Wedding Rituals
- Thread starter UncleRogi
- Start date
Our wedding was a simple affair of about 80 or so guests. There were a couple of readings and the usual swapping of rings and the like. When my family heard that I had proposed, they thought that the wedding would be in Ireland, but as it would be easier to manage everything nearer to home (at the time), we opted to get married in Bath, which was near where we were living at the time.
We didn't particularly over complicate it, we had a meet and greet the night before in a local pub, myself and my two best men stayed in the local YMCA the night before and the soon-to-be-Mrs-Dimesdan stayed at the hotel and then it was an early afternoon ceremony the next day with drinks on the lawns at the hotel, photos, food (with the tables named after the fellowship of the ring), speeches and then a disco. We also got married on a Sunday, as in Ireland that was a bank holiday and was easier on the guests coming over Friday or Saturday and then going back the Monday.
Over the years, we've been to numerous, friend and familiy weddings, some in Ireland and the full on Mass with all the sitting, standing and knelling, a humanist wedding (which wasn't that different to our own) and inbetween.
We didn't particularly over complicate it, we had a meet and greet the night before in a local pub, myself and my two best men stayed in the local YMCA the night before and the soon-to-be-Mrs-Dimesdan stayed at the hotel and then it was an early afternoon ceremony the next day with drinks on the lawns at the hotel, photos, food (with the tables named after the fellowship of the ring), speeches and then a disco. We also got married on a Sunday, as in Ireland that was a bank holiday and was easier on the guests coming over Friday or Saturday and then going back the Monday.
Over the years, we've been to numerous, friend and familiy weddings, some in Ireland and the full on Mass with all the sitting, standing and knelling, a humanist wedding (which wasn't that different to our own) and inbetween.
A tradition here is where the bride and groom sit on different chairs and friends and family dance with the chairs held up high, and at the end of the song the newlyweds have kiss each other
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For some reason the picture is not showing for me.On my wedding we had about 150 guess, and a live band. My wife wore a beautiful red wedding dress.
A tradition here is where the bride and groom sit on different chairs and friends and family dance with the chairs held up high, and at the end of the song the newlyweds have Kiss each other.
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Nice description! And speaking of sushi, I had absolutely spectacular kosher sushi for lunch today.My wedding was traditional-Jewish.
There are several elements; the first is the "Grooms Table", where the "betrothal contract" is filled out. It is a stipulation agreed to by both fathers, and signed by witnesses (and then read aloud in aramaic) that they agree to a wedding between the named bride and groom - back in Europe, when jewish towns were far apart and arranged marriages were the norm, this contract would be drawn up at the time of the engagement; in modern times its simply done at the time of the wedding (because "tradition" - in hebrew, this document is called "tannaim").
The marriage contract itself is filled out at this time, it provides stipulations that the husband is required to support his wife financially and emotionally, and alimony in case of divorce. As most of the language and terms of this contract are somewhat archaic, many couples choose to write up a pre-nup as well.
At this time, the Bride conducts a "viewing" - she sits in a big chair with the mothers and sisters (and sisters in law) for pictures; food is generally provided for guests as they come to give well wishes to the women and then take some food to eat.
A sushi table has become traditional at these affairs in the past 10 years or so.
At this time, the Grooms Table concludes with the mothers coming and smashing a plate - to symbolize that just as a broken plate can never be fully repaired, so to the couple should understand that a broken relationship is not one easily repaired.
The actual ceremony itself takes place under a canopy, representing the new couples house.
The groom waits for his bride while wearing a white, linen robe ("kittel") which is symbolic of death shrouds, as even on the most special day of ones life (hopefully) one should recall his own mortality and the humility that inspires in how to treat his wife.
The bride also wears white, also to symbolize purity in the new marriage.
The groom gives the bride a ring, that he has owned and purchased with his own money, to enact the "legal" transaction of a wedding. A ring symbolizes the circle of life and wholesomeness.
The ceremony ends with seven blessings recited, generally by family or friends of the couple, and concludes with the groom stepping on a glass. The breaking of the glass symbolizes that even in celebration, there should be trepidation - getting married should not be taken lightly, and the responsibilities are serious.
It's also symbolic that even the most joyous celebrations are incomplete with Jerusalem and the Temple in ruins.
While not strictly required, its become traditional to conclude the ceremony with the cantor singing Psalm 137 ("If I forget thee, O Jerusalem").
Anyone interested in learning more, feel free to PM.
Wedding customs among Jews vary greatly by region, essentially breaking down to the customs followed by ones ancestors; either descending from Europe, Arab/Mediterranean, or Russian/Asian.
The only memorable wedding I've been to was about 20 years ago.
My friend from high school was getting married and instead of the traditional reception afterwards with music and dancing, they hired a string quartet to play while a magician went around to the tables and performed magic/illusions/slight of hand tricks for the guests.
After dinner, he got up on stage and did a whole performance, complete with an assistant, lighting and various other accoutrements.
Out of all the weddings I've attended, that one has proven to be the most memorable.
My friend from high school was getting married and instead of the traditional reception afterwards with music and dancing, they hired a string quartet to play while a magician went around to the tables and performed magic/illusions/slight of hand tricks for the guests.
After dinner, he got up on stage and did a whole performance, complete with an assistant, lighting and various other accoutrements.
Out of all the weddings I've attended, that one has proven to be the most memorable.
Doesn't work, Google Chrome shuts down every time.
I will try it on my PC this weekend
May I inquire as to what venue or establishment provided such excellent sushi?Nice description! And speaking of sushi, I had absolutely spectacular kosher sushi for lunch today.
Ooooh her dress is absolutely gorgeous, and I just love how your vest matches!
Thanks, I was almost drooling out of my mouth when I first saw her in her dress.
It was the longest time I went shopping for a suit / clothes
That's really fantastic! I sprung for a regular two-piece black suit and my wife had her own ideas about her dress. Which cost three times as much as my suitThanks, I was almost drooling out of my mouth when I first saw her in her dress.
It was the longest time I went shopping for a suit / clothes
I'm so glad i only spent a few hundred dollars on my wedding dress.