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Everything You Need to Know When Planning a Greek Wedding

Fabulous, fantastic and full of fun is what most of us imagine when Greek weddings come to mind. Times may be changing, but there are many age-old traditions that stand the test of time. A combination of old and new is where most couples find that their plans settle. Maybe a traditional, elegant ceremony, followed by the party of all parties!

However you wish to plan your Greek wedding, from ceremony through to the final festivities, you can rest assured that your perfect day awaits with the National Conference Centre. 

Greek Weddings To Remember

Knowing where to start can be a daunting prospect. Friends and family are usually on hand to lend their support, but if you feel you need a little more experienced, knowledgeable guidance, who do you turn to? Here at the National Conference Centre, we are seasoned professionals. 

Our exquisite Greek wedding packages can be tweaked and tailored to suit your requirements. Alternatively, you can work with our event planner to create a totally bespoke plan of your own. Every event is unique, so however you choose to approach the planning process, it will still result in a one of a kind, day to remember.

A traditional Greek wedding bouquet laying on a table with candles

Where To Start When Planning a Greek Wedding

How’s your Greek wedding knowledge? Do you know all the traditional expectations of the day, or are you approaching it from more of a beginner’s perspective? Whatever your understanding of what the day will look like, there are a few key elements that you will most likely want to consider. Learn more about Greek wedding traditions in our previous article.

There’s the ceremony itself. Perhaps the most significant part of any Greek wedding, the ceremony is loaded with traditions that date back centuries. 

Then there’s the food to consider, at the reception. Many couples want to celebrate their Greek heritage by serving a range of traditional Greek delicacies.

You can’t have a Greek wedding without a lengthy guest list. Family and friends from near and far may expect an invite. You need to bear this in mind when planning your Greek wedding venue.

These, and other important aspects of your special day require careful planning. That’s where the National Conference Centre leaps into action. With dedicated Greek wedding packages we are here to take the stresses of planning a wedding away, and leave you to focus on having the best day possible.

We’ve put together a selection of tips and pointers to get you started. Our experienced Greek wedding planner is on hand to answer any of your queries.

Sophisticated Ceremony

Candles and confetti down the aisle for a Greek wedding

Loaded with tradition, a typical Greek wedding ceremony will hold a number of cultural meanings. One of the most meaningful segments of the ceremony is the exchanging of the Stefana crowns. After being gently placed on the heads of the couple by the priest, the crowns are then exchanged three times by the Koumbaro (equivalent to the best man). This act is then repeated in a similar manner with the rings.

This traditional ritual symbolises the joining together of the bride and groom.

At the end of the ceremony the Koumbaro will hand out small ribbons to the guests. These are placed on their lapels and are typically known as ‘Martyrika.’ They are usually white, blue or pink in colour, with a small cross. This is used to symbolise the sacrament of the ceremony.

Greek weddings can be a very formal affair, with women often dressed in long formal gowns. It’s a great opportunity to really go to town!

The Ideal Venue for a Greek Wedding

Aside from the ceremony itself, the reception afterwards is probably the most important part of the day. The parents of the bride and groom usually foot the bill for the ceremony and venue. As weddings are often used to mark the family status, they are usually grand affairs, with no expense spared. Expect to cater for 200 – 500 guests at the reception following the ceremony.

Taking this into account, you can see why it’s important to choose a Greek wedding venue that can accommodate your guests with ease. Music and dancing are an integral part of any Greek wedding, so space must allow for that too. The bride and groom will lead a dance, followed by their families, the Koumbaro and then the wedding party. 

With so many guests and such extravagant celebrations, be sure to choose a venue that is spacious enough to allow your guests to really get into the swing of things! At the National Conference Centre, our 13 flexible spaces give you as much room as you need to curate the perfect day. 

With so many people making their way to your wedding, from near and far, it’s prudent to select a venue that’s easy to find, with sufficient, accessible parking, such as the 1,000 free onsite spaces we have here. 

Should your guests wish to make the most of their time by staying overnight, a venue with accommodation nearby is a huge plus. Our group hotels are easily accessible within a few minutes of your Greek wedding venue.

Fabulous Greek Wedding Food

Traditional Greek Wedding Food

You’ve witnessed the marriage; danced your way into the reception; now for the really important part – The food!

Whether you know a little or a lot about Greek weddings, you’ll have a fair idea of how important it is for the bride and groom to show their thanks by presenting their guests with the ultimate wedding feast. You can tailor this to whatever suits your fancy, but most Greek weddings will have some element of tradition reflected in the food they offer.

You can expect to see yuvetsi (beef or lamb stew), tiropita (cheese pastry) and baklava (honey and nut sweetened pastry), to name but a few. If this element of your day is particularly important to you, our expert banquet chefs have the expertise to present these dishes in a personalised or traditional manner. 

Your Greek Wedding Checklist

By now, you should have a few ideas about what your venue needs to offer, in order to meet your exacting requirements. Here’s a quick checklist to help you cover the basics:

  • Is the reception venue big enough to accommodate my guests?
  • Have they catered for traditional Greek weddings before?
  • Do they know how to create authentic Greek cuisine?
  • Can your guests stay overnight?
  • Is there an experienced Greek wedding planner on hand?

A Few Other Important FAQs:

What are the key bits of information you need from me at the start of the planning process?

Date, time and numbers are the most important things for us to know as soon as possible. We can then secure your date and help you to select the appropriate room configuration.

Can I choose my own decor?

Yes, of course. Our function rooms are tastefully neutral, allowing you to add your own stamp on the entire occasion. Table layouts, flower arrangements, table linen, chairs and much more are all interchangeable, allowing you to make your occasion a truly bespoke affair.

Can I bring my own event planners?

We welcome any assistance you bring. Whether you choose to hire the services of one of our coordinators, or you have your own team, we will work with you to bring your ideas to life.

Can I make changes?

We understand that things can change. When you are dealing with the National Conference Centre, you can rest assured that we will do our utmost to accommodate any alterations in the lead up to your special day.

Can I use more than one room?

Greek weddings are known to be lavish affairs, usually with a considerable guest list. Our rooms can be configured in ways to suit your event. If you prefer one huge space, that’s not a problem. Some couples like to have separate spaces where guests can choose to send time away from the hustle and bustle of the main event. Others have dedicated areas for younger guests. However you choose to celebrate your day, we’ve got it covered.

Greek Weddings at the National Conference Centre

We want you to enjoy your wedding from start to finish. However much input you want to have is entirely up to you. We relish the opportunity to get involved in your celebrations, but we also understand the importance of taking a step back.

Whether you’ve considered hiring a Greek wedding planner or not, it’s certainly something you should give a little thought to. Planning a wedding can be one of the most enjoyable things you ever do. The dress, the food, the decor, the guest list, etc, etc, etc. On the other hand, it can be one of the most stress inducing, planning marathons you ever take on. 

Having a dedicated wedding planner, to offer as much or as little support and advice as you want, will mean that planning your big event is an experience to enjoy. The National Conference Centre can cover everything you need for your fabulous Greek wedding. From offering a comprehensive selection of rooms, decor and food options, to being able to cater for your guests overnight, there will be very little left for you to do, other than have the best day of your life.

Contact our team today to see how we can help you get started on your Greek wedding plans.

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