Jewish Wedding Questions
What Other Visitors Have Asked
Click below to see questions asked by other visitors to this page…
Breaking of the Glass
Dear Rabbi,
Q: The glass for the ceremony for the Groom to break is difficult to find. I do not have those Jewish stores close by to shop.
A: You can now find the groom’s breaking glass shopping the Judaica stores online. The artists Gary Rosenthal, and Beames Designs offer these designs and are the most known. There is also Mazael Tov Glass.
Mezinka question
Father of the Bride asks….
Q: Is it customary to dance the Mezinka only when the last child is married? We have only one daughter, and she is getting married.
A: Yes, the custom is for all parents and enjoy being honored with heartfelt Mazals!
Destination Wedding in Mexico
Dear Rabbi,
Q: If we were to get married in Mexico and invite a Rabbi to officiate, is it considered ‘legal’ or do we still have to have an officiant?
A: Destination weddings outside the United States can be time-consuming with the marriage laws along with each countries requirements. Wedding couples are legally married in their town and cities, and using the same wedding officiant that will preside over the Jewish Wedding Ceremony under the Chuppah at the destination.
What is Mezinka?
Hi,
What is the Mezinka tradition? Is it during the Jewish wedding ceremony under the Chuppah? Is it during the wedding reception party? Do I need …
Jewish Wedding on Shabbat
Q: I know Shabbat is a day of rest, so can I have a Jewish Wedding on Shabbat?
A: The custom is not to be married on Shabbat as sharing two joyous days, with one of them, pushing aside the other. However, with culturally connected, reform-liberal Jews, the ceremony can often take place from 6 pm and into the evening. This is when the Jewish Wedding Rabbi begins all her ceremonies when a wedding couple requests rabbi services in regards to officiating their wedding ceremony on Shabbat.
Hello Rebecca,
Thank you for your question. Shabbat …
Wedding reception music
Rabbi, We desperately need help.
Q: I work with a popular wedding band. We have become very popular with a local Jewish wedding planner and have been asked to play the longer version of the circle dance. Can you assist?
A: The circle dance known as the Hava Nagila. It is a custom we see at all Jewish celebrations and especially at weddings. The wedding couple is in the middle and all gather in a circle adding much joy with music, dance, and cheer. The longer version song that builds up is called Hava Nagila Hevenu Shalom Aleichem.
Breaking of the glass
Q: Is this required before sunset?
A: This is the Jewish custom for the Glass to be stepped upon to conclude our Jewish wedding ceremonies. It only connects to when the ceremony ends, not the time of day.
Should the parents be next to the huppah or under the huppah?
Q: My son is getting married and his bride suggested she doesn’t want any family members including parents to be next to the chuppah. What is the Jewish custom?
A: The Jewish wedding custom is for the parents to stand on the side of the chuppah wedding canopy during the ceremony. It is symbolic of the parents being part of the important life cycle milestones in their children’s lives. It is always best to discuss all options so that everyone is comfortable.
Tentative Planned Wedding Date of 4/7/2013
Q: Is there a problem getting a conservative or reformed rabbi to perform my wedding ceremony on this date in a wedding reception hall? I have been told it is the Passover Holiday.
A: It is not customary to have a wedding on one of the important Jewish holidays, such as Passover. The same would be for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. It may be difficult to get a rabbi wedding officiant.
Appropriate gifts for a sibling’s wedding?
Dear Rabbi Frank,
My younger brother is getting married, and I am unsure what gift is appropriate. He is reform and will have a Jewish wedding ceremony.
Chuppah
For an interfaith wedding (the bride is Jewish) does the groom wear a kippah while under the chuppah? The wedding is being officiated by a rabbi.
Thanks …
wedding etiquette
Do guests stand at the bride’s entrance for Jewish weddings?
ANSWER:
Judaism places high regard for both the bride and groom on their wedding day. We see the bride and groom as a king and queen on their special day. Guests should stand for the entrance of the bride. The bride and groom will meet in the middle of the aisle and walk to the Chuppah wedding canopy together.
Time of Jewish Wedding Ceremony?
If Sunset is 7:08 pm on a Saturday evening, what time can the ceremony begin?
Reply from Rabbi Andrea Frank:
Traditionally, around 1 hour soon after Havdalah, but always best to check with the Rabbi that is officiating the ceremony. Each Rabbi will officiate a Jewish Wedding Chuppah wedding canopy ceremony based on their observances or not.
Breaking of the glass in Jewish ceremony not done by a Rabbi?
What is said before it gets broken ?? There are 2 Jewish people, and only the groom breaks the glass, is that correct and what prayer is recited?
REPLY …
Wedding time in the Fall
Question:
If sundown is 6:15pm, when is it acceptable to start the wedding ceremony? Can the ceremony begin at sundown or do we need to wait longer? …
Inviting An Orthodox Rabbi To A Non-Religious Reception?
Hi
I was hoping you could help me with a difficult situation. We are getting married in 6 weeks in a typical Jewish ceremony, and out of courtesy, have …
Honoring siblings/their role in the ceremony
Dear Rabbi,
Is there a special role in the wedding ceremony and procession for siblings of the bride and/or groom? Should the brothers and sisters …
Inviting Rabbi to Stay for my Wedding Reception
Dear Rabbi:
I am having a Conservative wedding and the ceremony will not start till almost 8:00 pm when the rabbi arrives (Chicago time).
After …
Jewish Wedding on a Friday
Bride-to-be asked…
Is a Jewish wedding blessing allowed on a Friday before Shabbat?
Rabbi Andrea answers…
Yes, a Jewish blessing for your …
Weekday Jewish Wedding Ceremony Local Temple
Bride-to-be asked…
My fiancé and I are not having a big wedding celebration just immediate family and 2 witnesses. I would prefer to get married …
Ketubah signing
Bride asked… Can we sign the Ketubah after our wedding ceremony? Is that done?
Rabbi Andrea Frank responds… That would not be common to do …
Marriage Rites
Dear Rabbi,
I have 2 Questions:
1. What is the prayer recited when the groom is about to break the glass?
2. If a couple is not being married …
Chuppah
My Question:
In most Orthodox, what is the proper size of a Chuppah?
Thank you.
Dear G. Allen,
Thank you for your question. The traditional …
Write your own on the form above.
Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur?
My Question:
Can you get married on the Sunday between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur?
Thank you.
Dear Bride and Groom-to-be,
Thank you for your …
Friday Night Jewish Wedding Ceremony
Q: I am thinking about having a Friday night ceremony and reception, but have not booked it yet. It would be about 6:30pm in the summer, before sunset- …
Mezinka Dance
Where can I get the written music for the Mezinka dance to give to the band for our daughter’s wedding? Thank you.