Earlier this week, I attended the wedding of two friends. Held at the distinctive Temple Beth Shmuel in Miami Beach, it was a traditional Jewish ceremony and reception. To learn more about the rituals and customs involved in a Jewish wedding, I found this Guide to the Jewish Wedding helpful.
We arrived at 6 p.m. in time for the Kabbalat Panim, a cocktail hour where the bride (kallah) and groom (chatan) greeted their guests separately (according to Jewish tradition, the chatan and kallah do not see each other for the week leading up to the wedding.) The kallah looked radiant in her wedding dress, and I could sense her overwhelming joy as she anticipated the ceremony and lifelong commitment she was about to make.
We arrived at 6 p.m. in time for the Kabbalat Panim, a cocktail hour where the bride (kallah) and groom (chatan) greeted their guests separately (according to Jewish tradition, the chatan and kallah do not see each other for the week leading up to the wedding.) The kallah looked radiant in her wedding dress, and I could sense her overwhelming joy as she anticipated the ceremony and lifelong commitment she was about to make.
During the kabbalat panim, the kallah posed for pictures with her family and friends.
The ceremony, which began at 7 p.m., was held in the picturesque courtyard of the temple. Surrounded by majestic trees, the ambiance awaiting the wedding guests was perfect.
Buttercup yellow is one of the hottest colors for summer weddings this year, as seen in this gorgeous arrangement.
According to tradition, the women were seated on the left side of the room and the men were seated on the right. The wedding ceremony began with the sound of a solo saxophone as the chatan was escorted to the chuppah by both parents. Following were the best man and maid of honor. Finally, the kallah was escorted to the chuppah by her parents.
Throughout the ceremony, the chatan and kallah observed many traditional Jewish customs, including the Kiddushin (blessings of betrothal), reading of the Ketubah (marriage contract), and the Sheva Brachot (Seven Blessings). I was especially moved when I saw the grandfather of the kallah walking toward the chuppah to give the First Blessing.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, the chatan smashed the glass placed on the floor to symbolize that even amid great joy and celebration, we must remember the sadness surrounding the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem. With shouts of "Mazel tov!" from the guests, the happy couple were wed!
Throughout the ceremony, the chatan and kallah observed many traditional Jewish customs, including the Kiddushin (blessings of betrothal), reading of the Ketubah (marriage contract), and the Sheva Brachot (Seven Blessings). I was especially moved when I saw the grandfather of the kallah walking toward the chuppah to give the First Blessing.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, the chatan smashed the glass placed on the floor to symbolize that even amid great joy and celebration, we must remember the sadness surrounding the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem. With shouts of "Mazel tov!" from the guests, the happy couple were wed!
We then proceeded upstairs to a beautiful ballroom, where the joyous reception was held. With over 160 guests in attendance, the atmosphere was quite festive. The men danced together on one side of the room, while the women danced on another. It was a great feeling to join hands with women I've never met and surround the radiant kallah with lively dance and celebration.
These centerpieces were lovely.
I love wedding cakes, and can still remember the one from my mom's second wedding when I was nine. Notice how this gorgeous white wedding cake surrounded by a wreath of green leaves so beautifully conveys simple elegance.
It was well into the night when we expressed our best wishes to the chatan and kallah and left Temple Beth Shmuel. As we walked away, I had to turn and take another picture. At night, the stained glass windows were lit and gave the temple a different appearance. It was as though even the temple glowed with the happiness of the newly-wed couple.
Congratulations to the chatan and kallah! We were honored to share in your celebration, and we wish you a lifetime of good health, prosperity, and everlasting love!
Congratulations to the chatan and kallah! We were honored to share in your celebration, and we wish you a lifetime of good health, prosperity, and everlasting love!