Jewish Wedding Traditions
Mazel Tov! You've announced your engagement -- now it's time to plan the wedding. If you're like most engaged couples, you and your groom would probably prefer to blend tradition with a wedding that's uniquely your own. Can you do it? Absolutely! Many Jewish wedding traditions meld beautifully with modern-day touches. Read on for our favorite Jewish wedding traditions.The Procession
The tradition: In days gone by, the rabbi walked out first, followed by the groom and his parents, the grandparents, the ushers/groomsmen, the bridesmaids, and finally, the bride and her parents. How to make it your own: Increasingly, couples are following their own processional order. You may also wish to have a mentor or favorite aunt or uncle included in your processional, as well as a flower girl and ring bearer. Some couples even walk down the aisle together as a pair.The Chuppah
The tradition: "Chuppah" (chuppa, hupah) means "canopy." Traditional chuppahs consist of a tallit, or sheet, stretched over four poles. The couple stands beneath the chuppah during the ceremony. How to make it your own: Since several sects require that the chuppah be placed under open sky, plan an outdoor garden party or tea party theme wedding. Have the tallit attached at the tops of the poles so you can leave their lengths open for decorating. To do this, twine your favorite flowers, branches or other greenery around each pole from top to bottom.Exchanging Rings, and the Sheva Brachot
The tradition: During the ceremony, the bride and groom are pronounced betrothed and the groom places a ring on the bride's finger. A blessing is recited over a cup of wine which both bride and groom drink. Another set of blessings, the Sheva Brachot (Seven Blessings), is recited. How to make it your own: Most couples today exchange rings rather than the bride being the sole recipient. You can also ask a special family member to include his or her own personal blessing after the Sheva Brachot.The Ketubah
The tradition: The Ketubah is your marriage contract. It is read by the rabbi or offiiciant following the ring ceremony. How to make it your own: The language of the Ketubah is usually very practical, but Reform Jews frequently allow modernized or more egalitarian. These may or may not run along the lines of the wedding vows we're all familiar with from friends' ceremonies and from movies. Consult with your rabbi with your ideas beforehand; he can probably give you tips on what to include and what you may wish to leave out. After the ceremony, frame your Ketubah beautifully and hang it on your wall.Breaking the Glass
The tradition: At the conclusion of the ceremony, a cloth is placed over a glass; the groom brings his shoe down on top of it, shattering the glass. The guests wish the couple Mazel Tov. How to make it your own: Interestingly, in some modern ceremonies, the bride and groom both break the glass, or each breaks a glass. You can also make a special wedding pouch to hold the glass in to prevent the shards from going everywhere (the same principle as placing a cloth over the glass) as a keepsake item. Some couples go shopping together for a unique or vintage glass. Make sure you look for something that's easy to break, rather than thick glass! Blending the traditional with the new will cement your own union -- the joining of two individuals and their histories to make a new household. Once you begin investigating the various traditions to a Jewish wedding ceremony, you'll realize why these beautiful and meaningful elements have stood the test of time. Have fun with these meaningful and highly personal tradition -- and make them every bit your own!
