Lucky you! What specific symbols do you remember? I’d love more details.

Here is some of the information I pilfered from a website that mimicked what I can remember: http://www.hebrew4christians.com/Blessings/Special_Events/Wedding_Blessings/wedding_blessings.html

The groom dons the traditional white robe, known as the “Kittel”, traditionally worn on Yom Kippur. This serves to remind the groom of the solemnity of the occasion.

The wedding ceremony takes place under the open sky, recalling the blessing of G-d to Abraham that his seed be as numerous as the stars. The Chupah (canopy) is reminiscent of Ruth’s saying to Boaz “spread your robe over your handmaid.” It also represents the desire that their home be under the protection and guidance of G-d.

The Choson escorted by his father and father-in-law, and others, proceed to the Chupah, followed by the bride who is escorted by her mother and mother-in-law and other women. This procession signifies the Kallah’s transition from her parents’ home to her husband’s. The groom awaiting the arrival of the bride symbolizes his welcoming her into his new “home.”

When they arrive at the Chupah, the bride and family circle the groom seven times. One of the many explanations for these seven circuits is that they represent a seven-fold bond which marriage will establish between the bride and groom and their families. This act also recalls the seven times that the Tefillin straps are wrapped around a man’s arm. Just as a man binds himself in love to G-d, so is his bond in love to his bride. The number seven represents the completion of the seven day process in which earth was created.

Following the seven circuits of the Kallah, as the bride and groom stand beside each other under the Chupah, a cantor (in behalf of all gathered) officially welcomes the bride and groom with a blessing.

Every legal procedure in Jewish life is confirmed by at least two “kosher” witnesses. All Jewish documents must bear the signatures of two kosher witnesses.

The consecration of a woman to man, the Torah advises us, is through “the giving of a valuable – money or ring – (to the woman), the presentation of a document, or through intimate living together.” Nowadays, our sages tell us, we perform all three acts as a means of consecrating a woman.

For this reason, the Chupah ceremony entails all three aspects:

The giving of a ring by the Choson to the Kallah (the exchange of value);

The handing over of the Kesubah (marriage contact) to the bride;

And after the Chupah, the bride and groom adjourn to a private room (symbolic of intimacy) where they break their fast.

It takes two witnesses (to the exclusion of others) to attest that all three aspects of marriage have taken place in accordance with the laws of “Moses and Israel.” Two witnesses are called upon to stand under the Chupah and witness these procedures.

The essence of the ceremony which follows is the act of Kiddushin, performed by the groom. The act of marriage is an agreement entered into by two people, with the acknowledgment that G-d is also a partner. In the presence of two witnesses, the groom places a simple ring on the bride’s right forefinger.

To separate the betrothal blessings from the marriage blessings (Sheva Berachos), the “Kesubah” (marriage contract) is read aloud. The “Kesubah” is a binding document of confidence and trust which details the husband’s obligations to his wife.

The concluding portion of the marriage ceremony is the seven blessings. Several different people are called upon to recite these blessings.

The first blessing is recited over the second cup of wine as a sign of rejoicing.

The second thanks G-d for creating the world and at the same time it honors those assembled at the wedding.

The third and fourth acknowledge G-d’s physical and spiritual creation of mankind.

In the fifth, we pray for the restoration of Jerusalem and the rebuilding of the Holy Temple, the edifice which so expressed G-d’s special relationship to the Jewish people that the memory of its destruction rises above even our highest joys.

The sixth expresses the hope that the bride and groom grow in their love for each other, focusing their love as exclusively as Adam and Eve, when there was no one else in the world.

In the seventh blessing, we pray for the time when Moshiach will come to redeem us from exile so that peace and tranquility will reign over the world.

At the conclusion of the blessings, after the couple drinks from the second cup, the groom breaks the glass with his right foot, as an additional remembrance of the destruction of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. Traditionally, this custom was also incorporated into the ceremony to remind everyone that even at the height of one’s personal joy, we must, nevertheless, remember the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem.

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[...] My wife and I went to a friend’s wedding recently it was a traditional (I guess given my n of 1) Jewish wedding. The Rabbi was entertaining as he was both a comedian as well as a historian as he described each piece of the ceremony … [...]…

Thank you Devyn. Lovely post.

PDOE – Funny you mention that. The Rabbi (he was a rent a Rabbi) was hilarious and he gave 10 different versions of why the glass is broken. He said no one really seems to know the exact reason but there is a lot of speculation.

Kew – I felt the same way during the wedding, but then I started to look at our religion with the fresh eyes of someone seeing it for the first time. There is a lot of symbolism in our ordinances and certainly beauty in the Temple. It was eye opening to approach it from that perspective. Tradition is more challenging since we have had under 200 years versus the Catholic and Jewish religions which have had thousands of years. Perhaps someday we will have that tradition.

interesting post. it’s important to note that the rituals listed above (and listed on the link) are stated in thier most traditional form, and it’s quite common to see different forms of these practices in weddings of jews who are less observant. for instance, my friend who comes from a reform upbringing did the “seven circles” custom differently than the above link describes. instead of the bride circling the groom 7 times, the groom circled the bride 3 times, the bride circled the groom 3 times, and then they did one circle together. of note (i realize the initial post was more focused on symbolism, so this may be a little off base) i have never been to a jewish wedding where the bride is escorted by her mother and soon to be mother in law. in reform and conservative jewish tradition the bride is escorted by both her parents.

Jane K – The wedding I went to was actually for two fairly secular Jews and they did not follow everything exactly, but the basic structure was the same.

Bookslinger – I have no idea. This website claims that elements date back to the Patriarchs. http://www.jewish-history.com/minhag.htm