Greek Wedding Games

Opa! Broken dishes are a sign of a festively Greek time.

Greek wedding games can be created for bridal showers or weddings with household items and affordable store purchases. Provide Orthodox and non-Orthodox guests with fun and interactive ways of learning the traditions and customs of a Greek Orthodox wedding, by incorporating pieces of the ceremony into entertaining group activities.

Crown Toss

In a traditional Greek wedding, the best man places two crowns attached by ribbon over the heads of the bride and groom. The crowns are switched back and forth from head to head three times, symbolizing the couples unity and new future as heads of their household. Organize a play on tradition with a Greek wedding game of ring toss. Find or make two crown-sized rings and tie together with ribbon. Set up a stake or parking cone in an open area. Every player gets three tosses, and the winner who can get both wrings over the goal wins.

Baptismal Bob

Orthodox churches are, well orthodox. In order to be married in a Greek church to an Orthodox person, one must either be of the same religion or confirmed to another faith. This tradition has led to many surprise baptisms for fiancee's of Greek partners who have yet to take a leap of faith. Take an unorthodox approach with a Greek wedding game of bobbing for pomegranates. Fill a font-like bowl with water and submerge an armful of pomegranates. Each player gets three chances to grab a pomegranate with their teeth. Successful bobbers win a prize.

Musical Alter Walk

Create a Greek wedding game with a twist to the alter procession ceremony of a Greek wedding. In this ceremony, the wedded couple walks around the alter table three times together, symbolizing their first steps together as a married couple. Set up a card table in an open area and surround it with enough chairs for all but one player. Play Greek music as participants walk around the table. Randomly stop the music. When the music stops, each player dashes for a seat. The odd one out is dismissed, and a chair is removed. Continue until one player is left.

Count the Koufeta

Koufeta are sugar covered almonds that are traditionally given to guests attending a Greek wedding. The almonds are presented in an odd number and wrapped in a small swath of tulle and ribbon. Create a Greek wedding game by filling a glass jar with an odd number of Koufeta. Decorate the top of the jar with tulle and ribbon. Leave the jar our during the party and have guests write down their guesses and drop them in a shoe box. At the end of the party, go through the guesses and award the winner with the jar of Koufeta.

References

• Greek Weddings and Traditions: Top Ten
• St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral Washington D.C.: Services