www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Faith & Theology Wedding crowns

As my wedding date fast approaches (Oct 7, 2005), the fiancee and I have turned our attention to the subject of wedding crowns. We're still trying to decide if we want to go with the metal or the flower ones. What have those who have been married here done and, more importantly, where/who made the flower ones, if applicable? I have a number of sources for metal ones, but none for flower crowns. I'm particularly intrigued myself with the idea of one made of periwinkle/myrtle.

In Christ,
mikey.

Dear Mikey:

The use of "botanical" crowns depends upon the local traditions and those of one's antcestry.

Myrtle wreaths instead of metal crowns are traditional in Western Ukraine. They are usually home-made, but I suppose you could find a florist in a Ukrainian nieghborhood somewhere who might be able to make them for you.

Hope this helps.

hal

Thanks, Hal.

Being of Bavarian RC stock and my fiancee of Italo-Polish RC stock, we're pretty much on our own regarding which type of crown we'd like to use at our wedding. I figured that the botanical crowns were home-made. I'm sure my pastor knows of someone who could help, but the idea struck me now so I thought I'd ask the collective. Thanks again!

In Christ,
mikey.

Mikey,

As memory serves me, periwinkle or myrtle is traditional for such use by Ukrainians. Some forms of it, that are used for ground cover, grow in fairly long strands. I suspect you could probably weave such together with a bit of skill; alternatively, I think any florist would be happy to do them to order.

Many years,

Neil

Our son's were of a very delicate looking white silk flower, tied with the ribbon of course.

The crowns are now displayed in a wonderful wooden case with glass and his surrounds an icon of Christ and her crown, the Theotokos.

So they always have that remembrance around them. They are hard to walk past and not notice.

Dear Friends,

The reason for the use of myrtle in weddings is because myrtle is emblematic of martyrdom.

Martyrs' are often depicted with crowns of myrtle - the crown reserved for the winning champions in atheltic contests.

The marriage rite is also an affirmation of the martyrdom that is involved in two people working hard to live together in harmony - this is why the Great Martyr Procopius is invoked as well.

Alex

The use of myrtle crowns (or periwinkle), I was told, was more common among rural Slavs than urban: those in the cities, especially the Russians, tended toward those more 'imperial' crowns. The problem with these is that most parishes or couples cannot afford the really nice ones (Istok and Eastern Christian Supply list some costing several thousand dollars the last time I checked!), and instead get them on the cheap, which means, of course, that they look tacky and shop-worn. So I advise staying away from them, which is what the archpriest who married us, a man of impeccable taste, advised us to do. The symbolism of the myrtle ones, as Alex has noted, cannot be replaced, and for that reason alone I think should be chosen, which is what my wife and I did.

As to finding such crowns or having them made, it depends where you are. If you are in or near a major metropolitan area, this should be no problem: either ask an Orthodox pastor or else find a florist in the Greek/Russian/Ukrainian neighbourhood and go from there. They surely have some familiarity with them, and if they don't it's not hard to fake it!

Dear Mikey,

If you don't mind silk flowers, there are many designs available at these Greek wedding sites, from $35.00 to about $180.00. There are many styles to choose from:

www.orthodoxweddings.com [orthodoxweddings.com]
www.grecianimports.com/stefana.htm [grecianimports.com]

If there are any Greek neighborhoods in the nearest metropolitan area, there are generally stores there that cater to every possible detail of an Orthodox wedding....

Don't forget to keep your crowns with your icons after the wedding!

Alice

Mikey, I wholeheartedly agree with Adam. If you can't get a nice metal crown, the "discount" ones tend towards the tacky and generally aren't much better than something you might see in a costume shop.

The myrtle crowns (or myrtle woven with small flowers) are replete with symbolism as well as very beautiful (and much more appealing to the bank account).

Both of those sites feature crowns that are totally, absurdly overpriced! Don't even think of paying that much money to have crowns made--especially if (ugh) they use what looks like glorified plastic!

We had very lovely myrtle ones made and I think for the pair of them we paid less than $50 Cdn., which, being translated, is about 20 cents American!

Hi Pani Rose,

Your son's wedding crowns sound alot like mine. I guess the thought of white silk flowers and beads with ribbon attaching them (Greek custom) offended some on this board! They do make for nice heirlooms though!

Oh well.

Alice ,

Your thought about the white roses was I thought wonderful - so cheer up.

As it happens my headress when I married in 1964 [ oooooooh so many years ago ] was in fact a small coronet - in cream [ well my dress was gold and cream brocade - I looked awful in white ] with tiny flowers and was actually very similar to the 3rd one in your second URL .

Strange though - so many headresses over here are small coronets - I wonder if that is creeping Eastern influence

Anhelyna

GLORY TO JESUS CHRIST!

Hi Alice!!!

One of my favs scenes from MBFGW, is the scene where Ya-Ya brings in her treasure box and sits on the bed with Tula and Maria.

Tula opens the treasure box and inside are Ya-Ya's wedding crowns.

I tear up every time I watch that scene!

mark

Adam, you're a bit too hard on your home economy...we were starting to plan our spring trip to Ontario and the exchange rate is certainly much stronger now for the Canadians...

But in all honesty, really the myrtle crowns are the way to go. Some of the cheaper metal crowns look like a "marriage" of a Burger King crown and some costume jewelry...

Mikey,

Firstly, congratulations on your engagement! May God grant you and your fiancee many happy, healthy years together.

Okay, I've only been a "Byzzie" for a couple of years, and there's still a lot I don't know...

It's my understanding that traditionally Greeks tend toward flowered crowns, and Slavs tend toward ornate gold crowns, often with icons on them. I could be wrong on this, and someone please correct me if I am.

But the type of crown you and your fiancee wish to have is, I think, entirely up to you.

Edited to add: Here's a link to see some Russian-style "imperial" crowns:

http://www.easternchristian.com/page40.html

I had always thought that I'd want a Russian-style crown, but now I think I prefer the simpler flowered ones.. so pretty