Greek Orthodox Weddings
If your goal is a traditional Greek orthodox wedding, your ceremony will be rich in ceremony. The Orthodox Church is the reigning church in Greece and an Orthodox marriage ceremony combines the symbolism of gold crowns with the church Liturgy.
Because an Orthodox marriage is considered a blending of the souls rather than a legal contract, a traditional set of wedding vows are not exchanged. Alternatively, a priest bestows a blessing upon the newlyweds during the traditional marriage ceremony. Be aware that if you are going to be married in the Orthodox Church, one of you must be Orthodox and get the Church's permission to wed prior to seeking a time and place for the ceremony.
As part of an Orthodox wedding in Greece, couples wear matching crowns. These crowns can be simple or ornate and are generally gold in color. Some are made of metal and embellished with semi-precious stones (generally owned and provided by the Church), and others are simply rings of flowers. These crowns symbolize the glory and honor that has been given to the couple by God.
The Best Man holds the crowns over the couple's head during the marriage ceremony. At specific times during the ceremony, the Orthodox priest exchanges the bride and groom's crowns three times to symbolize the Holy Trinity and its unifying force. At a certain point in the ceremony, the Best Man is allowed to place the crowns on the heads of the bride and groom.
During the 1 to 2 hour ceremony, the bride and groom stand before the priest. It is also expected that the guests will stand during the ceremony and that women will wear head coverings.
The service is a solemn one. Before it concludes, the newlyweds will be led around a sub-alter three times by the priest while wearing their crowns and holding candles. The newlyweds will exchange rings that they will wear on their right index fingers.
At the reception, Greeks smash plates on the floor to provide symbolic good luck and a Money Dance is held in which wedding guests pin money to your clothes as each dance with you. The traditional marriage celebration is a lively contrast to the solemn Greek Orthodox wedding ceremony.
Great Sites for Your Wedding
Greece has held onto the past through a culture that dates back to ancient civilizations, while simultaneously offering contemporary luxuries. Consider the following cities in Greece to see which one best suit your wedding plans.
- Athens: The capital of Greece, Athens offers museums, four star restaurants and hotels to treat you and your guests.
- Acropolis: Dating back two and a half millennia, this entire city is rich with gorgeous Greek ruins that inspire awe.
- Peloponnes: On the southern peninsula of Greece, Peloponnes offers a Greek history lesson through the Byzantine city of Mystras and the monasteries built into the side of huge rocks in Meteora.
- Cycladic Islands: Covered in buildings as white as your wedding dress, the views of these islands vibrate in the bright sunlight against the cerulean blue of the sea.
- Santorini: White, domed buildings with outdoor terraces, cathedrals and wineries greet visitors by boat or by plane.
Requirements to Wed in Greece
You do not have to live in Greece to get married there, but you do have to bring a US marriage license with you. Expect to spend about $300 for its translation and processing fees. For more information, consult www.GreekEmbassy.org .
