Margaret wrote: This is true for a Greek wedding, but not for a Russian one, unless you choose to have the wedding crowns held above your heads during the ceremony instead of placed on your heads. (This difference is purely family and folk custom, nothing more.) If you choose the former option, you'll need four men to do this, say, the best man and three groomsmen, who can take turns. Why four? It is quite a feat of endurance for only two people to hold the crowns aloft for the length of time during the ceremony the crowns are bestowed and then removed by the priest. If the crowns are to remain on the couple's heads, then there is no need for the best man to be standing next to the couple as he does at Greek weddings. At my wedding, the best man was performing a most useful function - contributing his vocal talents in the choir. Of course, he, and the matron-of-honour also were required to sign the register as witnesses. (Though both I and my husband are Orthodox, the above still apply for mixed marriages.)