Beautiful Traditional Greek Orthodox Wedding in Seattle

Wedding

Stavros and Sarah’s Greek Orthodox wedding in Seattle embodied the love, support, and celebration we all want to feel on our wedding day, thanks to their fabulous group of friends and family who attended. Their day was about so much more than just aesthetics or trends; it revolved around the relationships they share with the most important people in their lives, tying the knot surrounded by the people they can always count on. What a joy to photograph these two sweet humans and their most loved people, as well as the beautiful array of Greek wedding traditions that were meaningfully incorporated into Stavros and Sarah’s day to celebrate their culture!

Stavros + Sarah’s Greek Orthodox Wedding in Seattle

A day full of meaningful Greek wedding traditions

As I mentioned above, Stavros and Sarah’s wedding day delved much deeper than physical looks, appearance, decor, details; it reflected the Greek culture they came from, embracing and celebrating their unique backgrounds and family history. Incorporating cultural (and/or spiritual) traditions is one of the best ways to design a wedding that authentically reflects who you and your partner are at your core, and brings to life the things that mean the most to you—so I just adore the way Stavros and Sarah did this! Throughout this blog post, I’ll be sharing a few of the specific traditions they included in their day, as well as a brief description of its history.

A stunning church ceremony surrounded by loved ones

Stavros and Sarah opted for a traditional Greek wedding ceremony inside of a magnificent church, surrounded by the most gorgeous architecture, glimmering chandeliers, colorful mosaics, and stunning stained glass artwork. I could not stop photographing all the little nooks and crannies of this breathtaking building, from the dramatic, bright white arches and pillars on the church exteriors to the candles, mosaics, and ornate decor inside.

The bride and groom had put together an order of ceremony events for their guests to have on hand, detailing the different Greek traditions and rituals that Stavros and Sarah would be participating in. Their marriage ceremony consisted of two main parts: the Rite of Betrothal, which included a Prayer of Betrothal and a scripture reading, followed by the Rite of Crowning. This portion of the ceremony began with the lighting of a pair of taper candles given to Stavros and Sarah, called Lambathes, which are lit to symbolize the bride and groom’s willingness to receive Christ. Once the candles were aflame, the priest joined their hands as prayers were recited to unify the two into one, asking to grant them a long life filled with happiness and peace; what a beautiful way to start off married life!

Next was the Crowning, a ceremony during which two crowns (“Stefana”) are tied together by a single ribbon, and are placed on the bride and groom’s heads. This symbolizes their step into the roles of “king and queen” of their home, and marks the beginning of a new generation if they so choose! After a few additional scripture readings and rituals, including the Common Cup, the Procession, the Final Blessing, and the Removal of the Crowns, Sarah and Stavros were pronounced husband and wife as their loved ones cheered them on. What a beautiful and incredibly meaningful ceremony this was, reflecting all of the most important aspects of their lives and inviting so much goodness into their new roles as newlyweds! 💍

Want to learn more about these Greek wedding traditions that Stavros and Sarah incorporated into their day? Read this article by Brides, which details 14 different traditions you’ll often see at Greek weddings.

A lively evening of cocktails, cake, and a crowded dance floor

An intimate cocktail hour preceded Stavros and Sarah’s reception, where guests could enjoy small bites and choose from a wide array of delicious drinks. This was the perfect amount of time to transition from the official atmosphere of the ceremony into a lively night full of dancing, delicious cocktails, mouthwatering cake, and love abounding at every turn. Sarah and Stavros kicked off the evening with a romantic first dance, followed by an incredible dinner and a series of toasts from loved ones. One of my favorite little details of this reception was the traditional Greek wedding favors Sarah and Stavros had prepared for their guests, called Koufeta! Koufeta are sugar-coated almonds, given out to guests in odd numbers as a symbol of the newlyweds who will remain undivided (just as the odd number is indivisible). Sarah and Stavros picked five almonds also to represent five blessings that they wanted to share with their loved ones: health, wealth, happiness, family, and long life!

I would say that this reception was the perfect way to start off a life of just that; so much happiness and joy everywhere you looked. The night continued with exuberant group dances, a “money dance,” and bites from the scrumptious dessert table, overflowing with macarons and other small pastries. This was absolutely a night to remember for Sarah, Stavros, and all of their guests, and it sure made my job easy—cheers to the new Mr. and Mrs.! 🥂