Guest Author - Tonya Callihan


Greek Wedding Traditions

Wedding in Greece are always on Sundays. The Wednesday before the wedding a ceremony called starting the leaven is held. Family and friends go to the bride’s family home and watch as a boy and a girl sieve the flour, then they toss coins into the flour and wish the bride and groom good luck.

On Friday before the wedding another ceremony called filling the sacks is held. This ceremony is where the brides’ mother will place a cooper colored pan in a sack followed by the brides’ belongings. Then family and friends will toss coins in the sack as well.

The couple must become engaged in front of family and friends, followed by a large feast. This is said to be just as important as the wedding itself.

The wedding must start at the grooms’ home; a flag will be raised to show the progression is starting. Once the groom arrives to the bride’s home he will drink wine, while the bride is escorted to the church by a male relative. Soon the others will follow behind the bride.

At the reception candy-coated almonds are given as favors. Once this is over the bride and groom will return to the groom’s home. Another flag is raised to show that the two are indeed married and it’s been known for the bride to throw a piece or iron or metal of some sort on top of the home to prove how strong the home is.


The Honeymoon

I’ve often wondered how the honeymoon evolved. Why is its purpose and meaning? Now I know and I want to share this interesting information with you.

In primeval times it’s known that a man would choose a wife and she would marry him against her will. He would take her to a secret location where her family could not find them. They would stay in this location for 30 days, while the moon went through their phases. From my understanding, every night they would drink a secret potion made with honey every night. Giving us the honeymoon.

Carry the Bride across the Threshold

In ancient times when a male would capture his bride she wouldn’t go willing into his quarters, so he would have to carry her into his room for their wedding night. Another belief is that the bride’s demons followed her and in order to keep them from going into the grooms’ quarters he would have to carry her into the room.