Wedding in Greek style: hall decoration, outfits, accessories

Peculiarities

Traditionally, a Greek wedding is celebrated for several days , not limited to just the official ceremony:

The first day is the eve of the celebration, when the bride prepares for the main event in her life. It's time for a joyful family dinner;
On the second day of a Greek wedding, the bride ransom, marriage registration, wedding, and festive feast take place;
On the third day there is a continuation of the banquet, where there is room not only for delicious treats, but also for fiery dancing.

A Greek-style wedding involves organizing a celebration during the warm season of the year. The wedding ceremony is usually outdoor, the event takes place in the open air. It is recommended to choose a picturesque location for a Greek wedding on the sea coast or by the river.
The host must dress in the white robes of the Olympian deity in order to make the proper impression on those present and fit into the overall style of the Greek wedding. Important! The Greek style emphasizes luxury and sophistication.
The color scheme of outfits, decor and interior items will be in harmony with nature itself. It is preferable to use combinations of white with bluish, olive and yellow shades.
You can add contrasting touches of black.

Features of the wedding

Traditions call for the wedding to take place over several days. It includes a number of important parts:

the first day is considered the eve of the wedding, when the bride mentally prepares for the upcoming celebration. At this time, a family dinner is held in a joyful atmosphere;
the second day of the celebration in Greece is accompanied by bride ransom ceremonies, registration, and festivities;
on the third day the festivities continue, and the fun is diluted with noisy dancing, competitions and fun.

It is best to plan a Greek-style wedding in the warm season. The ceremony differs from the European version in that it is usually held in an open area. The shore of a natural open body of water, such as a lake or river, is ideal. The image of the host can add originality to the wedding. He can be asked to dress up in the costume of a mythological deity to create the greatest ambiance. It is important to remember that the main nuances of a wedding of this theme should be aimed at emphasizing sophistication.

The color shades of outfits and decorations should be in harmony with the selected natural landscape. A combination of white with olive, golden and yellow colors will fit perfectly into the celebration ensemble. For contrast, you can add touches of black shades.

Signs

Those who are inclined to listen to folk wisdom can pay attention to the signs associated with a Greek wedding :

If you put a piece of sugar in the bride's glove, married life will be sweet;
On the soles of her wedding sandals or shoes, the bride writes the names of her unmarried friends present at the celebration. The one whose name is erased first will soon get married;
The bride is not allowed to turn back or return on the way to the ceremony, and the groom is not allowed to see her dress before the wedding, otherwise misfortune will happen;
In order for newlyweds to live richly, they are showered with money or coins are attached directly to their clothes.

Guests must give money to the newlyweds. This tradition symbolizes the transfer of well-being to the newlywed couple.

Bride's image from photo

The bride's wedding dress in the Greek style has certain features:

smooth silhouette - without lush frills and voluminous hem a la princess;
exclusively white;
high waist, the presence of a corset or bodice with thin straps;
light flowing fabric: to create a delicate image of a Greek bride, chiffon or silk is better suited;
an abundance of jewelry made of precious metals;
traditional embroidery;
short veil or lack thereof.

Often, instead of a veil, the bride wears a gold hoop or a laurel crown (a stylized diadem) made of fresh leaves and flowers on her head. The bride's hair is braided into voluminous braids or hairstyles are done with twisted curls. If you want to leave your hair loose, then be sure to curl the curls.
The bride's shoes must match the overall style of the holiday and outfit, and also be comfortable, otherwise the expression of suffering risks being frozen in the wedding photos. It is better for young people to opt for wicker sandals or white open-toed shoes.

Makeup in the Greek style will suit brides with any type of appearance. It fits perfectly with a light cut dress and a Greek hairstyle.

Distinctive features of makeup:

effect of natural skin radiance;
expressive eye contours;
bronze-sand tones of eye shadow;
pronounced eyebrows;
light pink lips.

All components of a Greek bride’s outfit should complement each other favorably and not deviate from the overall style.

Wedding images of the bride and groom in the Greek style

The costumes of the newlyweds at a Greek wedding must be kept within the genre. To do this, be guided by the attire of ancient Greek heroes and gods, which are known to everyone thanks to films and book illustrations.

