One such tradition is the throwing of rice at the newly married couple, a long-held symbol of good luck, fertility and abundance.
How long is a Greek wedding reception?
Some are steeped in history and others have special religious meanings. A Greek Orthodox Wedding generally last about 30 to 60 minutes. For the most part the following is what you are likely to see.
Why do Greek people throw money at weddings?
In the smaller villages in Greece, there is an old tradition of pinning money to the bride’s dress at the reception during a special dance. In America, this tradition is more of a money shower. When the couple dances near, the guests will toss a whole wad of bills to help them get established in their new life.
Who pays for the wedding in Greek culture?
Who pays for a Greek wedding? The parents of the couples may pay for the venue and wedding ceremony. However, the Koumbaro and Koumbara will most likely pay for the crowns and candles that are used in the traditional Greek Orthodox wedding ceremony performances.
How much money do you give at a Greek wedding?
Guidelines for Deciding How Much to Spend Here are some tips. Coworker or acquaintance. Plan to spend around $75-$100 for the wedding gift per person. If you’re attending as a couple, add value to the gift accordingly.
What should you not wear to a Greek wedding?
If you’re attending a Greek Orthdox wedding, be mindful to “cover your shoulder and the tops of your arms. It’s generally a good idea not to wear anything too revealing inside the church – many Greek women bring wraps that match their outfits for the religious ceremony.”
Do Greeks still smash plates at weddings?
People of Greek heritage may have a reputation for throwing plates around, but it’s not because they don’t want to do the dishes. Rather, smashing plates is time-honored tradition you might observe at a Greek restaurant or wedding reception.
What is a traditional Greek wedding gift?
Furthermore, at some places in greek weddings, a “money pinning” ceremony is held at the reception where guests pin money on the couple’s dresses. Money pinning is one of the most traditional Greek wedding gifts, a form of gifting which preserves an ancient Greek wedding gifting practice.
Do Greeks break plates at weddings?
One custom, although no longer commonplace, is the Greek wedding tradition of smashing plates. You may have seen this in movies or in Greek restaurants, although that is usually done to appeal to tourists. Historically, however, it was a real thing. The couple breaks plates to symbolize their new beginning.
What does Opa mean in Greek?
It (OPA) literally means “to jump” and it’s used in many ways to say “bravo”, “WoW”, “all right” or in today’s lingo, “You Go”! When a Greek says OPA, they are usually dispensing complements, admiring your zest for life, your dancing or drinking prowess or showing their admiration of a performance.
What do people in Greece do to the bride at weddings for luck?
Symbols of good luck Placing a lump of sugar inside the bride’s glove is said to ensure a sweet life, and adding a gold coin to the inside of her shoe will bring good financial fortune.
What are Greek wedding Favors called?
Boubounieres are the traditional keepsakes given as gifts to guests in appreciation of their attendance.
What is traditionally paid for by the groom’s family?
What Does the Groom’s Family Pay For, Traditionally? The groom’s family is responsible for corsages and boutonnieres for immediate members of both families, the lodging of the groom’s attendants (if you have offered to help pay for this expense), and sometimes the costs of the rehearsal dinner.
What food do you eat at a Greek wedding?
- Spit Roasted Lamb. No dish signifies a Greek party better than lamb does, especially when it is roasted on a spit.
- Spit Roasted Chicken. Don’t want to serve lamb at your wedding?
- Meatball Soup.
- Spanakopita.
- Tiropita.
- Stuffed Grape Leaves.
- Baklava.
- Kourabedies.
How much money should the groom’s parents give as a wedding gift?
Parents of the bride and groom collectively contribute about $19,000 to the wedding, or about two-thirds of the total cost, according to WeddingWire. The bride’s parents give an average $12,000, and the groom’s, $7,000. Just 1 in 10 couples pays for the wedding entirely on their own, according to TheKnot.com.
How much money should the bride’s parents give?
If you don’t feel you can be on the hook for an entire wedding, you have statistics that can back you up. So here’s how it breaks down. On average, the bride’s parents usually spend 44 percent of the overall budget, while the couple contributes 43 percent and the groom’s parents pop for about 12 percent.
What color should I wear to a Greek wedding?
The bride and groom will usually wear traditional Greek clothing, which is white for the bride and black for the groom. The guests at a Greek summer wedding will also usually dress in white, as this is a symbol of purity.
Why do Greek ladies wear black?
Following the death of a close family member, for example, women are expected to wear black for up to one year to show respect for the deceased. This year-long mourning observance is considerably shorter than that practiced in rural Greece, however, where women customarily wear black for at least three years.
Do Greeks spit on bride and groom?
Guests at a Greek wedding will pretend to spit onto the Bride and Groom as they walk down the aisle as a married couple for the first time. “Spitting” on the couple is traditionally done three times to protect the couple from evil spirits.
Why do Greeks break plates and say OPA?
It is also done as an act of joy. Greeks believe a joyous occasion or celebration also attracts evil spirits, and to ward it off, plates are smashed to indicate that such a violent and aggressive act means no celebration can take place anywhere near.
What do Greeks say when they break plates?
The word “Opa” actually means something like oops! or whoops! or Watch out! In dedicated plate smashing sessions, it means pay attention. The word is so embedded in the ritual that when you hear the word Opa! you expect to hear a plate breaking.
What do almonds mean at a Greek wedding?
In traditional Greek weddings, Jordan almonds are called Koufeta. They’re placed in little bags in odd numbers and served on a silver tray. The odd numbered almonds symbolize that the newlyweds will share everything and remain undivided.
Is it rude to leave food on your plate in Greece?
Greek Etiquette Tips. Expect to eat a lot in Greece! Not only will you be expected to eat everything off your plate, but you should also compliment the chef by asking for seconds – even if you’re stuffed!
How do Greeks say cheers?
To say cheers in Greek, you say ” Yamas” which is short for “Stin Yeia Mas” which means to our health.
What is it called when Greeks throw plates?
Plate smashing is a Greek custom involving the intentional smashing of plates or glasses during celebratory occasions.