Athens, Greece – Contracting Marriage

In Greece, until the new Family Law of 1983, dowry was a strong and mandatory institution.

The bride’s family and the future groom signed the wedding contract before the marriage in the presence of witnesses. This contract included a detailed account of the property or money and household objects that were to be transferred to the groom. If any of these material obligations were not met, the wedding could be cancelled. The wedding contract also ensured that if the couple separated or if one spouse died before the birth of any children, the property was returned to the bride’s father and his heirs.

For more information and a closer look, please just click on the images in this gallery.

LEGAL DOCUMENT ACCOMPANYING MARRIAGE CONTRACT <p>Written in Athens, this wedding contract (no.7442) is dated 27th December, 1945. It records the legal agreement of the engaged couple and their families – that the bride’s family will pay the groom the sum of 1.000.000 Drachmas as dowry. The document includes the details of the lawyer who drafted the contract, the names of the couple and the names of the witnesses.</p>
MARRIAGE CONTRACT (Front Page)<p>Written in Athens, this wedding contract (no.7442) is dated 27th December, 1945. It records the legal agreement of the engaged couple and their families – that the bride’s family will pay the groom the sum of 1.000.000 Drachmas as dowry. The document includes the details of the lawyer who drafted the contract, the names of the couple and the names of the witnesses.</p>
MARRIAGE CONTRACT (Inside)
LIST OF ITEMS MAKING UP A DOWRY
LIST OF ITEMS MAKING UP A DOWRY (Inside)
OLD WEDDING PHOTOGRAPH 1<p>From flea market. Translation: To our beloved sister Aristea and nephew. With love Tassos - Nina, Nea Smyrna 6/7/47.</p>
OLD WEDDING PHOTOGRAPH 2 <p>From flea market. </p>
OLD WEDDING PHOTOGRAPH 3<p> From flea market.</p>
OLD WEDDING PHOTOGRAPH 4<p> From flea market.</p>
OLD WEDDING PHOTOGRAPH 5<p>From flea market.</p>
OLD WEDDING PHOTOGRAPH 6<p> From flea market. Translation: To our beloved Elenitsa. With love Uncle and aunt Georgala.</p>
OLD WEDDING PHOTOGRAPH 6 (Reverse)<p> From flea market. Translation: To our beloved Elenitsa. With love Uncle and aunt Georgala.</p>
OLD WEDDING PHOTOGRAPH 7<p> From flea market. Translation: To our beloved little nephews for having us always. Fofi and Theodorakis.</p>
OLD WEDDING PHOTOGRAPH 7 (Reverse)<p> Translation: To our beloved little nephews for having us always. Fofi and Theodorakis.</p>
OLD WEDDING PHOTOGRAPH 8<p> From flea market.</p>
OLD WEDDING PHOTOGRAPH 9

View other galleries: TROUSSEAU | WEDDING SYMBOLS