A Jewish wedding is one of the most joyful, meaningful, and layered celebrations in the world. Far more than just a party, it’s a sacred ceremony woven together from thousands of years of tradition, symbolism, and community.
Whether you’re planning your own big day, attending a Jewish wedding for the first time, or simply curious about the customs, this guide walks you through every tradition — from the weeks before the chuppah to the last dance of the night.
If you’re planning a wedding in Israel, you’ll also want to think practically: finding the right wedding halls in Jerusalem, budgeting carefully, and making sure the magic of your day is captured forever. But first — let’s dive into the traditions that make a Jewish wedding so special.
Before the Wedding Day
1. Shidduch (Matchmaking)
In traditional communities, the journey to the chuppah often begins with a shidduch — a formal matchmaking process facilitated by a shadchan (matchmaker). Even in modern times, many Jewish families still honor this custom in some form.
2. L’Chaim / Vort (Engagement Party)
Once a couple decides to marry, family and friends gather for a celebratory l’chaim (“to life!”) or vort (Yiddish for “word” — referring to the couple giving their word to one another). This joyful gathering marks the official beginning of wedding preparations.
3. Aufruf (Groom’s Torah Aliyah)
On the Shabbat before the wedding, the groom is called up to the Torah for an aliyah (a blessing recited during the Torah reading). After he finishes, the congregation showers him with candy — symbolizing the sweetness of married life ahead. In egalitarian communities, both the bride and groom are honored together.
4. Mikveh (Ritual Immersion)
Before the wedding, both the bride and — in many communities — the groom immerse in a mikveh, a ritual bath. For the bride in particular, this is a deeply personal and spiritually significant moment of transition and purity.
Jewish Wedding Day Traditions
5. Tisch (Groom’s Table)
On the wedding day, the groom holds a tisch (“table” in Yiddish), a pre-ceremony gathering where he sits with the men, attempts to speak words of Torah, and is gleefully interrupted by singing and jokes. It’s chaotic, warm, and a beloved Ashkenazi tradition.
6. Kabbalat Panim (Bride’s Reception)
While the tisch is happening, the bride holds her own reception — the kabbalat panim. She sits regally, often on a throne-like chair, receiving guests and blessings before the ceremony begins.
7. Badeken (Veiling the Bride)
One of the most emotionally powerful moments of the day: the groom, accompanied by music and celebration, walks to the bride and lowers her veil over her face. This recalls the biblical story of Jacob, who was tricked because he could not see his bride’s face — so the groom now confirms he knows exactly who he is marrying. Tears are common. Tissues are recommended.
The Ceremony
8. The Chuppah (Wedding Canopy)
The chuppah is the defining image of a Jewish wedding — a canopy held up by four poles, under which the couple stands to be married. It symbolizes the new home they are building together: open on all sides to welcome guests, family, and community.
9. Circling (Hakafot)
Traditionally, the bride circles the groom seven times under the chuppah. The number seven echoes the seven days of creation and the seven wedding blessings. In egalitarian ceremonies, couples often circle each other.
10. Kiddushin (Betrothal)
The formal act of marriage begins with kiddushin. The rabbi recites a blessing over wine, both the bride and groom sip from the cup, and the groom places a plain gold ring on the bride’s index finger, declaring: “Harei at mekudeshet li b’taba’at zo k’dat Moshe v’Yisrael” — “Behold, you are sanctified to me with this ring according to the law of Moses and Israel.”
11. Ketubah (Marriage Contract)
The ketubah is a beautifully decorated Jewish marriage contract that outlines the groom’s obligations to his wife. It is read aloud during the ceremony and signed beforehand by two witnesses. Many couples today commission stunning works of art as their ketubah, which they frame and hang in their home.
12. Sheva Brachot (Seven Blessings)
Seven blessings — the sheva brachot — are chanted or sung over a cup of wine by honored guests or the rabbi. They praise God, celebrate creation, and invoke joy for the new couple. These same blessings are repeated each night for seven days after the wedding.
13. Breaking the Glass
The ceremony ends with one of the most iconic moments in Jewish life: the groom stomps on a glass, shattering it beneath his foot. The crowd erupts: “Mazel tov!” The broken glass is a reminder of the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem and teaches us that even in our greatest joy, we remember sorrow — and that marriage, like glass, must be handled with care.
The Celebration
14. Yichud (Seclusion)
Immediately after the ceremony, the couple retreats to a private room for a few minutes of yichud — seclusion. This is their first moment alone as a married couple, often used to share a quiet meal (since many couples fast on their wedding day).
15. The Seudah (Wedding Feast)
The celebration continues with a festive meal — the seudah — featuring food, wine, and endless dancing. In Israel especially, weddings are big, vibrant affairs. Curious about how to budget for it all? Check out this helpful breakdown of how much the average wedding costs in Israel.
16. Hora and Chair Dancing
No Jewish wedding is complete without the hora — an energetic circle dance where guests link arms and spin together in joyful abandon. The highlight? The couple is hoisted into the air on chairs while holding the ends of a handkerchief, looking simultaneously thrilled and terrified.
17. Separate Dancing (in Traditional Weddings)
In Orthodox celebrations, men and women dance in separate sections, divided by a mechitza (partition). Both sides are equally energetic — often more so.
18. The Seven Days of Celebration (Sheva Brachot Week)
The celebration doesn’t end after the wedding night. For seven days, friends and family host festive meals in the couple’s honor. At each meal, the sheva brachot are recited again, keeping the joy alive all week long.
Capturing the Magic
With so many deeply meaningful moments — the badeken, the chuppah, the breaking of the glass, the hora — a Jewish wedding is a visual feast of emotion and tradition. That’s why having the right professional behind the camera matters so much.
Whether you’re looking for a skilled Jewish wedding videographer who understands the rhythm of the ceremony, or searching for an experienced wedding videographer in Israel who knows how to capture the energy of an Israeli celebration, investing in great documentation of your day means reliving every one of these traditions for decades to come.
The Final TLDR on Jewish Wedding Traditions:
A Jewish wedding is a tapestry of history, faith, family, and pure joy. Each tradition carries centuries of meaning, and together they create an experience unlike any other. Whether you’re keeping every custom or weaving select traditions into a more modern celebration, the beauty of a Jewish wedding lies in this timeless thread connecting every couple to every generation before them.
Mazel tov — may your celebration be joyful, your home be full of love, and your memories last a lifetime.
Founder of LiveStreamSimcha – Reach out with any questions regarding livestreaming your simcha in Israel!
Akiva Tepperman is a professional Jewish videographer and livestream specialist working in Israel since 2014. His team provides high-quality live streaming and video coverage for simchas and events of all kinds, from weddings and bar/bat mitzvahs to brit milahs and corporate broadcasts.