If you’re looking for a party, consider attending a Greek wedding.  “Greek weddings are very joyful occasions,” says Ilena George, a medical student whose family is Greek.  “There’s a lot of dancing and shouting and general merriment.”

Although the tone of the reception is festive, the ceremony is far more solemn.  Both events are steeped in traditions that date back hundreds—and sometimes thousands—of years.  Here are a few: 

The engagement: It is still customary for the Greek groom-to-be to ask the bride-to-be’s father for his daughter’s hand in marriage.  On the day of the wedding, the groom repeats this ritual for ceremonial reasons. 

The rings: When the couple first becomes engaged, a priest blesses their rings and the couple wears them on their right hands.  During the wedding ceremony, the priest again blesses the rings and the couple switches them over to their left hands. 

The wedding date: Greek couples are not allowed to wed on certain days of the year, such as over Lent and during Christmas. 

The dowry: Although the dowry is a very ancient custom, modern Greek families have found a way to update the tradition.  The mother of the bride will often spend years collecting various linens, towels, and household items, and then passes them on to the bride to help her set up her new household. 

Nyphostoli: Once the dowry has been provided to the bride and groom, local girls volunteer to set up the house for the newly wedded couple.  One popular tradition is “baby-rolling.”  Friends and families bring their babies over to the couple’s house and gently roll them over the matrimonial bed.  Rose petals, coins, and almonds are then strewn over the bed, all of which is meant to ensure fertility for the newlyweds. 

Koumparo: Koumparo refers to the time where the groom and his attendant prepare for the wedding ceremony. The musicians accompany the groom during this time. 

The koumbaros: The koumbaros, or the best man, is traditionally the groom’s godfather, although nowadays the best man is often a friend or brother.  In the Greek Orthodox tradition, the koumbaros must be a man in good standing with the church. 

The betrothal service: Sometimes a betrothal service is held before the actual wedding ceremony.  The service takes place amid hundreds of candles, which symbolize the willingness of the couple to receive Christ and his blessing. 

The ceremony: During the ceremony, the officiating priest (or occasionally the best man) places wreaths of orange blossoms linked by a silk ribbon on the heads of the bride and groom to signify their connection to one another.  The wreaths are switched between the two individuals three times.  The couple then walks around the altar table three times, followed by the best man, maid of honor, and the priest.  Finally, the couple exchanges their wedding bands three times.  Why so many threes?  It’s symbolic of the Holy Trinity. 

Spitting: Spitting is a sign of good luck, and often the bride will be spat upon from both sides of the aisle as she approaches the altar.  For the most part the gesture is ceremonial and the person does not actually spit saliva at the intended target. 

The musicians: The wedding musicians provide music for more than just the reception—they accompany the groom to the church and play traditional music, and then go to the house of the bride and travel with her to the ceremony.  The musicians are duly compensated; during the reception, the guests throw money toward the musicians which is theirs to keep. 

Party favors: Candy-coated almonds, known as koufeta, are given to the guests directly after the ceremony as favors.  An odd number of almonds are placed into tulle bags and tied with ribbon, and in this manner they are presented to the guests. 

Dancing: Greek weddings are full of dancing, and include two special dances in particular.  The first dance, known as the Isaiah dance, is performed by the bride and the groom as part of the ceremony.  The second dance, known as the Kaslamantiano dance, is performed during the reception and has everyone dancing in a circle. 

The gifts: Guests often bring their gifts to the reception, where they present them to the bride and groom.  Some guests pin money to the bride’s dress to help with the costs of the reception. 

Sources: Ilena George, WorldWeddingTraditions.com, Associated Content, Ask4Greece.org, ThinkWedding.com