Jewish Wedding Essentials Checklist

Jewish Wedding Essentials Checklist

There’s a lot to juggle leading up to your wedding! Here are the essentials to keep in mind as you’re preparing:

License

The most important logistical responsibility to take care of before your wedding is getting your license. Several months in advance, look into what documents are needed by the municipality where you are getting married. Make an appointment at the appropriate city/town clerk and remember to bring your license on your wedding day. After we sign your license, I hold onto it and send it via certified mail to the appropriate office.

Ketubah

You are responsible for selecting a ketubah. I am delighted to offer recommendations and will work with you to make sure the Hebrew looks good! If you would like your ketubah displayed during the reception, it’s helpful to bring a simple frame to display and protect it.

I’ve written more about the ketubah here.

Rings

Most couples choose to exchange wedding bands during the ceremony. Traditionally, a wedding band was a solid, simple band—dating back to when the ring exchange was connected to its monetary value. I do not have any requirements for the rings you select. I can hold on to them during the ceremony if you’re worried that your adorable ring bearer may not be the best person to safeguard them!

Chuppah

Couples usually arrange for their own chuppah. You can build one yourselves or florists are typically able to construct one and decorate it according to your preferences. In some cases for local ceremonies, I am able to bring a simple chuppah.

I’ve written more about the chuppah here.

Optional / Nice to Have:

Tallit

If you have a tallit from your bar/bat mitzvah or from a family member, we can incorporate it into your ceremony either as part of the chuppah or to wrap the two of you during the rabbi’s blessing.

Kiddush cup

Most ceremonies include a blessing over a glass of wine. It’s perfectly fine to use a wine glass from your venue, but if you have your own kiddush cup or a family kiddush cup, it can be special to use it during your ceremony.

Glass

I’ve written more about breaking the glass here. You can bring a lightbulb, glass, or colorful decorative glass to break!

Kippot/yarmulkes

Some couples choose to provide kippot (plural of kippah) for their wedding guests. You can order kippot online with your names and wedding date inside, or unlabeled ones. People traditionally wear kippot during religious services and some Jews even wear one all of the time. The kippah represents humility, reminding us that God—or something greater than ourselves—is all around us. You are not required to provide kippot for your ceremony.