Jewish Weddings are rich with beauty and rituals. Some of the customs and traditions of a Jewish wedding are thousands of years old. Jewish wedding traditions will vary among the Orthodox, Conservative, Hassidic and Reform sects. However, the essentials are the same. A rabbi usually officiates the ceremony. A Jewish Marriage is a simcha, a celebration of joy.    

The Ketubah is a Jewish legal contract between the bride and groom. It is one of the oldest elements of a Jewish wedding. Traditionally, the Ketubah was written in Aramaic, a Semetic language related to Hebrew. Today, the Ketubah is a religious document; it comes in a variety of shapes, colors, and sizes. Often, it is a reflection of the bride and groom's personal style and preferences. Some couples choose to hire a calligrapher to design a custom Ketubah. The Ketubah does not replace a standard civil marriage license which the officiating Rabbi will need in order to perform the ceremony. Rather, the Ketubah is a written pledge that the couple makes to each other. The Ketubah is signed by the Kallah (bride) and Chatan (groom), the rabbi or officiate, and usually witnesses usually before the ceremony. At Orthodox and Conservative weddings, the reading of the Ketubah occurs during the ceremony under the chuppah. After the wedding, most couples choose to display the Ketubah in a beautiful frame in their home.

The Chuppah is a wedding canopy that the bride and groom stand under during the wedding ceremony. The canopy represents the new home they will establish together. In some ceremonies, the bride's and groom's parents stand around the couple beneath the Chuppah to symbolize that parents are the foundation upon which the bride and groom will establish their own home. The Sheva Brachot are the seven marriage blessings recited under the Chuppah. Some couples choose to make their own Chuppah with four self supporting poles and a prayer tallis or shawl.

Breaking the glass is a well known Jewish wedding tradition that entails the groom stepping on a glass goblet wrapped in fabric. Once the glass is broken, everyone shouts Mazel tov! which means Good Luck or Congratulations. The sentiment behind this ritual is a reminder of the destruction of Jerusalem and the Holy Temple.

Prior to the start of the wedding reception feast, a blessing called Hamotzi is offered over Challah, a sweet braided wedding loaf. This gesture represents the first breaking of bread as a new family. A traditional Jewish wedding reception often includes a Klezmer band. In a special dance called the Hora, the bride and groom are lifted overhead in their chairs and are carried around the room by guests. A Jewish wedding favorite tune is “Hava Nagila”, a traditional Klezmer song.