Eat Cake!

  

This embarrasing special moment was captured by Christos Hcuntas who is a photographer in New York. He specialises in Greek weddings, christenings and many other cultural events. Check out more of his work by visiting his website or blog.

In This Picture:

The groom has successfully smashed wedding cake in to the brides face.

The Wedding Cake 

Sharing the first piece of wedding cake is a tradition that has evolved since the ancient Roman times. The Romans believed that by eating the wedding cake together, a special bond was created between the couple. The wedding cake back then was more like a special bread made from wheat.

This ‘wedding cake’ was broken over the head of the new bride to bestow fertility and good luck for her married life. The wheat used to bake the cake was symbolic of fertility and a fruitful union, while the cake’s sweetness was thought to bring sweetness to all areas of the couple’s new life.

Today ’cutting the cake’ is a very important part of any wedding, including Greek weddings. For the newlywed couple it is often considered a very special moment. For photographers and guests it is a great kodak moment. And for the groom it is ‘the moment’ to have a bit of cheeky fun.

How will you eat your wedding cake?

A Lifetime Of Sweetness

For a ‘lifetime of Sweetness’ the Greeks bless the home of the newly married couple. There are many beautiful rituals that are performed after the wedding and in the home to symbolise a happy future for the bride and groom. 

The following traditions come from a website called WeddingChannel.com:

• Break a plate on the doorstep of the home to ward off evil spirits - Peloponnese Tradition
• Carry a piece of iron into the home to make the marriage strong - Sparta
• Crush a pomegranate under your heel if you are eager to start a family - ancient fertility rite from Chios
• Feed each other honey for a lifetime of sweetness together

Do you know of any other traditions or blessings that the newly married couple do after the wedding?

Simera Gamos Ginetai - Lyrics

I am trying to collect the Greek folk songs that people sing during Greek wedding rituals. It would be nice to have the Greek, the Greeklish and the translations. Please help by posting a comment below.
The following Lyrics have come from allthelyrics.com

Greek - Greeklish - English Translation

Simera gamos ginetai- Today We’re Having A Wedding

Σήμερα γά- σήμερα γάμος γίνεται /Simera ga - simera gamos ginete
σ’ ωραίο περιβόλι, σ’ ωραίο περιβόλι (δις) / s’oreo perivoli, s’oreo perivoli

Σήμερα απο-, σήμερα αποχωρίζεται / simera apo - simera apoxorizete
η μάνα από την κόρη, η μάνα από την κόρη(δις) / i mana apo tin kori, i mana apo tin kori

Γαμπρέ τη νύ-, γαμπρέ τη νύφη ν’ αγαπάς (δις) / gampre ti ni - gampre ti nifi na agapas
Να μην την εμαλώνεις, να μην την εμαλώνεις (δις) / na min tin emaloneis, na min tin emaloneis

Σαν τον βασί-, σαν τον βασιλικό στη γή (δις) / san ton vasi - san ton vasiliko sti gi
Να την εκαμαρώνεις, να την εκαμαρώνεις (δις) / na tin ekamaroneis, na tin ekamaroneis

δις = twice (the chorus)