Stefana

Stefana are a pair of crowns or wreaths joined by a ribbon, used in the Eastern Orthodox and Eastern Catholic marriage ceremony. The stefana are placed on the heads of the bride and groom, symbolizing their joining together as king and queen of their own household. The ribbon connecting the crowns represents their unity and the bond of marriage.

The crowns are often made of metal, such as silver or gold, and adorned with jewels. More simple stefana may be made of flowers or other natural materials. They are typically held over the heads of the couple by the koumbaros (male sponsor) or koumbara (female sponsor), though sometimes they are placed directly on the heads of the couple. After the ceremony, the stefana are typically kept by the couple as a treasured family heirloom and a reminder of their wedding day. In some traditions, they are placed in the family icon corner.