Martyrika

• As guests proceed from the wedding ceremony to the reception, they are given small ribbons to pin on their lapel. These ribbons, called martyrika, are used to signify that the guests were witnesses to the wedding ceremony. The wedding sponsors, called the koumbaroi, hand out these pins as guests enter the reception. The martyrika has traditionally been pink or blue with a small cross in the center. Today, the martyrika is often customized for the bride and groom, can be any combination of colors, and, instead of a cross, other symbols, beads or gems are used in the center.
  
  

Bread and Cakes

• Traditional Byzantine Catholic wedding receptions include the serving of bread and cakes. Before they are placed in the oven to bake, coins are placed in the dough and allowed to bake into the cake or loaf of bread. This signifies the story of Saint Basil, who is said to have baked coins from the church’s treasury into loaves of bread, which were distributed to the congregation, thus preventing the treasury from being plundered. Today, finding one of these coins signifies good luck and prosperity.
  
  

Fertility Traditions

• In order to bring the couple blessings of fertility, money is thrown onto the couple’s marriage bed. In addition to or instead of this tradition, a baby is sometimes placed on the bed to encourage conception.
  
  

Pinning Money on the Bride

• During the dancing portion of the reception, the bride will dance what is colloquially known as the money dance. The guests will take the opportunity to pin money onto the dress and veil of the bride while dancing with her, using safety pins or ribbons glued onto bills. This money is intended to assist the bride and groom in establishing their life together.
  
  

Changing Traditions

• Modern Orthodox couples may choose to personalize their reception by omitting some of the traditional aspects of the Greek Orthodox reception. Many couples choose to forgo the pinning of money on the bride in favor more subtle methods of accepting cash, such as having all cash given to a designated guest for safekeeping.