The Greek Orthodox wedding, regardless of where in the world is held, follows a prescription just as it has been from time immemorial. No where in the ceremony do the bride and groom "exchange" or recite vows, instead the intention of the service is for the couple to announce their intentions to start a home based on their belief in God.

Preparation for marriage begins with counseling, with the priest, for three sessions. This is the first of many allusions to the number three and its symbolizes the Holy Trinity. Only after these meetings will a priest will perform the ceremony. In a traditional Greek Orthodox wedding, the engagement and the reception are included as part of the whole ceremony. Although in today's society the "engagement" on the day is more of a formality than an actual betrothal, it is carried out with as much seriousness as the vows and the prayers. On the day of the service, the bride groom goes over to the bride's house to begin the engagement tradition. Once the father of the bride agrees to the marriage, the best man, called the Kumbada, (or Kumbubr), leads the couple to the church. The Kumbada has a very important role as best man. He acts like a director or "sponsor" and instigates the actions of the ceremony. Along with the couple and the priest, his role in the ceremony is a necessity and carries great weight.

A Greek Orthodox wedding has restrictions on when it may be performed. Once such restriction is the first fifteen days of August. There are also superstition-based restrictions, one of which prohibits marriages in a Leap Year which is considered to be unlucky. There are also restrictions that may apply to a particular church, so it is wise to consult with your local church and clergyman before setting a date.

The format of the ceremony itself cannot be altered in any significant manner. The only music that is permitted is hymns, and readings are restricted to religious texts. No music or musicians may participate from outside the church. The only personalization the couple can do is in the selection of particular music and/or readings into the wedding reception.

Wedding rehearsals are not uncommon, but certainly not prescribed. Although the bride and groom are free to guests of their choosing, the Church prefers that only those who have been baptized as Greek Orthodox enter the church. Generally a tight-knit community, it is likely that the entire community will be guests at the church and at the wedding.

The bridal attire is traditional, a white gown with a long train for the bride and a traditional black suit with a bow tie for the groom. The couple do not see one another on the day of the wedding, as is typical of traditional in Christian weddings. The groom travels with his best man and precedes the bride to the church. She arrives with her father or other male relative. The two families are seated on opposite sides of the aisle. The bride and groom each have a religious sponsor, called Koumbaro, or Kumbubr (male) and Koumbara (the female). The sponsors are the official witnesses to the union and may also "double" as Best Man and Maid of Honor.

In traditional Greek Orthodox families, the ceremony is paid for by the bridesmaids. The ceremony officiant must be a priest in a Greek Orthodox Church. The service takes about an hour and albeit the couple may have already been officially engaged, the ceremony is a combination of betrothal and wedding with the ceremony divided into two parts, the service of betrothal and the ceremony of the sacrament of marriage.

The day actually begins when the groom goes to the bride's home to ask her father for her hand in marriage. When the father agrees, the best man, the Kumbada, or Kumbubr, leads the couple to the church.

The betrothal ceremony begins with the priest lighting two white candles and handing them to the couple. The candles symbolize the light of Christ, a beacon to illuminate their way and a symbol of the couple's acceptance of Christ in their lives. Next, the priest first blesses and then places the ring on the third finger, right hand of the bride and groom. It is thought that it is the right hand of God that blesses and to which Christ ascended. The Koumbara or Koumbaro then exchange the rings three times on the couple. This to invoke the presence of the Holy Trinity and to symbolize the strength that exists between a married couple. The priest makes the sign of the cross over the couple's heads and, three times, declares that they are betrothed.

At this point the service continues with the Sacrament of Marriage segment. The couple's join right hands, as the priest blesses their union. Their hands stay joined until the ceremony concludes. In some counties, the couple's clothes are tied together during the entire ceremony.

The crowning ceremony is followed by readings which include retelling the miracle of converting water into wine and then wine is given to the couple as a remembrance of the miracle. The couple drinking from the same cup is also symbolic of the life they will share. The drinking of wine is separate and apart from Holy Communion, which takes place before the wedding day.

Next the couple are "adorned" with stefanas (two flowered crowns that are tied to one another with white ribbons). The crown/wreaths are interchanged three times before being placed on the couple's head. The crowns signify their status as royalty on their wedding day and king and queen of their newly-established household. They are symbolic are of the glory and honor that God "crowns them with." The ribbons tied together symbolize the unity of the couple. In some churches it is the Koumbaro or Koumbara assist with interchanging the crowns on the couples.

Next in the ceremony comes the ceremonial walk in which the priest leads the Bride and Groom around a table on the altar three times. On the table are the Gospel and Cross. Their walk around the table symbolizes the journey they will travel on as husband and wife. The Koumbaro or Koumbara walks behind the couple to hold the crowns in place. The bride and groom kiss the Bible and circle the altar-like ceremonial table three times. This is their way of recognizing the Trinity and expressing their happiness at the union of the two families.

Once the ceremonial walk is concluded, the priest again blesses the couple and removes their crowns. He beseeches God to bless the couple with a long, happy life together. The priest separates the hands of the couple which is to remind the couple that as God has joined them, so He alone can separate them.

The service ends and the wedding party leave the church for the reception, which includes the traditional money dance in which guests pin money to the couple's clothes, or put money into a money bag.

Sugar-coated almonds, known as Jordan almonds are sweets typically served at Greek wedding receptions. The fresh almond has both a bitter and a sweet taste, a symbol of life itself. The sugar coating expresses the wish that new couple, a new family, may have more of the sweet than of the bitter. Typically there are an odd number of almonds in the party favor, a symbol that the couple's lives remain forever together.


Click Here To Return to Wedding Guide & Planner Index
Click Here To Return to Welcome Page

©The right to download and store or output (e.g., print) materials found in Hudson Valley Weddings Web Site is granted for personal use only. Materials may not be reproduced in any edited form. Any other reproduction or editing by any means mechanical or electronic without the express written permission of Hudson Valley Weddings is strictly prohibited. Certain names, logos, and/or phrases on these pages may constitute trademarks or tradenames of Hudson Valley Weddings or its clients.