Either member of the couple or both partners can break a glass at the end of the ceremony! It used to be that a groom stepped on a glass; but today, some couples choose to both break a glass to be more egalitarian (and because it’s fun!). In LGBTQ+ and interfaith couples, either partner is welcome to break the glass! Sometimes in interfaith couples, the Jewish partner feels more comfortable doing so and either way is completely fine!
There are many explanations for why we break a glass. One, is that even on the extremely joyous occasion of your wedding, we recognize that there are broken things that need to be repaired in our world. We hope that the two of you joining in marriage become a force for good in the world to help repair some of that brokenness. Stepping on a glass is a joyful, fun thing to do, and one that we don’t get to do every day. Fun is reason enough to continue this tradition!
The type of glass you break is completely up to you! The glass itself is not a holy or ritual object, so it is perfectly fine to use a lightbulb wrapped in a bag and/or cloth. If you are using a wine glass, make sure to stomp on the body of the glass and not the stem. It’s best to find a glass that is thin without a large or heavy stem. Etsy and Modern Tribe sell ‘smash glasses,’ colorful glasses that shatter easily and can be turned into a mezuzah or art piece after your wedding. If you want to save your wedding glass, make sure to tell a relative or your planner to collect it after you recess.