If you have never been to a Jewish wedding before, there are a few things that may stand out as different from Christian or non-denominational weddings you have attended in the past.

The first, as you may notice, is that Thomas and the men in the wedding party are wearing a circular head covering, called a kippah ("kee-pah"). Kippot ("kee-poht", plural) are worn as a sign of respect before G-d. There will be kippot provided, and we do request male guests wear one for the ceremony. Women are welcome to wear one if they would like, but it is neither traditional nor requested. After the ceremony, you are welcome to keep the kippah as a keepsake or return it to the basket where you got it.

The second is the wedding arch, known as a chuppah ("hup-pah"). The chuppah is made of four posts covered with a cloth (traditionally a tallit, a Jewish prayer shawl), and is symbolic of the new home that the couple will build together. It is open on the sides to show the couple's welcoming of their wedding guests.

The third is the bride and groom circling each other at the beginning of the ceremony. The bride and groom circle each other to symbolize the new family circle they are creating through their marriage.

Fourth, during the ceremony, the sheva brachot ("sheh-vah bra-hot"), or seven blessings, are said (or sung) over a cup of wine, which the couple then drink from, giving them these blessings for the rest of their life together. Sera and Thomas will be drinking from Sera's great-grandfather Harry's kiddush ("kid-dish") cup. Thank you to Harriet Herbst for allowing us to use this special family heirloom for our ceremony!

At the end of the ceremony, the groom traditionally breaks a glass. It is said that breaking the glass demonstrates that marriage holds sorrow as well as joy and is a representation of the commitment to stand by one another even in hard times. A modern interpretation is that by breaking the glass, all potential cracks in the relationship go onto the glass, and the relationship should remain seamless and wonderful always.

Finally, at the end of the ceremony and when the glass is broken, guests all shout "mazel tov!" which means "may the stars be with you" or "congratulations" in English.

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