by the Jewish Wedding Rabbi
The Couple, the Chuppah, the Ketubah, the Tallit
Elements of a Jewish Wedding Ceremony
This photo stood out to the Jewish Wedding Rabbi because it is what she sees each and every time standing under the Chuppah with her couples. The love for each other on their special day. Chelsea was and is in the spotlight, but on this day, in this photo, she was marrying her beshert.
This photo also exhibits the customs and traditions that become the beautiful Jewish Wedding ceremony.
Ketubah – it is displayed on the right side of the Bride as per tradition. Traditionally, before the court system as we know it today, lawyers and civil marriage laws, the Ketubah was the legal document and is known as the Jewish wedding contract. It was written by the groom and given to his bride spelling out his responsibilities. That is why it is displayed on the right side, the bride’s side.
Today, the Ketubah, the Jewish wedding contract is written where both the bride and groom speak equally to one another within the contract.
It is also written, as per tradition, to display beautiful Judaica in our homes. The Judaica artists created pieces of artwork surrounding the all-important, required Ketubah text, that makes it a valid and legal document as per Jewish law.
Chuppah – the wedding canopy. Symbolizes their first home together and open on all four sides to welcome all as Abraham welcomed all into his tent with all four openings.
The bride stands to the right of her groom – the bride and groom are king and queen on their wedding day. The Queen is on the right side of the king.
It was written in the news articles, the Seven Wedding Blessings were recited. Sealing those blessings is always followed by sipping the fruit of the vine, the wine from a traditional kiddush cup.
The Breaking Glass – with Marc, the groom being Jewish, would not have missed his big moment to break the glass. Most grooms Jewish or not, having a Jewish wedding ceremony always look forward to their big moment of breaking the glass. Its symbolism is that the marriage is stronger than the glass.
Marc wore the traditional tallit (prayer shawl) and the yarmulke, also known as a kippah. The Jewish head covering mostly worn for worship services, and life cycle ceremonies such as a wedding.
Their wedding ceremony photos showed most of all the elements of the beautiful customs and traditions of the Jewish wedding ceremony, as per tradition.
Mazel Tov!