07/10/2026
Koumbaro/Koumbara — this one's for you.
At almost every Greek Orthodox wedding we film, the Stefana (crown) exchange is the moment the bestman (koumbaro) or maid of honour (koumbara) tenses up. Most think it's a simple swap. It isn't.
You stand behind the couple with your hands crossed. You lift the crowns and carry them all the way around in one full circle, so each Stefano lands back on the same head it started on. Then you do it twice more, three times in all, for the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Think complete circle and not just swap. And make sure you start with your arms crossed over.
Get it right and nobody notices. It just looks calm and beautiful, and that's exactly how it should feel.
Save this, and send it to your koumbaros before the big day.
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CineMotive · Wedding photography & film, Sydney