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GREEK-AMERICAN

FEBRUARY 10, 2018

The National Herald

T H D E L N A AT ER IONAL H www.thenationalherald.com 4 Greek American Weddings THE NATIONAL HERALD, FEBRUARY 10, 2018 Greek Traditions

By Eleni Sakellis ter the is ready, includes wrapping a red sash around the bride’s waist for fertility while The Greek wedding has taken on mythic pro - music is played and all her relatives give her a portions in the popular imagination worldwide, . The red sash is also draped around the thanks in no small part to the film My Big Fat groom’s waist at his house, and then the kapnistiri Greek Wedding, even if it is nearing sixteen years takes place during which a censor is used to bless since its release. the bride and groom. Greek-Americans have done their part in ex - When the bride is about to exit her parent's panding the idea of the Greek wedding in all its home, her parents break a large wedding pretzel grandeur, from the huge guest list to the impres - or “nifopsomo” over her head and give all those sive reception menu, but the traditional aspects in attendance a piece so they can wish all the of the Greek wedding are what make it truly best to the bride for a happy , health, unique and special. Those of us from the average, and wealth. usually large, Greek family will undoubtedly have In many regions of Greece, a procession to the attended numerous weddings throughout a single church takes place with traditional songs per - lifetime. I recall being shocked and saddened to formed for the bride and her family and the hear that one of my classmates (non-Greek) had groom and his family along the way. A band some - never attended a wedding in her life at the ripe times escorts the bride to the church and everyone old age of 12 or 13. By that age, most Greek- in the community follows and dances all the way Americans have been to at least three or four to the church. Traditionally, the groom waits out - weddings and have probably participated as a side of the church for the bride’s arrival and then flower girl or bearer in at least one or two. gives her the bouquet before they walk down the There a lot of Greek wedding traditions and from aisle together. The father of the bride or her one region to the next, there are many variations. brother gives the bride away to the groom outside The traditional music varies, too, who has at - the church. tended several Greek weddings of those from var - The wedding ceremony begins with the bless - ious parts of the country will attest. ing of the couple’s and the rings. As The traditions actually begin well before the noted in Manhattan Bride, “The betrothal service bride and groom have even met. The tradition of recognizes the engagement of the couple by the the prika, or , begins with the mother of church and includes the ’s blessing of the the bride buying items or making them by hand rings. He also alternately blesses the bride and for her daughter’s future wedding, linens, cloth - groom three times.” ing, household items, and usually storing them Among the traditions: “The stefana, or crowns, are As noted on nvphotographers.com, “The ste - in a large chest over the course of many years. In fana, or crowns, are linked with a ribbon that the past, young women showed off their skills in linked with a ribbon that symbolizes the union of symbolizes the union of two people into a married embroidery and other crafts in the items they two people into a married couple" couple and are placed on a table in front of the made by hand for their dowry. Today, most of the bridegroom, along with the Bible, the wine, and items a bride needs are purchased. the rings. In the past, engagement rings in Greece were wed. Sunday is traditionally the preferred day for make the bed at the soon-to-be and “The koumbaro or koumbara exchanges the usually not the solitaire type we associ - weddings, but more and more couples choose ’s house for good luck and fertility. After the rings three times and swaps the stefana three ate with them today. The Greek Saturday, and some now even choose to marry bed is made, flowers, money, and koufeta are times, before he places them on the couple's was a band worn on the left after on weekdays. The Thursday before the Sunday thrown on top, and finally a baby is also set on heads. This is a physical demonstration of their the engagement blessing and then the same ring wedding was when the dowry or prika was deliv - top of the bed. Whether it’s a baby girl or boy spiritual bonding (the couple and koumbari).” served as the wedding ring, moved from the left ered to the couple’s soon-to-be home. In the days will supposedly determine what the firstborn child When the priest begins the wedding , to the right hand during the appropriate moment leading up to the delivery, it was a custom for the will be. The preference is traditionally for a baby he joins the couple’s right hands. Then the priest of the wedding ceremony. In some villages, the dowry to be on display in the bride’s parents’ boy. In some regions, rice is also thrown on top blesses the stefana blessing, reads the Gospel of engagement is still an important separate cere - home so visitors could admire it wish the bride of the bed. the Wedding in Cana (' first miracle), then mony, though it is also how the wedding service well in her marriage. The dowry is no longer com - On the day of the wedding, the koumbaro or pours wine into a single cup or glass, and gives it begins, but more on that later. mon, but in many places where Greeks have set - best man shaves the groom as part of the dressing to the couple to take three sips each from it. The Setting the date is another aspect of the tradi - tled, the parents of the bride sometimes give the for the wedding tradition. Meanwhile at the couple drinking from a single glass symbolizes tional Greek wedding that should not be over - gift of a house or help with buying a house which bride’s home, her maid of honor or koumbara their commitment to sharing their life and expe - looked if you’re planning a church wedding. There has, to some extent, come to replace the dowry leads the in helping the bride dress riences for the rest of their days. are certain times of the year when weddings are of the past. for the wedding. In some regions, the names of The Greek Orthodox wedding ceremony has not performed at all, namely during fasting peri - Choosing the koumbaro and koumbara who the single bridesmaids are written on the soles of remained the same since the 11th century. “It is a ods like Great Lent, the two weeks before the are “sponsors” of the wedding is another Greek the bride’s shoes and the names that are worn off ‘blessed union’ that implies this must be a per - Dormition of the Theotokos on August 15, August tradition. The groom’s godparent is asked first, by the end of the night are those of the ladies manent union,” said Fr. Robert Stephanopoulos, 29- the commemoration of the beheading of St. then the bride’s godparent, if they decline or sim - next to be married. Dean Emeritus Archdiocesan Cathedral of the John the Baptist, September 14- the Elevation of ply cannot do it, close friends and family are then Another shoe related custom is that the groom Holy Trinity, as reported in Manhattan Bride. the Holy Cross, and the 40 days leading up to asked. The role is a serious one since the koum - is supposed to buy the bride’s shoes for the wed - The two parts of the Greek Orthodox wedding Christmas. baro and koumbara participate in the wedding ding day. Either he or the koumbaro or best man service are the betrothal and the marriage service. In ancient times, January was considered the ceremony and then are expected to baptize the delivers the shoes and the bride is supposed to A small table on which a special tray is placed best month to marry since it was the month ded - couple’s first child, a huge responsibility. pretend that they are too big and don’t fit her. with the wedding crowns, betrothal rings, can - icated to the goddess of marriage and fertility, Another tradition usually a few days before The koumbaro then places coins in the shoes for dles, goblet of sanctified wine, and the book of Hera. The Roman version of Hera is Juno, which the wedding is the making of the marital bed. good luck and to help them, supposedly, fit better. made her month of June the preferred month to The family and friends are invited to a party to The Cypriot tradition is called stolisma and af - Continued on page 13

