Category Archives: Koumbari – Wedding Sponsors

Share Your Greek Wedding Story!

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Greek Weddings and Traditions - Celebrating traditions that have been passed down from generation to generation.

Are you a bride to be or a nifi in training?

Do you remember your own Big Fat Greek Wedding?

Did you get married in Greece?

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If you answered YES to any of these questions then we would love to hear from you!

We are looking for brides, grooms and koumbari who are willing to share their wedding story with us here on the Greek Weddings and Traditions blog.

Send an email to sia@greekweddingtraditions.com to express your interest.

Share Your Wedding Story

Tell Us:

Which Greek Wedding Traditions Did You Celebrate?

Related Posts You Might Like:

Sia Aristidou is fascinated by the rituals and traditions celebrated in Greek culture. Sia writes about love, marriage, family and tradition and sells beautiful handmade wedding gifts at the Greek Wedding Shop.
Connect with Sia on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram or subscribe to the Greek Weddings & Traditions blog. If you want to learn more about Greek food and Greek cooking, then join the Greek Cooking Challenge.

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Panta Aksii – May You Be Worthy Koumbari

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The Bride and Groom with their Koumbari at a Greek orthodox church

John & Anna’s Wedding ~ 1st June 2013 ~ The Bride and Groom with their Koumbari

My husband and I were honoured to be koumbari for John and Anna last weekend. We did all of the things that koumbari are expected to do: organise the stefana, the lambathes and the bomboniere (all beautiful products that I purchased from The Greek Wedding Shop).

We planed the pre wedding parties like the Kitchen Tea, the Hens Night and of course the boys had their Bucks Night too. We paid our fees to the Church, to the Priest and to the Pslalti. We pinned money on the bride and groom during their first dance and we prepared our speech for the night. The role of Koumbari carries with it a lot of responsibility (as well as a lot of expense). But it is all worth it, because as koumbari you hold an important part of the couple’s life. It is a role that is life long and one that you must be worthy of.

Stefana and wedding rings with Wine

Just after the Church ceremony, the Bride and the Groom along with the whole bridal party waited in line at the alter for the guests to come up and give their greetings. Each guest kissed us on both cheeks and then they would say “Panta Aksii”.

I didn’t know what this meant as I don’t speak much Greek and it had not been translated to English.  It was the first time that I have heard of the saying. After a little bit of research, I discovered that the saying Panta Aksii (πάντα άξιοι) means:

‘May you be worthy as Koumbari’

My husband and I replied with ‘Thank You’ and continued to kiss each guest on both cheeks as they went down the line.

Koumbari have an important role in the couple’s life together. It is a role that one must be worthy of.

In your opinion, what makes a koumbara/os worthy?

Please post your comments. I’d love to hear from you!

Related posts you might like:

Sia Aristidou is fascinated by the rituals and traditions celebrated in Greek culture. Sia writes about love, marriage, family and tradition and sells beautiful handmade wedding gifts at the Greek Wedding Shop.
Connect with Sia on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram or subscribe to the Greek Weddings & Traditions blog. If you want to learn more about Greek food and Greek cooking, then join the Greek Cooking Challenge.

Learn More About Greek Weddings & Traditions
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Should the Koumbara Wear the Same Dress as the Bridesmaids?

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Before you read this post you should know that:

Koumbaros refers to the male sponsor (sort of like the best man) and the Koumbara refers to the female sponsor (sort of like the maid of honour).

Greek wedding in a Christian church

This picture is sourced from Los Angeles Wedding Photography.

In my experience at Greek weddings, there has never been a fuss as to what the Koumbaros should wear or weather it should be different to the other grooms men. However when a Koumbara is chosen to be the sponsor of the Bride and Groom there is often a bit more discussion as to what she should wear and where she should stand.

If the Bride and Groom choose a Koumbara to be their sponsor (and there is only one sponsor), then the Koumbara should stand next to the Groom.
If both a Koumbara and Koumbaros are chosen to be sponsors (this is two Koumbari), then the Koumbara will stand next to the Bride and the Koumbaros will stand next to the Groom.
However if the Koumbara and the Koumbaros are already married then they will both stand next to the Groom.

Continue reading →

How to Choose your Koumbari

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They say that your Koumbaros is like your best man but in the Greek Orthodox Church the Koumbaro does a lot more than just organise the bucks night and give a speech…

The Role of the Koumbaros

During the wedding ceremony, the Koumbaros puts the rings on the Bride and Groom and then crosses the Stefana over their heads. The Koumbaros also takes the first steps with the newlyweds as they walk around the church during the Dance of Isaiah.

It can be said that they the Koumbaro has strong spiritual connection to the Bride and Groom and will be a part of their life forever. When the newlyweds have their first child the Koumbaros goes on to Christen the child and then becomes the Nouno (Godfather).

The Koumbaro has a significant spiritual role in the couples life and so the decision is not always easy. Here are a few points to consider before choosing your Koumbari:

  • How many Koumbari do you want in your bridal party? Just one Koumbaro or a combination of Koumbari?
  • Is your Koumbaro Greek Orthodox?
  • Do you want your Koumbaro to Christen your children in the Greek Orthodox Church?
  • If you have more than one Koumbaro, where will each person stand?
  • Is your Koumbaro prepared/aware of the financial obligations associated with the role?
  • Do you think that your Koumbaro will accept the role when you ask him?
  • Does your family know your Koumbaro?
  • Is your Koumbaro a friend to both the Bride and the Groom?
  • Is your Koumbaro married? Will his wife stand up at the alter also?

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What else should the Bride and Groom consider before choosing their Koumbaros?
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Related topics that you might like:

Sia Aristidou is the fascinated by the rituals and traditions celebrated in Greek culture. Sia writes about love, marriage, family and tradition and sells beautiful handmade wedding gifts at the Greek Wedding Shop.
Connect with Sia on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram or subscribe to the Greek Weddings & Traditions blog. If you want to learn more about Greek food and Greek cooking, then join the Greek Cooking Challenge.

Learn More About Greek Weddings & Traditions
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Koumbari Combinations

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There are many different combination of Koumbari that are acceptable in the Greek Orthodox Church. When you are choosing your Koumbari you can decide how many people you want to be a part of your wedding ceremony.

Here are some examples of acceptable Koumbari combinations:

  • One Koumbaro (One Best Man)
  • Two Koumbaros (Two Best Men)
  • One Koumbaro and One Koumbara (One Best Man and One Maid/Matron of Honour)
  • One Koumbara (Just one Maid/Matron of Honour)
  • One Koumbaro and One Maid of Honour (Where only the Koumbaro does the rings and crowning)
  • Koumbari (A Koumbaro and Koumbara who are already married)

I have also heard that in Greece, the Bride and Groom can have as many Koumbari as they want. Apparently they do not have a full bridal party with bridesmaids and groomsmen like we do in Australia and in America. The people who stand next to you at your wedding are often called your ‘Koumbari’. (Im not sure how true this actually is)

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Do you know of any other acceptable Koumbari combination?
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Related topics that you might like:

Sia Aristidou is the fascinated by the rituals and traditions celebrated in Greek culture. Sia writes about love, marriage, family and tradition and sells beautiful handmade wedding gifts at the Greek Wedding Shop.
Connect with Sia on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram or subscribe to the Greek Weddings & Traditions blog. If you want to learn more about Greek food and Greek cooking, then join the Greek Cooking Challenge.

Learn More About Greek Weddings & Traditions
Subscribe to the Blog and Follow Us: