WeddingChannel.com For splendor and celebration, a Greek wedding is hard to beat. The regal trappings of the bride and groom make every couple King and Queen for a day. The delicious traditional foods and jubilant music are sure to delight all in attendance. Some traditions are tied to the Greek Orthodox faith that is shared by an estimated 98% of the native Greek population; others originate in antiquity or are culturally-centered. Whatever their genesis, Greek wedding traditions can bring history, drama and excitement to a wedding celebration. Here are some elements you might want to incorporate: Ancient Tradition Early Athenian marriages were arranged, and the bride’s family would secure a match by a gift of land, money, or other riches. The dowry would be displayed on the couple’s marriage bed, and those who visited the household were expected to make their own financial contribution. Although weddings might occur at any time of the year, it was thought that marrying during a particular season or month might engender a special blessing. For example: January was reserved for celebrating Hera, wife of Zeus and defender of women. Brides who married in January were thought to have her special protection. January was also a month for fertility celebrations, so these brides were doubly blessed. Ceremony announcements were delivered by hand, along with candy wrapped in red paper, or a flower. The other key participants in the wedding ceremony were the koumbaro (best man) and the marauders (ushers). If the bride’s father was not forthcoming with the expected dowry, the groom and his attendants would kidnap the bride and negotiate with her father for her return. Traditionally, the koumbaro was later asked to serve as godfather for the new couple’s first born child. The bride would carry herbs or grains as a fertility rite, and at the wedding celebration, the new couple would eat a cake made of honey, sesame seeds and quince to symbolize their commitment to one another, through good times and bad. The parents would witness the marriage ceremony, then escort the couple to their new home in a procession led by young girls playing music and singing. Updating Those Traditions For Today The paying of a dowry is no longer common, but many modern couples and their families choose to include symbolic gestures to represent the practices of old. A Greek or Greek-American bride’s family or friends might celebrate by throwing money on her bed for good luck. One Greek-American bride’s attendants made her bed with gold and silver satin sheets for her final night’s sleep as a single woman, to show her how much they treasured her. To add that traditional Greek element to announcements or invitations, you might include a floral motif, or use the color red in some fashion. Placing dried flower petals in the envelope, like confetti, adds an informal, festive touch. And today’s Greek or Greek-American bride might still choose to schedule a January wedding. Even a modern woman can use a little help from Hera. Some Greek or Greek-American grooms conspire with their male attendants for a pre-wedding "kidnapping" of the bride -- whisking her off to a nice dinner with her future husband and his attendants. What bride wouldn't enjoy an evening as the center of attention of all those men? A contemporary bride might have her florist include sprigs of fresh herbs in her bouquet, to honor the old fertility rite. Rosemary, thyme, mint and basil are especially fragrant. At the wedding celebration, a couple might have a small cake, or a single small tier of their cake, made of those traditional ingredients -- honey, sesame seeds and quince -- for a ritual tasting. Those couples who plan to spend their first night "in town" are sometimes escorted to their room by their parents and young family members, who serenade the newlyweds to the threshold of their suite. Celebrate With Your Friends The pre-wedding celebrations are typically characterized by the same revelry as the Greek wedding reception. That might include wedding songs or nifikatos. Among the most popular is "Simera Gamos Ginetai," which translates to "Today We’re Having A Wedding." The rehearsal dinner or reception feast might include such delicious dishes as: Dolmathes -- a traditional Greek appetizer of grape leaves stuffed with a rice, dill and mint mixture Kapama -- a traditional dish of lamb simmered in onions and tomatoes, with cinnamon and savory flavors Moussaka -- an eggplant and potato layered dish (similar to a lasagna) with beshamel sauce Spetsiota -- a baked fish dish with garlic, tomatoes and lemons Spanakopita -- a spinach and egg pie with a filo crust The celebration is likely to also include lots of fresh wine and Ouzo -- a clear, anise-flavored liqueur served on the rocks or with water. The Greek Orthodox Celebration In the Greek Orthodox church, marriage is a Sacrament. It begins outside the church doors, where the rings are blessed and exchanged. This portion of the service is called the Betrothal. In the Betrothal, the first instance of a blessing in threes is performed. The repeating of blessings three times occurs through the service -- symbolically representing the Holy Trinity of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The priest then leads the couple into the church to stand in front of a platform, on a white cloth. Behind the couple, a wedding icon is carried in the processional. The couple is given lighted candles, which they hold throughout the service. The Sacrament of Holy Matrimony is performed, followed by three prayers. At this point, the dramatic Crowning occurs. Crowns, or stefana are placed on the head of the bride and the groom, echoing the Biblical reference to God bestowing His blessings in the form of crowns, and in recognition of the couple’s roles in the Kingdom of God. The crowns might be floral in nature, like a wreath, or can be made of any of a number of materials, from porcelain to metal. Prior to being worn by the couple, they are placed on a tray of almonds at the front of the church. The crowns are often connected by a ribbon, representing the couple’s eternal bond. The bride and groom exchange their crowns three times. After the ceremony, the special almonds are given to single women, who are told that if they sleep with the almonds under their pillow, they will dream of their future husband. The ceremony continues with readings and the sharing of the communion cup. The priest then takes the groom’s arm and leads him and the bride around the wedding platform three times. They are thus united as husband and wife. Sweets and Favors While today’s Greek or Greek-American bride might decide to order a western wedding cake, she might also want to ask her mother (or another Greek woman in her life) to make diples for the occasion. These fried pastries originated in Sparta and are made from honey and nuts, and are displayed on a special table with the main wedding cake. Guests are in store for a little sweetness too: they traditionally receive candied almonds called koufeta. The white-shelled almonds are thought to symbolically represent the sweet and bitter in life. At a Greek-American wedding celebration, the sweets might be bundled up in white tulle and tied with a sky blue ribbon, to represent the blue and white colors of the Greek flag. Be careful to count out an odd number of almonds for each bundle -- it is thought to bring the guests good luck. Dance Through The Night There is perhaps no more memorable element of a Greek wedding celebration than the dancing. It begins with the kalamatiano, a traditional handkerchief dance, which originated in Peloponnesus and Roumeli. 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. As the celebration escalates, revelers may begin breaking plates. A couple who anticipates plate breaking might want to plan ahead and have something other than the caterer’s pricey china at hand. Stop by a thrift shop or restaurant supply store and get some used dishes for the moment. And if you are attending a Greek or Greek-American wedding, be considerate, and don’t pick up a plate unless it’s clearly meant to be thrown. A Lifetime of Sweetness The Greek tradition also has a number of beautiful rituals for blessing the home of a newly married couple. The Peloponnese break a plate on the doorstep of the home to ward off evil spirits. In Sparta, it was thought that carrying a piece of iron into the home would make the marriage strong. Those who are eager to start a family should crush a pomegranate under their heel -- an ancient fertility rite from Chios -- and for a lifetime of sweetness together, the newlyweds should feed each other honey.