Hi again!

While I usually come to Greece in the summer to visit family, this year is special. My cousin is getting married here. My cousin, like I, lives in the States, where she met her husband to be. They decided to get married here in Greece and bring family and friends here for the ceremony. Since having them here, I’ve realized how many Greek traditions there are that are well, different to say the least!

I thought I’d make a list of some that are way out there and the most surprising. Some are outdated but all of them I have seen first hand at some point in my 23 years. While they are a bit “out there”, I wouldn’t trade my heritage for the world! Here are some of my favorites:

1. Open House

The week of the wedding, the bride must stay home or provide “open house hours” for visitors to come and congratulate her/bring gifts. Basically everyone in the town knows and will stop by at some point.

2. Making the Marital Bed

Visitors, families, and friends (all women) prepare the bed of the married couple. The husband messes it up three times and the women make it to the brides liking each time. Then, money and rice are thrown on the bed. This symbolizes prosperity. Finally, a baby, yes a real baby, is thrown (gently of course) is thrown on the bed. This blesses the couple with fertility. 

3. Groom gets a shave….by his best man

Nothing says “I trust you” like letting your best man shave your face for your wedding…so they say. 

4. Everyone is invited, like everyone. 

The lady from the grocery store, everyone from church, your grandma’s friend’s sister’s cousin… you get the point. Needless to say often times there are people the couple has never even met. 

5. The bride kicks the groom! 

Ah, my personal favorite. During the wedding ceremony, the priest will say somewhere that the “wife will fear the groom”. Since times have since changed, during this line the bride steps on the groom to show them really who’s boss. 

6. Yes, plates are really smashed

In fact, they now make plates meant to be broken for this matter. I mean, its about time… we were running out of plates. 

7. You have to prove you’re not related

In Greece, before you’re allowed to get married, if you or your spouse is not from the country, you must get blood work done to prove you are not related. 

8. The bride walks to the church

Traditionally, the bride’s father walks her to the church where she is given away by her father, brothers, etc to her husband to be. Let that sink in…she WALKS to the church from her home. Luckily my cousin has enough bridesmaids to carry her dress! 

9. They don’t have bridal parties

Speaking of bridesmaids, those don’t exist here. There is something similar to a best man. They are called koumbaros and exchange the crowns at the wedding (a crucial part of the ceremony).

10. Sign the shoe

The bride’s single friends all write their names on the bottom of her shoe. It is believed that after the night is over, the names that are faded away are the next to be married.

While there are enough traditions for an entire website, these are just some of the favorites I’ve come across. I hope you enjoyed! Share some of your family’s traditions below!!

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Bonus: They don’t have  bachelor/bachelorette parties in Greece… but that didn’t stop us 🙂

xo Rickie