With a strong Jewish community in Melbourne, and indeed across Australia, we’re regular hosts of bar or bat mitzvahs, Jewish birthday parties, and of course, Jewish weddings! With its own unique set of traditions and celebrations, a Jewish wedding always makes for a fun, unforgettable celebration.
If you’re part of the Jewish community and planning a wedding or even looking for a Melbourne wedding venue, you might want to know exactly what these traditions are, so you can incorporate a few – or all – into your special day. And, if you’re a guest attending a Jewish wedding, it’s interesting to read up on what you might expect to encounter during the event.
So, let’s find out the top 10 traditions of a Jewish wedding in Melbourne and beyond.
1. Veiling of the bride
The veiling of the bride (bedeken) is the Jewish wedding tradition equivalent of a ‘first look’. Before the wedding ceremony begins, the groom will approach the bride in a private room, surrounded by her closest friends and relatives. Then, he will veil her himself. This emotive act symbolises his recognition of her inner beauty, and that their connection transpires physical attraction. It’s also tied to the biblical story of Rachel and Jacob, in which the groom mistakenly married Rachel’s sister because of her veiled appearance.
2. Signing of the traditional Jewish marriage contract
The ketubah, or the traditional Jewish marriage contract, was originally created way back in 1CE, designed to protect women by spelling out the man’s obligations in married life, including a financial agreement in the event of a divorce. It is written in the traditional language of Aramic, and while many find its content to have become outdated, some couples still choose to sign it before the official wedding ceremony, as a token of their commitment to their faith and each other.
3. Walking down the aisle to the chuppah
The first unique Jewish wedding tradition is that both the groom (chatan) and the bride (kallah) are walked down the aisle by both parents. At the end of the aisle, there is a chuppah (or canopy) which the couple will stand underneath as they say their vows. It’s open on all sides and symbolises the new home they will build together, as well as their hospitality extended to the friends and family attending.
4. The bride circling the groom
In more modern Jewish weddings in Melbourne, it’s popular for the bride to circle the groom under the chuppah. Some say the groom should be circled three times while others say seven, as both numbers are significant in the Bible in recognising the union of two souls. For others, the circling represents protection against evil spirits and temptation.
5. Sharing of wine over blessings
During the wedding ceremony, two cups of wine are often presented. The first is during the ‘Kiddushin’, where the marriage is sanctified and the couple formally commit to each other. The second is shared while the couple receives the ‘Seven Blessings’ (Sheva Berakhot), sometimes recited by friends and family, which are spoken to celebrate and support their pairing to each other, their community and their faith.
6. Breaking the glass
You may have seen it in movies, but the breaking of the glass to mark the end of the official wedding ceremony is often one of the most anticipated moments of the day. Typically, the groom breaks a glass by stepping on it, as the congregation cheers ‘Mazel Tov’, which means ‘good luck’ and ‘congratulations’. It’s included as part of the Jewish wedding rituals to symbolise the destruction of Jerusalem, and the notion that love is fragile and must be protected, even in tough times of loss and pain.
7. Blessing the challah
Onto the wedding reception. The challah is a braided bread that must be blessed before the wedding food and catering can be served. Often, this is led by a close friend or family member, such as the couple’s parents. The braid in the bread marks the couple’s shared life and nourishment with each other. Then, expect to see fish and chicken on your dinner plate, as these are popular food traditions for Jewish weddings in Melbourne.
8. Dancing the hora
Another lively moment from a typical Jewish wedding is performing the hora – a joyful dance that brings the whole wedding party together and promises to bring great laughter and great photos. The newlyweds are lifted onto chairs, which are held up by the congregation as the crowd dances around them. Aside from being a memorable moment in the night, this tradition symbolises the Jewish community’s support and excitement for the couple’s union.
9. Parent dance: Mezinke Tanz
If you’re attending or planning the wedding as the last child to be married in a household, it’s a Jewish custom for a special dance to take place, which honours the parents. They will be sitting on chairs in the middle of the dance floor while friends and family dance around to congratulate them. Sometimes this dance is also called the Krenzel, referring to the crown of flowers that may be placed on the mother’s head.
10. Yichud: the couple’s private moment
Some Jewish couples may choose to fast, which will typically start from dawn on the wedding day until the completion of the wedding ceremony. At this point, the couple are given a moment to themselves in a private room to reflect on their day and new relationship as a married couple, as well as break their fast and share their first meal together. If you can’t find either of the newlyweds, this is probably what they’re up to!
Rituals & Traditions Of Jewish Weddings in Melbourne & Beyond
We’ve covered 10 Jewish wedding traditions to look out for during (or when planning) a wedding day. Most of these rituals hold symbolic meaning for the couple’s love for each other, as well as tying them to their faith. However, they also provide emotive moments throughout the day that promise to bring the guests together and ensure a full celebration.
Which is your favourite Jewish wedding tradition, and which do you most look forward to watching or participating in?
For all your questions answered regarding Jewish weddings in Melbourne, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Nash & Aarron at Canvas House. With over two decades of experience in event planning and a long list of successful Jewish weddings behind them, you can bet they’re the right people to put your faith in for a wedding day that honours all the Jewish traditions in a beautiful venue. Rest assured, they’ll also allow you the space and freedom to make these rituals your own, for a truly unique wedding day that is most meaningful for you and your partner.
Send us an inquiry today, or drop us an email. We’re looking forward to hearing from you.
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