A Modern Jewish Wedding Ceremony Script With Sand Ceremony

PROCESSIONAL

Beginning of the wedding ceremony. Guests are Seated.

SIGNING OF THE KETUBAH

• First we will have the signing of the Ketubah.

The Ketubah is an ancient document and is a marriage contract that lays out the commitment that the couple has to each other. It is signed by two Jewish witnesses, neither of whom can be blood-related family members to the bride and groom.

BADEKEN

• After the Ketubah signing, there is a short but meaningful ritual where the groom covers the bride’s face with her veil.

The veiling itself is a symbol of modesty, based upon the biblical account of Rebecca meeting Isaac. Some couples put a modern spin on by having the bride place a (yarmulke) on the groom.

CHUPPAH

• At this point in the ceremony the couple to a canopy held up by four poles known as the the chuppah.

This simple structure symbolizes the home that the bride and groom will create following their marriage.

• Both the bride and groom are usually escorted by their respective sets of parents. Once they arrived the bride circles the groom seven times.

This symbolizes building a wall of love around their relationship. Seven is a sacred number in Judaism that represents the wholeness and completeness that they cannot attain separately. Some couples modernize this by circling around each other three times and then a finally both doing a figure of eight.

INVOCATION

officiant to the reception

"Dearly beloved,

We are gathered here today to celebrate the union of [PARTNER A] and [PARTNER B]. A special thanks to all of you that travelled from far and wide to witness the promise these two are about to make to one another. We are here not only as guests. We are here to offer our love and support, and to stand with [PARTNER A] and [PARTNER B] as they begin this new chapter of their lives.

A marriage is a lifelong adventure. Today’s ceremony, while important, is only the beginning of that journey. Marriage is a challenge that will require [PARTNER A] and [PARTNER B] to have love and understanding. You must dedicate yourselves to each other, listen to each other, and be honest with each other. You will need laughter and forgiveness, tenderness and empathy.”

DECLARATION OF SUPPORT

OFFICIANT TO THE COUPLE

“Today’s ceremony is only possible because of the lifetime of love and support [PARTNER A] and  [PARTNER B]have received from their family and friends. Through those relationships these two have learned lessons that have informed them on how to be good partners and parents.

As [PARTNER A] and [PARTNER B] join together in matrimony and prepare to create another family to join our tribe, they carry their shared knowledge of our people onwards, promoting the values and ideals that they learned from those who came before them.”

SAND CEREMONY

OFFICIANT TO THE COUPLE

“We will now begin the Sand Ceremony. Through it [PARTNER A] and [PARTNER B] will symbolize the permanence of the commitment of their marital relationship. They will each pour separate containers of sand into a one vessel.

Each of these grains represents a unique aspect of themselves. Their experiences, outlooks, feelings, and the events that shaped them into the person that stands before you. As these grains of sand intermingle in one shared vessel, they symbolize the merging of two individual lives into an inseparable pair.

[PARTNER A] and [PARTNER B], just as these grains of sand can never again be separated, so too will you be forever joined.”

DECLARATION OF INTENT

Officiant To partner a

"Do you [PARTNER A], take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, in good times and woe, for richer or poorer keeping yourself unto her for as long as you both shall live?

If so answer 'I do'."

partner a to partner b

"I do."

officiant to partner b

"Do you , take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, in good times and woe, for richer or poorer keeping yourself unto him for as long as you both shall live?

If so answer 'I do.'"

partner b to partner a

"I do."

RING EXCHANGE

officiant to the reception

"The couple will now exchange rings. These rings symbolize the never ending love you feel for each other. The ring has neither a beginning or an end, just as there is no beginning or end to what the partners give and receive. These rings will be a reminder of the vows you have taken today. By this ring you are consecrated to me according to the law of Moses and Israel."

officiant to partner a
"[PARTNER A], as a token of your intentions, please place this ring upon [PARTNER B]’s finger and repeat after me:

[PARTNER B], I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and faithfulness."

• partner a repeats the words as they place the ring on partner b's finger.

officiant to partner b
"[PARTNER B], as a token of your intentions, please place this ring upon [PARTNER A]’s finger and repeat after me:

[PARTNER A], I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and faithfulness."

BLESSING OF THE HANDS

officiant to the couple

" [PARTNER A] and [PARTNER B], please join hands. Looks at these hands for they are of your closest friend. They are strong and full of love. As you join hands today, you make the promise to love each other today, tomorrow, and forever.

Your future will be built by these hands. As the years pass, these hands will love you and cherish you. The slightest touch from these hands will give you comfort. These are the hands will hold your children. These are the hands will kept your family as one. When you have tears of sorrow or tears of joy, they will be wiped away by these hands."

THE SEVEN BLESSINGS

The Seven Blessings are now recited.

1. Blessing over the wine — symbol of joy
2. Blessing praising God to whom all creation proclaims praise
3. God is praised as Creator of humanity
4. God is praised Who created humanity in the Divine image.
5. Hope for the messianic future
6. Prayer for the happiness of the bride and groom
7. The individual hope for happiness for the couple is combined with a prayer for joy in the messianic future.

After the seven blessings, the couple share a cup of wine.

BREAKING THE GLASS

• The ceremony is concluded by the groom stamping on a glass and smashing it.

This is the signal for the gathered people to cheer, dance, shout “Mazal Tov!”. Some couples choose to update this tradition by breaking the glass together with one swift smash in unison.

YICHUD -- PRIVATE REFLECTION

Once the just-married couple have processed out of the ceremony area, the final ritual takes place. The Yichud is considered to be one the most intimate and private parts of the day.

• The bride and groom spend time alone away from all the guests. It gives them to reflect on what just took place.

Once the reflection is over they join the party!!!