The Crowning — Two crowns, linked together by a ribbon, symbolize the joining of two souls and that the couple is prepared to establish their own kingdom as head of a new family. Crown styles can range from simple round weavings of flowers and beads to elaborate circular headdresses. During the ceremony, the crowns rest on the altar table, atop a silver tray laden with candied almonds (koufeta) and rice. The priest crowns the couple, and the koumbaro switches the crowns back and forth three times, symbolizing that two are now one.

The Bible Readings — Once the couple is crowned, the priest chants several Bible verses about the duties, responsibilities and holiness of marriage.

The Common Cup — The priest presents the bride and groom with a single cup of wine. They drink from it three times, symbolizing that they will share the cup of life together.

The Dance of Isaiah — Holding hands and joined by their crowns, the bride and groom are led around the altar table three times by the priest, who chants three hymns and carries a gilded Book of Gospels, signifying that they will be following the word of God as they start their lives together. The circle also signifies the eternity of marriage. At the end of the ceremony, the priest invokes a blessing and lifts the crowns from the heads of the newlyweds, indicating the end of the marriage ceremony and the beginning of their lives together.

The bride and groom kick off the reception festivities by dancing the first dance. The bride leads, and the band plays a traditional song, which, roughly translated, includes the words "How beautiful is the bride! How beautiful is her dowry!" While dowry has been outlawed in Greece for years, some grooms still strongly hint that they would like a furnished apartment in Athens! Today, however, anything the bride's parents want to provide for the new couple is strictly voluntary.

In the United States and other countries where Greek people have settled, receptions usually include Greek music and food as well as the music and food of the country where the family now lives. At the end of the party, guests return home with "bonbonieres," a party favor containing an uneven number of koufeta, symbolizing that the couple cannot be divided, and that life contains times that will be both bitter and sweet.