Reception

Ceremony

All Saints Antiochian Orthodox Church

Our Wedding

We met at our church last year on Pascha and we have been inseparable ever since! We got engaged at the end of May during our vacation to Greece on the island of Poros!

Our Story

Photos

Wedding Party

Q + A

This is a list of several hotel options in the local area. There are only a handful of options right in Clayton, but there are many options nearby.   The ceremony will be held at All Saints Orthodox Church on Buck Jones Road in Raleigh, on the Raleigh/Cary line. The private reception is being held in Clayton. We have also provided some options in convenient locations between the church and the reception venue.

There are many listings in Clayton and the local area (Selma, Wendell, Garner, and Raleigh).  There are many listings in the neighborhood where the reception venue is located.

Airbnb

This is a recently renovated historic inn located in Downtown Clayton within walking distance to parks, walking trails, coffee shops, restaurants, bars, etc. The inn has seven lovely rooms. If you are interested in staying at this inn, we suggest making reservations as soon as possible.

The Magnolia Inn 

The Marriott Raleigh Crabtree 

AC Hotel Raleigh North Hills 

The Renaissance Raleigh North Hills Hotel 

There are many hotel and Airbnb options in Cary.  All Saints Orthodox Church is on the Raleigh/Cary line, so a hotel in Cary will be close to the ceremony, but about a 30 to 45-minute ride back after the reception.  Cary is very convenient to the RDU Airport, making it an excellent option if you are flying in/out in a short time span. These are a few noteworthy options.

Cary 

Embassy Suites by Hilton Raleigh Durham Research Triangle 

This is a beautiful boutique hotel in Downtown Cary. It is a relatively new hotel that was built to have a historic feel. It is within walking distance of a beautiful park, restaurants, coffee shops, bars, walking trails, shopping, etc.

The Mayton Inn 

If you are seeking a high-end, luxury hotel experience, this is the one for you. It is located on the SAS Campus, close to the highway and RDU airport. The onsite restaurant, Herons, has received many awards. It is a short drive to Downtown Cary and Downtown Raleigh.

The Umstead Hotel and Spa 

Area Hotel Options

Things to Do

Registry

THE CEREMONY

Our wedding ceremony will be a traditional Orthodox Christian service at an Antiochian Orthodox church, with Greek Orthodox customs incorporated to honor the bride’s Greek heritage. The Orthodox wedding service is one of the oldest in Christianity, and its structure and rituals have remained largely unchanged since the early Church.

Guests may notice some differences compared to most Western weddings: - The couple faces forward, not each other. - No vows are exchanged; instead, the focus is on asking God to bless and unite the couple. The Wedding Crowns (Stefana)The crowning is the focal point of the Orthodox ceremony. The crowns symbolize the glory and honor bestowed by God, and the ribbon connecting them represents unity. The couple is crowned as “king and queen” of their new household, which they are to guide with wisdom, justice, and integrity. - Many actions are repeated three times, representing the Holy Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit).

Baptismal Names Used in the Ceremony

In the Orthodox Church, the priest addresses the couple by their baptismal names, which reflect their spiritual identity and connection to the saints. The bride grew up in the Greek Orthodox Church, while the groom discovered Orthodoxy later in life and was baptized into the faith as an adult. The Bride’s baptismal and birth name are the same: Demetra, after Saint Dimitrios The Great Martyr/Myrrh Streamer. The Groom’s baptismal name is Jeremiah, after Saint (The Prophet) Jeremiah and his birth name is Garland. So during the service, you will hear the bride and groom referred to as Demetra and Jeremiah.

The formality of the service reflects the belief that marriage is a holy mystery (sacrament) — a miracle in the life of the Church. The couple enters the church as two individuals, but by the end of the service, they are joined together as one family in Christ.

THE ORTHODOX WEDDING SERVICE

The Orthodox Christian wedding service consists of two parts:

The Service of Betrothal

The rings are blessed by the priest and exchanged by the koumbaro or koumbara (wedding sponsors) three times, symbolizing the intertwining of two lives and the support of the Trinity. Rings are placed on the right hand, the hand of God’s blessing.

