Couples’ Preparation Guide
To ensure your ceremony is meaningful, seamless, and fully prepared, please complete the following steps:
1
Order Your Ketubah
Please order your ketubah as early as possible, as production and shipping can take time.
I recommend ketubah.com, where you can select both the text and artwork that speak to you.
2
Arrange Calligraphy
Please choose the option to have all names professionally filled in by the calligrapher.
Once you make your selection, I will happily guide you through how the names should be written.
3
Obtain Your State Marriage License
Please acquire your state marriage license in advance and bring it with you to the ceremony.
4
Select Your Witnesses
Before the ceremony, we will sign both the ketubah and the state marriage license.
Please choose four witnesses:
For the ketubah: Two Jewish, non-relative witnesses (knowing their Hebrew names is not required).
For the state license: Two U.S. citizens who are not currently under legal investigation or facing criminal charges.
5
Prepare the Glass
Please bring a wrapped glass ready for breaking, which takes place near the end of the ceremony.
6
Bring the Rings
Please remember to bring your wedding rings to the ceremony (I have had a couple forget this).
7
Recommended Reading
I ask all couples to read The Jewish Wedding Now by Anita Diamant.
It offers a clear and meaningful introduction to Jewish wedding traditions.
8
Email Me the Week of Your Wedding
During the week of your wedding, please send me an email from both of you.
Share what you love about one another, what you are looking forward to in marriage,
And feel free to include a lighthearted or funny story. I will use this in crafting my remarks.
9
Please make sure your Facility or DJ is providing us with amplification.
This something you have to do in advance; this too is often overlooked but so important!
10
Music for your ceremony
Jewish weddings are mindful not to include composers who are antisemitic. This is why a Jewish wedding will never use the melody “Here Comes The Bride” by Wagner when walking down the aisle. Aside from this melody, please choose your favorites and let me know you need any guidance.
11
It has become normative to stand when the Bride comes in…
However, this is actually a Christian tradition which has worked its way into many weddings.