Greek Traditions Community

Should I still get a gift if I cant make it to the wedding?

1 - 9 of 9 Posts
E

efhernandez_

Active member
I was invited to a Greek wedding this summer, but unfortunately I am unable to go because my work schedule is just a bit too hectic. The couple has a registry, which makes me wonder if I should still get a gift even if I'm not able to go to the wedding. Does anyone know what the expectation or custom is for a Greek weddings? The couple is from the United States, but they are both Greek American and having their wedding in Greece. I am super bummed out that I am missed, and I would say that I'm relatively close to the groom, we worked together previously.
 
You can do whatever you want. I doubt the couple will get upset if you decide not to buy them anything.

I just had my wedding in Greece (and I'm from the USA) and some people who didn't show up bought us gifts while others didn't. We really didn't care if people bought us anything or not. What we really liked was getting messages from people who couldn't attend telling us congratulations and wishing us a happy marriage.
 
  • Like
Reactions: kosta_karapinotis and Hash
ellinasgolfer0320 said:
You can do whatever you want. I doubt the couple will get upset if you decide not to buy them anything.

I just had my wedding in Greece (and I'm from the USA) and some people who didn't show up bought us gifts while others didn't. We really didn't care if people bought us anything or not. What we really liked was getting messages from people who couldn't attend telling us congratulations and wishing us a happy marriage.
Click to expand...
Happy years ahead!♥️?....Stini Yasou for your wedding....Tell us more if you feel.... where did you have it?... Fillya from Thailand and Monsoons.....and how....the sea is @force Gail 9 Beaufort!
 
  • Like
Reactions: kosta_karapinotis
Hash said:
Happy years ahead!♥️?....Stini Yasou for your wedding....Tell us more if you feel.... where did you have it?... Fillya from Thailand and Monsoons.....and how....the sea is @force Gail 9 Beaufort!
Click to expand...
Well, our wedding was set for 7:00pm in the mountains at an venue where we could have an outdoor wedding. The day of the wedding, I got dressed at the venue which happened to be next to the church. My brother and nephew helped me get dressed. At the same time, at my wife's house, they were having fun as she got dressed, and after she was fully dressed, they all danced. Back at the venue where I was getting dressed, I had quite a few family members over and we had a lot of food to eat while I got dressed. The photographers took photos of us all. At 6:30 our guests started showing up. My wife's koubara showed up early and gave me the bouquet to hold (in Greek weddings, the groom holds the bouquet and gives it to the bride when she meets him at the church entrance).... around 7:00pm we heard a lot of cars honking - this means the groom or the bride is approaching the church, and since I was already at the church with my family it could only me that my wife's family was approaching.

My wife arrived at the venue and I'm standing at the church entrance waiting for her at this point. A band goes to the entrance where my wife will come from, they start playing music and they lead her and her family all the way up to the church entrance to me. We walk to the alter (it's outside) and everyone follows behind us. Then the ceremony began.

For the reception, we entered with fireworks showering on both sides of us (this is a Greek thing), we walked straight to the stage, cut the cake, and had out first dance as soon as we cut the cake. Then we ate, my father-in-law gave a short speech, and mirolόi (a song of remembrance for everyone who has passed away) and we danced. The first dance is for family only and the koubaroi.. After we danced, everyone else joined in. In Greece, guests pay for songs to be played for their family, so we danced nonstop because people wanted to tribute songs to their family. This made me very tired because dances are often 15-20 minutes long, so you don't get to rest, and you have to dance each song out of respect for the family that paid for the song. The last song of the night was a zeibekiko (this is how you tell guests that the reception is over) around 4:00am, which the groom has to dance, so I danced zeibekiko and then people started to leave.

video of me dancing zeibekiko
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: kosta_karapinotis and Hash
Can you send money or do a direct deposit? I would say money is more expected then gifts but I could be wrong.
 
ellinasgolfer0320 said:
Well, our wedding was set for 7:00pm in the mountains at an venue where we could have an outdoor wedding. The day of the wedding, I got dressed at the venue which happened to be next to the church. My brother and nephew helped me get dressed. At the same time, at my wife's house, they were having fun as she got dressed, and after she was fully dressed, they all danced. Back at the venue where I was getting dressed, I had quite a few family members over and we had a lot of food to eat while I got dressed. The photographers took photos of us all. At 6:30 our guests started showing up. My wife's koubara showed up early and gave me the bouquet to hold (in Greek weddings, the groom holds the bouquet and gives it to the bride when she meets him at the church entrance).... around 7:00pm we heard a lot of cars honking - this means the groom or the bride is approaching the church, and since I was already at the church with my family it could only me that my wife's family was approaching.

My wife arrived at the venue and I'm standing at the church entrance waiting for her at this point. A band goes to the entrance where my wife will come from, they start playing music and they lead her and her family all the way up to the church entrance to me. We walk to the alter (it's outside) and everyone follows behind us. Then the ceremony began.

