You've Got Questions - We've Got Answers

Question

There are two different times on the invitation - when do we show up?

Answer

A traditional Jewish wedding ceremony begins well before the kallah (bride) and the chattan (groom) walk down the aisle. Starting at 4:00pm, join us to experience our Tish, Kabbalat Panim, and Bedecken. These three moments lead up to our ceremony, allowing the energy to build over the course of our wedding day!

Question

Is it okay to miss the Tish and Bedecken?

Answer

Come for whatever elements of our wedding day you're comfortable with. Just know that the tish and bedecken are really beautiful Jewish traditions filled with love and celebration. You don't have to know what it is, or what's going on - all you have to do is show up and share in our excitement!

Question

Say more about this Tish thing....

Answer

- What’s that? The Tish is the groom’s pep-rally. The word tish literally means table in Yiddish. - What happens? In this moment, friends and family dance, sing, and share wisdom from the Torah while sitting or standing around the table with the groom and his patriarchs of the families. Guests share a celebratory drink (whiskey for Jeremy) or l’chaim to warm the environment (and body) for the celebrations to come. As the groom, Jeremy will attempt to share his own d’var Torah (words of Torah) throughout the gathering, but it’s common for Tish-goers to constantly interrupt him with song and dance. - Who joins? Traditionally the groom is joined by fathers, grandfathers, and male-identifying family and friends. - - We welcome everyone to join for this celebration! - Where is it? It’ll be in a separate room at the Orrington, just down the hall from where the ceremony will be. - When is it? This goes on before the formal wedding ceremony, at the same time as the Kabbalat Panim.

Question

And the Kabbalat Panim?

Answer

- What’s that? The Kabbalat Panim is the bride’s pep rally. It literally means welcoming of the faces. - What happens? While Jeremy and his pals are getting warmed up, Katie will be in another room greeting guests and offering blessings. Both the bride and groom get special access to G-d on their wedding day, so getting a blessing can be beautifully powerful. Now we’re all for equal opportunity here, so there will be singing and dancing during this moment, too, to fill the room with excitement. - Who joins? Traditionally the bride is alongside her mothers, grandmothers, and female-identifying family and friends. We welcome everyone to join for this celebration! - Where is it? It’ll be in a separate room at the Orrington, just down the hall from where the ceremony will be. - When is it? This goes on before the formal wedding ceremony, at the same time as the Tish.

Question

Okay one more - Bedecken

Answer

We like to think that Jews invented the concept of “the first look” with the Bedecken. Katie and Jeremy are choosing to not see or speak directly with one another for four days prior to their wedding (another tradition) to build up the excitement. Everyone at the Tish will dance and sing Jeremy to go meet Katie at the Kabbalat Panim to present him to his bride for that first look. Upon merging the two groups, we are now at the Bedecken. The room is filled with loved ones singing loudly for this electric moment. This will be the first time Katie and Jeremy will directly see and talk to one another in four days.

Question

Will the food be Kosher?

Answer

You may have noticed that when choosing your meal, you could opt for fish, vegetarian, or Kosher. All meals served will be dairy and Kosher style - no meat, no unkosher ingredients. But the fish and vegetarian meals will be cooked in the hotel kitchen, which is not a Kosher facility. For those who are shomer Kosher, fully Kosher meals will be prepared and delivered by Zelda’s Kosher Catering. Can’t remember how you responded and think you want to change your answer? Send us a note!

Question

When you say formal attire, what do you mean?

Answer

There’s some wiggle room here. If you’re feeling fancy and want to dress it up, go for it! If you’re more comfortable in a suit and cocktail dress - amazing! Whatever you wear, be sure you’re able to dance with us. We’ll be wearing some sweet new sneaks on the dance floor - we encourage you to bring some dancing shoes too!

Question

Are people allowed to join for both the Tish and Bedecken?

Answer

Absolutely! You’re welcome to hop back and forth between both the Tish and the Kabbalat Panim. They’ll be just down the hall from one another at the Orrington.

Question

There’s nothing left on your registry - what do we do?!

Answer

Firstly, thank you for your generosity! Please know your presence is present enough! While we appreciate the creativity behind many meaningful gifts, we are no longer looking for new registry items to fill our city apartment. As we build our savings together, we would be grateful if you could help us start our family fund.