What to Expect at a Jewish Wedding

For a traditional Jewish ceremony, it’s customary to wait until after sundown if held on a Saturday when the Jewish Sabbath is officially over. Because ours is taking place in June, that means a late ceremony! But don’t worry - come early for our pre-ceremony cocktail hour and there will be plenty of drinks and apps to enjoy. This will also give us a chance to spend more time with you!

Other Traditions

The Ketubah

The ketubah is a symbolic Jewish marriage contract that outlines the groom's responsibilities to his bride. It dictates the conditions he will provide in the marriage, the bride's protections and rights, and the framework should the couple choose to divorce. Ketubahs aren't actually religious documents, but are part of Jewish civil law—so there's no mention of God blessing the union. The ketubah is signed by the couple and two witnesses before the ceremony takes place, then is often read to the guests during the ceremony.

The Chuppah

In the Jewish tradition, both of the groom's parents walk him down the aisle to the chuppah, the altar beneath which the couple exchanges vows. Then the bride and her parents follow. Traditionally, both sets of parents stand under the chuppah during the ceremony, alongside the bride, groom, and rabbi or officiant. A chuppah has four corners and a covered roof to symbolize the new home the bride and groom are building together.

Breaking the Glass

As the ceremony comes to an end, the groom is invited to step on a glass inside a cloth bag to shatter it. The breaking of the glass holds multiple meanings. Some say it represents the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem. Others say it demonstrates that marriage holds sorrow as well as joy and is a representation of the commitment to stand by one another even in hard times. After the glass is broken, everyone shouts “Mazel Tov!’

The Hora

The hora is a traditional dance performed at Jewish weddings where the newlyweds are lifted into the air while their family and friends dance in circles around them. During the hora, the couple each holds one end of a handkerchief or napkin to signify their union.

*Source: https://www.brides.com/jewish-wedding-traditions