In traditional Jewish literature, marriage is actually called kiddushin, which translates as “sanctification” or “dedication.” “Sanctification,” indicates that what is happening is not just a social arrangement or contractual agreement, but a spiritual bonding and the fulfilment of a mitzvah, a Divine precept. “Dedication,” indicates that the couple now have an exclusive relationship, that involves total dedication of the bride and groom to each other, to the extent of them becoming “one soul in two bodies.”

The grooms table or tisch, takes place before the chuppah where he sits around a table with his family and retinue, singing songs. The ketubah — the Jewish marriage document — is normally signed at this time. After all the legalities are taken care of, the groom is escorted by his friends and family, usually with dancing and singing, to meet the bride and veil her in a ceremony known as the bedeken. It is a wonderfully spiritual and emotional custom whereby the brides sees her groom for the first time that day.

The next stage is known as the chuppah, or “canopy.” The chuppah is a piece of cloth held aloft as a symbolic home for the new couple. The groom is accompanied to the chuppah by his parents. The bride comes to the chuppah, also accompanied by hers. A cantor sings a selection of songs.

When the bride arrives at the chuppah she circles the groom seven times. 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.

Under the chuppah, the Rabbi then recites a blessing over wine, which the bride and groom then drink from . Since wine is symbolic of life: it begins as grape-juice, goes through fermentation, during which it is sour, but in the end turns into a superior product that brings joy, and has a wonderful taste.

After this, the sheva brachos, or seven blessings, are recited by the Rabbi, over a full cup of wine. These seven different blessings are bestowed upon the couple  beginning with praising G-d for His creation in general and creation of the human being and proceed with praise for the creation of the human as a “two part creature,” woman and man.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, the couple again share in drinking the cup of wine, and the groom breaks a glass by stamping on it.

This custom dates back to Talmudic times, and reminds us of the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem, teaches that, in times of joy, we must always be cognisant that life also brings sadness and sorrow, illustrates that, like marriage, it is permanent, warns us that love, like glass, is fragile and must be protected and helps us remember that the world too is broken and with acts of tikkun olam (repairing the world) we can make it whole again.

With the breaking of the glass the musicians commence “Simontov Mazaltov! (Some say, tongue in cheek, that this moment symbolizes the last time the groom gets to “put his foot down”)

Drinks and canapes will be served followed by the Horas and dinner – we party!

The most fun and exciting part of any Jewish wedding is the Horas! It is highly energetic Israeli dancing, often in a circle and also where you will see the bride and groom lifted on a chair in the air or thrown about on a sheet, both exhilarating and terrifying, it ill set the energy for the night of dancing and fun!

The meal is preceded by ritual washing of the hands, and the blessing over bread. The first food offered at a Jewish wedding reception may be challah, a sweet egg bread that is braided to symbolize the intertwining of families. It is the couple’s first breaking of bread as a new family, as well as their first gesture of hospitality. The hamotzi is the blessing said over the bread as it is cut, and this is usually done by an honored guest.