In a traditional Greek Orthodox wedding, the crowns placed on the couple’s heads are called stefana.
The stefana are joined by a ribbon and are placed on the bride and groom by the priest during the crowning service. The crowns represent the couple’s union and the establishment of a new household. They can be made from flowers, silver, gold, or other decorative materials, depending on the family’s preference and the ceremony’s style.
The priest commonly exchanges the crowns between the couple three times. This movement expresses equality and shared participation in married life. The crowning takes place after the couple’s vows and before the common cup, another important part of the Greek Orthodox wedding service.
Stefana are sometimes described simply as wedding crowns, but they are not the same as a Western fashion tiara. They are liturgical objects with a role in the Orthodox rite. The word stefana is plural; the singular Greek form is stefano.