Greek Traditions

Red scarfRed scarf

Many people are not aware what the red scarf we tie around the bride and groom before they set off to church symbolises. Well for the woman it signifies her virginity and for the man his fertility. It is wrapped around the bride and groom three times by their parents and close family and friends.

Brides Shoes

Before the bride puts on her shoes she lists all her single friend’s names under her shoe. At the end of the night she takes it off and the name which still appears on the shoe is the girl who will be married next!

Shaving of the groomShaving of the groom

The groom is dressed by his koumbaro and witnessed by family and friends. He is also shaved by the koumbaro which is known as the ‘last shave”. The koumbaro then proceeds to putting the grooms shirt, waistcoat and cravat on all done whilst the violin and singer play and sing music to praise the groom before his departure from his home.

Sugar Almonds and red ribbonSugar Almonds and red ribbon

The sugar coated almonds which are placed on the tray with the crowns and which will later be offered to the guests are also symbolic. The white symbolises 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 symbolises the sweetness of future life. The odd number of almonds is indivisible, just as a couple the bride and groom shall remain undivided. After the ceremony the almonds and ribbon are shared amongst the single women who apparently if the ribbon is placed under their pillow that night they will see in their dreams the man they will marry.

The newly-wed danceThe newly-wed dance

This dance is performed half way through the night by the newly- weds to honour their guests. It is also a chance for their guests whilst the couple is dancing to pin money on them as a gift.

Throwing of the bouquet and garterThrowing of the bouquet and garter

This tradition has been passed on from other cultures. At the end of the evening all single girls gather on the dance floor and the bride at a fair distance from them with her back turned to them throws her bouquet in the air at random. The girl who caches the bouquet is the next to be married. Similarly the groom ‘crawl’ under the brides skirt and detached the garter from the bride’s leg with his teeth. Once his has successfully got it between his teeth all the single men gather at a distance from the groom and with his back turned to them he throws the garter at random. The man who catches it is the next one to be married.

The old saying

This has also been passed on by other cultures but it goes something like this with regards to the bride’s attire:

  • Something new
  • Something old
  • Something Borrowed
  • Something Blue