Bride

The bridesmaid dress should be floor-length, flowing silhouette, with an open bodice. The waist is high, the belt clearly outlines the figure. It is better to choose a style with wide soft straps or thin golden straps. To create such an outfit, airy, flowing fabrics are suitable, which will make the bride incredibly romantic. The features of this dress are elegant folds, drapery, and a minimum of decor. As for shoes, instead of classic shoes or high-heeled sandals, you should buy sandals with high lacing and flat soles.

The image of a bride in a Greek style for a wedding

Pay attention to your hair. There are Greek styles that are ideal for girls with long hair. If you don’t want to do any styling, braid a loose braid and decorate it with flowers. The image of a bride in the Greek style for a wedding has a peculiarity - a mandatory tiara in her hair, which must have the shape and design of a laurel wreath.

Groom

For that young man who wants to maintain the genre even in small things , we can offer a knee-length chiton of an ancient Greek warrior, as well as sandals. However, not every newlywed would agree to wear such a suit today - it looks too extravagant. Therefore, you can replace it with a regular suit. A prerequisite is that it must be white (in extreme cases, light cream).

Photo of the bride and groom in Greek style

Alternatively, opt for a loose-fitting shirt and trousers and skip the tie. Want something extravagant? How about a barefoot look instead of classic wedding shoes or boots?

Nuances

The color white should predominate in the images of the bride and groom. However, it would be appropriate to dilute it with gold. For example, the trim of a wedding dress may contain golden braid. The same color is suitable for the bride's sandals.

Don’t forget about the traditional Greek ornament - it will perfectly complement the outfits of the main heroes of the occasion

Another feature of the images for both newlyweds is wedding wreaths. They are used to crown newlyweds during the marriage ceremony. At the banquet they appear already “crowned”. Wreaths are created either from precious metals, gold and silver, or from laurel branches and leaves.

Wedding wreaths in Greek style

Groom image

Finding the perfect outfit for the groom is easier.

Advice! For a Greek wedding, a classic is suitable - a strict black suit.

If the groom has tanned or naturally dark skin, an all-white pantsuit looks impressive . If the ceremony is planned for a hot time, then a white shirt and white trousers are enough.

The same white hat is suitable as an accessory, and if the absolute whiteness of the groom’s outfit is not impressive, you can add a few contrasting details - a bright carrot tie or a colorful boutonniere on the jacket.

Dress code for guests

If your wedding is not stylized as the ancient Greek Olympus, there is no need to bother those present with special wishes regarding outfits .

All you have to do is ask your guests to choose outfits that have at least a hint of the Greek style - embroidery with gold or silver threads, color shades of white, olive, yellow, light blue.

It is advisable for the bridesmaids to set off the bride’s white robe with contrasting dresses in the colors of the listed range.

If you want to add a twist, organize a “pass system” for guests, where an original decoration in the Greek style will act as an entrance ticket. Just don't forget to warn about this in your invitations.

Creating the image of a Greek bride

The wedding image of a bride in the Greek style differs from the generally accepted standard in a number of interesting features:

A wedding dress in the Greek style should not have excessive pomp; ideally, you should choose a straight cut. In this image, the bride will resemble a princess rather than the queen of the evening;
the main and, preferably, the only color of the bride’s wedding dress should be white;
It is advisable to use fabrics of a light, flowing cut. Ideally, silk and chiffon are suitable, which can be combined with each other.

The final detail of the bride's image will be an abundance of jewelry or good quality jewelry. The dress should have traditional embroidery. You can omit the veil, or use a shortened version.

Often, instead of a veil, girls use a special hoop or a crown of laurel leaves. This plant is highly valued in the culture of the Greek people and will be very appropriate in the design of the image. Either curls or voluminous braids are ideal as a hairstyle. With loose hair, there must be at least light strands of waves.

It is important to incorporate the style of the bride’s image into the wedding design. But at the same time, do not forget about the convenience of being in the chosen image, both morally and physically.

