Wherever it took place, the wedding was a magnificent party attended by all of the gods and goddesses. Even Hades left his dark realm to witness the marriage of his brother and sister. The myths say that the tradition of bringing gifts to a newly married couple began with Zeus and Hera. Gaia gave Hera a splendid tree that bore golden apples. This tree was planted in the Garden of the Hesperides and protected by the nymphs.

This divine ceremony became the standard for sacred marriage throughout Greece. Festivals were held to honor the sanctity of marriage and to commemorate the union of Zeus and Hera. In Athens, it became a tradition for brides to receive apples and pomegranates, the favorite fruits of Hera. Throughout Greece, wedding ceremonies were preceded by a procession in which a statue of Hera dressed as a bride was wheeled through the town. Sometimes the statue was wheeled right to the marriage bed. Also, the month attributed to Hera became the traditional time for weddings. (What month was that? Here's a hint: Hera's Roman name is Juno.) Hera became the goddess of marriage, protecting wives and punishing adulterers.