OUR GREEK WEDDINGS
| C&S Destination Weddings and Events |
Welcome To
We know and understand the Greek culture; we have the experience to make sure that all of the Greek ideologies are followed to the
letter. Be confident that you will have the most special, elegant and exciting wedding of your dreams. We offer several wonderful
packages so that all you have to do is SHOW UP!
Let us plan, initiate and coordinate your complete wedding from the beginning to the end! Our "COMPLETE" packages will more than
keep the budget from falling apart. No stress, no headaches, no worry--C&S DESTINATION WEDDINGS AND EVENTS take all that
away from you so that your special day is indeed, A SPECIAL DAY!
When you book one of "complete packages", we will host a bridal shower for you and your guests. Be sure to sign up for your own
"free" honeymoon registry and take advantage of your complimentary honeymoon site. Choose the best wedding package that suits
your budget and leave the rest to us! We also offer a 5% discount on any of our honeymoon choices, which includes the all-inclusive
resorts, as well as airfare and hotel accommodations for the out of town guests.
letter. Be confident that you will have the most special, elegant and exciting wedding of your dreams. We offer several wonderful
packages so that all you have to do is SHOW UP!
Let us plan, initiate and coordinate your complete wedding from the beginning to the end! Our "COMPLETE" packages will more than
keep the budget from falling apart. No stress, no headaches, no worry--C&S DESTINATION WEDDINGS AND EVENTS take all that
away from you so that your special day is indeed, A SPECIAL DAY!
When you book one of "complete packages", we will host a bridal shower for you and your guests. Be sure to sign up for your own
"free" honeymoon registry and take advantage of your complimentary honeymoon site. Choose the best wedding package that suits
your budget and leave the rest to us! We also offer a 5% discount on any of our honeymoon choices, which includes the all-inclusive
resorts, as well as airfare and hotel accommodations for the out of town guests.
The Orthodox Wedding Ceremony
The wedding ceremony of the Greek Orthodox Church is an ancient and meaningful service that has been celebrated in its
present form for centuries. The service is abundant with symbols that reflect marriage: love, mutual respect, equality and sacrifice.
The ceremony consists of two parts which are distinct and separate from each other: The service of the Betrothal and the
Ceremony of the Sacrament of Marriage. Everything in the ceremony has a special meaning and significance, especially the
repetition of each act three times to symbolize and to invoke the mystical presence of the Holy Trinity. The Wedding begins as
white candles are handed to The Bride and The Groom. These candles symbolize their spiritual willingness to receive Christ.
The wedding ceremony of the Greek Orthodox Church is an ancient and meaningful service that has been celebrated in its
present form for centuries. The service is abundant with symbols that reflect marriage: love, mutual respect, equality and sacrifice.
The ceremony consists of two parts which are distinct and separate from each other: The service of the Betrothal and the
Ceremony of the Sacrament of Marriage. Everything in the ceremony has a special meaning and significance, especially the
repetition of each act three times to symbolize and to invoke the mystical presence of the Holy Trinity. The Wedding begins as
white candles are handed to The Bride and The Groom. These candles symbolize their spiritual willingness to receive Christ.
opa !
The sugar coated almonds (koufeta), are placed on the tray with crowns, and which will later be offered
to the guests, are also symbolic. In the early days of the Church, honey dipped almonds were offered to
the newlyweds by the priest. The white symbolizes purity. The egg shape represents fertility and the new
life which begins with marriage. The hardness of the almond represents the endurance of marriage and
the sweetness of the sugar symbolizes the sweetness of future life. The odd number of almonds are
indivisible, just as The Bride and The Groom shall remain undivided.
to the guests, are also symbolic. In the early days of the Church, honey dipped almonds were offered to
the newlyweds by the priest. The white symbolizes purity. The egg shape represents fertility and the new
life which begins with marriage. The hardness of the almond represents the endurance of marriage and
the sweetness of the sugar symbolizes the sweetness of future life. The odd number of almonds are
indivisible, just as The Bride and The Groom shall remain undivided.
