your orthodox Wedding

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Stolisma

On the morning of a Greek Cypriot wedding it is traditional for the bride and groom to prepare at their houses with close family and friends.

The bride usually sits in front of her family wearing her dress with her bridesmaids in preparation for the blessing. A traditional Paneri is used with bride’s shoes placed in it covered with the red ‘Zoni’ and three or more of her Koumeres one by one will dance with the Paneri held up high; this symbolises good luck and fortune. The bride then has the Zoni (red scarf) draped around her waist by each member of the family and blessed with the Kapnisteri while the violinist plays traditional songs.

At the groom’s house, he is ‘shaved’ by his Koumbaro who then finishes dressing him in his wedding suit. A traditional Paneri is used with the groom’s shoes placed in it and covered by the Zoni and three or more of his Koumbaros will dance with this held high, symbolising good fortune and luck. The groom then has the Zoni (red scarf) draped around his waist by each member of the family and blessed with the Kapnisteri while the violinist plays traditional songs.

Orthodox Wedding Crowns – the Stefana

The use of wreath (crowns) worn by the bride and groom at their wedding dates back to ancient Greece when the crowns were made of natural materials such as branches from olive trees, grape vines, and even asparagus.  The two Stefana symbolize two separate circles of life and are connected as one with a joining ribbon, which should never be separated. The couple are crowned and united just as the crowns are joined with the ribbon. I am pleased to now offer personalised joining ribbon with the couple’s names and date of the wedding.

At Stefanabymaria the crowns are lovingly handmade using genuine Swarovski ® crystals and pearls, real freshwater pearls and rhinestones. A bespoke service is also available.

Orthodox Wedding Ceremony

During the Orthodox marriage ceremony, the crowning of the couple takes place. The Stefana are placed on the head of the bride and groom, the Koumbaro and Koumera exchange the stefana three times over the couple’s head as a symbol of the couple’s union. The stefana are a symbol of the glory and life bestowed by the Church upon the newlyweds. The bride and groom are crowned as the King and Queen of their new home.

The Stefana are a mandatory item for the Greek Orthodox wedding ceremony. 

The Stefana are joined by a ribbon that symbolises the unity of couple in the presence of Christ who joins them together.

Sugared Almonds for the Church Service

The sugar-coated almonds are placed on the tray with the Stefana. The white symbolises purity, the egg shape represents fertility and the new life which begins with the marriage; the hardness of the sugared almond represents the endurance of marriage and the sweetness of the sugar symbolises the sweetness of future life.

There are always an odd number (usually 33) of almonds to symbolise that they are indivisible, just as the couple should remain undivided. Following the ceremony, the almonds along with a small piece of red ribbon are shared amongst the single women; it is said that if they place the almond under their pillow, they will dream of the man that they will marry.

The Stefana after the Ceremony

The Stefana remain in the house of the couple for the rest of their lives. They are usually stored in a Stefanothiki in the couple’s bedroom (traditionally above the bed); this way the stefana are seen daily and they serve as a reminder of their meaningful union. 

A piece of the wick from the lambathes and a shaving of the wax should also be put in the Stefanothiki along with the Koumbaro ribbons