Creating Stefana Wedding Crowns: A Step-By-Step Guide

The Stefana is a wedding crown used in Greek Orthodox marriage ceremonies. The Stefana is placed on the heads of both the bride and groom to symbolise the beginning of their union. The crowns are joined by a ribbon, symbolising the couple's unity and the presence of Christ, who blesses and joins them. The crowns are typically made from silver and gold, although in ancient times they were made from olive branches, lemon blossoms and vine leaves. Today, couples can buy pre-made Stefana or have them custom-made, but it is also possible to make your own.

Choosing your stefana

The stefana is a key part of the Greek Orthodox marriage ceremony. Placed on the heads of the bride and groom, the crowns symbolise the couple's union and the glory and honour bestowed on them by God. The crowns are joined by a ribbon, which represents the couple's unity and the presence of Christ, who blesses and joins them.

There is no rule that says your stefana need to be particularly ornate. However, it is traditional that they are white, with any embellishments also being white. The main portion of the crown should be white or off-white, even if there are some gold or silver details. You can also stick to a plain white crown, which is a good option if you want to save money.

If you decide to buy your stefana, you can either purchase pre-made crowns or have them custom-made. You can find pre-made stefana in stores in areas with a large Greek population, or online. If you want to ensure your crowns are unique and personalised, you may prefer to have them custom-made.

Another option is to make your own stefana. As long as you stick with the traditional appearance, it doesn't matter if you make them yourself. Start with a white base and add white ribbons, flowers, and beads. You can find instructions online if you need guidance.

Traditionally, stefana are buried with the deceased or disposed of in the case of divorce. They are also often saved and displayed in the couple's home, so it is important to choose stefana that you are happy to keep for the rest of your lives together.

The crowning ceremony

> "The servant of God, (name of the groom), is crowned unto the handmaiden of God, (name of the bride), in the name of the father, and of the son, and of the holy spirit. Amen."

After the groom has been crowned, the same blessing is recited for the bride, with the locations of handmaiden of God and servant of God switched.

The Koumbaros, or wedding sponsor, then exchanges the crowns three times to symbolise the couple's union. The crowns are tied together with a ribbon, which should remain intact for a lifetime as it represents the eternal bond between the couple. The Stefana are often made of silver and gold, but in ancient times, they were made from olive branches, lemon blossoms, vine leaves, and even asparagus.

Making your own crowns

Making your own stefana wedding crowns is a special way to incorporate your personal style into your wedding ceremony. The crowns are a key part of the Greek Orthodox wedding ceremony, symbolising the sacred union of the couple and crowning them as king and queen of their household.

To make your own stefana, start with a white base and add white ribbons, white flowers, and white beads. You can also incorporate gold or silver embellishments, though the main portion of the crown should be white or off-white. If you are crafty, you can source the materials yourself and follow instructions available online. You can also find customisation ideas online, such as adding your names and wedding date to the ribbon.

When designing your stefana, keep in mind that they should be joined by a ribbon, symbolising the unity of the couple and the presence of Christ, who blesses and joins the couple. The crowns should also be sturdy, as they are meant to be kept and cherished as a lifelong memento of your wedding day.

If you need inspiration, look to the history of stefana, which were traditionally made from olive branches, lemon blossoms, and vine leaves—plants devoted to Aphrodite. In some areas of ancient Greece, asparagus was used, symbolising a union of fertility and serenity.

The history of stefana

The tradition of placing crowns on the heads of the betrothed couple has remained largely unchanged since ancient times, due to the efforts of the Orthodox Church to preserve the customs and traditions of the ceremony. However, there have been some changes over the years. In ancient Greece, the crowns would be worn by the newlyweds for a week following the wedding, after which they would be removed by the officiating priest in a special ceremony. Today, this would likely be too complicated, so most weddings only require a small ceremony to take place after the honeymoon, during which the crowns are removed.

In ancient times, everyone at the ceremony wore crowns made from similar materials to the bride and groom, but this is not the case today. Now, the crowns are usually made from silver and gold, and they are only placed on the heads of the couple during the ceremony. They are then removed after the honeymoon to symbolise the beginning of their new life together.

The role and importance of stefana

The stefana is a wedding crown that is placed on the heads of both the bride and groom during a Greek Orthodox wedding ceremony. The Stefana is one of the most important symbols of the Orthodox marriage. The crowns are often joined by a ribbon, symbolising the unity of the couple and the presence of Christ, who blesses and joins them. The Stefana symbolise the glory and honour bestowed on the couple by God, and the couple's role as the king and queen of their household.

The crowning ceremony usually takes place after the betrothal, when the rings are placed on the couple. The Stefana ceremony begins with the priest placing a crown on the groom's head, reciting a chant or crown blessing. This blessing is then repeated with the bride. Once both blessings are spoken, the crowns are removed. In modern times, the crowns are typically made from silver and gold, but historically, they were made from olive branches, lemon blossoms, vine leaves, and in some areas of ancient Greece, asparagus.

The Stefana crowns are often preserved in a stefanothiki, or wedding crown case, and displayed in the couple's home. The Stefana ceremony is a sacred part of the wedding, symbolising the union of the couple, and their new life together.

Frequently asked questions