Wedding traditions of Athens
A Greek wedding in Athens centres on the koumbaros, the Orthodox crowning and the plate smashing at the party.
Greek Orthodox weddings use crowns, called stefana, joined by a ribbon, and the couple walks three times around the altar in the Dance of Isaiah. Greece introduced same-sex civil marriage in 2024, as of 2026.
A wedding here
The koumbaros, a sponsor, exchanges the crowns and rings. Guests receive bonbonniere, sugared almonds in small bags. At the party, the wedding dance, the kalamatianos or syrtos, is danced in a circle.
The party
Money is pinned to the couple while they dance. A Greek wedding is a long night of food, wine and dancing, and plates are sometimes thrown for luck, though they are often replaced by flowers or paper.
Wedding customs of Athens
Also part of it, and being written: Koumbaros (The sponsor and witness at the ceremony.), Stefana (The wedding crowns.), Greek wedding (Customs of Greek weddings.).
A wedding trail idea for Athens
- Metropolitan Cathedral of Athens The main Orthodox cathedral.
- Plaka An old quarter with small chapels.
- Cape Sounion A seaside temple area used for photographs.
Written by the EveryShaadi desk with AI assistance. Opening hours, venues and wedding-season dates change; check locally before travelling. Customs differ from place to place and family to family. If this is your tradition and we have it wrong, tell us.
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Photo credits on this page
The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.
- Bonbonniere: TitineH, CC BY-SA 4.0, source