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By Eleni Sakellis far in advance a couple should TNH: What should Greek- begin planning their special day, American couples be aware of Protelia Weddings is named and what Greek-American cou - when they decide to plan a wed - after the Ancient Greek word ples can look forward to when ding in Greece? Do they need “protelia,” which were the of - working with the company. special paperwork or permis - ferings the couple made to the TNH: What can a couple ex - sion? gods prior to their wedding to pect when they choose Protelia MC: It depending on the type please them and be blessed for to plan their wedding? of ceremony and the religion of the start of their new life to - MC: Having more than 15 the couple. In any case, we are gether. So, Protelia is symbolic years of experience in designing willing to deal with all the bu - of the couple’s preparation be - and planning dreamy weddings reaucracy required to perform fore being blessed on their wed - and events, we pride ourselves any type of wedding ceremony. ding day. on delivering the highest levels TNH: What do Greek-Ameri - Protelia Weddings and of customer service for a truly can couples look for the most Events is a boutique event plan - stress-free planning process. when they plan their wedding ning company with over 15 As an event planning com - with you as opposed to what years of experience in the field. pany with an excellent knowl - Greek couples look for? Based at the beautiful wedding edge of the country and culture, MC: Greek-American venue Kleopatra, Protelia since we organize unique events un - give more emphasis to detail, 2002 has successfully planned der the Greek sun, by trying to are very organized, and have and organized over 800 wed - interpret the couple’s personal impressive weddings that re - dings, baptisms, parties and vision of what Greece or the par - main unforgettable to their other social and business events. ticular location they have cho - guests! The company recently ex - sen means to them and give TNH: Are there any major panded their business to offer them advice on which details differences, either in scale or services for wedding and event will make a difference. preferences? planning all over Greece as well We aim to immerse ourselves MC: Greek-American brides as the Greek Islands. They can in our clients aesthetic, their are very interested in the excel - create tailor-made solutions for personality, passions, artistic lent service and satisfaction of the destination wedding of your sensibility and then create a their guests. They place a special dreams. small piece of art customized to emphasis on the wedding gown. The National Herald spoke their own dreams. They are real hostesses at their with Mado Chatzipanagiotou TNH: How far in advance the more options we have to nization. The usual timeframe 15 years in planning weddings, event. who manages Protelia Weddings should couples begin planning book the space that interests us that a couple organizes their we pride ourselves on being and Events. Ms. Chatzipana - for their wedding with Protelia? at the best possible price and to wedding abroad is 6 months to able to organize the perfect More information is available at giotou told TNH about their MC: The sooner a couple de - organize our partners to have a 2 years. However, we at Protelia wedding on any Greek island in proteliaweddings.com. wedding planning services, how cides to set their wedding date, perfect result and a good orga - due to our great experience of much less time. Wedding Receptions at Ktima Kleopatra

to enjoy at Ktima Kleopatra. there any major differences, ei - By Eleni Sakellis The wedding and baptism ther in scale or preferences? venue also has a special feature, KK: The difference is that the Ktima Kleopatra is a charm - the automatic sliding roof that Greek-American couples are ing venue that combines ele - along with the sliding glass pan - more demanding in terms of the gance and professionalism for a els converts the reception area organization and decoration, just memorable wedding reception. from an indoor heated space or like the team from Kleopatra. Not far from Athens, Ktima to an open outdoor one. In this TNH: How many guests does Kleopatra is easily accessible way, Ktima Kleopatra can ac - Ktima Kleopatra accommodate? from Attiki Odos and Varis-Ko - commodate your wedding re - KK: Ktima Kleopatra can ac - ropiou Highway, and has an im - pressive range of features for the perfect wedding or baptism reception. Ponds with running water, enchanting bridges, relaxing lounge areas, a picturesque chapel, wooden deck, pool, and waterfall are among the features

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