Otherwise, memorable shots may be irrevocably spoiled, as well as the festive mood itself. Shoes can be chosen in the form of woven sandals or white open-toed shoes. You can refrain from wearing heels, ensuring the bride's comfort during the holiday.

Wedding makeup for a bride in the Greek style is considered universal. It will fit perfectly into a natural and gentle look thanks to the following main features:

it is important to create the effect of natural shine and radiance of the skin;
It is recommended to make the contours of the eyes expressive;
eye shadow should be chosen in a sandy shade or close to nude;
eyebrows should be made pronounced.

The finishing touch will be adding lipstick to the lips in a light pink, delicate shade. All details of the bride’s outfit should not deviate from the wedding style. Harmony in the image itself and all its details is also important.

Invitation scrolls

For fans of the ancient Greek style who are delighted with the Olympian gods, you can make invitations in the form of scrolls . They are made only to order; you will not find scrolls on the open market. When creating creative invitations, white paper is artificially aged and calligraphic text is manually inscribed there.

Don't forget to think about envelopes for invitation cards. Scroll covers made of natural fabrics or canvas envelopes will fit perfectly into the Greek style.

Cortege-chariot

In Greece, the bride and groom traditionally travel to the wedding venue on foot or by donkey. If this idea does not appeal to you, prepare a wedding cortege from a chariot and a pair of white horses . If it's hard to find a real chariot, a white carriage will also work. In inclement weather, you can use a white car decorated with traditional patterns.

Decorate your vehicle with fresh flowers and laurel branches. You can use orange and red ribbons. The bright purple color symbolizes high position and respect in society among the Greeks.

Carefully! Do not choose dark green shades to decorate your chariot. For the Greeks it is the color of mourning.

Location

An excellent option is a Greek restaurant, decorated in the same style, or any other room with large columns or marble. If it is impossible to find such a room, buy inexpensive dummies of columns and use them to mark the place of the dance floor.

The hall is decorated with white opaque tulle. Long pieces can be stretched across the ceiling by joining the ends of the fabric and securing them to the chandelier. This design will help create the impression that the wedding is made in heaven.

The most suitable decor for the room is beautiful flower arrangements, large floor vases with Greek designs, olive and ivy branches.

Banqueting hall

Mandatory elements when decorating a banquet venue are vases with fruit, painted amphorae and columns. Be sure to consider colors. The most successful combination is the union of white and blue tones.

If the wedding ceremony is held indoors, then the columns can be real. For an open-air event, order prop columns. Create the desired airiness effect using thin white chiffon and flowing organza.

There should be a lot of flowers at a Greek wedding. For floor vases, choose individual floral arrangements. The rest of the banquet hall can be decorated with garlands of flowers. Olive branches fit well into the Greek style. They can be used to set off white tablecloths or decorate columns. Instead of olive branches, you can use willow branches. They are identical in appearance and no less elastic.

In general, decor in the Greek style implies simplicity, harmony and aesthetic appeal. If desired, statues or sculptures of ancient Greek gods or athletes can be placed in the banquet hall.

Photoshoot

The best place for a photo shoot is by the water. Design a photo zone in nature to a minimum: flowers, flying fabrics, candles. You can use fruit dishes, ivy or vines. The main thing is to create a romantic mood.

Spectacular photographs will also be obtained against the backdrop of a clear sky, near beautiful fountains, next to columns.

Accessories

The appearance of the glasses, ring cushions and crown for the newlyweds should correspond to the theme of the wedding. When designing them, use the following tips:

Decorate the glasses with pastel-colored flowers or silver and golden patterns;
If desired, replace the glasses with metal goblets tied with purple ribbons;
order a crown for the newlyweds from gold or silver, it should be stylized as a laurel branch, if desired, complement the design with inserts of precious stones;
Ring cushions can be shaped like grape leaves or decorated with shiny embroidery or flowers.

It is advisable to adhere to the color scheme characteristic of the Greek style - choose accessories in olive, yellow, white or light blue.

meze - small snacks with alcohol with olives, feta cheese and shrimp;
as a hot dish - dolma (similar to cabbage rolls, in which minced meat is wrapped in grape leaves);
souvlaki – pieces of kebab on skewers with lemon wedges and bread;
beautiful wedding loaf ;
among alcoholic drinks, orange liqueur, red wines, and ouzo (a drink reminiscent of absinthe) are preferable.

