Crowns: The crowning, which follows is the climax of the wedding service. Crowns are symbolic of the great honor and responsibility that attend the establishment of a new Christian family. The new bride and groom are crowned as king and queen of their own domestic kingdom. The kingdom established today is not to be a separate kingdom, but fully integrated in the Kingdom of God. The purpose of living together in it is that that they and their children will achieve salvation by living a true Christian life. The priest takes up the crowns and makes the sign of the cross over the bride and groom three times and places the crowns on their heads.... The couple will wear the crowns for the remaining of the ceremony. The crowns also have another deep spiritual meaning because they also represent the crowns of martyrdom since every true marriage involves immeasurable self-sacrifice on both sides. This will be revealed in the hymns chanted during the ceremonial walk.  