Posted by Michael on August 25, 2000 at 15:10:59:
In Reply to: Greek Orthodox Weddings posted by Vayia on August 07, 2000 at 10:37:10:
In the US, we had to go to four group class sessions about the marriage. They were ok. You need one koumbaro or koumbara who needs to be an Orthodox Christian (one of ours was Greek, one was Russian). The rest of the wedding party can be whatever religion. The koumbaro and koumbara perform the exchange of rings and the crowns, so they must be baptized. There are no vows in the GO ceremony. It is implied that you want to be married ;-)
Our priest actually put the vows in for my wife's side who are Catholic so that it would bear some resemblance to the Catholic ceremony.
Each priest is different, so you should ask. Some are liberal and others very conservative. My best friend gave up on a GO wedding because the priest in his town was trying to insist that his bride be converted. In the end, he had a non-denominational wedding. Our priest was great about most things. Just be sure to not show any disrespect for tradition and you will be accomodated somehow.