Official wedding in Greece from the Gold-Wedding agency.

Greece is a large country with an ancient culture. Despite modern realities, the influence of ancient traditions here is very strong. The Greek people are very committed to their customs and carefully preserve the heritage of their ancestors. A Greek wedding is an excellent illustration of the way of life and identity of this people, which they have carried through the centuries, despite all adversity. Having absorbed the wisdom of Hellenic civilization with their mothers' milk, the Greeks know how to accept the good that life gives them. Nature itself generously gifted the inhabitants of this country, blessing it with a warm climate, clear cloudless days and gentle waves of the azure sea.

The Greeks celebrate holidays with all the breadth of their souls, never missing an opportunity to have fun, dance to invigorating melodies and laugh. The unique national flavor is fully manifested at celebrations, turning any of them into a ceremonial event bearing the stamp of ancient times. And, of course, time-honored wedding customs are strictly observed to this day.

The pernicious influence of modern globalization, which persistently dictates uniform standards for everyone, is unable to destroy ancestral customs. Even in cities, Greek residents try to adhere to traditions. And in the outback you can watch a real Greek wedding with all its attributes. It is performed on a magnificent scale. All relatives, acquaintances, friends and their relatives are invited. Wedding celebrations for 300–600 people are not uncommon in this country and they last a week.

Blessed marriage

Nowadays, adopted laws on marriage and family relations allow Greek citizens to register marriage ties in a purely administrative manner. However, as in the entire civilized world. However, the real sacrament of marriage for this people was and remains a wedding in a church according to the Orthodox rite, which is furnished in the most magnificent way.

Officially or symbolically

In Greece, you can officially enter into a union, and then exchange the received documents for a marriage certificate in your own country. This procedure will be absolutely legal.

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To do this, you will need to collect a package of documents and give them to the travel agency representative and the wedding planner in advance. You will need copies of foreign passports, passports of your country, birth certificates, divorce certificates of previous marriages, necessarily notarized, if any.

The official ceremony lasts about 20-25 minutes and is usually led by the mayor.

A symbolic wedding does not require any special documents; after it takes place, a marriage certificate is issued, which has no legal force.

Since the country is Orthodox, many couples choose a wedding after the official consolidation of the union. Or they come to the islands exclusively for this sacrament.

Ancient customs of Greece

Many wedding customs in Greece have remained unchanged since ancient times.

So, even the ancient Hellenes began to draw up marriage contracts, spelling out all the nuances and conditions.
The tradition of bride price and dowry goes back four thousand years.
The bride's comic resistance when leaving her home has deep roots: girls were married to complete strangers whom the bride saw on the wedding day, and the wife became the property of her husband.
Sprinkling the newlyweds with coins remains traditional. Only in Ancient Greece dates and nuts were added to money, which promised prosperity in the house.

Well, the luxurious celebrations and wild fun for several days seemed to have left the ancient frescoes, remaining unchanged.

Matchmaking and engagement

A wedding in Greece is a very extended event. It is not customary to hastily slip a ring to the chosen girl and then sign it a day or two later. Everything should go as usual, thoughtfully and in order. From the moment a couple declares serious intentions and gets engaged, quite a long time can pass until the wedding itself: from a year to several years. According to the Byzantine tradition, this time is given to properly prepare for the upcoming celebrations and finally become confident in your feelings.

During this period, the groom must prepare a ransom for the bride (although this custom has long become purely symbolic, and the groom’s relatives collect money for the wedding itself), and the girl collects the dowry. And it is precisely this tradition that is strictly observed in many Greek families.

The dowry is carefully collected over the years. These are not ordinary purchases - they were made by the hands of a girl and her mother. This is embroidery, dresses, knitting, weaving. Everything that allows you to create the talent of the future bride and that will be useful in family life. Of course, a lot is bought now, and the majority of a bride's dowry consists of household appliances, bedding and clothing. But in any dowry chest there will be a couple of uniquely beautiful things created with your own hands.

