FACTS
A Jewish marriage combines the religious and legal segments of the marriage ceremony.
A Rabbi performs the ceremony.
Orthodox Rabbis will not perform inter-faith marriages.
The non-Jewish partner normally has to convert to Judaism.
To marry in the orthodox tradition, the couple's parents must have been married in the same manner.
A Jewish choir and musicians attend the ceremony and perform music from prayers and psalms and also traditional folk music.
A few months before the date that is chosen for the wedding, registration has to be made at a synagogue.
A minimum of 10 males have to be present at the wedding, otherwise the wedding is not valid.
In Orthodox weddings the bride and groom must stand under a canopy (Chuppah).
Marriages can take place anywhere and at any time of day, but Saturday weddings must be conducted at least 2 hours after sundown.
The bride and groom choose the venue.
The bride's parents pay the cost of the wedding.
Most marriages take place in the afternoon or the evening.
It is forbidden to marry in the 49 days between Passover and Pentecost and during the three weeks between July and August.
Marriages may not be conducted on the Sabbath or on Jewish festival days.
If the wedding is not on Rosh Chodesh (the new moon at the beginning of the Jewish month) the bride and groom have to fast fro 24 hours before the wedding. (A personal day of atonement (Yom Kippur) so that they can start their lives together with a clean slate.
The bride and groom do not see each other for 7 days before the wedding
BRIDES GOWN
The bride wears a white wedding gown. During the ceremony her face is covered with a veil.
THE GROOM
The groom wears a suit and a skullcap or a top hat. He also wears a white prayer shawl over his suit. (Talit)

GUESTS
Non-Orthodox guests may be invited to the synagogue. In accordance with the traditions men must cover their heads with a skullcap, which is normally provided.
Married women are also required to cover their heads.
All women married or not must cover their shoulders and arms before entering the synagogue.
Men normally wear a jacket or tuxedo. Women wear a dress or a skirt. Ladies must never wear trousers in the synagogue.
The guests follow the service from the orthodox service book. Orders of service sheets are only provided if non-Orthodox guests are present.

ARRANGEMENTS
Two weeks before the wedding the groom must obtain a marriage licence from the chief Rabbi's office. (Ketubah). This document is written in English and Aramaic. The groom must accept responsibility for maintenance of his bride and these are listed in detail on the licence. These are to provide food, shelter and clothing and to be attentive to her needs. The document also states the minimum settlement that the bride should receive if the marriage is dissolve.

The bride and groom are required to meet with the Rabbi on several occasions so that he can advise them on the meaning of marriage. He also produces religious texts, readings and answers any questions they might have.
The bride has to meet with the Rabbi's wife to discuss the roll of each partner during the marriage.

BEFORE THE WEDDING
The evening before the wedding the canopy must be constructed. It consists of four poles, linked by a frame and covered with an embroidered cloth. It is open on all four sides. **

THE WEDDING DAY
The groom and the ushers arrive first. This is called the Groom's Tish- the time when the groom and the other men get together for song and prayer before the ceremony.
Just before the procession of the bride and groom along with their attendants (unterfuhrers), the veiling of the bride (Bedeken) takes place. This is done in a separate room. It is possible for all the close family members to be in attendance- fathers, mothers, aunts, uncles, brothers and sisters.
The fathers are called upon to bless the bride and groom and the groom veils the bride. *

THE CEREMONY
The fathers of the bride and groom, the ushers and the groom enter together.
The bride enters with her mother, mother-in-law and the bridesmaids.
The ceremony follows a strict code from which it is not possible to deviate, lasts for up to one hour and is made up of two parts:
1- The Kiddushin- The bride walks around the groom seven times as she arrives under the canopy, to indicate that this is the man she wishes to marry. Then she stops on the groom's right hand side with her attendants to her right. The groom's attendants are to his right.
Two pre-nuptial blessings are recited over goblets of wine and the couple drink.
The groom takes the wedding ring and declares to his bride: 'Behold, you are sanctified to me with this ring according to the Law of Moses and of Israel'. He then places the ring of her finger.
The couple are now legally married but are not yet able to live together.
The Rabbi reads the certificate of marriage to the couple and the guests in English and then again in Hebrew. He then prays and blesses the couple.
2- The Nisuin. This is conducted under the canopy and completes the ceremony and symbolizes the husband bringing his bride into his house.
The bride and groom recite the seven marriage blessings (sheva brakhos)- which talk of the greatness of God as creator of all and the happiness of the bride and the groom and the well being of the eternally inspiring source of religious strength- Jerusalem. The blessings are recited over a second goblet of wine and the couple drink some of the wine.
During the whole service a special song to the bide celebrating her new role a wife is sung (Eshet Chail)
At the end of the ceremony the groom breaks a glass with his heel.
The couple then sign the marriage documents along with to witnesses.
They then retire to a separate room. (The Yichud) It is normal for them to break their fast. The Rabbi guards the door, so that they will not be disturbed and the guests must wait in the synagogue until the couple return.
The couple are the first to leave the venue and make their way to the party.
After the meal there are prayers and then the seven marriage blessing are repeated.
There are normally speeches by the rabbi and the fathers. Then there is dancing and merry-making.

Terms
Kallah - Bride
Chatan - Groom
Chuppah - Canopy
Ketubah - marriage licence
Minyan - group of 10 male witnesses
Kippah or Yarmulke - skull cap
Siddur - orthodox service book
Kippah - cloth for covering men's heads at the ceremony.

* Represents a new home being built.
** Represents hospitality to all.
***This is a custom that indicates the grooms promise to clothe and protect his wife.
****To express the sadness at the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem. It is also a reminder the celebrations that follow the wedding must be conducted in a responsible manner.

For more information on jewish weddings visit web sites-
http://ohr.edu/yhiy/article.php/1087

http://www.uuottawa.com/jewishweddingsmain.htm
Jewish Marriage Council on 020 8203 6311.