Jewish Traditions

Breaking of the Glass

traditionally before the kiss

breaking glass

“We will conclude with the ceremonial breaking of the glass.  Once the glass is broken, each piece of glass will represent a year out of all the many happy years ____ and ____ will be together. This is also a reminder that relationships are as fragile as glass and must always be treated with care, love and respect. And because the Groom breaks the glass with his right foot, the act can also be seen as the last time the Groom gets to put his foot down.”

CHUPPAH

chuppah

“We are standing together today under the Jewish ceremonial Chuppah, which is a bridal canopy. It signifies that both ____ and ____ are joining under the same roof and it is a symbol of the roof they will share together for the rest of their lives. The underneath of the Chuppah represents the union of their friends and family, supporting and watching over them.”

 When the bride arrives at the Chuppah she circles the groom seven times with her mother and future mother-in-law, while the groom continues to pray. This symbolizes the idea of the woman being a protective, surrounding light of the household, that illuminates it with understanding and love from within and protects it from harm from the outside. The number seven parallels the seven days of creation, and symbolizes the fact that the bride and groom are about to create their own “new world” together.

JEWISH WEDDING PRAYER

Blessed art thou, O Lord our God, King of the universe,
who hath created joy and gladness, bridegroom and bride,
mirth and exultation, pleasure and delight,
love and brotherhood, peace and friendship.
May there soon be heard in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem,
the voice of joy and gladness,
the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride,
the jubilant voice of bridegrooms from the wedding canopy,
and of youths from their feasts of song.
Blessed art thou, O Lord, who gives the Bridegroom joy in his bride.

*Your officiant does not provide the necessary items for your unity ceremony.*

Choosing the best elements for your specific ceremony and wedding theme is a very personal choice, and is not included in our pricing. Usually a family member will be honored to contribute the unity ceremony items.