Kabbalat Panim is the pre-marriage party, when guests sing and share their blessings and warm wishes with the bride and groom.
The Bedeken (from the Yiddush word "to cover") is the veiling ceremony when the community dances the groom to the bride, and the bride and groom see each other for the first time (the original “First Look”).
The chuppah ceremony is the central part of the wedding where the bride and groom come together under a canopy, encircled by family and friends. The chuppah symbolizes the home we are creating. As a temporary structure, the chuppah reminds us that despite the impermanent nature of life, our love and willingness to support one another will provide us with ample security. That surety will travel with us wherever life leads. Under the chuppah, we will exchange rings, vows, and blessings. The sheva brachot (seven blessings), offered by our friends and family members, invite us to open our hearts in wonder and gratitude for everything it took to bring us together.
The chuppah ceremony concludes with the breaking of the glass. Symbolizing marriage as a precious yet fragile vessel, the act of breaking glass reminds us to continually bring our best selves to caring for one another and the container we build together. The sound of glass breaking also serves as a wake-up call, reminding us how even in times of thrilling celebration and joy, our world is fragmented, broken, and in need of us to do our part in mending.
After the ceremony, the bride and groom spend a few minutes alone for the yichud ("seclusion") where they settle into one another's company as husband and wife.
The celebration kicks off with simcha ("joyous") dancing, including traditional group dances and shticks ("short shows") in which the community entertains the bride and groom with antics, skits, dancing, and anything else that would bring them joy.