Wedding Planner

Planning Jewish Wedding Ceremony

You are the perfect Jewish couple who has decided to get married? Mazel Tov! Because we know how important planning your wedding is, we offer you some details about planning a Jewish wedding ceremony.




The first important thing is to establish a date. As some of you may probably know, it is prohibited to plan your wedding on Shabbat or festivals like Rosh  Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Passover and the fast days Tisha B’Av, the 10th of Tevet, the 17th of Tammuz, the Fast of Gedaliah or the Fast of Esther.

Further on, you need to choose a rabbi that will perform your ceremony. For those couples who are active members of a congregation this is an easy choice but for the others who are not that involved in the religious life of their community it is a tiring task. A good idea is to appeal to the recommendation of family or friends if you want a good and solid advice.

After going through these steps, begin planning your wedding ceremony. You would be surprised to learn how many wedding rituals the Jewish culture has. For example, during the wedding ceremony, only the bride receives a ring, symbolizing kinyan (acquisition). However, nowadays, couples prefer a double-ring ceremony in order to represent the equality between them.

When planning a Jewish wedding ceremony, you need to know what ketubah  you are going to choose. A ketubah means “writing” and acts like a prenuptial contract which need to be signed before the marriage ceremony or during it. Traditionally, this was an act which highlighted a bride’s rights: food, clothing and sexual intercourse. This also specified the rights of the bride if her husband died or they got a divorce.

After choosing a ketubah, you need to select a huppah. It may sound strange for those who are not Jewish, but every culture has its own traditions and names which should be respected. A huppah is a canopy which protects the couple and has double meaning: it is open for those who want to watch and join the happy process of marriage but it is also “closed” and intimate for the happy couple. This symbolizes a new beginning and the pleasure of receiving guests, as Abraham and Sara’s gesture to hold their tent opened for visitors.

You may also include in your wedding ceremony all sorts of objects which are very appreciated. For example, you need a Kiddush cup for the moment when you are under the huppah. Some couples choose to use a family cup, in order to respect a family tradition. And don’t forget about the glass, which you have to break at the end of the ceremony. Some say that as long as the glass remains broken their marriage continues.

Planning a Jewish wedding ceremony is complicated and requires a lot of time. That is why you and your partner should talk and decide which option fits you best. As long as you are guided by your rabbi, family and maybe a wedding planner, you have nothing to fear about. Your wedding ceremony will be a delight!