Cultural Influences

Both of these couples wanted to include Jewish traditions in their ceremonies to celebrate their cultures. Wine was shared, the Seven Blessings were read and the grooms stomped on the glass from which the wine was shared.

The Huppah: is understood as a sign of God’s presence at the wedding and in the home being established under the canopy. Huppah means ‘that which covers or floats above’. It is said that the space beneath the canopy is spiritually charged because the divine Name floats above it.

The Wine Ceremony: is symbolic of the pledges the bride and groom will make to one another to share together the fullness of life. Wine has certain properties that are sweet and bitter representing “Life’s Journey”.

The Shattering of the Glass: As in Jewish tradition, a broken glass cannot be mended; likewise a marriage is irrevocable.  It is a transforming experience that leaves individuals forever changed. As in the prayer: ‘As this glass shatters, so may our marriage never break’

The Stefana Ceremony (Greek Customs)

Sotiria and Michael chose to have Greek customs in their ceremony to celebrate Sotiria’s Greek Heritage.

The wedding crowns, or Stefana, are joined by a ribbon which symbolizes the unity of the couple and establishes them as the King and Queen of their home, which they will rule with wisdom, justice and integrity.

Interchanging the Crowns: The Koumaro, (usually the best man) steps behind the couple and places and interchanges the crowns three times, as a witness to the sealing of their union.

The Bride and Groom will then proceed to walk around the altar three times.

Sharing of the Wine: The Bride and Groom then join hands (one side only) and drink from a common cup. The sharing of wine symbolises how they will share the burdens and the joy of their new life together.