Modern realities have made their own adjustments: it happens that a separate engagement is not celebrated, but a wedding ceremony is held immediately. According to an unshakable tradition, the engagement is always held in the temple. Relatives and friends are convened and in the presence of witnesses the groom declares his intentions to the chosen one’s father. Once consent is received, it is sealed by the priest with blessed rings. They are worn on the ring fingers of the left hand.

An interesting custom: as a sign of their love and loyalty to the chosen one, the bride and groom exchange rings three times. They will wear these rings without taking them off during the entire preparation for the wedding celebrations. Then they will turn into wedding bands, taking their rightful place on the right hand.

Wedding organization from A to Z

Where to start planning a wedding in Greece for your clients and how to ensure that the newlyweds are completely satisfied? In resolving this issue, a travel agent can certainly be helped by ready-made wedding packages from Beleon Tours and the company’s wedding coordinators, who are always happy to listen to the wishes of couples in love and create a completely new stylistic package in accordance with the preferences of the newlyweds.

Perhaps your tourists imagine their wedding as a ceremony full of mystery and mystery, taking place to the accompaniment of gentle waves somewhere on an exotic, distant island. Or as a fun, unbridled party with a huge number of guests, dancing, delicious food and funny competitions. Or maybe the newlyweds are dreaming of a wedding on board a luxury yacht, where they can admire the amazingly beautiful seascapes all day long? Whatever their wishes, Beleon Tours is ready to guarantee that all of them will be fulfilled. The company’s specialists will easily organize the wedding of your dreams, saving you and your clients from all the hassle associated with preparations for this important event.

The company will take care of all the hassles of organizing the wedding ceremony, from selecting the ceremony location to flying home. All that is required of the newlyweds is to wholeheartedly enjoy the role of the main characters of the chic celebration. During the celebration, nothing can distract them from the most important thing - enjoying their romantic journey and, of course, each other, while all issues related to drawing up the wedding program and menu, organizing the wedding procession, colorful decoration of the celebration, photo and video shooting will be handled by the Beleon company Tours!

Beleon Tours can organize a wedding of any nature and style in the most popular and beautiful resorts in Greece - in a large city or on a small island, in a mountainous area or on the seashore. Your clients can hold their wedding ceremony wherever they want - in an Orthodox church, in a hotel or right on the beach.

Among the best offers for newlyweds:

Wedding tours to Greece.
All types of wedding ceremonies at the most popular resorts.
“Wedding package in 3 clicks.”
Wide range of wedding services.
Organization of tour, ceremony and banquet.
Development of a honeymoon travel program.

Additional services for your tourists:

Assistance in preparing documents.
Personal wedding coordinator services.
Organization of bachelor and bachelorette parties.
Decoration and scenery of ceremony sites.
Musical accompaniment: DJ, Greek national ensemble, etc.
Professional photo and video shooting.
Wedding makeup and hairstyle services.
Organization of a festive dinner: candlelight dinner on the beach or yacht.
Entertainment.

Wedding vestments

In ancient times, newlyweds' vestments were pure white with ornamental embroidery and decorations. The bride's head was covered with a special headdress or a thin veil.

Now, in most cases, wedding dresses have a completely modern look, familiar to Europeans. However, many unspoken traditions regarding vestments have remained unchanged since ancient times.

The bride's hair is done by her friends, and she kisses their hands as a sign of gratitude.
Dressed in a dress, the young woman is taken out to her relatives, her brother ties her belt, tightening it with three knots.
The vestment is complemented by golden threads that are woven into the hair and fall to the knees.
Ivy on a wedding dress is a tribute to ancient Greek traditions. This is a vow by a young girl to love forever and be faithful.
Modern grooms do not have strict restrictions. As a rule, suits are chosen in classic, dark or beige colors.
The newlyweds are crowned during the wedding ceremony, remaining in the ceremonial crowns for the rest of the day.
If a wedding is held in the Greek style, the girl chooses a national tunic with a belt under the chest and many folds, and the groom puts a wreath of olive branches on his head.

