Gregg Allen Gardner

Start with signing of Ketuba (wedding contract)

Next we have the Hakafot | The bride and groom will circle each other a total

of seven times. Seven is the number of days of creation,

and the wedding ceremony is the creation of a new household.

How it is done: each partner, one at a time, circle the other three times, followed by the seventh circle completed together.

Next we have the Kiddushin cup- blessing is said over wine. The groom says blessing, drinks from the cup, hands over to wife who drinks from the cup.

Exchanging of Rings | The continuous circle of the wedding rings

represents the unity and harmony of marriage, which like the rings,

have no end. The rings are placed first on the forefinger of the

right hand, based on the ancient belief that this forefinger is

directly connected to the heart. Greg can at this time say repeat after me. I alex take amber to be my wife…..etc.

Sheva Brachot | The Sheva Brachot (Seven Blessings) symbolize

the seven days of creation. The blessings represent the joy of

creation both in the ancient times and the newest creation which

occurs under the Chuppah. A second glass of wine is shared at this time. Greg can say these in English.

1 Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Ruler of the Universe, Creator of the fruit of the vine.
Phonetic Hebrew transliteration: Baruch Atah Adonai Eloheinu Melech Ha-Olam, boreh p’ri ha-gafen.

2 Blessed are You, Adonai, our God, Ruler of the universe, Who has created everything for your glory.
Phonetic Hebrew transliteration: Baruch Atah Adonai Eloheinu Melech Ha-Olam, she-hakol barah lichvodo.

3 Blessed are You, Adonai, our God, Ruler of the universe, Creator of Human Beings.
Phonetic Hebrew transliteration: Baruch Atah Adonai Eloheinu Melech Ha-Olam, yotzer ha-adam.

4 Blessed are You, Adonai, our God, Ruler of the universe, Who has fashioned human beings in your image, according to your likeness and has fashioned from it a lasting mold. Blessed are You Adonai, Creator of Human Beings.
Phonetic Hebrew transliteration: Baruch Atah Adonai Eloheinu Melech Ha-Olam, asher yatzar et ha-adam betzalmo, b’tzelem dmut tavnito, vehitkon lo mimenu binyan adei ad. Baruch Atah Adonai yotzer ha-adam.

5 Bring intense joy and exultation through the ingathering of Her children (Jerusalem). Blessed are You, Adonai, are the One who gladdens Zion (Israel) through Her children’s return.
Phonetic Hebrew transliteration: Sos tasis v’tagel ha-akarah, b’kibbutz bane’ha letocha b’simchaa. Baruch Atah Adonai, mesame’ach tzion b’vaneha.

6 Gladden the beloved companions as You gladdened Your creatures in the garden of Eden. Blessed are You, Adonai, Who gladdens this couple.
Phonetic Hebrew transliteration: Sameach te-samach re’im ahuvim, k’samechacha yetzircha b’Gan Eden mi-kedem. Baruch Atah Adonai, mesame’ach chatan v’kalah.

7 Blessed are You, Adonai, our God, Ruler of the universe, Who created joy and gladness, loving couples, mirth, glad song, pleasure, delight, love, loving communities, peace, and companionship. Adonai, our God, let there soon be heard in the cities of Judah and the streets of Jerusalem the sound of joy and the sound of gladness, the voice of the loving couple, the sound of the their jubilance from their canopies and of the youths from their song-filled feasts. Blessed are You Who causes the couple to rejoice, one with the other.

Alex will recite the aaronic benediction (with amber under tallit)

Finally The Breaking of the Glass| At the conclusion of the ceremony,

Alex will break a glass by stepping on it. This ritual reminds us

that even in times of great happiness and joy there is still suffering

that needs to be healed through love and action. The sound of

the glass breaking is greeted by shouts of Mazel Tov and wish of

good fortune to the newly married couple.