful, with the couple exchanging vows of love and devotion before a priest. The reception, on the other hand, is a vibrant affair filled with music, dancing, and delicious Greek cuisine. The newlyweds traditionally perform the first dance, with the bride sometimes leading a traditional Greek dance, and guests are known to pin money onto their sash or dress as a gift. Greek weddings are a community event, with large guest lists, and the festivities often extend beyond the reception, with pre-wedding celebrations and rituals taking place in the days leading up to the main event.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Dress code | Formal attire; "the fancier, the better" |
| Gifts | Money, sweets, and jewelry |
| Music | Greek band playing traditional and modern music |
| Dance | Greek dances, including the "tsifteteli" and "zeimbekiko" |
| Drinks | Wine, beer, spirits |
| Food | Greek delicacies |
| Cake | Wedding cake |
| Ceremony | Greek Orthodox Sacrament of Marriage |
| Duration | Long into the night, often until early morning |
| Guest list | Large, community event |
| Pre-wedding traditions | "Making of the bed", shaving the groom |
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What You'll Learn
- Greek weddings are a community event with large guest lists
- Guests are expected to dress formally and bring gifts of money
- Greek weddings are long, with receptions lasting into the early morning
- There is lots of Greek food and drink, with guests not paying for drinks
- Dancing is a key part of the reception, with the bride and groom leading
Greek weddings are a community event with large guest lists
Greek weddings are a community event, with guest lists tending to be on the larger side. The celebrations are often drawn out, with the ceremony lasting 45 minutes to an hour, and receptions typically lasting into the early morning. In Greece, it is not unusual for celebrations to continue until 4 or 6 am.
The families' houses are often decorated in the week leading up to the wedding, and neighbours will visit to wish the couple well. On the day of the wedding, the bride and groom drive separately to the church with their friends and family, announcing their arrival with a cacophony of car horns. All guests wait outside the church for the couple to arrive and enter first.
Greek weddings are a mix of ancient and Orthodox Christian rites. The ceremony is solemn and respectful, with scripture readings and important rituals taking place in groups of three, symbolising the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. There are no personal vows, and no kissing.
At the end of the ceremony, the couple, their families, and the wedding party line up to greet guests and receive their best wishes. Ancient traditions persist, such as throwing rice at the couple for prosperity and fertility. The reception is then kicked off with dancing, led by the bride and groom, followed by their families and wedding party. Greek dancing is an essential part of the celebration, with guests joining hands to dance in a big circle. The bride may also perform a traditional Greek belly dance, while guests throw flowers.
Music is a key part of the reception, with Greek bands mixing traditional music with modern European styles. Guests pay the band and can request songs, with famous Greek songs often bringing in the most money.
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Guests are expected to dress formally and bring gifts of money
If you're invited to a Greek wedding, it's important to know that Greeks tend to dress formally for weddings, with men wearing suits or tuxedos and women often wearing formal long dresses. The general rule is "the fancier, the better". If you're attending a Greek Orthodox wedding, it's respectful to cover your shoulders and arms, and avoid wearing anything too revealing.
As for gifts, money is the most customary gift at Greek weddings. This is often pinned to the bride and groom's clothing or pinned to a sash they wear during a special dance. In smaller villages, guests may shower the couple with money as they dance. If you want to participate in this tradition, it's a good idea to bring some cash with you. Other gifts that are given include sweets and jewellery.
Greek weddings are known for their lively receptions, with plenty of food, drink, and, of course, dancing! The reception usually starts with a sit-down dinner, followed by Greek dancing led by the bride and groom. The couple will also cut the cake together. The reception can last long into the night, with the party often going past midnight, or even until the early morning hours.
It's worth noting that Greek weddings are a community event, with large guest lists. The families' houses are often decorated in the week leading up to the wedding, and neighbours will stop by to wish the couple well.
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Greek weddings are long, with receptions lasting into the early morning
Greek weddings are a community event, with guest lists usually on the large side. The celebrations are long, with the ceremony lasting 45 minutes to an hour, and receptions lasting into the early morning. In Greece, the party often continues until 4:00 to 6:00 a.m.! In the US, Greek weddings tend to go past midnight.
