Jewish Wedding Traditions

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Jewish Weddings 101

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A quick primer on Jewish traditions and Hebrew words you might experience during our wedding. Most important part of a Jewish wedding: come ready to celebrate and bring your dancing shoes!

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Chuppah

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We will be married under a wedding canopy, known as a chuppah, which represents the home that we will build together. It is open on all sides to welcome our friends and family. Our chuppah was made by Leah’s grandmother, Mashie, and has been used in family weddings for multiple generations.

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Circling

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As we enter the chuppah, Leah will circle Jeremy three times, then Jeremy will circle Leah three times. Finally, we will walk one circle together. Just as the world was created in seven days, we are building the walls of our new world together with seven circles under the chuppah.

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Ring Exchange

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We will place a ring on each other's right index finger, which is thought to run most directly to the heart. The continuous bands symbolize the unbroken, never-ending marriage. When exchanging rings, we will each recite a vow expressing our commitment to one another.

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Ketubah

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The ketubah is an ancient Jewish marriage contract. Our ketubah highlights our commitment to building a home based on our love, traditions, and mutual respect for one another. It will be signed and witnessed prior to the ceremony.

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Sheva Brachot

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The sheva brachot are seven blessings, beginning with the blessing over the wine and ending with a communal expression of joy. We will invite our close friends and loved ones to read them aloud during the ceremony.

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Breaking the Glass

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The ceremony concludes with the breaking of a glass. This symbolizes a hope that our happiness will be as plentiful as the shards of glass and the marriage will last as long as the glass remains broken – forever. As you hear the sound of the glass breaking, shout “Mazel Tov!” – a wish for good fortune.