Ellinika - Gamisia

Review: A beautiful, lively, and deeply symbolic celebration. Greek weddings are known for their religious Orthodox ceremony (crowning with stefana, walking around the altar three times), followed by a massive reception with live music, plate smashing (less common today), and the famous kalamatiano dance. The food is abundant — lamb, pastitsio, baklava, and plenty of ouzo or wine.
Pros: Joyful, community-focused, memorable traditions.
Cons: Can be very long (ceremony often 45–60 min), loud, and overwhelming for introverts.
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5 — classic and festive but intense).

Today’s Greek weddings are a hybrid. Urban couples skip the 4-hour church service, but they still hire a lyra player. Atheist Greeks still get married in church because “Mama would never forgive us.” Divorce is legal, but the stefana are often kept in a special wooden box – just in case.

Traditionally, the groom asks the father for permission. The engagement ceremony involves the priest blessing the rings, which are then placed on the left hand. Today, many couples skip the formal church engagement but still have a large family dinner to announce the news. ellinika gamisia

Note: A non-Orthodox person can attend but cannot take communion. Interfaith marriages are possible but require a bishop’s permission and the non-Orthodox partner promising to raise children Orthodox.

The celebration begins days before the church. Traditionally, the couple’s bedsheets are spread by young, unmarried girls (to ensure fertility). Friends gather to stuff grape leaves (dolmades) and wrap kourabiedes (sugar-coated almonds). But the most important ritual is the Vaptiko – the washing of the wedding crowns and clothes, symbolizing purity. Today’s Greek weddings are a hybrid

On the Friday before the wedding, families host the Gamiliá Desmá (tying of the wedding bouquet), where the groom’s grandmother might pin money onto the bride’s dress for good luck.

Historically, the bride’s family would provide a dowry (furniture, linens, even a house). While no longer legally binding, it’s still common for parents to gift the couple a home or major household items. Note: A non-Orthodox person can attend but cannot

After the church, the Glendi (party) begins. Here, logic ends and tradition begins.

1. The Spitting (For luck) Don’t be alarmed if guests pretend to spit on the couple. Greeks say “Fta, fta, fta” (three spits) to ward off the Evil Eye (Matiasma). It’s the highest form of blessing.

2. The Money Dance (Kalamatiano me lefta) Guests line up to dance with the bride. As they spin her, they pin euro bills to her dress (or throw money into the air). The groom keeps an eye on how much is pinned – it’s a sign of the couple’s community wealth.

3. The Plate Smashing (Now rare, but legendary) Traditionally, guests threw plates on the floor singing “Na zisete” (May you live). Today, most venues ban glass, so you’ll see flowers thrown instead. But in villages? Plates still fly.