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>> Q&A about History & Culture
 Subject: |
Greek Wedding Customs |
| Question: |
What are the traditional wedding customs in Greece? |
| Answer: |
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Here are some of the highlights of a Greek wedding: On the big day the groom traditionally goes over to the bride's house for the engagement ritual: Her father "agrees" to the marriage, and then the best man, called the koumbaros, leads the couple to the church. The koumbaros, traditionally the groom's godfather (but it can be any close male relative or friend today), has a crucial role in a Greek wedding: He acts like a sponsor and instigates the actions of the ceremony. For example, he places crowns on the couples' heads; the crowns are usually white or gold or made of orange blossoms or twigs and vine wrapped in silver and gold paper. They are attached by a ribbon, and they are switched on the bride's and groom's heads three times. The crowns symbolize that the marriage is noble, and that the couple is beginning a new family - a dynasty - together. For the rest of the service, they are viewed as a king and queen.
Next, the koumbaros invites the couple to walk around the altar table; this is also traditionally done three times. He, the maid of honor, and the priest also encircle the wedding table. The priest sings and says special prayers in Old Greek to bless the couple. Finally, the couple exchange their wedding bands -- three times. A few more traditions:
-Traditionally, the bride wears the wedding ring on her left hand until the ceremony, when it is moved to her right hand.
- In some areas of Greece guests to the wedding wear a traditional charm in the form of a small eye that protects the wedding celebrants from bad luck.
- A popular tradition is the baby-rolling on the matrimonial bed. Babies of friends and family are placed on the bed and gently rolled from side to side. The bed is also strewn with rose petals, coins and sugar-coated almonds (koufetta) to bring fertility and prosperity to the couple.
- It is considered bad luck if the groom sees his bride in her wedding dress before the ceremony.
- Each Greek reception has bonbonierres, almond candies covered in white chocolate. They are wrapped up in a netting and given to all the guests as they leave. Tradition dictates that there must be an odd number of candies in each package. |
answer provided by volunteer expert: 31forever |
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