The koumbara (if a woman) and/or koumbaros (if a man) are similar to the maid of honor and best man, but they have more responsibilities. They cover a part of the expense of the wedding, they take part in the marriage ceremony (see entries about veres and stefana), and traditionally, this person is selected as the godparent for the couple’s first child. Being a couple’s koumbaros and/or koumbara creates a strong bond between them.

The tradition of wearing round wedding bands most likely started in Ancient Egypt, about 4800 years ago. The circle, that has no beginning or end, is a symbol of eternity and, by extension, of the eternal love and devotion between the couple. Today veres are usually made of gold. During the marriage ceremony, the priest blesses the veres and places them on the fourth finger of the right hand. Then the koumbaros/koumbara swaps them three times.

The Crowning is the centerpiece of the Eastern Orthodox marriage ceremony. Traditionally garland wreaths are often fashioned into ornate crowns as a symbol of glory and honor. These days crowns are more often thin rings of precious metals, or threads of gold and crimson, which represent the royalty of marriage. The koumbaros/koumbara presents the couple with two crowns joined by a ribbon, symbolizing the couple's unity. The priest places the crowns on the couple's heads while they face the altar, then the koumbaros swaps the crowns on the couple's heads three times. According to custom, the crowns are to stay with the couple for life.

After the priest reads additional Bible passages, the bride and groom take three sips of wine from a shared cup or glass. The ritual of the common cup is based on the wedding of Cana of Galilee, where Jesus turned water into wine. The cup represents life and symbolizes the couple's mutual sharing of joy and sorrow. As they sip the wine, they are reminded that from that moment onward they will share everything, doubling their joys and dividing their sorrows.

Following the common cup ritual, the priest leads the couple three times around the altar with the koumparos/koumpara in tow. This ritual predates Christianity, representing the dance around the Ark of the Covenant. The choir sings three hymns as the couple circles the altar. With this act, the couple takes their first steps as a married couple.

As the couple exit the church after the ceremony the guests shower them with rice. The history and the tradition of showering newlyweds at a wedding with rice, seed, and grains predate Christianity. It’s a demonstrative ritual performed by the guests and family to wish the couple good fortune, a prosperous marriage, and children, if they desire.

Known by many names, such as wedding favors, Jordan almonds, sugared almonds, dragées or confetti, koufeta, as they are called in Greek weddings, are sugar-coated almond candies. They come in numerous colors, shapes and flavors. They're placed in little bags, called mpomponieres, in odd numbers and they are also served on a tray. The odd numbered koufeta in the mpomponieres symbolize that the newlyweds will share everything and remain undivided. According to another Greek tradition, if an unmarried woman places the koufeta under her pillow, she'll dream of her future husband.