Written by Tarnia Riggs
Founder, All Eyes on Me
A Greek Orthodox wedding is rich in prayer, symbolism and traditions that have developed over centuries. Each part of the service points towards a shared life of love, faith, mutual respect and care.
The wedding crowns, known as stefana, are especially recognisable, but the rings, candles, joined hands and common cup also carry meaning. Understanding them can help couples and guests appreciate what is happening during the ceremony.
This guide recreates my original All Eyes on Me article, with refreshed wording and church-source checks for October 2026. Local arrangements should always be discussed with the parish priest.
The service has two main parts: the Betrothal Service, which includes the blessing and exchange of rings, and the Marriage Service, centred on the crowning of the couple.
Prayers, blessings and symbolic actions express the couple’s commitment within the faith of the Orthodox Church. Many actions are repeated three times in connection with the Holy Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
The Orthodox sacramental rite does not traditionally include an exchange of personal vows. If you hope to include additional words or readings, ask your priest what is appropriate for the service.
The candles represent the light of Christ and the couple’s life within their faith. They are a reminder to bring that light into their shared home through love, virtue and good deeds.
Ask the parish about the candles required and how they will be used. Their spiritual meaning is more important than the size or decoration chosen.
During the betrothal, the priest offers prayers for the couple and blesses their rings. In the Greek Orthodox rite, the rings are placed on the ring fingers of their right hands.
The religious sponsor, commonly called the koumbaros or koumbara, exchanges the rings three times. This is an active role in the religious ceremony, rather than simply another name for an attendant in the wedding party.
The exchange can be understood as a reminder of mutual support: sharing responsibilities, helping each other through difficulties and bringing their individual strengths to life together.
Confirm the sponsor’s eligibility and responsibilities with the priest before making arrangements.
The priest joins the couple’s right hands while praying for their unity. Their joined hands express the oneness of their marriage and the life they are beginning together.
The hands remain joined through the following parts of the service. It is a simple gesture with a lasting meaning: walking forward together in faith and commitment.
The crowning is the central moment of the Marriage Service. The stefana are two wedding crowns, traditionally joined by a ribbon that symbolises the couple’s unity.
The priest blesses the couple with the crowns and places them on their heads. The sponsor then exchanges them three times.
The crowns signify the glory and honour bestowed on the couple by God. They also recognise the household they will build together, often described as their own small kingdom, to be cared for with wisdom, integrity and love.
Another meaning is the self-giving love associated with the crowns of the martyrs. In marriage, this points towards generosity, patience and the willingness to care for one another throughout their shared life.
Stefana can be simple or elaborate. Choose a pair that has meaning for you, and check with the parish about their suitability and how to bring them on the day.
After the crowning, readings from the New Testament form part of the service. The Epistle is from Ephesians, and the Gospel recounts the wedding at Cana in Galilee, where Christ turned water into wine.
The Cana reading connects the wedding celebration with Christ’s presence and blessing. It also leads naturally into the symbolism of the common cup.
The couple share wine from a single cup in remembrance of the wedding at Cana. This common cup symbolises sharing the joys and sorrows of life, supporting each other and carrying responsibilities together.
The common cup in this part of the wedding service is not Holy Communion. It is a symbolic expression of the life the couple will share.
Its meaning is easy to carry beyond the ceremony: happiness is something to celebrate together, and difficult moments are something to meet with care and companionship.
The priest leads the couple in three circuits around the ceremonial table while hymns are sung. This procession is commonly called the Dance of Isaiah.
The hymns celebrate Christ’s incarnation and honour the faith of the saints and martyrs. With the Gospel leading the procession, these first steps together express the Church’s prayer that the couple’s married life will be guided by their faith.
The movement is part of the religious service. Guests can appreciate its joy and symbolism while allowing the priest, couple and sponsor the space they need.
Towards the conclusion of the service, the priest blesses the newly married couple and removes the crowns. The closing prayers look towards their life together beyond the church.
Older descriptions sometimes mention keeping the crowns on for a period after the wedding or returning for a separate crown-removal prayer. A post-honeymoon return should not be presented as a requirement for every couple: follow the guidance and current practice of your own parish.
Many couples keep their stefana as a treasured reminder of their wedding and the commitments represented by the service.
Speak with the parish priest early, before confirming arrangements that depend on the church ceremony. A few useful questions are:
Your priest can explain the religious requirements alongside the arrangements needed for a legally recognised marriage in Australia. For the civil process, refer to the Australian Attorney-General’s Department’s guidance on getting married.
Originally published on the original All Eyes on Me website. Recreated and refreshed by Tarnia Riggs in October 2026.
View the original Greek Orthodox Wedding Ceremony article in the Wayback Machine.
References and further reading
The Archdiocese source describes Greek Orthodox marriage in Australia. The Orthodox Church in America provides broader Orthodox teaching. Confirm local arrangements with your own Greek Orthodox priest.
Church sources: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia: Marriage and Orthodox Church in America: The Sacrament of Marriage.