A stole is chosen for an occasion by matching its colour, fabric and embroidery to the celebration: white or gold for weddings and Easter, red for Pentecost and martyrs, purple for Lent, and deacon or Roman cuts for the wearer's role. In short, the occasion sets the colour, the role sets the cut, and quality sets the dignity. Browse our stoles, wedding stoles and deacon stoles.
What is a wedding stole?
A wedding stole is a stole chosen for the celebration of matrimony, usually white or gold to symbolise joy and purity. It is often more richly embroidered with motifs of love, unity or the couple's patron saints. Wedding stoles may be a gift from the couple to the celebrant, a growing and meaningful tradition. See our wedding stoles.
What is a deacon stole?
A deacon wears the stole diagonally across the chest, from the left shoulder to the right hip, unlike a priest who wears it straight. Deacon stoles are longer to allow this diagonal drape and follow the same liturgical colours. If you equip a deacon, choose a dedicated deacon stole rather than a priest's stole.
What is a Roman stole?
A Roman stole follows the traditional Roman (fiddleback) style: straight, structured and often ornate, matching the Roman chasuble. It is favoured by traditionalist communities and for the Extraordinary Form. Roman stoles are usually sold to match a Roman chasuble set. See our Roman stoles.
What about Easter and Christmas stoles?
Easter stoles are white or gold with joyful motifs of the Resurrection; Christmas stoles are white or gold with nativity or star motifs. Both celebrate the highest feasts and are often more ornate. Choose them to match your Easter or Christmas chasuble for a unified set – see our Easter stoles and Christmas stoles.
How do you choose the right stole for an occasion?
Match the colour to the feast, the cut to the wearer (priest straight, deacon diagonal), the fabric to the season (silk and brocade for feasts, wool and blends for everyday) and the embroidery to the meaning of the celebration. Quality hand embroidery and a proper length complete the set. Browse the full stole collection.
FAQ
Can a wedding stole be white? Yes, white or gold is standard for weddings, symbolising joy, purity and the sacrament.
Is a deacon stole different from a priest stole? The deacon wears his stole diagonally, so the cut and length differ; the colours are the same.
Conclusion
Choose the stole by occasion: white or gold for weddings and Easter, red for Pentecost, purple for Lent, and the correct cut for priest or deacon. Browse our stoles, wedding stoles and deacon stoles.
Related reading
Start with our how to choose a stole guide and why priests wear a stole.
