Welcome to the wedding ceremony of
Janaki and Harvey
Sunday, February 25, 2024
Rockville, Maryland
SIGNING OF THE KETUBAH
The wedding will start with the signing of the ketubah, or the Jewish marriage contract, which outlines the couple’s commitment to each other. The covenant is signed by the officiant, bride, groom and two witnesses.
THE CHUPPAH
Janaki and Harvey will be married under a chuppah, which is a canopy supported by four posts and open on all four sides. The chuppah symbolizes the home that the couple will make together, filled with love, hospitality and welcoming to all.
CIRCLING
Traditionally, the bride circles the groom seven times under the chuppah symbolizing her protection of her husband. Today, the bride and groom will each circle each other three times before taking the seventh circle together to represent their safekeeping of one another and the home they will create together with their new family unit at the center.
KIDDUSH AND THE FIRST CUP OF WINE
The first cup of wine is called Kiddushin (or Erusin) not Kiddush. It is the blessing that promises you to one another in an exclusive relationship. We use wine, which does symbolize joy and celebration, as the vehicle to bless the relationship.
RING EXCHANGE
The bride and groom will place wedding bands on each other’s fingers to represent their commitment to each other. In accordance with Jewish tradition, the wedding rings are unadorned by stones or decorations and placed on the index finger.
As the groom places the wedding ring on the bride’s finger, he recites the following:
הֲרֵי אַתְּ מְקֻדֶּשֶׁת לִי בְּטַבַּעַת זוֹ כְּדַת משֶׁה וְיִשְׂרָאֵל.
With this ring, you are consecrated to me according to the law of Moses and Israel.
THE SEVEN BLESSINGS (SHEVA BRACHOT)
Recited under the chuppah and then also at the meal following the wedding, the Sheva Brachot (seven blessings) are the heart of the Jewish wedding ceremony. Janaki & Harvey have invited seven friends to each offer one of the blessings in Hebrew and seven friends or family members will recite the blessings in English.
BREAKING OF THE GLASS
Before the ceremony comes to an end, Harvey will step on and shatter a glass wrapped inside a cloth bag. The breaking of the glass reminds us of the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem over 2,000 years ago and of the fragility and preciousness of life and relationships. When the glass breaks, wedding guests should shout “mazel tov” to wish the couple congratulations and good luck.
YICHUD
Following the conclusion of the ceremony, the bride and groom will spend a few minutes relaxing alone in a private room to celebrate and soak in their new relationship as a married couple.
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