Followers of old traditions and families with modern views agree on one thing: the attire of the newlyweds should be as luxurious as possible, emphasizing the beauty and charm of the bride, the strength and wealth of the groom.

Wedding

In Greece, you can carry out not only official or symbolic registration of marriage, but also a wedding. Quiet mountain monasteries and small village churches have incredible charm. The wedding ceremony can be carried out in parallel with the registration; weddings are also provided for couples who are already legally married. To do this, you must provide a number of documents translated into Greek in advance.

For lovers who are not married, the wedding ceremony cannot be performed in the church; only a symbolic wedding is allowed, in which the priest will not make an official entry in the church register.

Thus, it is not difficult to turn a standard wedding ceremony with a Mendelssohn march and congratulations from an employee of the local registry office into a real dream. Sea, mountains, sun, ancient culture and architecture, a luxury hotel on the island and your loved one nearby - this is all your unforgettable Greek wedding!

Preparing for the wedding ceremony

Financial support for the wedding usually falls on the shoulders of the groom's mother and his representative - the kumbaros, the best man. As a rule, this becomes the godfather of the young man, but it can be a good friend or other relative. Regardless of the location of the holiday, it is abundantly decorated with flowers, garlands, and fancy compositions of living bouquets. A lot of ancient candlesticks, passed down from generation to generation, are placed. Lanterns are hung.

It is mandatory to decorate the balcony of the bride’s house so that everyone around her knows that the girl is getting married.

The most favorable day for a wedding is Sunday. Consequently, the first rituals begin to be performed a week before this day. On Sunday, the groom sends his chosen one a gift. In the old days, it was henna, which the bride had to dye her hair with at the time of her wedding. Now the gift is purely symbolic.

On Monday, preparations for the wedding are in full swing: outfits are chosen, rooms are decorated.
On Tuesday, the bride and her bridesmaids take a break from the tiring chores of the day before.
The environment is intended to prepare the dowry for transfer to a new home. They are going through all the things: is there anything missing, perhaps something needs to be added or removed?

Making the bed

As a rule, one of the most interesting rites of the Greek wedding ritual is scheduled for Thursday: making the bed. The closest relatives from both sides gather in the girl’s home. People will meticulously evaluate the bride's trousseau displayed on display, discuss her skill and try to secretly spot her outfit.

Meanwhile, the unmarried bridesmaids carefully make the girl’s bed. The task is to amaze the groom with the beauty of his decoration. At this time, the kumbaros soulfully sing traditional chants, which are greeted with friendly laughter. The groom is demonstrably dissatisfied with the quality of the girls’ work and repeatedly tears off the bedspreads and linen, demanding an impeccable bed. As a rule, the procedure is repeated three times (the Greeks love this number!), after which the groom finally recognizes the result as acceptable.

Guests strew the bed with coins, rice grains, rose petals and nuts, thereby wishing happiness and prosperity to the new family. The smallest child present is solemnly laid down on the filled bed, promising a successful childbirth. Moreover, according to legend, the gender of the child determines the gender of the first-born of the future couple.

On Friday, the bride must bake a loaf of bread with her own hands. Wedding invitations are also sent out.

Traditional Greek wedding

It starts on Saturday. On this day, according to tradition, the groom must make a sacrifice to the gods - slaughter a sacrificial lamb and cook a roast on a spit. As soon as the groom copes with this difficult task, the bride's dowry is ceremonially transported to his house. And the newlyweds go to wash together to cleanse themselves before the Sunday wedding.

On Sunday morning the wedding itself begins. The guests sing songs, solemnly dress the groom and go in procession to the bride's house. Her mother meets the guy at the door with wine and baked goods. He must eat and drink everything, and then ask for blessings. The woman kisses him twice, after which he becomes a relative.

Bride ransom

The girl is dressed in wedding robes. While the groom buys the right to enter the house, the chosen friend presents the bride with white shoes - these are the ones she will wear to get married. The bridesmaids try to steal the shoes, and the bride tries to find them. She must dance with her father, after which the groom has the right to take her out of the house. The girl resists with all her might. And the newlywed must prove his strength and perseverance and still bring out - or carry out, as it turns out - the obstinate bride.

