Greeting the Guests
As guests arrive at the venue, Rachel and Matanya will be in separate rooms. The guests will greet Rachel, who will be surrounded by her female relatives and friends. The men will be welcome to visit the Chatan's Tisch, the Groom's Table, where the tanaim (betrothal agreement) and ketubah (marriage contract) are signed. After the tanaim is signed, the mothers of the bride and groom break a plate to symbolize the seriousness of the agreement.
Veiling
Once the ketubah is signed, Matanya will be escorted by his family and friends to Rachel. He will lower Rachel's veil over her face. Each set of parents will bless their children.
The Ceremony
The chuppah is the canopy that Rachel and Matanya will be married under. It represents the home they will build together. In Jewish tradition, each child is escorted by their own set of parents down the aisle. It is customary to rise for the bride and groom as they walk to the chuppah. When Rachel arrives at the chuppah, she will circle Matanya seven times. This symbolizes their unity as they start their life together. The Jewish wedding ceremony has two basic parts: Kiddushin (betrothal) and Nisuin (marriage).
Betrothal
Kiddushin will be introduced with the traditional blessing over wine. Matanya will place a plain gold ring on Rachel's right forefinger and recite in Hebrew, "Behold, you are consecrated to me with this ring according to the law of Moses and Israel." The ketubah will then be read aloud in its original Aramaic.
Marriage
Nisuin is introduced by reciting the blessing over wine for the second time. During Nisuin, the Sheva Brachot, or Seven Blessings, will be recited. Seven men will be called to the chuppah to recite a blessing over the couple. They are said over another cup of wine. Even in our moments of joy, we are obligated to remember the destruction of the Beit Hamikdash, our holy temple in Jerusalem. Matanya will break a glass under his right foot to commemorate the Temple's destruction.
Seclusion
At the conclusion of the ceremony, guests will shout "Mazal Tov!" As Matanya and Rachel walk back down the aisle, guests will sing the Jewish wedding song "Od Yeshama." The lyrics, "Od Yeshama, B'Arei Yehuda, U'Vechutzot Yerushalayim, Kol Sason V'Kol Simcha, Kol Chatan V'Kol Kallah," translate to "Again may these be heard in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem, the voice of gladness and the voice of happiness, the voice of groom and bride." Just after the ceremony, Matanya and Rachel will be escorted to a private room, where they will spend their first time alone together as husband and wife. As both will have been fasting all day, they will finally have the chance to eat.
Celebration
It is a commandment in Judaism to celebrate with the bride and groom at their wedding through song and dance. For Simcha dancing, men and women will be celebrated by a Mechitza (a divider). Simcha dancing is vibrant and energetic. Each side will dance in circles with Rachel and Matanya in the center of their respective circles. The bride and groom will pull people in from the circles to dance with them. The dancing will be interrupted by schtick, or jokes and merry-making for the enjoyment of the bride and groom. It is typical for the bride and groom to be lifted up on chairs during the dancing.
The Wedding Meal
The wedding meal also contains special significance and Jewish traditions. The meal begins with ritual handwashing. Handwashing is followed by Hamotzie, or the blessing over bread. When the meal is complete, we will recite Birkat Hamazon (the grace after meals). We add the Sheva Brachot, the same seven blessings as those recited under the Chuppah, to the Birkat Hamazon. The text for Hamotzie, Birkat Hamazon, and the Sheva Brachot can be found in the booklets at each place setting. At the end of the wedding, guests are welcome to take these booklets, known as "benchers," home with them.