Jewish weddings

Your essential guide to the Orthodox Jewish wedding ceremony

Two weeks before the Orthodox wedding, the groom must obtain a Ketubah from the Chief Rabbi’s office. Written in English and Aramaic, this is the Jewish marriage certificate. Under Jewish law, the groom must accept certain responsibilities for the maintenance of his bride and these responsibilities are spelt out in detail in the Ketubah. His principal obligations are to provide food, clothing and shelter for his wife and be attentive to her needs. The document also stipulates the minimum settlement to be received by his wife in the event of the marriage being dissolved.
The couple are required to meet the Rabbi a number of times before they marry, so he can offer advice about the meaning of marriage, provide them with religious texts to read and answer any questions. There is also a meeting between the bride and the Rabbi’s wife who will explain what is expected of each partner in a marriage. service sheets
The congregation follows the service from the siddur (book) and service sheets are normally provided when non-Orthodox guests are invited. The sheets explain the significance of the ceremony and give a running order to guide the guests.

All non-Orthodox Jewish guests are welcome to the synagogue, as long as they respect the traditions and customs of the Jewish faith and culture. Men must cover their heads with a Kippah (which is often provided) and married women should cover their heads too. All women are required to cover their shoulders and arms before entering the synagogue.
Male guests normally wear a dinner jacket or suit and women, a dress or skirt -- trousers for women are considered disrespectful in the synagogue.

The bride usually wears a white wedding dress. Throughout the ceremony, her face is covered by a veil. The groom wears a suit and a Kippah (skull cap) more commonly called a Yarmulke, although most grooms opt for a top hat instead. He will also wear a white prayer shawl, known as a Tallith/Tallit, over his suit.

On the eve of the wedding, the Chuppah or canopy is constructed from four vertical poles, linked by a frame and traditionally covered by velvet embroidered cloth. It represents the new home being established. As it is open on all four sides, it symbolises the unconditional hospitality to be extended to all who enter.
Unless you’re getting married on Rosh Chodesh (the New Moon and beginning of the Jewish month), you'll have to fast for 24 hours before the ceremony. This period is seen as a personal Yom Kippur -- a day of atonement -- when the couple repent of their sins so that they can begin their new life together with a ‘clean slate’.
It is traditional for the bride and groom not to see each other a week before the wedding.