Wedding

The newlyweds go to the temple in separate processions. The groom must be the first to reach the wedding venue and wait for his chosen one at the entrance. It is led by a close male relative, father or brother. Moreover, traditionally, they do not approach the door right away, making several circles around the surrounding area: they make the groom and his relatives nervous.

The wedding takes place solemnly, the decoration of the church includes many flowers and candles. At the end of the ceremony, the newlyweds are sprinkled with rice. And guests are offered small fabric bags with sweets. Young people are given gifts.

Visiting my husband's house

After the wedding, the newlyweds go to their husband’s house, where their mother-in-law is waiting for them. She greets them with sweets or honey, as well as loaf of bread. On the threshold, she hands over a pomegranate fruit, which since ancient times has symbolized wealth and well-being. Young spouses must cross the threshold only with the right foot and at the same time, which means harmony and family happiness. There is also a custom when gold coins are placed in the mouths of the husband and wife who enter the house. From now on, they should utter only words as beautiful as gold.

Interesting wedding ritual customs

A wedding in Greece is filled with amazing rituals and beliefs.

On the wedding day, the girl writes the names of her girlfriends on the soles of her white shoes. Whose name is erased will marry faster than others.
The groom should not see her wedding dress until the morning of the wedding.
When a bride bakes a wedding loaf, they try to sprinkle it with flour. It is believed that ignoring this custom will leave the family to languish in poverty.
If on Saturday the groom was unable to personally slaughter a lamb and cook a meal on a spit, he will turn out to be a useless family man.
On Sunday the groom is not allowed into the house for a long time. As compensation, he must have a chicken with him.
During the dances, many gold crosses and paper money are attached to the newlyweds' outfits.
The bride's dance, according to custom, takes place surrounded by unmarried guys. The girl throws her handkerchief. Whoever picked him up first is the first contender for a quick marriage.
One dish must certainly be broken by a person with a pure heart, for good luck.

The wedding feast begins in the evening after the wedding and sometimes lasts three days. The evening opens with a dance of the young people, during which they are showered with money. During the walk, the newlywed should draw water from a fountain or spring and treat those present. This is an ancient tradition that symbolizes fertility.

A guide for a travel agent: how to organize a wedding in Greece correctly and easily?

Preparing a holiday requires solving many problems, the implementation of which can be monitored using a simple step-by-step guide, which contains the sequence of actions for preparing a wedding in Greece.

No. 1. Choose a resort Information about wedding resorts in Greece will help you choose a resort for your honeymoon or wedding ceremony. You can also contact the wedding coordinators of Beleon Tours, who will provide advice on all issues and recommend the resort that best suits your needs.

How to choose a place for a wedding ceremony? There is almost unlimited freedom to choose the location of the wedding ceremony; you can find out about the various options in the “Wedding Locations” section in Greece. It all depends on the desires of your tourists: choose the hotel area, a wild seashore or beach, a favorite landscape, an olive grove or on board a sailing yacht and much more.

No. 2. Choose a hotel A collection of the best wedding hotels in Greece will help you choose a hotel to suit your tourist’s tastes. It is also advisable to familiarize yourself with the special services that hotels provide for newlyweds. Many hotels offer nice gifts from an upgrade or room decoration to a romantic dinner or free spa treatments.

No. 3. Decide on the date When planning the date of the wedding ceremony in Greece, you can contact the wedding coordinators working in the company for advice, they will be happy to give you recommendations on choosing the best period for the ceremony, taking into account the plans of your tourists. Beleon Tours specialists recommend booking the ceremony in advance, and then you can count on receiving seasonal discounts at the hotel and company.

No. 4. Book a tour To book a wedding tour to Greece, contact the company's representative office in Moscow or a wedding coordinator. Booking a wedding tour includes accommodation, transfers, visas and insurance.

