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Greek tips to "survive" a Greek wedding

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blopez34

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1. Dress to the nines, heck, to the tens even
2. Know your way around pre-wedding traditions
3. Sit wherever you want
4. "Spit" on the couple
5. There will be a lot of kisses, hugs and wishes
6. So much food, so little stomach space
7. Be prepared for the interrogation if you're single
8. Drink alcohol...and water!!
9. Bring a pair of comfortable shoes along
10. Just have fun

theculturetrip.com

11 Tips To Survive A Traditional Greek Wedding

Congratulations, you've been invited to a Greek wedding! Read our tips to know what to expect and how to behave appropriately.
theculturetrip.com theculturetrip.com
 
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blopez34 said:
1. Dress to the nines, heck, to the tens even
2. Know your way around pre-wedding traditions
3. Sit wherever you want
4. "Spit" on the couple
5. There will be a lot of kisses, hugs and wishes
6. So much food, so little stomach space
7. Be prepared for the interrogation if you're single
8. Drink alcohol...and water!!
9. Bring a pair of comfortable shoes along
10. Just have fun

theculturetrip.com

11 Tips To Survive A Traditional Greek Wedding

Congratulations, you've been invited to a Greek wedding! Read our tips to know what to expect and how to behave appropriately.
theculturetrip.com theculturetrip.com
Click to expand...
In my experience people dress pretty casual for Greek weddings...depending on the venue that is. If the wedding is outdoors and in the summer (which many usually are) I find that Greeks dress pretty casual in comparison to weddings in the US and Canada
 
If you're in Greece, then people dress casual. If you're in the USA, for example, then dress how you're told on the wedding invitations.

Don't talk about the bride's dress - this is will give the bride the mati (bad luck)

If you're in Greece then don't enter the church until the couple enters first (you'll follow behind them)
 
This is a great and funny list LOL!

Here is some actual information about the traditions surrounding Greek Orthodox weddings:

Greek Wedding Traditions Archives

Learn more about Greek wedding traditions and resources from GreekBoston.com
www.greekboston.com www.greekboston.com
 
Ha ha about number 6... So much food... maybe that is why Greek wedding celebrations go on so long! It gives us a chance to enjoy more of the food. :D This is an excellent list, by the way.
 
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lalajess said:
Ha ha about number 6... So much food... maybe that is why Greek wedding celebrations go on so long! It gives us a chance to enjoy more of the food. :D This is an excellent list, by the way.
Click to expand...
I went to a wedding in Crete and had some great gamopilafo, which is a traditional Cretan wedding rice pilaf
 
seleanor said:
I went to a wedding in Crete and had some great gamopilafo, which is a traditional Cretan wedding rice pilaf
Click to expand...
I have never had that dish, but I have heard that it is delicious. Do you remember what was in it?
 
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Greek weddings are sooo much fun. All the dancing and delicious food - it's definitely a glorious celebration. I have been to casual Greek weddings and I've also dressed to the nines. I think a lot depends on what the bride and groom decide for the dress code.
 
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Does your family make fanouropita for Saint Phanourios Day?

I recently saw a news article about Saint Fanourios Day, and it showed people bringing fanouropita cakes to a church to be blessed. I knew about fanouropita and the tradition of making it when you’re hoping to find something that has been lost, but I didn’t realize how much of a church tradition it could be on the saint’s feast day itself.

Does your family make fanouropita for Saint Fanourios Day? If so, do you bring the cake to church to be blessed, or do you usually make it at home and share it with family and friends?

I’m also curious whether this is something that is still widely done in Greece or if it depends on the region, parish, or family. Are there any other traditions your family follows for Saint Fanourios Day?

I’d love to hear how people observe the day and whether fanouropita is part of your family’s tradition.

Why do Greeks celebrate name days?

I grew up with name days being a big deal, and I’ve always wondered why they feel more important than birthdays for so many of us. I know they’re tied to the Greek Orthodox Church feast days and the saints we’re named after, but it feels like there’s something deeper going on culturally.

In my family, name days were always open-house style, people calling, stopping by, bringing sweets, and it felt very communal. Birthdays, on the other hand, were more low-key.

Do you feel like name days still carry that same weight today? Or has it changed depending on the generation or where you live?

Greek Tsiknopempti Traditions?

I realized Tsiknopempti is coming up soon, and it made me curious how everyone celebrates it, especially outside of Greece. Growing up, I always associated it with grilled meat, lots of smoke in the air, and a general feeling of celebration before Lent started, but we never had a really structured tradition at home. Now I’m wondering if I should start one.

Do you usually grill at home, go out to a Greek restaurant, or gather with friends and family? Are there certain foods you always make, or is it more about the atmosphere and being together? I’ve seen photos from Greece where entire neighborhoods are grilling outside, which looks amazing.

I’d love to hear what Tsiknopempti looks like for you, whether it’s something big and festive or just a simple meal that still feels meaningful.

Do younger generations still follow traditional Greek customs?

Lately I’ve been wondering how much traditional Greek culture is still being carried forward by younger generations, both in Greece and in the diaspora.

I’m not talking only about the big holidays or major family events, but the smaller everyday things too — name days, church traditions, hospitality, family meals, fasting periods, village festivals, coffee rituals, respect for elders, even certain sayings and customs. Do younger Greeks still actively participate in these traditions, or do they mostly happen because parents and grandparents keep them going?

I imagine the answer probably depends a lot on location, family, and lifestyle. Someone growing up in a village might have a different experience than someone in Athens or abroad. I’d love to hear from people of different ages, which traditions have stayed strong, which ones are fading, and are there any that younger generations are bringing back in new ways?

Information About Apokries?

I’ve been curious about how people experience Apokries and what it looks like in different parts of Greece. For some, it seems centered on big public celebrations and costumes, while for others it’s more about smaller gatherings, food, and local customs.

I’m especially interested in the traditions people grew up with. Was Apokries something your family actively celebrated, or did it feel more like a community event? Did you attend costume parties, parades, or specific local festivities? And how did days like Tsiknopempti fit into it for you?

I’d also love to hear whether your experience changed over time, for example, celebrating differently as a child versus as an adult, or noticing differences between village and city celebrations.

For those who no longer live in Greece, do you still mark Apokries in some way, or has it faded with distance?

I’m looking forward to hearing how this tradition shows up for others.
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