Kabbalat Panim

Orthodox Jewish weddings begin with a reception called a Kabbalat Panim. During this reception, buffet-style food, typically called a Smorgasburg, will be available to guests to eat from. Additionally, guests will be able to speak with and congratulate the bride (kallah).

Chatan's Tisch

Taking place simultaneously with the Kabbalat Panim, guests enjoy food and drinks with the groom (chatan). Guests can walk between the Kabbalat Panim and the Chatan's Tisch. During the Chatan's Tisch, the Tana'im (betrothal agreement) and the Ketubah (religious marriage contract) are each signed with witnesses. The groom's mother and the bride's mother then break a plate together to symbolize the finality of the agreement.

Bedeken

The groom is danced into the Kabbalat Panim by his friends and family, and veils the bride. The bride’s father blesses her after. Following this, everyone proceeds to the Chuppah room.

Procession

The groom, the bride, and their families walk down the aisle. It will begin with the groom’s family, followed by the groom, and then the bride’s family and the bride. In addition to standing for the entrance of the groom and the bride, it is also traditional to stand for grandparents walking down the aisle as a sign of respect.

Hakafot

After the bride walks down the aisle, she circles the groom seven times under the Cḥuppah. Mirroring the seven days of the creation of the world, the bride's circling symbolizes the creation of the couple's new life together.

Chuppah

The bride and groom stand under a wedding canopy called the Cḥuppah, which symbolizes the home they will build together. This is the main ceremony.

Kiddushin

The officiant (mesader kiddushin) begins the ceremony with a blessing over a cup of wine under the Cḥuppah. Then the groom gives the bride a ring in front of two witnesses, saying the formulaic line "by this ring you are consecrated to me according to the law of Moses and Israel" to signify betrothal.

Ketubah

The Jewish marriage contract, the Ketubah, is read aloud in Aramaic under the Cḥuppah. Previously, the Ketubah was signed by two witnesses during the Chatan's Tisch, and it outlines the groom's legal and moral obligations to the bride. The reading of the Ketubah separates the two stages of the marriage ceremony: Kiddushin and Nissuin.

Nissuin

Seven blessings (Sheva bracḥot) are recited over a second cup of wine by various guests under the Cḥuppah. The recitation of these blessings consecrates the betrothal of the groom and bride into a marriage.

Breaking the Glass

The Chuppah concludes with the breaking of a glass. The glass, like the broken plate of the Tana'im, symbolizes the finality of the commitment. It also carries the additional meaning that even in this moment of extreme joy, we recognize the sadness of the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem. Im Eshkaḥeḥ (Psalm 137 verses 5 and 6) is sung before the glass is broken.

Yichud

After the glass is broken, the bride and groom are danced to the Yicḥud room by their friends and family. The Yicḥud room is a private space where they will share their first moments as husband and wife. They are guarded by two witnesses to testify that privacy has been maintained. During this time, guests proceed to the reception hall and begin the wedding meal.

Dancing/Meal

At this point, the bride and groom dance with their guests to celebrate the marriage. Men and women will be separated by a mecḥitzah (barrier) for dancing. There will be two dances, separated by different food courses.

Bentching

At the conclusion of the wedding, Birkat Hamazon (Grace After Meals) is recited. Special blessings are added to the standard text of the prayer in honor of the marriage. Bentchers (booklets containing the blessing) can be found at your table. Guests are welcome to take a bentcher home as a souvenir.

L&S

Wedding Day

1:00 PM

Reception

2:00 PM

Ceremony