Is it possible to make adjustments to the wedding program after it has been booked and confirmation of the reservation has been received? Beleon Tours company approaches the organization of the ceremony individually and is ready to consider the wishes of customers and make adjustments, if possible, taking into account the time frame. Specialists strive to do everything to maximally satisfy the wishes of clients.

No. 5. Decide on the type of ceremony In Greece, it is possible to organize a symbolic ceremony, an official wedding and a wedding in a church. Once you have completed your Greece wedding tour booking, your wedding coordinator will provide information about the types of wedding ceremonies and packages available. Depending on the type of wedding ceremony you choose, you will receive advice on what documentation needs to be prepared for your tourists and how it should be completed. Please note that to book a wedding day - official wedding and church wedding - wedding coordinators need to receive all the documents 8 weeks before the expected date of the ceremony.

No. 6. Creating your ceremony Next, you can create a plan and budget for a unique wedding yourself, together with your clients, using a wedding calculator posted on the tour operator’s website. You will be surprised at the simplicity and speed of the procedure - the wedding calculator contains all the necessary services, their detailed description and cost.

No. 7. Confirmation and payment for the ceremony If the wedding plan suits your tourists, you can pay for it. The wedding coordinator will immediately begin the actual preparation of the dream ceremony - it is he who will ensure that all organizational issues are resolved. Your clients are left with only the most pleasant things to do - choosing beautiful wedding dresses in anticipation of the main holiday in life.

No. 8. Guests at the ceremony To ensure the presence of family and friends at the ceremony, the wedding coordinator will select a tour for all the guests whom it is important for you to see at the wedding.

No. 9. Organization of the ceremony The wedding coordinator begins to resolve organizational issues from the day of payment, and until the end of the ceremony he will personally monitor the implementation of all planned items and unexpected details that arise so that the wedding ceremony takes place in strict accordance with the planned plan. A maximum of 6 weeks prior to your trip, you must ensure that you have received all the necessary documentation, which should be sent to the coordinator for processing and obtaining the necessary permission for the official ceremony or wedding.

No. 10. Upon arrival, the Wedding Coordinator will meet with your tourists in Greece, where the final details of the preparations can be discussed directly on the spot.

No. 11. Day of the ceremony On the day of the ceremony, when everything is ready and the morning awakens joyful excitement and anticipation of happiness, a great mood is naturally created. The newlyweds can only prepare for the upcoming ceremony and enjoy every moment of the happiest day of their lives.

Start of a new family life

Closer to morning, the young disappear unnoticed to share the marriage bed. And then they continue the holiday, which can last two more days. Without saying a word to anyone, the spouses disappear without a trace, improving the moment. So they go on their honeymoon. The husband's relatives treat the young woman very sensitively and try to protect her from all grief. The origins of this custom are simple: as a rule, the bride got married when she was already pregnant, which was only encouraged, proving her fertility and health.

Greeks try not to get married during Lent or in May. Also, it is not advisable to hold celebrations during mourning. A Greek wedding is a magnificent and crowded celebration, where songs and dances do not stop, everyone should be joyful, wishing only the best. This is a fusion of Christian Orthodox rituals and ancient pagan beliefs, organically combined with modern views and standards.

Advantages of the celebration

The numerous Greek islands are one of the best places for wedding ceremonies. This is very convenient for a number of reasons:

the flight will take no more than four hours;
obtaining a visa will not take much time, and if you already have a Schengen visa, you can easily use it for a honeymoon;
Greece is a party to an agreement with Russia on the recognition of the legality of marriages performed on the territory of the countries. An official document is issued, on which an apostille is affixed, after which only a notarized translation is required;
the opportunity to combine business with pleasure - a gala event and subsequent relaxation, because the Greek islands have a well-developed tourism industry, and choosing a hotel to suit your taste with the right accommodation will not be difficult;
Marriage in Greece can be performed both officially and symbolically. This country has a huge number of Orthodox churches, and therefore, at the same time, you can have a wedding ceremony here in one of the most beautiful places on the planet.