Jewish Wedding Traditions: A Guide to Meaning and Customs

If you’re planning a Jewish wedding, understanding the meaning behind each tradition can help you appreciate the depth, structure, and beauty of the day. Jewish weddings can vary greatly depending on family background, level of religious observance, and whether the wedding follows Orthodox, Modern Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, Ashkenazi, Sephardic, Israeli, or other Jewish customs.

As Jewish and Israeli wedding photographers in NYC, we have photographed all possible Jewish wedding traditions firsthand and understand how important it is to document them with accuracy, respect, and care. In this guide, we’ll walk through some of the most meaningful Jewish wedding traditions and explain where they typically appear.

The Ketubah Signing is one of the most important parts of the Jewish wedding ceremony and usually takes place before the main wedding ceremony begins. The ketubah is a traditional Jewish marriage contract and a legally binding agreement in Jewish law. It outlines the groom’s responsibilities, the bride’s rights, and the couple’s commitments as they begin their Jewish life together. 

In traditional weddings, the bride and groom are not the ones who sign the ketubah. The formal signing is done by two male witnesses who are not related to the couple, along with the rabbi. Depending on the couple’s background, this may happen in different ways. In Sephardic tradition, the ketubah signing takes place before the chuppah in a more private setting. In Ashkenazi tradition, it happens during the tisch, before the main ceremony begins. 

Many ketubahs are also beautifully illustrated and later displayed in the couple’s home, which makes this part of the day both meaningful and incredibly special to photograph.

The “Tisch” (not the “Tish”) is a pre-wedding celebration that the groom hosts for his male friends, relatives, and the rabbi. The word Tisch means “table”, and that is exactly what this part of the wedding day is centered around. Guests gather around the table to celebrate with the groom, offer congratulations, and take part in the singing and energy of the moment.

The Tisch is also where the ketubah is traditionally signed, so the ketubah signing is part of this gathering rather than a completely separate moment. The signing is usually handled by the required witnesses and the rabbi, while the celebration continues around the groom before the wedding ceremony begins.

In Ashkenazi Jewish weddings, the Bedeken is one of the most emotional rituals to photograph. During the Bedeken, the groom places the veil over the bride’s face before they continue to the chuppah. Bedeken means “to veil,” and it is a public religious ritual within Ashkenazi wedding tradition.

Sephardic weddings do not include a Bedeken.

The Bedeken is traditionally connected to the biblical story of Jacob, who was deceived into marrying Leah instead of Rachel because she was veiled. By personally veiling the bride, the groom acknowledges and confirms the woman he is marrying.

The veil also carries symbolic meaning. It is often seen as a sign of modesty and as a reminder that the marriage is not based only on outward beauty, but on inner character and spiritual connection.

The Chuppah is the canopy under which the Jewish wedding ceremony takes place. It’s meant to symbolize a home and a life that the bride and groom will build together. 

A traditional chuppah is open on all sides, symbolizing the couple’s new Jewish home, their hospitality, and the love and support of the Jewish community around them.

The chuppah is sometimes made of a prayer shawl belonging to the bride, groom, or one of their family members. The chuppah may be decorated with flowers, greenery, or other meaningful design elements, depending on the couple’s tradition and wedding style.

The groom is often walked down the aisle by his parents. Once he is standing under the chuppah, the bride is walked down the aisle by her parents. Depending on the wedding and family custom, both sets of parents may also stand alongside the couple during the ceremony.

In Ashkenazi Jewish weddings, the bride circles the groom three or seven times under the chuppah. This custom is specific to Ashkenazi tradition and is not part of Sephardic weddings.

This deeply symbolic ritual represents the creation of a private, sacred space, the breaking down of spiritual walls, and the establishment of a complete, lifelong union.

In a religious Jewish wedding ceremony, the ring used under the chuppah must be plain and without stones. This is not simply a matter of style or preference. The ring needs to have clear, straightforward value for the ceremony.

Some couples may have decorative rings with stones separately, but those would not be the rings used for the religious ceremony itself.

Sheva Brachot, or the Seven Blessings, are a series of blessings about love and joy recited at Jewish weddings. They begin with a blessing over a cup of wine and are an important part of the ceremony.

The blessings include praise for God, creation, joy, love, human relationships, and the happiness of the bride and groom. Depending on the wedding tradition, the blessings may be recited by the rabbi or by honored family members and guests.

The breaking of the glass marks the conclusion of the Jewish wedding ceremony. It is a deeply symbolic and solemn moment, traditionally commemorating the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem and reminding the couple of the fragility of relationships.

After this pause for remembrance, the celebration begins and guests often call out “Mazel tov!” to congratulate the couple.

In religious Jewish weddings, Yichud refers to the couple’s seclusion immediately after the ceremony. It is a specific religious practice, not simply a private breather or quiet moment after the chuppah.

The couple spends a short period alone before returning to join their guests for the celebration.

At the reception, guests often celebrate with the hora, a joyful Jewish circle dance. Guests join hands and dance together in a circle around the dance floor, creating one of the most energetic and celebratory moments of the evening.

At many weddings, the couple may be lifted on chairs while holding cloth napkins, surrounded by family and friends dancing around them.

At Julian Ribinik Studios, we understand that Jewish weddings are not all the same. Orthodox, Modern Orthodox, Reform, Conservative, Ashkenazi, Sephardic, Israeli, and other Jewish weddings each carry their own structure, customs, and emotional rhythm. Our role is to photograph these moments with cultural understanding, anticipation, and respect.

Contact us today to check availability for your wedding date.