Ceremony & FAQsCeremony & FAQs

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What Is A Jewish Wedding?What Is A Jewish Wedding?

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Jewish weddings are rich with traditions that have been celebrated for thousands of years. As two Jewish men, we’ve chosen rituals that honor our heritage, reflect our values, and celebrate the love we share. Some of these customs are ancient, some are adapted for an egalitarian and LGBTQ+ wedding, and all are deeply meaningful to us. Below, we’ve shared what each part of our ceremony means—so you can follow along, understand the symbolism, and fully celebrate with us under the chuppah.

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The KetubahThe Ketubah

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We sign a marriage covenant that reflects our shared values and love as equal partners. Before the ceremony, we will sign our Ketubah, a beautifully designed Jewish marriage contract. Historically, the Ketubah set out a groom’s obligations to his bride, but today, many couples—especially in egalitarian and LGBTQ+ weddings—use it as a mutual covenant of love, partnership, and shared values. Ours reflects our commitment to one another as equal partners in building a Jewish home. Two close friends who embody the values we want to instill in our future families will serve as witnesses, and the signed Ketubah will be read during the ceremony.

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The ChuppahThe Chuppah

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The open-sided canopy where we’ll stand together symbolizes our new home. We will be married under a Chuppah, an open-sided canopy that symbolizes the home we are creating together. The openness invites family and friends to surround us with love, while the covering above represents divine presence and protection. Standing beneath it reminds us that our relationship is both personal and part of the larger Jewish story. Our Chuppah is a shawl made by Gideon's Great Grandma Sonia over 100 years ago

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The CirclingThe Circling

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We each circle the other three times, then once together—seven total—for unity and wholeness. In many Jewish weddings, one partner traditionally circles the other, but in egalitarian ceremonies, couples often adapt the ritual. We’ll each circle the other three times, then circle once together—seven circles total—symbolizing wholeness, unity, and the merging of our lives.

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Kiddush & First Cup of WineKiddush & First Cup of Wine

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Blessings over our first shared cup of wine, marking this moment as sacred. We’ll share a cup of wine, reciting blessings that sanctify this moment. Wine is a symbol of joy in Jewish tradition, and this first shared cup marks the transition from our separate lives into a sacred partnership. We have three Kiddish cups that we will. be drinking from. The first is from the Rosenblums from the 1800s, a keepsake of Grandma Rhoda z"l. The second is from Jacob's Great, Great, Great, Great Grandfather on his Grandpa Norman z"l's side. The third is from Gideon's Grandma Anna z"l who used it every week for Shabbat dinners.

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The Ring ExchangeThe Ring Exchange

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Simple rings and Hebrew words of commitment, adapted for two grooms. We will each give the other a simple, unbroken ring—symbolizing a love without end. In keeping with Jewish tradition, we’ll say words of commitment in Hebrew: “Harei atah mekudash li b’taba’at zo k’dat Moshe v’Yisrael” (“Be consecrated to me with this ring, according to the tradition of Moses and Israel.”) We’ve adapted the Hebrew to reflect our marriage as two grooms, while preserving the traditional rhythm and meaning. Our rings are made from Grandma Rhoda's z"l earings.

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The Seven BlessingsThe Seven Blessings

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Ancient blessings celebrating joy, love, and creation. Seven ancient blessings will be recited over our second cup of wine. These blessings weave together themes of joy, companionship, and the beauty of love, culminating in a celebration of creation itself. We’re using a version that honors our shared Jewish heritage while embracing the diversity and equality of our marriage. The blessings will be given by our aunts and uncles who have been so instrumental in our journeys. 1. Tara and Ken Rosenblum. Dan Rosenblum 2. Daniella and Shmuel Livnat 3. Susana and Howard Weinstein. Connie and Ronnie Shillman 4. Risa and Jay Levinson 5. Caren and Bruce Hoffberger 6. Cheryl Guyer and Dan Guyer z"l 7. Robin and Jay Rosenblum. Marty and Elise Levinson

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Breaking the GlassBreaking the Glass

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We each break a glass to mark life’s fragility and the joy of this day—cue “Mazel Tov!” At the close of the ceremony, we will each break a glass beneath our feet. This tradition has many interpretations: remembering the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem, acknowledging that joy and sorrow coexist in life, and reminding us that love is precious and must be cared for. After the shattering, you’ll hear the joyful shout of “Mazel Tov!”. Traditionally, the man breaks the glass - so we will both be stomping!

