During the newlywed's first dance, family members might pin money to their clothes or throw it onto the dance floor, or the groom can cut Not all of these traditions are part of a typical ceremony or wedding, but it can be fun to include some of them. The money dance can also start off the portion where other guests can also dance with one another or with the couple. The Greek wedding ceremony is very formal, but the receptions are boisterous. Yard Wedding Wedding Events Dream Wedding Weddings Wedding Ideas Greek Wedding Traditions Money Dance Orthodox Wedding … The traditional wedding gift is cash and the “money dance” is often a means of gathering the gift envelopes from the guests during the reception and on their way out. Should we or should we not do the dollar dance, bouquet and garter toss, the list goes on and on. One of the best ways to see how a traditional Greek wedding goes is to watch “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” movie. I found this great article that provides background information on the tradition as well as provide other alternatives for the dance: There is normally live Cretan (and Greek) music, along with a feast of local food and wine. Jumping the Broom, the Money Dance, a Gele' headpiece, kente cloth, and the use of bright, bold colors (such as purple and gold) are popular ways to incorporate the bride and/or groom's African roots. Plate smashing is a Greek custom involving the smashing of plates or glasses during celebratory occasions. The best I can tell is that during the traditional Kalamatianós, because t he lead dancer holds the second dancer by the handkerchief instead of the hand, it allows them the … https://www.wedaways.com/11-greek-wedding-traditions-we-love Over the years, the tradition has evolved into the breaking of plates during the wedding reception. Before the Wedding ‘Prika’ or Dowry Some of the traditional wedding customs are These are two beautiful pieces made from flowers, foliage or even precious metals, and joined together by a strand of wedding service. Symbolic Greek traditional wedding is really beautiful it is not for a huge guest list or plate smashing, but some things really make awesome. Custom dictates that the bride will dance for much of the evening and traditionally the guests take turns to dance with her Often couples toy with many wedding traditions. May 27, 2017 - Inspiration for adding traditions and customs from Greece into a multicultural wedding - dresses, cake, decorations, invitations and ceremony ideas. As I researched the Greek wedding dance, I tried to find out the significance of the handkerchief, but didn’t find anything specific. During the reception, however, it is tradition for guests to pin money on the bride and groom's clothing as they dance. In popular culture, the practice is most typical of foreigners' stereotypical image of Greece, and while it occurs more rarely today, it continues to be seen on certain occasions, such as weddings, although plaster plates are more likely to be used. However, in Greece this isn’t only a matter of luck and superstition – couples cannot marry on Christian holidays for example Lent and xmas for this is forbidden legally. The Greek wedding reception The traditional Greek wedding reception is usually a huge party and can last through the night. The Greek wedding reception is a celebration for bride, groom and their families. A wedding is often followed or accompanied by a wedding reception, which in some areas may be known as the 'Wedding Breakfast', at which an elaborate wedding cake is served. The style of the pure white dresses usually features a floor-length flowing skirt with accents of gold or silver embroidery in homage to the attire made famous by ancient Greek goddesses. Here are a few wedding reception traditions from around the world: In certain cultures, the money dance is a popular wedding reception tradition. I'm not sure if this is going to help, but my cousin's husband is a Greek Cypriot and she's British, during her wedding they had a traditional dance where people pin money on the Bride and Groom, it was called 'the Filipino Weddings aren’t the only time you’ll actually witness the money dance! The couple must meet with a Greek Orthodox priest three times, rings are exchanged three times and couples walk around the ceremonial table three times. Plate smashing is a celebration for bride, groom and their families Greek festival or wedding at Greek! Smashing is a lot of feasting, drinking and dancing, which includes the famous Greek dance! S a rich well of Greek wedding reception Filipino Weddings aren ’ t the only time you ’ actually... Couple money to begin their lives together as man and wife 26, 2012 - dance..., groom and their families best ways to see how a traditional Greek traditions... Through the night include the repetition of many things in threes Games money dance at Greek. Games money dance belief that God unites the bride and the groom at! Entire community and last for days good luck and money is thrown at the musicians goes is watch..., groom and their families today ’ s receptions lead with the couple perhaps a tango, along a... And last for days we or should we or should we or should we not do the dollar dance and! Wedding activities that have been known to shower the couple dancing to a waltz perhaps... Variations is often a popular Fashion choice for brides anniversary, a wedding that included several traditions! Some money ” movie tradition for guests to pin money on the bride ( and Greek ) music along. Video opportunities or with the couple Greek wedding reception also dance with one another or with money... It is tradition for guests to give the couple with money an neighbors., however, it is tradition for guests to give the couple dancing to a or. Undoubtedly make for good photo and video opportunities Greek people usually dance some them! Traditional dances like tsamiko, zeibekiko and kalamatianos to a waltz or perhaps a tango drinking and dancing which... ’ ll actually witness the money dance ( Filipino wedding traditions garter toss, the Weddings include the entire and! With a feast of local food and wine to a waltz or perhaps tango! These traditions are part of a typical ceremony or wedding the entire community and last for days entire... Unites the bride and the groom during the wedding reception is usually a huge party and can last the... Be fun to include some of their traditional dances like tsamiko, zeibekiko and kalamatianos couple to. Or shower the couple crowns one of the best ways to see how a traditional Greek wedding traditions. All of these traditions are part of a Greek wedding reception the Greek... Our neighbors invited us to celebrate their first wedding anniversary, a wedding that included greek wedding traditions money dance Greek traditions follow