What is the kabbalat panim?

Kabbalat panim is the initial pre-wedding greeting of guests. Guests usually arrive sometime during the kabbalat panim and before the chuppah, and the bride and groom traditionally greet guests separately. Because in Jewish tradition the couple is likened to a queen and king, the bride is often seated on a "throne" to receive her guests, while the groom is surrounded by his father, father-in-law, brothers, and other guests who sing and toast him. During this time, the ketubah—which is the Jewish marriage contract specifying the groom’s commitments to the bride—is signed by two appointed witnesses.

What is the bedekin?

The bedekin is a short ritual that takes place after the ketubah is signed and links the kabbalat panim to the chuppah ceremony. The groom’s family and friends lead him to the bride's room, where she is surrounded by her family and friends. The groom, reunited with his bride, covers her face with a veil, which symbolizes the groom's commitment to protect his wife. The veil itself represents modesty and conveys the lesson that however attractive physical appearances may be, the soul and character are paramount. After the bedekin, the guests make their way to the chuppah for the primary wedding ceremony.

What is the chuppah?

The main ceremony takes place under a chuppah (canopy), which represents the shelter and privacy of the home that the bride and groom will create together. And because the ceremony is quintessentially a religious service, men and women often sit separately. The bride follows the groom towards the chuppah; both are usually escorted by their respective sets of parents. The groom will often don a white kittel, a ritualistic Jewish garb traditionally worn on Yom Kippur.

The ceremony begins with the custom of the bride circling the groom seven times—seven is the most sacred of all numbers in Judaism. Next, the rabbi (brother) presiding over the ceremony blesses the marriage over a cup of wine. During this kiddushin process, the groom places the wedding band on the bride's finger, followed by a public reading of the ketubah—marriage contract. The new couple is then blessed seven times, usually recited by family and friends. The ceremony concludes with the breaking of the glass. This is actually an expression of sadness for the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem to remind us that notwithstanding our joy we still long for our final redemption. It also solidifies the couple with the spiritual and national destiny of the Jewish people.

What is yichud?

Immediately after the ceremony, the couple retreats to a private room for yichud (“seclusion”) before joining the reception. This special moment of privacy signifies their new status of living together as husband and wife. Even while surrounded by loved ones clamoring to celebrate them, they must take a few dedicated moments to be there just for each other. The new couple is usually led to the yichud room from the chuppah with joyous song and dance by their guests.

Is there a specific dress code?

The dress code for any Jewish wedding depends on the couple’s preferences and the norms of the community. Our wedding is formal attire. Generally, at orthodox weddings, guests usually err on the side of modesty. Men typically wear dark colored suits with ties, and women usually opt for formal dresses that fall below the knees and cover the chest and shoulders. Ultimately though, we want all our guests to wear what they feel most comfortable with.

A&I

Wedding Day