The celebrations begin before the wedding day, with the bride and groom's families often decorating their homes in celebration during the week before. There is also a pre-wedding tradition called the "making of the bed", where the couple's relatives and single friends gather in their new home to make the bridal bed.
On the day of the wedding, the reception usually starts with a sit-down dinner, accompanied by music. The band will play a mix of traditional Greek music with modern European styles. After dinner, the bridal party and immediate family will kick off the dancing, and guests will soon be encouraged to join in. Greek dancing is an essential part of the celebrations, with guests dancing together in a big circle holding hands. The bride will usually lead the traditional dances and invite the guests to dance. It is also customary for guests to throw flowers at the bride as she dances the traditional Greek belly dance, the "tsifteteli".
During the reception, there is a tradition of pinning money to the bride and groom's clothing during a special dance. This is a way of symbolically helping the couple get established in their new life together.
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There is lots of Greek food and drink, with guests not paying for drinks
Greek weddings are known for their lively receptions, with Greek food and drinks aplenty. Guests are not expected to pay for drinks, with wine, beer, spirits, and mixers typically provided. Vodka, whisky, and gin are often freely available for guests to help themselves to, with drinks replenished throughout the night.
The reception is a time for celebration, with Greek music and dancing taking centre stage. The party usually begins with a romantic first dance by the newlyweds, followed by the cutting of the wedding cake. The couple toast their guests, wishing them a joyful night.
Guests are then treated to Greek delicacies and a mix of traditional and modern music. The bride often leads the traditional Greek dances, such as the "tsifteteli", with guests joining in. In smaller villages, there is a custom of pinning money to the bride's dress or showering the couple with cash during a special dance. This money is seen as a gift to help the couple start their new life together.
Greek weddings are known for their generous hospitality, with guest lists tending to be large. The receptions usually continue long into the night, often lasting until the early morning. Guests are encouraged to embrace the couple and offer their best wishes, with the customary phrase, "Na zisete", meaning "May you live!".
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Dancing is a key part of the reception, with the bride and groom leading
Greek weddings are known for their lively receptions, with music and dancing being essential parts of the celebration. The newlyweds traditionally lead the dancing, with the bride often taking centre stage as the star of the party. The couple's first dance is usually extra romantic, with the pair dancing to their favourite love song.
After the ceremony, the bride and groom, along with their families, form a line for guests to greet and offer their best wishes. This is also when guests can perform the ancient tradition of spitting or saying "ftou ftou" to ward off evil, as well as throwing rice, a symbol of prosperity and fertility.
The reception then kicks off with the couple leading the dance, followed by their families and the wedding party. Greek dancing is a key part of the festivities, with guests joining hands to form a big circle. The band typically plays a mix of traditional Greek music and modern European styles, creating an energetic atmosphere.
During the reception, the bride may perform the traditional Greek belly dance, "tsifteteli", while guests throw flowers, and plates are smashed when the groom dances the "zeimbekiko". The bride also invites single ladies to the dance floor to catch her bouquet, a tradition signifying the next person to get married.
In some Greek villages, there is a custom of pinning money to the bride's dress or showering the couple with cash during a special dance. This symbolises helping the newlyweds get established, and the money is collected by the koumbara and koumbaro to be given to the couple later.
Greek wedding receptions are known to last long into the night, with guests dancing and celebrating until the early morning hours. The festivities are a mix of traditional and modern elements, creating an unforgettable celebration.
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Frequently asked questions
The dress code is typically formal and fancy. Men usually dress smartly in suits or tuxedos, and women often wear formal long dresses.
Greek wedding receptions are lively and involve a lot of music and dancing. They usually start with a sit-down dinner, followed by Greek dancing led by the bridal party and immediate family. The couple will then cut the cake, and guests will enjoy Greek delicacies and drinks. The reception will typically last into the early hours of the morning.
One unique tradition is the pinning or showering of money on the couple during a special dance. Another is the throwing of flowers at the bride as she performs a traditional Greek belly dance. There is also a bouquet toss for the single ladies, and the breaking of plates during the groom's dance.
Greek weddings tend to have large guest lists, and guests usually do not pay for drinks. It is customary to give money as a gift, and to say "Na zisete" ("May you live!") when greeting the couple.
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