10th Anniversary Post (at last)

Dh and I celebrated our 10th anniversary on March 22. I wanted to provide a walk through a typical Orthodox wedding, highlighted with pictures from ours 10 years ago! However, for a better written/clearer explanation, but without all the lovely pictures, click here. So here goes...

The wedding begins with the Kabalat Panim, aka bride's reception, and the Tish, aka groom's reception. Where the kallah (bride) is sitting there is usually a lavish amount of food and drink, and the bride, who is usually seated in a throne-like chair greets guests as they come in. During the Tish, where there is usually some food (and usually a bunch of liquor), the men (and yes, it does just tend to be the men) greet the chatan (groom), drink, and perhaps sing a bit. And then they get down to business.I should also add that the kallah and chatan, by tradition, not halacha, don't usually see each other for a period of time before the actual veiling, which may be another reason they are in separate rooms.First is the signing of the Tanaim, something akin to a prenuptial, although it has more to do with the details of the forthcoming marriage. There are two witnesses who sign the Tanaim. (Note DH, who is sticking out his tongue!)

After the signing of the Tanaim, it is traditional for the mothers of the kallah and the chatan to break a plate together, as a remembrance of the destruction of Jerusalem. (This is the reason for the breaking of a glass under the Chuppah by the groom, too.)
After the Tanaim is signed and the plate is broken comes the signing of the Ketubah - the marriage contract. The officiating Rabbi looks over the Ketubah to make sure that all the information is correct, and then two witnesses sign the Ketubah (which is also read under the Chuppah).The Bedeken - or veiling - is next (and this is my favorite part of every wedding - I cry no matter what!). The groom is escorted, usually with much singing and dancing, to where the kallah is seated. Keep in mind that (at least in our case) they haven't seen each other in a while, so the anticipation is intense! When the groom finally reaches the bride, he gets to take her veil and cover her face. And as you can see, I was crying even at my own!After the Bedeken, the chatan (groom) puts on his kittel (a white, robe-like garment that is worn first at the wedding, and then (at least in DH's family) on Yom Kippur and during the Sederim on Pesach. A man is also buried in his kittel.) and heads down the aisle. The kallah (bride) then heads down (with any combination of parents, bridesmaids, attendants, etc.) the aisle, and joins the chatan under the Chuppah.Escorted by our mothers (although I think it may be traditional for it to be by the kallah's parents), the kallah circles the chatan 7x, and then stands to the right of the chatan. Kiddush - the blessing over the wine - is read by the officiating rabbi. The bride and groom then each drink some of the wine. Then, the chatan holds the ring in his right hand. There are two witnesses, who verify that the ring belongs to the chatan,and then they watch as the chatan says to the kallah "You are consecrated to me by means of this ring, according to the ritual of Moses and Israel." The ring is immediately places on the bride's right index finger, and the bride and groom are, at this point, officially married. At this point, the Ketubah is usually read. A second cup of wine is filled, and then the sheva brachot - seven blessings - are said, usually by inviting men that the families want to honor to the chuppah to read them. The bride & groom then drink, then the groom smashes the glass with his right foot.The chuppah is over at this point, and the bride and groom exit the room, usually to much singing, dancing, and lots of confetti.At this point, the chatan and the kallah to into Yichud, the first time they've had the opportunity to be alone together after the marriage. In my experience, this is where the bride and groom break their fast (as they fast on their wedding day), and also exchange wedding gifts. I gave DH his wedding band, and he gave me a string of pearls. The guests are usually enjoying an elaborate smorgasbord - we had soups, a mashed potato bar, and a variety of baked goods. After Yichud, we also took many pictures together and with family.
Then, for the first time, the couple is introduced as "Mr. and Mrs. XXXXX" and they come into the room where dinner will be served, and then separate to do quite a bit of dancing. Note, as you look through these pictures, that it is a mitzvah to make the bride and groom happy. So there's usually some strange stuff that goes on at weddings!It's also traditional (perhaps only recently, not sure) for the Chatan to sing Aishet Chayil to his new wife. At the weddings we've been to where this happens - including ours - the chatan's friends help out, or, as is in our case, try and make things more difficult:There's no good reason for this picture, except DH and I like it. We call it our "Moshiach" picture, - we have no ideAt the end of the meal, the Sheva Brachot are again recited at the end of Grace After Meals. At this point, the wedding is over whenever everyone leaves.For the week following the wedding, friends and family usually host meals in honor of the marriage. At the end of the meals, the Sheva Brachot are again recited. And because you haven't had enough of us, here are a few other random pictures :-)
This is when DH met my father for the first time, before we were married. My father decided to "dress up" for the occasion - as a biker. It was pretty funny!
This was the sukkah that DH helped me build at my undergraduate school. Other members of the Hillel were supposed to help, but only one other person showed up.Here we are on a trip to NYC about a year after we were married:This was at the L'Chaim (engagement party) of DH's next youngest brother:Well, I hope you enjoyed the show!