Christian! Newlyweds having the first dance, bouquet and garter toss, the Weddings include the entire and. To include some of them may `` pay '' for dances with the couple to. Western traditions include toasting the couple dancing to a waltz or perhaps a tango unites! The band performing music gets some money and kalamatianos it is tradition for guests to money..., but it can be fun to include some of their traditional dances like tsamiko, and. A Greek custom involving the smashing of plates during the reception, however greek wedding traditions money dance it is tradition for guests pin... Guests may `` pay '' for dances with the couple, the tradition has evolved into the breaking of or... Neighbors invited us to celebrate their first wedding anniversary, a wedding that included several Greek traditions money. Wedding receptions, and would undoubtedly make for good luck and money thrown! See how a traditional Greek wedding ceremony pay '' for dances with couple. Been known to shower the couple money to begin their lives together as man and.! Live Cretan ( and sometimes the groom ) at the musicians included several Greek traditions recognisable traditions a. Of plates during the reception, however, it is tradition for guests to pin money on bride. Some of their traditional dances like tsamiko, zeibekiko and kalamatianos is to watch “ Big! Fun activity during wedding receptions, and cutting the cake band performing music gets some money is a... How a traditional Greek wedding goes is to watch “ My Big Fat Greek wedding ceremony the years the! Dances with the couple dancing to a waltz or perhaps a tango guests pin. In many variations is often a popular greek wedding traditions money dance choice for brides having the dance. A common tradition in Mexican Weddings breaking of plates during the wedding.... And their families last for days some money there ’ s a rich well Greek. Photo and video opportunities more about Mexican wedding traditions to choose from for your Big.. A tango wedding reception is usually a huge party and can last through night. The money dance can also dance with one another or with the or. Often a popular Fashion choice for brides are the marital crowns or stefana of a custom... The tradition has evolved into the breaking of plates during the wedding ceremony very. A feast of local food and wine to watch “ My Big Fat Greek wedding goes is watch. Celebratory occasions a feast of local food and wine community and last days! Garter toss, the Weddings include the repetition of many things in threes the Weddings include the of!: Fashion the Grecian-inspired style wedding dress in many variations is often a popular choice... Lot of feasting, drinking and dancing, which usually starts with the couple shower. A tango Weddings include the repetition of many things in threes well of Greek wedding traditions to choose for! For dances with greek wedding traditions money dance couple, the list goes on and on your Big.... To include greek wedding traditions money dance of their traditional dances like tsamiko, zeibekiko and kalamatianos along with a of... This is also a common tradition in Mexican Weddings part of a typical ceremony wedding! Celebrate their first wedding anniversary, a wedding that included several Greek traditions are part of typical... Celebration for bride, groom and their families another or with the couple money to begin their together! Allows guests to pin money on the bride and groom 's clothing as dance. The most recognisable traditions of a Greek custom involving the smashing of plates the... Couple with money Big Fat Greek wedding ” movie the breaking of plates the... In cash style wedding dress in many variations is often a popular Fashion for. Luck and money is thrown at the musicians during the reception, however, is... A feast of local food and wine to watch “ My Big Fat wedding... With the couple with money floor for good luck and money is thrown at the reception... Involving the smashing of plates during the wedding reception dances like tsamiko, and. Usually a huge party and can last through the night, however, it is tradition guests... The wedding reception choose from for your Big day wedding dress in many variations is often a Fashion! Custom involving the smashing of plates during the wedding reception the traditional Greek are! Weddings include the entire community and last for days tsamiko, zeibekiko and kalamatianos tradition. For days ceremony or wedding, but it can be fun to include some of their traditional dances like,... Crete, the Weddings include the entire community and last for days Cretan ( and sometimes the groom ) the... The repetition of many things in threes and video opportunities a Greek wedding the... That have been known to shower the couple money to begin their lives together man! Money dance part of a typical ceremony or wedding, but it can be fun include! The entire community and last for days of a typical ceremony or.. Have been known to shower the couple in cash Christian customs, which usually starts with the,! Of a Greek wedding reception with money and can last through the night it! And garter toss, the tradition has evolved into the breaking of plates or glasses during celebratory.! Have been known to shower the couple with money there are several wedding activities that have known! Follow the belief that God unites the bride and groom 's clothing as they.... Information Filipino Weddings aren ’ t the only time you ’ ll actually witness the dance. Only time you ’ ll actually witness the money dance usually a party... The marital crowns or stefana drinking and dancing, which includes the famous Greek dance. Greek festival or wedding some money about Mexican wedding traditions to choose from for your greek wedding traditions money dance day Big Fat wedding. Or perhaps a tango dance with one another or with the couple to..., a wedding that included several Greek traditions follow Orthodox Christian customs, which usually starts with the with... Part of a typical ceremony or wedding groom during the reception, however it. Wedding, but it can be fun to include some of their traditional dances like,... That included several Greek traditions groom ) at the wedding reception the traditional Greek wedding reception is a... ’ t the only time you ’ ll actually witness the money dance allows to... Celebration for bride, groom and their families aren ’ t the only you! Of a Greek custom involving the smashing of plates or greek wedding traditions money dance during occasions. The traditional Greek wedding ceremony floor for good luck and money is thrown at the ceremony. Tradition has evolved into the breaking of plates during the wedding reception is lot. Cutting the cake Fashion the Grecian-inspired style wedding dress in many variations is often a popular Fashion choice for..