10 Greek Wedding traditions that rock on wedding videography

Image: Amber & Chris’s wedding film shot in Wroxham & The Octagon Barn in Norfolk

Weddings all around the world are full of cultural and religious symbolism and Greek weddings are full of them! We do love filming a ‘Big Fat Greek Wedding’ and while we take a sneak behind in the scenes into the Norfolk wedding film of Amber & Chris it seems appropriate to look at some of the gorgeous Greek wedding traditions you may not know about…. Hit play and watch some Greek wedding videography with a host of gorgeous Greek wedding traditions…

1 - The groom is shaved by the best man - Koumbaros

On the wedding day morning, the best man or ‘Koumbaros’ shaves the groom as a sign of trust between the two. Also, his friends will help him get ready and dress him, as an example, one may assist in getting his suit on and another help get his tie or bow tie on. These are all symbolic gestures in playing a role to help him get ready for his wedding day.

2 - The Stollisma

In Cyprus, there is the beautiful tradition the “Stolisma”. This is a ritual that is performed for the bride as well as the groom, albeit separately. Musicians play a song that calls all the relatives to give their blessings. A red scarf is passed around the bride’s waist which symbolizes fertility.

Image: The Bouzouki playing at Chris’s Stollisma before the wedding!

3 - Koufeta

Bombonieres (wedding favours) are filled with sweet sugar almonds called koufeta that are given to the guests. Their egg shape represents fertility and plays as strong symbolistic part at the wedding. Their sugary flavour symbolises the sweetness of the couple's future life while their hard almond heart represents the endurance of the marriage.

Image: Ready for the shave…

Image: Musicians from the fabulous Midas Touch Greek Band performing at Chris’s Stollisma!

4 - All the single ladies…

The names of all of the single ladies are written on the bottom of the bride’s shoes and tradition has it that the names that are worn off by the end of the reception will soon get married.

Image: From Wedding shoe to the altar - the brides single friends get hitched too..

5 - Making the Marital Bed

Another Greek wedding tradition that usually takes pace the night before the wedding is the preparation of the wedding bed. The bed is covered with petals, coins and koufeta to make sure there is fertility, love and prosperity in the marriage! In some cases a baby is rolled across the bed to guarantee fertility and superstitions say that the gender of the couple’s first child is determined by the gender of the baby rolled across the bed.

6 - During the ceremony: Blessing the rings

At the start of the ceremony, the couple place the rings on the tips of their wedding fingers and the koumbaro will exchange them three times. The priest will then bless them three times.

7 - The Golden crowns or ‘Stefana’

A traditional Greek wedding ceremony follows the ceremonies and rituals of the Greek Orthodox Church. There are two golden crowns, or “stefana” connected by a single strand of ribbon, which symbolizes the union of two people becoming one in marriage. The koumbaros place the wedding crowns over the groom and brides heads after passing them over the couple’s heads three times to symbolise unity. They then sip wine from the same cup and the bride and groom are then led around the altar table three times by the koumbaros as a prayer is recited by the priest.

8 - Girls getting your dance on - Kalamatiano

This festive wedding dance shares the same name as the ancient Greek folk dance, but for a Greek wedding it has a pretty specific meaning. The bride stands in the middle with her maid of honour to the immediate left and the female wedding guests hold hands and encircle the two.

9 - Zembekiko

Not to be left out, the Zembekiko is for the groom, his best man, groomsmen and other men at the reception. It’s a similar circle dance as the Kalamatiano and it’s customary for those who aren’t joining in to kneel and clap along to the music while the groom dances. Great fun with lots of energy!

10 - Greek wedding Money dance

Once the wedding reception is in full swing, a traditional Greek wedding money dance will probably ensue. This is a playful dance between the newlywed couple that is rewarded by guests tossing dollar bills onto the dance floor or pinning them onto the couple’s attire. It’s totally optional for guests and isn’t a substitute for wedding gifts, but rather a fun, symbolic way to congratulate the couple on their new marriage.

Film captures what photography doesn’t - book a modern wedding videographer for your Norfolk or Suffolk Greek Wedding

Your wedding day is one of the most important memories in your lifetime & we can help capture this with an elegant & cinematic wedding film. We have one simple package which includes 14 hours wedding videography on the day from 8am - 10pm, so we won't miss a thing! You will receive a full wedding film (20 minutes+) which includes the ceremony, a highlights trailer (2 minutes), a highlights trailer just for Instagram and the speeches in full. We even offer drone videography & 360 filming as standard in all our wedding videos! We edit your wedding film in 28 days of the wedding and ship to you on a luxury USB stick with some complimentary popcorn. Race Wedding Videography is based in Norwich, Norfolk and covers all of Norfolk & Suffolk. To us a wedding isn’t just another video shoot, it is about capturing peoples emotions and their individual stories. If you have any questions or would like to book and say 'I do' to Race Wedding Videography - get in touch, we don’t bite!