The Koufeta
Ceremony of the Sacrament of Marriage
The Ceremony of the Sacrament of Marriage consists of several parts – petitions, prayers, the crowning, readings from the
New Testament, the offering of the common cup, the circling of the ceremonial table and the benediction. At the conclusion
of the prayers, the priest joins the right hands of the bride and groom. Their hands remain joined until the end of the
wedding ceremony, which symbolizes the couple’s union.
New Testament, the offering of the common cup, the circling of the ceremonial table and the benediction. At the conclusion
of the prayers, the priest joins the right hands of the bride and groom. Their hands remain joined until the end of the
wedding ceremony, which symbolizes the couple’s union.
The crowning is the focal point of the marriage ceremony. The bride and groom are crowned with thin
crowns, called stefana, which are joined by a white ribbon and have been blessed by the priest. The
crowns symbolize the glory and honor that is being bestowed on them by God, and the ribbon symbolizes
their unity. The Koumbaro then exchanges the crowns between the heads of the couple, three times.
crowns, called stefana, which are joined by a white ribbon and have been blessed by the priest. The
crowns symbolize the glory and honor that is being bestowed on them by God, and the ribbon symbolizes
their unity. The Koumbaro then exchanges the crowns between the heads of the couple, three times.
The exchanging of rings is the focus of the Service of Betrothal. The priest blesses the rings by holding them in his right hand and
making the sign of the cross over the heads of the bride and groom. The rings are then placed on the third fingers of their right
hands. The Koumbaro , swaps the rings over between the bride and groom’s fingers, three times.
In the Greek Orthodox religion, the best man is replaced by a Koumbaro, who must be a member in good standing of the church-
this individual has extended duties during the ceremony.
making the sign of the cross over the heads of the bride and groom. The rings are then placed on the third fingers of their right
hands. The Koumbaro , swaps the rings over between the bride and groom’s fingers, three times.
In the Greek Orthodox religion, the best man is replaced by a Koumbaro, who must be a member in good standing of the church-
this individual has extended duties during the ceremony.
The Service of the Betrothal
The crowning is followed by a reading of the Gospel, which tells of the marriage of Cana at
Galilee. It was at this wedding that Jesus performed his first miracle, changing water into
wine, which was then given to the married couple. Wine is given to the couple and they each
drink from it three times.
Galilee. It was at this wedding that Jesus performed his first miracle, changing water into
wine, which was then given to the married couple. Wine is given to the couple and they each
drink from it three times.
The priest then leads the bride and groom in a circle around the alter three times as their first steps as
a married couple. The church, in the person of the priest, leads them in the way they must walk. The
way is symbolized by the circle at the center of which are the Gospel and the symbolic cross of the
Lord. The Koumbaro follows close behind the couple holding the stefana in place.
a married couple. The church, in the person of the priest, leads them in the way they must walk. The
way is symbolized by the circle at the center of which are the Gospel and the symbolic cross of the
Lord. The Koumbaro follows close behind the couple holding the stefana in place.
When the Ceremonial Walk has ended, the priest blesses the couple, the crowns are removed and he then separates their previously joined hands
with the bible, reminding them that only God can break the union which they have just entered into.
with the bible, reminding them that only God can break the union which they have just entered into.
There is perhaps no more memorable element of a Greek wedding celebration than the dancing. It begins with the kalamatiano, a
traditional handkerchief dance. The bride and groom dance together, connected only by the scarf or handkerchief that each holds by
an end. Eventually, they invite others to join in the dancing, which can go on for hours.
traditional handkerchief dance. The bride and groom dance together, connected only by the scarf or handkerchief that each holds by
an end. Eventually, they invite others to join in the dancing, which can go on for hours.
The Crowning
The Common cup
The Ceremonial Walk
The Removal of the Crowns
Like weddings in many places, Greek weddings are changing. There is a growing fashion to get married on an island, a ski
resort, all-inclusive resorts or even on a mountain. There is always excitement at every wedding be it traditional or diverse.
resort, all-inclusive resorts or even on a mountain. There is always excitement at every wedding be it traditional or diverse.
Traditions and change
Dancing in the Moonlight
Wedding Locations
| CREATE A MEMORY WITH US RIKKI AND CHARLENE |
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wedding day a success! C&S DESTINATION WEDDINGS AND EVENTS can take all of this off of your
shoulders.
shoulders.
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