Our First Greek Wedding... OPA!

We are super excited to share our experience from Chris & Lydia’s Greek wedding this past Saturday, May 26, 2018! This was our first Greek wedding and we just loved everything about their day and traditions!
 
This beautiful day started out with the guys enjoying a round of golf at Glenview Golf Club, while the girls started bright and early with hair and makeup at Embassy Suites Riverfront. We made a pitstop by the hotel to pick up the toasting flutes, and caught a quick glance of Lydia in her stunning gown from Splendid Bridal. The dress had a gorgeous beaded back and her sleek hair style was classic and timeless. 

​As Chris and Lydia went off to Spring Grove Cemetery for photos, Team Simply Events headed to the Newport Syndicate for setup. The room was dressed in classic black linens, purple uplighting, chandeliers and ceiling swag. CC & Company Floral decorated the room with two styles of centerpieces. Some tables had sets of pillar candles and scattered rose petals, while others had large, 3-foot manzanita trees with floating orb candles. We absolutely LOVED all the candle light, creating an elegant glow around the room. 

Next stop, the church & ceremony, one of the highlights of the day! Chris & Lydia tied the knot with a beautiful ceremony at Holy Trinity – St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Cincinnati, Ohio. 
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Filled with immense history and stunning architecture, this church is like nothing we’ve seen before! The ceiling was covered in mosaic, creating a beautiful work of art. Upon research, it was learned that Holy Trinity-St. Nicholas is the oldest Greek Orthodox parish on record in Ohio. Many families arrived between 1880 and 1900 during Greek immigration to the United States. Holy Trinity Church was Founded in 1907 during the Great Depression, followed by St. Nicholas in 1938. It wasn’t until 1945 that the two churches came together in a movement of unity and reconciliation among their faithful followers. Then in 1972 the new church, we see today, was opened to accommodate the growing congregation and continues to be a place of worship for more than 2,000 Orthodox Christians. *

​If you’ve never witnessed a Greek wedding, continue reading as we share some of our favorite from their ceremony. You’re sure to be as intrigued as we were!
 
The Exchange of Rings - The Koumbara is a religious sponsor of the bride & groom, who exchanges the rings three times between the Bride & Groom. This signifies that in marriage, the weakness of one partner will be compensated by the strength of the other and the imperfections of one, by the perfection of the other. By themselves they are incomplete, but together they are made perfect. **
 
The Crowning, a focal point of the Greek marriage ceremony. The crowns symbolize the glory and honor with which God crowns them during the sacrament. The wedding crowns are personalized and gifted to the bride and groom by the Koumbara. The ribbon connecting them symbolizes unity of the couple and the presence of Christ who blesses and joins the couple. After the priest blesses the crowns and places them on the Bride & Groom’s head, the Koumbara standings behind the couple and interchanges the crowns three times as a witness to the sealing of their union. **
 
The Ceremonial Walk – Often referred to as the Dance of Isaiah, the priest leads the Bride and Groom in a circle around the table on which the Gospel and the Cross are placed. They circle the table three times symbolizing their first steps as a married couple. During the ceremonial walk, a hymn is sung to the Holy Martyrs reminding the newly married couple of the sacrificial love they are to have for the other in marriage. **
 

​The ceremony also included a variety of chants, incense and the holding of a candle by the bride and groom for the length of the ceremony. It was also unique that the wedding party stood in an arc on either side of the Bride & Groom.
 
After the ceremony, it was party time! Lydia and Chris celebrated with nearly 300 of their closest friends and family at the Newport Syndicate. They shared a night filled with cocktails, dinner, toasts, Greek dancing and music by the Greek Tycoons Band. It was so much fun seeing their day come together and enjoying all of their Greek traditions as they became Husband and Wife! 

Are you planning a wedding with unique traditions?! Do you need help pulling all the details together for a memorable day for you and your families?! We'd love to hear from you! Contact us today for a complimentary consultation!

Cheers!
Laura

Vendor Love:
Day-of Coordination: Simply Events
​Venue & Catering: Newport Syndicate
Church: Holy Trinity-St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church
Florals: CC & Company Floral
​Photography: Images by Daniel Michael
Band: The Greek Tycoons
Videography: Rmax Films
Cake: Cakes & Pastries by George
Transportation: Motor Toys Limousine Service
Hair: Spoil U Rotten
​Makeup: Eye Do Makeup & Hair
Dress: Splendid Bridal



Citations:
*Holy Trinity-St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church
**Wedding program provided by Lydia & Chris

Photos featured were taken via iPhone and do not represent the professional photographer's work.