Specializing In Memorable
Traditional & Custom Wedding Ceremonies

The elements of your Jewish wedding will depend on the denomination to which you belong. The following list provides an outline for one type of Jewish marriage ceremony.

• Processional
• Introductory Blessing
• Prayer
• Cup of Wine
• Marriage Service
  • Vows
  • Exchange of Bride's Ring
  • Exchange of Groom's Ring
  • Ketubah
  • Blessings
  • Cup of Wine
  • Homily/sermon
  • Pronouncement
• Benediction
• Breaking of Glass
• Recessional

Jewish Traditions

The most visible of Jewish wedding traditions is the chuppah, or canopy under which the marriage ceremony takes place. The chuppah symbolizes the tents of nomadic ancestors as well as the new Jewish family/home formed through the couple's marriage. It may be made of flowers or material, although it is helpful to check with your synagogue and officiant early on to see if there are any restrictions on the material used. A hand-embroidered material, either purchased or made by you and/or family and friends, makes a beautiful chuppah as well as a wall hanging after the wedding. The chuppah may be fixed or it may be held by chosen guests throughout the service. This is an excellent way to involve individuals close to the bride and groom in the marriage service.

The seven wedding blessings may end the actual marriage portion of the ceremony. The blessings may be read in either Hebrew or English, and may be read by a number of chosen male guests you would like to honor (or female guests if it's a more liberal ceremony). Again, this is an excellent way to involve those close to you in the ceremony. The bride and groom often sip from a cup of wine as the blessings are read.

Another important element of the Jewish wedding ceremony is the breaking of the glass that comes at the end of the service. The groom steps (with his right foot!) on a glass that is enclosed in a cloth bag to remind guests of both the seriousness and fragility of love and marriage, as well as to symbolize the destruction of the Holy Temple in ancient Israel. Keep in mind: a light bulb is much easier to break than is a real glass--neither is visible through the material of the surrounding bag!

In a Jewish marriage, the rings traditionally include no carving or stones so as not to fool the bride of the worth of the ring. During the ceremony, the ring is first placed on the right forefinger of the bride-- considered the finger of intelligence as it is used to read the Torah.

The union of the Jewish marriage is considered a symbolic consummation of the marriage. Following the recessional, the bride and groom may retire to a private room to eat together very briefly before making a formal entrance to the reception.

There is typically no receiving line at a Jewish wedding.

The timing of the Jewish wedding ceremony is dictated to some extent by the Sabbath and religious holidays. Jewish weddings are not held from sundown on Friday evening through sundown on Saturday evening to honor the Sabbath. Weddings are also not performed on major religious holidays. Additional rules may apply for Orthodox and/or Conservative denominations.

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