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This picture is sourced from Los Angeles Wedding Photography.
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).
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.
On the occasions when the Koumbara is standing next to the Groom, it is common to see the Koumbara wearing a different outfit to the bridesmaids.
However when the Koumbara is standing next to the Bride, then it is common to see the Koumbara wearing the same outfit as the other bridesmaids.
It is important to note that there are no specific rules associated with what the Koumbara should wear. The decision should be a mutual agreement between the Koumbari and the Bride & Groom.
The Koumbara who wears a different outfit to the Bridesmaids:
- Is often the only sponsor or Koumbari
- Is already married to the Koumbaros
- Will normally stand next to the Groom
- Will want to show the guests (through dress and stance) that she has the honour of being a Koumbara
- Has been asked by the Bride & Groom to ‘stand out’ so that she is different to the Bridesmaids
The Koumbara who wears the same outfit as the Bridesmaids:
- Will often stand next to the Bride
- Is usually a second sponsor (i.e. there is also a Koumbaro)
- Will want to dress the same as the Bridesmaids
- Does not want to stand out or look different in front of the wedding guests
Do you think that the Koumbara should wear the same as the Bridesmaids? Please share your comments.
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In This Picture:
The Priest is guiding the bride and groom around the table altar and the Koumparos is walking with them.
The Koumparos has a very important role in a Greek wedding and it the future lives of the newlyweds.
The Koumparos exchanges the crowns three times on the heads of the bride and groom and assists them to walk around the table during the ‘Dance of Isaiah’.
The Koumparos is also responsible for providing the following items on the wedding day:
- Stefana (Wedding Crowns)
- Two Lambades
- The Wedding Tray
- Gratitudes to the Priest, Canter and Sexton
- Bonboneri for the wedding guests
I have been to some weddings where there has been both a Koumparos and a Koumpara. When there is two sponsors do they share all of the duties (and expenses) mentioned above?
This picture was taken by a fantastic photographer Andrew Van Gundy and you can see more of his work on his website or on his blog.
In This Picture:
The Bride and Groom are standing at the alter in a beautiful Greek Orthodox Church. Next to them stands the wedding party along with the Koumbara and Koumbaro.
The Koumbara is the name given to the couples sponsor if she is female, sort of like a ‘maid of honour’.
The Koumbaro is the name given to the couples sponsor if he is male, sort of like a ‘best man’.
The Koumbara and Koumbaro have a very important role in a Greek wedding ceramony and they do a lot more than just plan the hen’s night/buck’s night (I plan to write more about this in an upcoming blog).
At some of the Greek weddings i have been to, the Koumaro is the best man. At other weddings the bride and groom separated the roles and had both a Koumbaro and a maid of honour. Sometimes there are two Koumbari and sometimes there is a Koumbara, a Koumaro, a best man and a maid of honour.
In fact i have seen so many different combinations at weddings these days, because the Greek couple try to keep the Orthodox custom of having Koumbare but still wanting to be ‘Australian’ and call someone their best man.
So what do you think? Is the role of a Koumbara the same as the maid of honour?
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