A Modern Gender Neutral Jewish Wedding Ceremony Script

PROCESSIONAL

Beginning of the wedding ceremony. Guests are standing after the entrance of the bride.

OFFICIANT to the reception

"Before we start, I’d like everyone to join me in the very important and traditional custom of switching off your cell phones."

INVOCATION

OFFICIANT to the reception

"Dearest friends, we’re standing here under the chuppah. It’s the symbol of the house that this couple before us will establish together. This structure is open on all four sides, as was the tent that Abraham opened in his infinite hospitality. And in keeping with tradition, to remember the seven days of creation, [PARTNER A] will walk around [PARTNER B], to bring down the walls and symbolize the start of a new relationship."

• The designated partner walks around the stationary partner seven times.

OFFICIANT to the reception

"Friends, you may now be seated."Optional: Here, the officiant can tell stories about the couple, read a passage from the torah, or any other passages that the couple would like included.

DECLARATION OF INTENT AND VOWS

OFFICIANT to partner A

"Now, the couple will exchange vows and declare their intent to enter into the union of marriage. [PARTNER A], please repeat after me."

• The officiant reads each line and allows PARTNER A to repeat.

"I,  take you  to be my husband/wife/spouse.

I promise to cherish our love and our friendship today, tomorrow, and forever.

I will trust you and honor you.

I will laugh with you and cry with you.

Through the best and the worst, Through the good days and the bad.

As I have given you my hand to hold, So I give you my life to keep."OFFICIANT to partner B

"[PARTNER B], will you repeat after me?"

• The officiant reads each line and allows PARTNER B to repeat.

"I,  take you  to be my husband/wife/spouse.

I promise to cherish our love and our friendship today, tomorrow, and forever.

I will trust you and honor you. I will laugh with you and cry with you. Through the best and the worst, Through the good days and the bad.\

As I have given you my hand to hold, So I give you my life to keep."

RING EXCHANGE

OFFICIANT to partner a

"[PARTNER A], you have a ring that you are going to bestow to [PARTNER B], yes? Holding this ring, please repeat after me:"
"I give you this sign, Of our love. An ever-present symbol, of the vows we have made today."

• partner a repeats.

OFFICIANT to partner B

"Now, [PARTNER B], you have a ring that you are going to bestow to . Holding this ring, please repeat after me:""I give you this sign, of our love. An ever-present symbol, of the vows we have made today."

• partner b repeats

OFFICIANT to the reception

"Mazel tov!"

1. Optional: Both members of the couple pick up candle to jointly light a unity candle.
2. Optional: Officiant presents the wedding contract, the ketubah for the couple and/or witnesses to sign.

officiant to the reception

"Praise to you, Lord our God, King of the universe, who created joy and gladness, bride and groom, gladness, jubilation, dancing, and delight, love and brotherhood, peace and fellowship. Blessed art thou, Oh Lord, who unites these two people in unity.It is my happy duty to announce you Married!"Below is the "smashing of the glass" custom, which is often performed after the conclusion of the wedding ceremony.

1. First, the officiant sets napkin-wrapped glass on the ground. This way, shattered glass won't go everywhere.
2. Next, one parter smashes glass and kisses the other.

While there are various explanations for the origin of this tradition, the glass is a reminder of the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem. The fragile state of glass also reminds us of the frailty of human relationships. Since even the strongest love is subject to breaking, the glass is broken to remind us that as it shatters, so may the marriage never break.