A cruise to Greece comes with a stunning array of wonderful experiences. From incredible food and stunning ancient ruins to picturesque islands, beautiful beaches, and gorgeous mountain landscapes, Greece truly has it all.

Added to all this, a trip to Greece comes with a huge dose of culture. The birthplace of Western civilization, Greece has been the center of cultural life in Europe for millenia, and its history and traditions remain strong and fascinating to this very day.

One of the most exciting cultural happenings that you might be lucky enough to experience on a Greek cruise is a traditional Greek wedding. Greek wedding traditions are exciting and remarkable, steeped in rich history and full of Mediterranean fire and drama.

So if you happen to stumble upon a wedding in your travels around Greece, or want to take home a few of these wonderful customs for your own big day, here are a few of the best Greek wedding traditions to watch out for!

Koufeta

An integral part of the bomboniera, these delicious white sugar-coated Jordan almonds are a sweet treat and a delightful (and moreish) Greek wedding tradition. Symbolizing purity, fertility, and new life, koufeta are handed out as wedding favors to guests, along with other candy and delectable morsels like baklava. For the guests this is more than just a snack for the sweet-toothed - tradition states that if an unmarried woman sleeps with a koufeta under her pillow, her future husband will visit her in her dreams!

Traditional dances

No Greek wedding would be complete with plenty of dancing and merry-making. There are two traditional dances in particular that make a Greek wedding special.

Kalamatiano

Styled on an ancient Greek folk dance (and, confusingly, called the same name), the kalamatiano is the bride’s dance. She stands in the center of the dancefloor with her maid of honor, while all the female guests encircle her with joined hands and dance around her. 

Zeibekiko

The bride has the kalamatiano, so the groom has the zeibekiko. Following the same process, the groom and his best man are encircled by male guests, while everyone not in the immediate circle kneels and claps along to the dance.

Stefana crowns

Stefana crowns are gorgeously woven marital crowns made from flowers, leaves, ribbons, and occasionally gold or silver. These form the pinnacle of the wedding ceremony, as the happy couple are ‘crowned by god’ and anointed ‘king and queen of a new generation’. The crowns are joined together by ribbon, symbolizing the bond between husband and wife. 

Dance of Isaiah

Once the bride and groom have been crowned and are officially husband and wife, they must take their first steps together on their new life journey. This ceremony is the Dance of Isaiah. Holding the Holy Gospel aloft, husband and wife walk down the aisle, followed by the Koumbaro (the priest) who carries the trailing ribbons from the Stefana crowns. 

The Common Cup

As well as sharing crowns and a ceremonial walk, the bride and groom will both drink wine from the same, sacred goblet, known as the Common Cup. Designed to invoke the wedding at Cana (and the miracle of water-to-wine), it is also a symbolic act of sharing. By sharing their wine, and their cup, the couple show that they are sharing their lives, doubling their happiness and halving their sadness!

Smashing plates

Probably the most famous Greek wedding tradition, the smashing of plates is actually a rather archaic custom, and has fallen out of fashion at most Greek weddings. It does still occasionally take place, an act of celebration rather than destruction, and can be an exhilarating experience to take part in!