When served, drinks will look impressive in painted jugs. Pour them into glass glasses or metal cups.

Cake

The main decoration of the table can be made in the form of an elegant amphora or an ancient temple with columns - then the cake will fit perfectly into the overall style. The dessert is decorated with a cream drapery, an imitation of the classic ancient Greek ornament - meanders.

Greek cake is decorated with flowers, olives, leaves, grapevines, laurel branches. It certainly has several tiers and is covered with white icing or white whipped cream.

Amount of days

Traditionally, Greeks celebrate three wedding days. The first is dedicated to a family celebration, the second is an official wedding, and the third is a time of banquet, dancing and fireworks. If circumstances permit, you can build your wedding algorithm this way. If this is not possible, fit the entire scenario into 1-2 days.

Carefully consider not only the costumes of the bride and groom, but also introduce a dress code for all guests. For newlyweds, it is worth choosing white (and this decision is especially welcome in a newlywed suit). Guests do not have to wear white clothes, but pastel shades must certainly be present in the color scheme.

Wedding menu - fruits

The wedding menu should mainly consist of fruits, vegetables, and cheeses. For hot dishes, choose special Greek kebab and dolma. The wines are semi-sweet, and liquor can be served on the tables. It is better to avoid strong drinks. Remember that the Greeks prefer fun, not drunken dope.

Photo session

To organize a wedding photo shoot in Greek style, you will need:

space in nature;
clear sky;
distinctive architecture;
themed accessories.

Any architectural objects close to the classics - forged figures, white-painted benches, columns, fountains, statues of angels or mythical heroes - will serve as a spectacular backdrop.

For a photo shoot in the Greek style, you can use completely white rooms or rooms with antique decor. Beautiful photos will be taken against the backdrop of nature - in a park area, near rivers and lakes.

If you want something unusual, use tantamaresque. This is the name of a special stand, and for a Greek wedding it will depict majestic Olympian deities with a slit instead of faces. Guests and newlyweds stand behind the stand and look through the slots. You can make a tantamaresque only for the groom, who will appear in the image of Apollo. Then the bride will have to sit down next to her and admire the new appearance of her lover.

During a photo shoot at a Greek wedding, you need to use additional accessories in the Greek style - trays with fruits, amphoras, garlands of flowers, vines or ivy . Among flowers, it is better to give preference to irises - symbols of a happy life. The pictures will also be decorated with ivy and grapes as the personification of eternal love.

Scenario for a wedding event

The second day of the celebration is considered the most important in a Greek wedding. For the harmonious fusion of two loving hearts, it is necessary to think through the scenarios and developments of events, as well as the competition program, in advance.

Redemption stage

The traditional bride price has become the basis of weddings in most cultures, and Greek was no exception. The bride's father can act as Zeus, the supreme god of Greek culture. Who, together with the witnesses, does not want to just give his daughter to the groom. At least until he accomplishes one or more feats. You can adjust the scenario of the 12 labors of Hercules by organizing a simple theatrical performance. The groom can be offered the following actions:

climb over the fence, despite the resistance of parents and bridesmaids;
if the girl lives not high up, you can build a staircase to Olympus from sheets, along which the groom must get to the top of the mountain to his beloved through the window. The staircase can be made from any available materials;
demonstrate the level of physical fitness, for example, by moving the mother-in-law to any place indicated by her.

In the event that the chosen tests seem sufficient to the father, the groom is allowed to see his beloved.

Off-site registration ceremony

It is better to ask the host at a Greek event to dress in clothes that match the style of the event. Ideally, registration should take place on the shore of a local river or lake. After registration, the Olympic torch is set on fire after the final speech of the presenter. The newlyweds must be presented with a torch and a lighter, after which the torch is set on fire. Then the newlyweds go to a banquet. The noisier the movement, the better; according to Greek tradition, as many people as possible should know about the couple’s wedding.