Welcome Reception
A wedding day is the bride ("kallah") and groom's ("chatan's") personal Yom Kippur, the happiest and holiest day of their lives. To increase anticipation and excitement for the ceremony, Rebecca and Jesse greet guests separately. Jewish tradition likens the couple to a king and queen. Therefore, Rebecca is seated on a "throne" to receive her guests, while Jesse is seated separately getting toasted by his friends and family.
Groom's Table
As Jesse greets his guests at the groom's table ("chatan's tisch"), the marriage documents are reviewed and signed amidst joyful singing. The first is the betrothal agreement ("Te'naim") signed by two witnesses. The document declares the Japkos and Homas' support to have their children married. The mothers, Michele and Lisa, then break a plate signifying the finality of the marriage pledge. The second document is the marriage contract ("Ketubah") confirming the religious bond of the marriage. It is written in traditional Aramaic text and has been used at Jewish weddings for over two thousand years. The Ketubah outlines the responsibilities agreed to by Jesse, and is signed by two witnesses.
Veiling of the Bride
After signing all documents, Jesse is accompanied in joyous dancing and singing from his table to Rebecca's throne. There Jesse approaches Rebecca to confirm that it is truly her that he will be marrying and places a veil over her face. The custom arose in reference to the biblical story of Jacob's first marriage, when he was deceived by his father-in-law into marrying a heavily veiled Leah instead of her sister, Rachel. The fathers, GR and Scott, bless Rebecca, and the guests then proceed to the ceremony.
Wedding Canopy
The ceremony takes place under a canopy ("chuppah"), which symbolizes the home that Rebecca and Jesse will build together. It is open on all sides in order to welcome the guests coming from all directions like the tent of our ancestors, Abraham and Sarah. As Jesse arrives, he wears a white robe ("kittel"), the same as one wears on Yom Kippur, representing purity. After walking down the aisle, Rebecca circles Jesse seven times symbolizing the seven days of creation.
Ceremony
The first part of the ceremony ("kiddushin") consists of two blessings in Hebrew. The first blessing is over wine, the traditional initiation of a festivity, and the second proclaims the sanctity of marriage. Rebecca and Jesse each take a sip of wine, and then Jesse places a plain ring on Rebecca's finger and says in Hebrew, "Behold, with this ring, you are sanctified unto me by the laws of Moses and Israel." The ketubah is then read for all guests.
Seven Blessings
The ceremony then shifts focus from legalities to the sacredness of unity. It begins with the Hebrew recitation of seven blessings ("sheva brachot") by friends and family. The blessings begin with the blessing over wine, and then broaden to encompass not only the couple standing under the chuppah but also the entire Jewish people. The ceremony concludes with the singing in Hebrew of an excerpt from Psalms 137, "If I forget thee, O Jerusalem" ("Im Eshkachech Yerushalayim"), and Jesse breaks a glass as a reminder that, even in the happiest of times, our past, present, and future cannot be perfect. Then everyone recites, "Mazal Tov!"
Seclusion
Immediately after the ceremony, Rebecca and Jesse are accompanied amidst singing and dancing to a private room. These moments of seclusion signify their first moments alone as a husband and wife. A short while later, Rebecca and Jesse enter to be greeted by guests with more singing and traditional Jewish dancing ("simchah dancing").
Festive Meal and Grace after Meal
To celebrate Jesse and Rebecca's first hours as a married couple, all family and friends rejoice together in singing, dancing (and maybe some drinking too). This is followed by a festive meal ("seudah"), completed by the traditional grace after meals ("birkat hamazon") in addition to a repeat of the seven blessings ("sheva brachot").