THE EVENING CEREMONY
JEWISH TRADITIONS

KETUBAH
Prior to the Wedding ceremony, the Bride and Groom sign
the Ketubah, a marriage contract, in the presence of two
witnesses and a Rabbi. Traditionally the Ketubah served
literally as a contract or a legal document between the Bride
and Groom. Today the Ketubah is often seen as a joint
affirmation of the couple's commitment and love.

    THE CHUPAH - MARRIAGE CANOPY
  The ceremony is conducted under the Chupah, which
symbolizes the home that the Bride and Groom will create
together. The Chupah can have many different expressions
ranging from handmade quilts to a simple covering of twine
flowers. For this Wedding ceremony, the prayer shawls of the 
Groom's grandfathers are draped together to form the
  canopy. The Chupah is open to all sides to recall the tent of
  Abraham, which was open in all directions to welcome guests.

THE SHEVA BRACHOT - SEVEN BLESSINGS
The Sheva B'racbot are the seven marriage blessings.
The first five bless the wine, celebrate the theme of creation
and express hope for the future of the Jewish people.
The Bride and the Groom are blessed separately in the sixth
blessing, so that each should bring their own unique
qualities to the marriage. In the seventh blessing, the Bride
and Groom rejoice together, and then drink from the
same cup of wine.

BREAKING THE GLASS

The glass is broken to "protect" the marriage with an implied prayer "As this glass shatters, 
so may our marriage never break". It is seen as a reminder of the difficulties that the
Jews have experienced over the centuries and that even in a time of extreme happiness, sadness is also recalled. The breaking of the glass also notes the end of the Wedding ceremony and a time to begin the festivities.

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