For the reception, we entered with fireworks showering on both sides of us (this is a Greek thing), we walked straight to the stage, cut the cake, and had out first dance as soon as we cut the cake. Then we ate, my father-in-law gave a short speech, and mirolόi (a song of remembrance for everyone who has passed away) and we danced. The first dance is for family only and the koubaroi.. After we danced, everyone else joined in. In Greece, guests pay for songs to be played for their family, so we danced nonstop because people wanted to tribute songs to their family. This made me very tired because dances are often 15-20 minutes long, so you don't get to rest, and you have to dance each song out of respect for the family that paid for the song. The last song of the night was a zeibekiko (this is how you tell guests that the reception is over) around 4:00am, which the groom has to dance, so I danced zeibekiko and then people started to leave.

video of me dancing zeibekiko
Click to expand...
I haven't forgotten to say a few lines of my appreciation for writing such a magnificent description.... Terrific dancing....I will write more later on.... just that your Zeibetiko tune took me back to middle 90s spending cold winter months in Mykonos.....I was mostly alone in the Taverna in Ano Mera Mykonos where the son of Mayor was rehearsing this tune everyday.....and what a joy it was to listen to.....and then it was the signature tune for the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in 2004!..... Yasou apo mena from Thailand and Monsoons!??
 
k_tsoukalas said:
Can you send money or do a direct deposit? I would say money is more expected then gifts but I could be wrong.
Click to expand...
I agree, I would send a gift, but keep it simple. Money or a direct deposit works. This is especially worth it if you're close to the people, like a close family member or close friend.
 
anyone has recently tried ordering from local suppliers through WhatsApp or Instagram?

A few small businesses around Lucknow have been selling directly that way, and the prices looked decent. Also, if you’ve bought in bulk lately, did you face any packaging or shipping issues? Curious to hear how things are in 2024.
 
I couldn’t go to my cousin’s wedding last year, and I still sent a small gift to show I was thinking of them. I picked something simple and personal, like refreshing incense scents for home, which they both liked. It wasn’t expensive, just thoughtful. I think even if you can’t attend, it’s nice to send something small if you’re close to the couple.
 
Last edited:
1 - 9 of 9 Posts
You must log in or register to reply here.

JOIN THE DISCUSSION AND READ OTHER GREEK INFO:

What Does Philotimo Mean to You?

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the word, or really, the concept, of philotimo. It’s one of those Greek words that just doesn’t translate neatly into English. I was recently trying to explain it to a non-Greek friend, and I realized how difficult it is to put into words!

I ended up talking about ideas like honor, dignity, courage, generosity, and doing the right thing because it’s simply the right thing to do. I even used some historical examples, including the 300 Spartans at Thermopylae and the spirit of Ochi Day, to try to explain the sense of duty and selflessness that I associate with philotimo.

But I know the concept can also show up in much smaller, everyday ways. How would you explain philotimo to someone unfamiliar with Greek culture? What does the word mean to you personally?

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?

What are your favorite name day traditions?

I’ve always loved the tradition of celebrating name days. In my family, they’re just as meaningful as birthdays, and sometimes even more fun because they bring everyone together in a different way.

When a big name day comes around, especially one that several family members share, we often turn it into a full family gathering. For example, on a name day like Nick/Nikolas, where there might be multiple people celebrating, it becomes almost like a mini family holiday. Someone hosts, there’s plenty of food, and everyone comes by to wish the celebrants “chronia polla.”

I also like the simplicity of the tradition. Even if there isn’t a big gathering, people still call or send messages to acknowledge the day.

Do you celebrate name days in your family? And are there certain ones that turn into larger celebrations because several people share the name?

Anyone here struggle with outpatient rehab not being enough?

I’m curious if anyone else has been through this. I’ve been trying to get sober for a while now and started with a standard outpatient program because it seemed easier to balance with work and daily life. At first it felt okay, but after a couple weeks I noticed I was slipping back into old habits way faster than I expected.
It kinda feels like once the session is over, you’re just thrown back into the same environment with very little structure or support. I’m starting to wonder if outpatient is just too “light” for some people, especially if relapse has already happened before.
Has anyone here switched from regular outpatient to something more structured like IOP or medication-assisted treatment? Did it actually make a difference, or was it just more time in treatment with the same results?
Would really appreciate hearing real experiences — good or bad.

Greek Easter Celebrations in Greece?

I’ve been thinking a lot about Greek Easter lately and realized I don’t actually know what it’s like to experience it in Greece itself.

I grew up with the traditions here, like church services, red eggs, the midnight “Christos Anesti,” and of course the big Sunday feast, but I’m curious how it all feels in Greece. Is the atmosphere different? More intense? More communal?

What are the days leading up to Easter like there, especially Holy Week? Are there specific customs, processions, or local traditions that stand out depending on the region?

I’ve also heard things about candles at midnight, fireworks, and entire towns participating, how true is that?

Would love to hear from anyone who has experienced it in Greece or grew up there. What are the moments that really define Greek Easter for you?
Share and discuss Greek traditions related to Greek weddings, christenings, dance & holidays!

WorldwideGreeks.com is a free online forum community where people can discuss Greek food, travel, traditions, history and mythology.
Join Worldwide Greeks here!

JOIN COMMUNITY FOR FREE

LOGIN TO YOUR ACCOUNT
Back
Top