Traditional Wedding

The union of two young people, the creation of a new family, and the thought of future grandchildren deeply move and delight the island’s residents. When a couple decides to get married, the two families shake hands and share the responsibility of organizing the wedding.

On the wedding day, two musicians—playing violin and lute—visit the homes of the couple’s families and gather the guests. Everyone is invited: locals, friends, and relatives. Together, they meet the best man (koumparos) and maid of honor (koumpara), and with joyful wedding songs, they first escort the groom, then head to the bride’s house. There, they wait patiently while the bride prepares. Music and dancing continue outside the home, keeping the festive spirit alive. Once the bride is ready, the entire group walks to the church. She is accompanied by her parents, while the groom follows behind with his own parents. Outside the church, the bride is formally handed over to the groom. He greets her parents respectfully, and the couple enters the church together for the wedding ceremony. After the service, the guests accompany the couple—again with live music—to their new home. Then, everyone moves on to the reception venue, leaving the couple to enjoy a few quiet moments alone before rejoining the celebration later in the evening.

A unique local tradition is the “Antigamos”, or “After-Wedding Celebration.” The following morning, musicians return to wake the couple, and the party continues with guests dancing and celebrating well into the night. In recent years, many couples from across Greece have chosen Koufonissi for their wedding ceremonies—either following local traditions or in their own style. Couples can choose the chapel of Panagia (Virgin Mary) on Kato Koufonissi, reached by a beautifully decorated boat, or the church of Saint George on Pano Koufonissi.

On Koufonissi, couples will find everything they need to organize their wedding: traditional musicians, wedding favors (bombonieres), floral decorations, local sweets, hairstyling, makeup, photography, and videography. The only things they need to bring are the wedding dress and groom’s suit. The same services are also available for baptisms, as more and more families choose to baptize their children on Koufonissi.