Sugar coated almonds are taken to the church to be handed out to the guests attending the wedding once the ceremony is over. They are taken in the silver tray along with the stefana, the wedding bands and the marriage license.

Greek (Cypriot) tradition says that they should be wrapped in bundles of 3 as the odd number symbolizes the fact that the couple cannot be divided. They also symbolize the bitter-sweetness of the couple’s future life together. The almond also represents fertility and the sugar coating is traditionally white to symbolize purity. It is interesting to note that Italian tradition says that the almonds should be in bundles of 5 to represent health, wealth, happiness, fertility and longevity.

Other traditions say that the koufetta should only be offered to the single women who are attending the wedding. They are then supposed to put the koufetta under their pillow and when they go to sleep that night they will dream of the man they are going to marry.