Wedding Ceremony in the Greek Orthodox Church

The majority of people's perceptions of a Greek Orthodox wedding ceremony are based on the popular film My Big Fat Greek Wedding. Of fact, the ritual and customs go far deeper than what was portrayed on the big screen. The Greek Orthodox religion is centuries old, and the wedding ceremony is a joyous occasion in the lives of the bride and husband. It's important to remember that the Greek orthodox weddings in Greece are rich with symbolism. The wedding ceremony that you observe today is the same one that the Greek Orthodox Church has been doing for hundreds of years. The most significant distinction between a Greek wedding and a typical wedding is that the bride and groom do not exchange vows. Their sheer presence in the church together demonstrates how seriously they regard the sacrament of marriage.

Summer is when the majority of Greek Orthodox weddings take place. Guests at weddings are customarily asked to wait outside with the groom until the bride arrives. It is typical in Greece for wedding ceremonies to be arranged consecutively. This permits guests who are waiting for a ceremony to interact with those who have already left the wedding. With a smudge of perspiration on his brow as he clutches the bouquet he will offer to his betrothed, the groom waits for his bride. They enter the chapel after he hands over the bouquet to the bride, and the guests trail after. Unlike traditional western weddings, there is no distinction between guests seated on the bride's side and those sat on the groom's side. Everyone takes a seat wherever they can find one, and when the ceremony is performed in a small setting, some people opt to stand to have a better view of the proceedings.