Greek Weddings are steeped in tradition and cultural activities throughout the big day.
The bride and groom will see each other at the church on the big day as it’s deemed bad luck to see one another before the wedding ceremony.
Traditionally, the Bride gets ready at her family home where her family and guests are present to see her on her way.
The ceremony of the red scarf (Zoni): Once the bride is ready, she will go into the area where her guests are waiting. The Zoni, which symbolises fertility, is passed around the bride’s waist 3 times by each family member, maid of honour (Koumera) and sometimes other attendees whilst blessed with a Kapnisteri (incense burner). Traditional songs are played by a violinist and the lyrics call out each family member and the maid of honour in sequence.
The Groom’s House: Traditionally, the groom also gets ready at his family home with his family, best man (koumbaro) and guests. The Best man shaves the Groom which, some say symbolises trust and helps him get ready. Once again, as is tradition with the bride, a red scarf is passed around the groom’s waist whilst he is blessed with a kapnisteri, all whilst a violinist plays traditional songs, calling on family and friends to take part.
Food and drink is often offered at each house for everyone present. Once events at each house have finished, the groom leaves his family home to arrive at the church before the bride. The bride will arrive at the church, accompanied by her mother, father or guardian. The person having the honour to “give her away” will stand to her right and slowly walk the bride into the church where the groom and all the family and guests are present.
The Greek Orthodox ceremony is a beautiful service. The priest will invite the best man and maid of honour to change over the rings 3 times from bride to groom’s hand and then all the secondary maids of honour and best men will go up two at a time and exchange the rings from bride to groom’s hand. The priest will place marital crowns (stephana) on the couple’s heads which are joined together by a ribbon and these will be swapped back and forth 3 times over the couple’s head symbolising their union. This is also believed to come from the ancient Greeks whereby a crown wreath was placed on an Olympic winner’s head. The bride and groom will have Holy Communion, drinking from the same cup. A ribbon is passed around for all the maids of honour and best men to write their names and a message of good luck. Sugared almonds are given to the guests symbolising purity, fertility, and the endurance of marriage. The number of sweets must be an odd number to symbolise that the bride and groom cannot be divided.
After the ceremony, the couple will go to their reception venue where all their guests are waiting. They will usually be escorted onto the dance floor by a violinist playing traditional songs. All the guests will be able to see and greet the happy couple.
After the couple’s first dance, the sit down meal and speeches, the koumeres (maids of honour) will dance to a traditional song together with the bride, forming a large circle in the middle of the dance floor. The groom will dance with each koumbaro one by one. Following this, the couple will have the money dance where family, usually parents first, will pin money to the bride and groom’s clothing whilst they are dancing. The day usually ends with the bride and groom thanking their family and friends for their attendance and gifts.
The Wedding of Stephanie and Stefan
A.T Beauford Wedding Cars London were honoured to be a part of this special couple’s day. A beautiful ceremony at All Saints Greek Orthodox Church in Camden NW1 followed by a stunning reception at the Dorchester Park Lane W1. Photography by @annafowlerphotog
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