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The YichudThe Yichud

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A few quiet minutes alone right after the ceremony to savor the moment. Immediately after the ceremony, we’ll spend a few minutes alone. This Yichud gives us a quiet pause to breathe, share our first moments as a married couple, and let the joy of the ceremony sink in before joining the celebration.

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FAQsFAQs

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See Below

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What Is the Attire?What Is the Attire?

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Our dress code is Formal Attire with color encouraged. This could include a a tuxedo or suit and tie, long dresses and gowns, or pant suits. Turn a Lewk*. Dress to impress. *Definition: "Turning a look or lewk" is a phrase often used in fashion and pop culture to describe someone who is presenting an impressive, eye-catching, or striking outfit or style. It typically refers to someone who has put together a bold, stylish, or confident ensemble that draws attention, often in a positive way. The term is also commonly associated with moments of high glamour or when someone has a particularly standout appearance, such as at a red carpet-event or a fashionable party. The phrase is popular on social media and in the LGBTQ+ community, especially in the context of drag culture. Source - ChatGPT

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What Will The Weather Be?What Will The Weather Be?

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It's Labor Day Weekend, so expect sunny and heat. We will have fans, umbrellas, and plenty of ways to cool down during the wedding events.

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Which Hotel Should We Stay At?Which Hotel Should We Stay At?

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We will be staying at The Cambria, where most of the weekend's events take place. It is an art deco hotel near downtown, home to Detroit's original radio station WWJ and now refurbished into a small boutique hotel. If you would prefer to stay at a Hilton, the Double Tree is located a 3-minute walk away. If you prefer Marriot or Westin, we have the block at the Book Cadillac, an 8-minute walk away. We are not planning to arrange transportation from these hotels to the Cambria.

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Where Should I Park?Where Should I Park?

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The Cambria Hotel offers valet parking at the main entrance of the hotel. Pricing is based on the length of time the guest is staying. There is some street parking and public/self parking down the blocks, so we recommend leaving your cars at home if you can.

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Is Transportation Provided?Is Transportation Provided?

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The ceremony, cocktail hour, party, and after party are all located at the Cambria Hotel, so no transportation is required.

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What If I Have A Dietary Restriction?What If I Have A Dietary Restriction?

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When you RSVP from your invitation, there will be a place to list any restrictions. Jacob is celiac and Gideon is allergic to nuts, so we take them all seriously.

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Will The Wedding Be Indoors Or Outdoors?Will The Wedding Be Indoors Or Outdoors?

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If all goes to plan, the ceremony will be outdoors with cocktail hour being both indoors and outdoors on the roof of The Cambria. The party and afterparty will be indoors with outdoor courtyards available. In the event of rain, all events will be indoors.

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When Should I Arrive At The Ceremony?When Should I Arrive At The Ceremony?

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Doors open at 4:30 pm and our ceremony is starting promptly at 5:00 pm. Please arrive before then.

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Can I Take Pictures During The Ceremony?Can I Take Pictures During The Ceremony?

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We have hired the most wonderful photographers and videographers to capture our special day. Please do not have your phone out during the ceremony - but when inevitably you do, just try not to stand up or block the professionals. During the party - take all the photos you want, share them on our group album, and make sure to tag us.

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Is There A Wedding #Hashtag?Is There A Wedding #Hashtag?

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Right now we are going with #teamgroom. Let us know if you come up with something better