Two receptions are held simultaneously, often in two rooms, or in one room separated by a partition. If you are female, make your way to the bride’s side. There you’ll see her perched on an ornate chair, probably surrounded by her family and friends. You can join the group, congratulate her—and just about everyone you meet—with “Mazel tov,” and chat with the other ladies. Over at the guys’ reception, you’ll probably find the groom sitting at the head of a large table. He will recite the maamar which is a chassidic discourse. Once the discourse is concluded the mother of the bride and groom will together, hold a plate and smash it, symbolising the finality of the bond between their two families. Then the groom and his entourage will walk over to the ladies’ side. Facing his bride—whom he has not seen in at least a week—he will take a veil and place it over her face, showing that he cares more for her inner beauty than her pretty face.
The actual wedding ceremony is held with just a canopy, called a chuppah, between the couple and the open sky. First the groom walks to the chuppah. Then the bride is walked to the chuppah. They are accompanied by their parents (and grandparents). The bride, parents and grandparents will then circle the groom seven times. All the while, music is being played and sung. The first part of the ceremony entails the groom placing a ring on the finger of his bride. A blessing is then said over a cup of wine, and both the bride and groom take a sip. Someone will then read the kesubah, the marriage contract. A succession of men will then be called up to read seven blessings, again over a cup of wine, which the bride and groom will both sip. The groom stomps on a glass, and cries of “Mazel tov” will ring out from the attendees. They are now MARRIED
Back in the wedding hall, the guests will find their way to tables (again in their respective areas). Now, remember that the bride and groom haven’t seen each other all week? That means that they have not had time to take pictures together, so they and their close family will be out snapping pictures while everyone else is settling down and starting the first course. When you hear the music picking up and see people begin making their way to the dance floor, you’ll know what to expect next. Accompanied by a lively dance tune, the bride and groom will rush into their respective sides of the room and the dancing has begun!
After dessert has been served, it’s time to bentch, a Yiddish term that refers to the Grace After Meals. Typically there will be bentchers, with the text of the bentching, scattered on the tables (you can take one or two home with you). Sometimes they will have English translations. The person leading the bentching will be holding a cup of wine. The bentching will take around five minutes. Afterward, the sheva berachos (seven blessings) will be said. Like under the chuppah, six people will be called up, each one to say another blessing while clasping a second cup of wine. At the conclusion the two cups will be mixed, and the bride and groom will drink. This pretty much concludes the wedding, with dancing continuing as long as the dancers still have steam.