Although you might not find “something blue” on Ritualwell, you will find much that is “borrowed,” “old,” and “new.” Jewish tradition is rich in wedding customs, and we have attempted to bring you some samples from this delightful smorgasbord. You will find pre-wedding customs such as ten’aim (engagement), during which it is customary for the mothers of the couple to break a plate, the bedecken (the veiling of the bride and modern alternatives), and the tischen (literally, “tables,” where grooms and/or brides receive blessings and enjoy other rituals immediately prior to the wedding ceremony). You will also find several complete wedding ceremonies along with a breakdown of the constituent parts and alternatives for them, various ketubot (wedding contracts), ideas for tzedakah (charity), and much more. We also explore weddings and ceremonies not envisioned by the rabbis of old—interfaith marriages and weddings and commitment ceremonies between partners of the same sex.
Alternative mikveh ritual before a wedding
Seven Jewish traditions performed before a wedding
A couple discusses the rituals they created and reinterpreted at their wedding ceremony
Breaking the glass at a Jewish wedding is reinterpreted through a personal and kabbalistic lens
A partner in a same-sex couple describes how and why they chose to use traditional language for their wedding ceremony
As part of BimBam’s (formerly G-dcast) Jewish lifecycles series, a groom describes incorporating multiple ketubah traditions at his wedding
Watch this video to learn some traditional steps for this joyous circle dance!
Watch this video to learn about what the chuppah represents and choices couples make for creating their unique chuppah
Watch this video to learn about three interpretations for breaking a glass at a Jewish wedding ceremony
Watch this video for a quick overview of the recipe for a Jewish wedding ceremony
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