Jewish wedding traditions
These terms describe customs found in traditional Jewish weddings. Practice varies across communities, levels of observance and families. Your rabbi or officiant can explain the ceremony you are planning.
Before the ceremony
Kabbalat panim
Pre-ceremony receptions where guests greet the couple; some communities arrange separate gatherings.
Tisch
A pre-ceremony gathering associated with the groom, often including singing, a Torah teaching and toasts.
Tena’im
A traditional agreement that may be signed and read before the wedding in some communities.
Plate breaking
A plate is broken after the tena’im reading in some traditional weddings.
Ketubah signing
Witnesses sign the Jewish marriage document before the ceremony.
Badeken
The veiling ceremony. The approach, placement of the veil and family blessings can form a complete pre-ceremony sequence.
Family blessings
Parents or other designated relatives offer blessings around the pre-ceremony gathering.
Under the chuppah
Chuppah
The canopy under which the wedding ceremony takes place.
Wedding escorts
Relatives or other chosen people accompany the couple; some communities include candles.
Baruch Haba and Mi Adir
Sung welcoming words used in some wedding procession traditions.
Circling
A circling custom in some Ashkenazi ceremonies. Three or seven circuits and who participates vary; it is not part of every Jewish wedding.
Kiddushin
The first part of the traditional ceremony, including blessings and the giving of a ring.
Ceremonial wine
Wine associated with blessings during the traditional ceremony.
Ring declaration
The words spoken when the ring is given in the traditional ceremony.
Ketubah reading
The marriage document is read aloud during the ceremony.
Sheva Brachot
The seven wedding blessings. Different honorees may be invited to recite them.
Breaking the glass
The glass break near the ceremony’s conclusion. For a film, the action, sound and immediate celebration are separate parts of one sequence.
After the ceremony
Yichud
Private time for the couple, observed with different timing and practice across communities.
Wedding-day fast
Some couples fast before the ceremony and eat afterward. Ask your rabbi about your own practice.
Hora
Celebratory circle dancing at the reception.
Chair lift
The couple are lifted on chairs during a chosen part of the dancing.
Separate dancing
Some communities arrange separate dancing areas for men and women.
Mezinke or mezinka
A dance honouring parents when their last unmarried child marries, included by some families.
Birkat Hamazon
Grace after meals, followed by wedding blessings when appropriate in the community’s practice.
Planning photography and video
Confirm the sequence with your rabbi and tell us which gatherings, documents, honorees and dances you are including. Private yichud time should stay private according to your wishes. Family reactions, singing and the celebration after the glass break help tell the story alongside the rituals.
Explore the Wedding Event Dictionary
Explore heritage and traditions
Further reading
Traditional wedding overview — Chabad
Pre-ceremony receptions — Chabad