Part 2 of 7
Veiling of the Bride is a Jewish wedding ceremony custom created by a Torah weekly portion
Jewish Wedding Ceremony Order
This next custom is quite traditional.
The Badeken and it’s known as the veiling of the bride. After the Ketubah is signed, the groom lowers the wedding veil.
The original meaning of the Badeken represents the Biblical story of Jacob and Rachel. Jacob found that he had actually married Rachel’s older sister, Leah. Their father focused on the fact that his firstborn was not married yet. He tricked Jacob as Leah wore a not-see-through veil. This is how the custom came about and for the couple to see each other before their Chuppah wedding ceremony.
Today, the modern ceremonies are balanced with the bride’s placing a wedding yarmulke on her bridegroom’s head. Not all brides choose to wear a veil. Not all couples choose to have a Badeken in the traditional sense but wish to honor the custom in an alternative way. In fact, the trend of the First Look with the wedding photographer is the Badeken. It’s a moment when the couple sees each other for the first time in their wedding attire, minus the lowering of the veil.
Other Pre-Ceremony Jewish Wedding Options
There is a Groom’s Tisch where the groom and all the men gather. Rabbi Andrea Frank led her first Tisch for a modern couple that simply enjoyed the customs without the ‘traditional’ reasons behind it. The Tisch took the lead started with loud singing, a shot of whiskey, and blessings for the groom. They made their way for the Badeken where the Bride and all the women gathered. It was exhilarating!
There are additional pre-ceremony to the ceremony that is covered during all wedding meetings. Each couple will customize each for themselves and their families.
