A wedding in Greece is more than a ceremony — it’s a celebration of love, family, and cultural legacy that spans generations.
Having returned to Greece for my own destination wedding in Crete, I discovered which traditions create the most unforgettable moments, which ones your guests will talk about for years, and how to beautifully blend old customs with modern style.
Whether you’re honoring your Greek roots, planning a destination wedding, or simply love the romance of Greek culture, these 10 timeless Greek wedding traditions will transform your celebration into an experience of community, joy, and lifelong memories.
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1.Greek wedding Tradition: Shaving the Groom
One of the most touching pre-wedding customs in Greece is the shaving of the groom. The groom’s best man (koumbaros) ceremoniously shaves him on the morning of the wedding, surrounded by his friends.
This ritual symbolizes trust, loyalty, and transformation — the groom entrusts his best friend with a blade, marking his transition from bachelor to husband.
Photo tip: Capture the laughter, focus, and camaraderie of this moment — it’s one of the most photogenic parts of the day.
2.Greek wedding Tradition: The Bridal Shoes
While the groom prepares, an equally charming ritual takes place at the bride’s home. The groom’s friends and best man visit to help her put on her shoes, but she playfully insists they are too big. To make them fit, they fill the shoes with money — a gesture wishing prosperity and happiness.
Another sweet tradition involves single girls: the bride writes their names on the soles of her shoes, and by the end of the day, the names that fade away belong to the next brides-to-be!
Read also : Dreaming of Your Wedding in Crete
3.Greek wedding Tradition: The Krevati
If you want to see your relatives laughing like children, the Krevati tradition will do it! Before the wedding, friends and family gather to prepare the couple’s marital bed, decorating it with white linens, rice, coins, petals, and Jordan almonds (koufeta).
The fun begins when everyone throws the items over the bed while shouting blessings for happiness and fertility. In some regions, a baby is gently rolled across the bed to symbolize future children.
Why it’s unforgettable: It’s chaotic, emotional, and hilarious — perfect for candid photos and heartfelt memories.
4. Greek wedding Tradition: The Groom’s Journey to the Church
In the old days, the groom’s journey to the church was filled with live music and dancing. Musicians played traditional instruments — a clarinet in Epirus, a lyra in Crete, or a violin in Corfu — as family and friends danced around him, singing joyful songs. Today, some couples revive this lively tradition, blending it with modern or even multicultural elements, as seen in weddings that mix Greek and Arabic customs with drum processions and folk dances.
5.Greek wedding Tradition: The Bride’s Late Arrival
n Greece, the bride always makes the groom wait! She circles the church three or four times before entering, symbolically building excitement and anticipation.
Historically, brides arrived in horse-drawn carriages, while modern weddings feature decorated cars or convoys honking in celebration. This playful delay not only creates dramatic entrance photos but also heightens the emotion of the moment when the couple finally meets at the church steps.
6.Greek wedding Tradition: The Entrance to the Church
When the bride finally joins the groom, they walk together to the altar where the rings, wine, and crowns await. Surrounded by loved ones, the couple stands with the priest — a sacred trio symbolizing the Holy Trinity. This marks the spiritual start of their life together as “one flesh,” blessed by God and witnessed by their families.
7.Greek wedding Tradition: The Stefana
Perhaps the most iconic part of a Greek Orthodox wedding, the Stefana ceremony symbolizes unity and eternal love.
The priest places ornate crowns, tied together by a white ribbon, on the couple’s heads. The koumbaros or koumbara exchanges the crowns three times while prayers are said. The ribbon represents the inseparable bond of marriage — two becoming one.
After the ceremony, the stefana are often displayed in the couple’s home as cherished keepsakes.
8.Greek wedding Tradition: The Common Cup
This intimate ritual involves the couple drinking sweet red wine (nama) from the same cup three times. It symbolizes their willingness to share everything in life — joy, sorrow, love, and faith — as equal partners.
The act recalls the wedding at Cana, where Christ performed His first miracle, blessing marriages with abundance and happiness. The remaining wine is traditionally drunk by the koumbaros or koumbara.
9.Greek wedding Tradition: The Jordan Almonds
After the ceremony, guests receive bombonieres — small bags or boxes filled with sugar-coated almonds.
Each almond represents purity (white color), endurance (hardness), and the sweetness of married life (sugar). They are always given in odd numbers, symbolizing the indivisibility of the couple.
In older times, single women would place almonds under their pillow to dream of their future husband!
10.Greek wedding Tradition: Tossing the Bridal Bouquet
No Greek wedding celebration would be complete without the bouquet toss. Surrounded by her single friends, the bride throws her bouquet behind her — and the lucky lady who catches it is believed to be the next to marry. This lively moment is always a highlight of the reception and a must-have in every wedding album.
Read also: 3 Traditional Cretan Sweets for Your Wedding
⇒Time to plan your dream wedding in Crete!
Greek wedding traditions are more than rituals — they’re expressions of love, unity, and joy that turn a single day into a lifelong memory.
From the laughter of the Krevati ceremony to the reverent beauty of the Stefana exchange, each tradition tells a story that connects generations and cultures. Whether you’re planning your wedding in Greece or simply inspired by its customs, these timeless traditions ensure that every guest feels part of something truly magical.