The Sacrament of Marriage

This is the heart of the service, which includes:

The CandlesThe wedding service begins immediately following&nbsp;the betrothal service. The couple are handed candles which they hold throughout the service. The candles symbolize the spiritual willingness of the couple to receive Christ who will bless them through this sacrament.

The Joining of the HandsThe priest joins the right hands of the couple and calls upon God to join these “ Join these, Your servants, unite them in one mind and one flesh”. The hands are kept joined throughout the service to symbolize the “oneness” of the couple.

The Crowning (Stefana) Stefana are placed on the couple’s heads, joined with a ribbon to show their union.

The Scripture ReadingThe Epistle reading, Ephesians 5:20–33, explains the mystery and holiness of marriage, as well as the duties and responsibilities of a husband and wife. The love of the couple parallels the love of Christ and His Church. The couple becomes one in their submission to each other and to Christ.

The Gospel readingSt. John 2:1–11, retells the story of the wedding at Cana, where Christ blessed marriage by turning the water into wine, symbolizing the turning of our passions (vices) into virtues.

The Common Cup The couple shares blessed wine, symbolizing a shared life of joys and sorrows.

The Ceremonial Walk Also called The Dance of Isaiah. The priest leads the couple in a circle around the Gospel and Cross, their first steps together as husband and wife in Christ.

The Removal of CrownsThe crowns are lifted, and the priest prays for a long and blessed life together.

Why No Vows Are Exchanged

Unlike Western weddings, there are no spoken vows. Instead, the couple offers their promise directly to God, symbolizing unconditional love and a commitment that goes beyond words.

KOUMBARO / KOUMBARA

The koumbaro (male sponsor) or koumbara (female sponsor) play an important role in the wedding. More than a best man or maid of honor, they are spiritual witnesses and lifelong supporters of the marriage. They exchange the rings and crowns three times during the ceremony and they walk behind the couple during the dance of Isiah while holding the ribbon connecting the crowns.

A NOTE ON ORTHODOX CHRISTIANITY

The Orthodox Church is the original Christian Church, founded by Jesus Christ, with its history chronicled in the New Testament. Both Greek Orthodox and Antiochian Orthodox belong to this same tradition. The service you will witness has been celebrated for centuries, a living continuation of the faith and worship of the early Church.For more on Orthodox Christianity: <a href="https://www.goarch.org/-/history" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America: History</a> <a href="https://transfiguration.ak.goarch.org/our-faith/history-of-the-orthodox-church/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Antiochian Orthodox Church: History</a>

It's All Greek to Me: Understanding an Orthodox Wedding

Feasting & Dancing

Greek weddings are famous for their joyful spirit, food, and dancing — all captured in the Greek word kefi, meaning a love for life and exuberance.

The Kalamatianos Dance

One of the most popular Greek folk dances, the Kalamatianos is a lively 12-step line dance in an open circle. Dancers hold hands, symbolizing unity and community. Traditionally, the bride leads, joined by the groom, family, and eventually all the guests. Don’t worry if you don’t know the steps — just jump in and follow along!(Video tutorial: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryWGbu7Ubr8" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryWGbu7Ubr8</a>)

The Money Dance

Traditionally, money was pinned to the bride’s dress during a special dance as a blessing of prosperity. Today, money is often tossed over the couple as they dance. Guests are welcome to join in with a few dollar bills!

Koufeta (Sugar-Coated Almonds)

Wedding favors (boubounierres) often include koufeta. The almond’s bitterness and the sugar’s sweetness symbolize life’s balance of sorrow and joy, while their egg shape represents fertility. They are given in odd numbers (usually 5 or 7), symbolizing indivisibility.

Greek Wedding Reception Traditions

<a href="https://www.honeyfund.com/site/karvelas-hight-12-28-2025" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.honeyfund.com/site/karvelas-hight-12-28-2025</a>

Demetra & Garland

Demetra & Garland

Registry

Coming soon