Ellinika Gamisia

The ceremony ends, but Ellinika Gamisia is only half-finished. The reception, known as the Glendi (party), is a marathon, not a sprint.

After the church, the Glendi (party) begins. Here, logic ends and tradition begins. ellinika gamisia

1. The Spitting (For luck) Don’t be alarmed if guests pretend to spit on the couple. Greeks say “Fta, fta, fta” (three spits) to ward off the Evil Eye (Matiasma). It’s the highest form of blessing. The ceremony ends, but Ellinika Gamisia is only

2. The Money Dance (Kalamatiano me lefta) Guests line up to dance with the bride. As they spin her, they pin euro bills to her dress (or throw money into the air). The groom keeps an eye on how much is pinned – it’s a sign of the couple’s community wealth. Here, logic ends and tradition begins

3. The Plate Smashing (Now rare, but legendary) Traditionally, guests threw plates on the floor singing “Na zisete” (May you live). Today, most venues ban glass, so you’ll see flowers thrown instead. But in villages? Plates still fly.

After the dancing, the party moves to the bedroom for the Krevati ritual. The Koumbara takes the couple to the bed, feeds them honey (for sweetness), and they are left alone. Relatives throw rice and rose petals outside the door, waiting to see the blood-stained sheet the next morning—though this archaic practice has largely disappeared in urban centers.

On the morning of the wedding, the groom is shaved by his friends—a ritual harkening back to when men visited a barber. This is a moment of bonding, often lubricated with shots of tsipouro.