Greek Orthodox Wedding Checklist

Book Orthodox Church and Priest

Reserve a canonical Orthodox church and confirm the officiating priest. The ceremony must take place in a consecrated Orthodox sanctuary, so a hotel chapel, a garden or a non-Orthodox venue will not work. The priest must be in good canonical standing. Contact the parish office first, then meet with the priest to confirm eligibility and the date. Priests in Greek Orthodox Archdiocese parishes typically require at least two pre-marital counseling meetings before they agree to officiate.

Complete Pre-Marital Counseling

Attend the pre-marital counseling sessions your priest requires. The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America recommends at least three. Topics typically include the theology of marriage as a sacrament, the role of the Koumbaros, family planning, and the Orthodox understanding of the domestic church. This is not optional, since many priests will not officiate without it.

Gather Required Documents

The parish requires specific documents before the marriage can be performed. Typically these include a baptism certificate for each Orthodox partner (from the church where they were baptized), a letter of current parish membership from each partner's home parish, and a civil marriage license (from your county clerk, about 60 days before the wedding). If either partner was married before, you also need an ecclesiastical divorce decree (Epitropi Lysis) from the relevant Orthodox bishop. A non-Orthodox partner may need a bishop's dispensation, depending on the diocese. Begin gathering these 5 months ahead.

Choose and Confirm the Koumbaros / Koumbara

Choose the principal sponsor of your wedding. The Koumbaros (male) or Koumbara (female) must be a baptized Orthodox Christian. This is a canonical requirement, not a preference. The sponsor exchanges the rings and Stefana during the ceremony and, by long-standing custom, becomes the godparent of your first child. It is one of the most honored relationships in Greek life, and it is typically given to a close friend or relative. The Koumbaros traditionally pays for the Stefana crowns.

Order Stefana Crowns

Buy or commission the Stefana wedding crowns and the connecting ribbon. The Koumbaros traditionally gives the Stefana as their main gift to the couple. Common styles range from orange blossom wreaths and porcelain flowers to silver-plated or gold-plated metal crowns with pearl or crystal accents. Confirm the style with your Koumbaros. Many Greek import stores and online suppliers carry a range. Order at least 3 months ahead to allow for custom work.

Order Koufeta and Assemble Boubounieres

Order white Jordan almonds (koufeta) and assemble boubounieres, the tulle or organza favor packets. Each packet must hold an odd number of almonds, and 5 is traditional, for health, happiness, fertility, longevity and prosperity. Order at least 5 almonds per guest, plus 20% extra. The boubounieres should match your wedding colors. Many Greek families assemble them together at a pre-wedding family gathering.

Book Greek Band or DJ

Hire a live Greek band, or a DJ with a strong Greek repertoire. A live band with a bouzouki player is the traditional standard for Greek weddings. The musicians should be able to play Kalamatianos (the national circle dance), Syrtos, Zeibekiko (for solo dancing), and laika (popular Greek music) for general dancing. Ask each band about their experience with wedding receptions, and confirm that they will take requests for regional dances if your guests have roots in Crete, Macedonia or other regions.

Arrange Common Cup and Wine

Talk to the priest about the common cup (Koinon Potirion) used during the sacrament. Some parishes provide the chalice, and others ask the couple to supply their own. Many couples buy or inherit a silver or gold-plated chalice that becomes a family heirloom. The priest blesses the wine during the service, so confirm whether you need to provide it or the parish does.

Source Breakable Plates (if desired)

If you plan to include the plate-smashing tradition at your reception, get plaster plates or thin ceramic plates made to break cleanly. Confirm that your reception venue allows plate smashing and has a plan for cleanup. Many venues prohibit it because of injury liability. If yours does, you could use the flower alternative, where guests throw rose petals or carnations at the couple's entrance instead. Some couples leave this tradition out entirely, and that is fine.

Check Prohibited Wedding Dates

Greek Orthodox canon law does not allow weddings on certain days of the liturgical calendar. No weddings may be performed during Great Lent (the 40 days before Easter), Holy Week (the week before Easter), the Apostles' Fast (variable, from the Monday after All Saints' Sunday through June 28), the Dormition Fast (August 1–14), December 13–25, and the eve of major feasts. Weddings are also typically not performed on Wednesdays and Fridays, which are fasting days. Saturday weddings are common in the diaspora, and Sunday is traditional in Greece. Check your date against the Orthodox liturgical calendar, for example on the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese website.

Confirm Stefana and Ribbon are Ready

Check that the Stefana crowns and the connecting ribbon are with the Koumbaros, and that they will be brought to the church before the ceremony. The priest does not provide them. Check that the ribbon is attached properly and is not damaged.

Prepare Lambades (Wedding Candles)

The couple hold large decorated candles during parts of the ceremony. The Koumbaros traditionally provides them, decorated with white ribbon, flowers or olive branches. Confirm that the Koumbaros has bought or arranged the lambades and that they are at the church.

Prepare Rice or Petal Bags and Check Parish Policy

Prepare small sachets of rice, rose petals or koufeta for guests to throw as you leave the church. Ask the priest and the church sexton whether throwing is allowed inside the church, on the steps, or only in the parking area, and which materials are permitted. Some parishes ban rice because of the cleanup and allow only biodegradable petals.

Attend Ceremony Rehearsal with Priest

Most Greek Orthodox priests require or strongly recommend a rehearsal at the church before the wedding day. It covers the processional order, where you stand at the ceremonial table, the Koumbaros's movements during the ring and crown exchanges, and the Dance of Isaiah procession. It is especially useful for anyone who does not know the Orthodox ceremony.

Confirm Bride Headpiece is Compatible with Stefana

The Stefana will be placed over the bride's head during the ceremony. Ask your hairstylist to make sure your headpiece, veil or hairpiece can hold the crowns without being dislodged. Many brides wear a simple hairpiece or none at all, with the veil attached at the back so the Stefana can rest naturally on the crown of the head.

Assemble Koufeta Favors (5 per Guest)

Wrap five Jordan almonds in each boubouniera, the tulle or organza favor packet, for every guest. Place them at the reception seats, or display them on a favor table near the exit. The five almonds stand for the five blessings of Greek Orthodox marriage: health, happiness, fertility, longevity and prosperity. Avoid even numbers, which symbolize divisibility, because the couple should be indivisible.

Finalize Greek Wedding Menu

Confirm the multi-course dinner menu with your caterer. A traditional Greek wedding menu includes meze (spanakopita, dolmades, taramasalata, olives, saganaki), a main course (roasted lamb, chicken souvlaki or grilled seafood), Greek salad, pilafi (rice pilaf) or roasted potatoes, and desserts such as baklava, galaktoboureko or kourabiedes. Include vegetarian options for guests.

Confirm Band Playlist with Traditional Dances

Meet or call your band or DJ to finalize the playlist. Confirm that they will play the Kalamatianos (the first circle dance, led by the couple), the Syrtos, and music for the Zeibekiko (the solo improvisation dance). Decide which family member or friend will dance the Zeibekiko in your honor, and let the band know. Share any songs you want played and any that are off-limits.