Quick Answer
What are lambades?
Lambades are a pair of tall, decorated candles that the bride and groom hold for the duration of the Greek Orthodox wedding ceremony. They symbolize spiritual light guiding the couple's new life together, and are typically styled to match the stefana crowns and bouquet.
Last updated:
Last updated:
What are lambades?
Also called: wedding candles, lambádes.
Lambades are easy to overlook next to the stefana and koumbaros in most descriptions of a Greek Orthodox wedding, but the couple is holding them for the entire service — lit from the start of the betrothal through to the final blessing. They are usually the first thing a couple picks alongside their crowns, since the two are typically ordered as a matched set.
How lambades are used in the ceremony
- •Lit at the start of the service, the bride and groom hold their lambades through both the betrothal and the crowning.
- •They are decorated with ribbon and flowers, almost always styled to coordinate with the stefana crowns.
- •Most couples order lambades and stefana together from the same vendor or Greek specialty shop for a consistent look.
Planning notes
- •Order lambades together with your stefana so the two match — most vendors sell them as a set.
- •Check with your church on candle length and any fire-safety expectations for the altar area.
- •If your hands will be full with a bouquet or dress train, ask your officiant or koumbaros about candle holders — some churches provide them.
Keep ceremony items on one checklist
Track lambades, stefana and every other ceremony item on Weddingkart's shared wedding checklist so nothing is missing on the day.
Try the wedding checklist tool →Frequently Asked Questions
Who holds the lambades during the ceremony?
The bride and groom each hold one lambada themselves for the duration of the service, from the betrothal through the crowning.
Are lambades kept after the wedding, like the stefana?
Some couples keep the unburned portion or the decorative elements as a keepsake, though it is less universally preserved than the stefana, which is typically displayed afterward.
Do lambades need to match the stefana?
They do not have to, but most couples order them as a matched set from the same vendor since they appear together throughout the entire ceremony.
Related
By Mayank JaiswalLast updated