A Basic Jewish Style Wedding Ceremony
“The ceremony was enthusiastic, passionate, and full of love that our guests could feel and commented on afterwards.” Source: Eric- WEDDING WIRE
Opening
Shalom!!
We are gathered here today to celebrate one of life’s greatest moments, The Joining of 2 hearts. In this ceremony today we will witness the joining GROOM/BRIDE and GROOM/BRIDE in marriage.
If there is anyone present who has just cause why this couple should not be united….. Sussh!
Who escorts this man/woman to be married today (Optional)
Today we have come together to witness the joining of these two lives. For them, out of the routine of ordinary life, the extraordinary has happened. They met each other, fell in love and are finalizing it with their wedding Today. Romance is fun, but true love is something far more and it is their desire to love each other for life and that is what we are celebrating here today.
GROOM/BRIDE and GROOM/BRIDE, life is given to each of us as individuals, and yet we must learn to live together. Love is given to us by our family and friends – we learn to love by being loved. Learning to love and living together is one of the greatest challenges of life; and it is the shared goal of a married life.
But we also must remember that it is not humankind which created love, but God who created love.
Blessed art thou, O Lord God, creator of all things.
A good marriage must be created.
In marriage the “little” things are the big things.
It is never being too old to hold hands.
It is remembering to say, ”I love you” at least once a day.
It is never going to sleep angry.
It is standing together and facing the world.
It is speaking words of appreciation, and demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways.
It is having the capacity to forgive and forget.
It is giving each other an atmosphere in which each can grow.
It is a common search for the good and the beautiful.
It is not only marrying the right person — it is being the right partner
Wine Blessing
In this glass are the fruits of God, Humankind and Mother Earth. The years of our lives are like a cup of wine that is poured out for the sake of labor, honor and love. Many days you will sit at the same table and eat and drink together. Many are the experiences you will share. As with a glass of wine, one of you may find it sweet, the other perhaps dry or somehow different. Let the drink you share today serve as a reminder that although you may perceive things very differently, being right is never more important than being happy.
With this space that you give each other, always putting your commitment to love and honor one another first, your lives together will grow deeper, richer and greatly satisfying, like a rare and fine wine. Blessed art thou oh lord our god king of the universe who has created the fruit of the vine. You may now drink from this fountain of love.
VOWS (face each other and hold hands)(repeat after me)
I, GROOM/BRIDE take you GROOM/BRIDE to be my husband/wife, my partner in life and my one true love. I will cherish our friendship and love you today, tomorrow, and forever.
I will trust you and honor you
I will laugh with you and cry with you.
Through the best and the worst,
Through the difficult and the easy.
Whatever may come I will always be there.
As I have given you my hand to hold
So I give you my life to keep
I, GROOM/BRIDE take you GROOM/BRIDE to be my husband/wife, my partner in life and my one true love. I will cherish our friendship and love you today, tomorrow, and forever.
I will trust you and honor you
I will laugh with you and cry with you.
Through the best and the worst,
Through the difficult and the easy.
Whatever may come I will always be there.
As I have given you my hand to hold
So I give you my life to keep
Words of Wisdom
GROOM/BRIDE AND GROOM/BRIDE I would ask that you always treat yourself and each other with respect, and remind yourselves often of what brought you together today.
Give the highest priority to the tenderness, gentleness and kindness that your marriage deserves. When frustration and difficulty assail your marriage – as they do to every relationship at one time or another – focus on what still seems right between you, not only the part that seems wrong.
This way, when clouds of trouble hide the sun in your lives and you lose sight of it for a moment, you can remember that the sun is still there. And if each of you will take responsibility for the quality of your life together, it will be marked by abundance and happiness.
Benediction
May the groom/bride and groom/bride now receive the benediction –
“Blessed art Thou O Lord God, Ruler of the Universe, Creator of Man.
“Blessed art Thou O Lord God, Ruler of the Universe, Who hast fashioned us in Thine own image and who established marriage for the fulfillment and perpetuation of life in accordance with Thy holy purpose. “Blessed art Thou O Lord God, Creator of man.
“Blessed art Thou O Lord God, Ruler of the Universe, Who art the source of all gladness and joy. Through Thy grace we attain affection, companionship, love and peace. Grant that the love which unites this man and woman my grow in abiding happiness. May their family be ennobled through their devotion to the faith of Israel. May there be peace in their home, quietness and confidence in their hearts. May they be sustained by Thy comforting presence in the midst of our people and Thy promise of salvation of all mankind.
“Blessed art Thou O Lord God, Ruler of the Universe, Who dost unite this man and this woman in the holy joy of matrimony. Amen”
I Do’s
Do you GROOM/BRIDE take GROOM/BRIDE to be your husband/wife? (“I do”). Do you promise to love, cherish and protect him/her, whether in good fortune or in adversity, and to seek with him/her a life hallowed by the faith of Israel? (“I do”)
Do you GROOM/BRIDE take GROOM/BRIDE to be your husband/wife? (“I do”). Do you promise to love, cherish and protect him/her, whether in good fortune or in adversity, and to seek with him/her a life hallowed by the faith of Israel? (“I do”)
Ring Exchange (who has the rings) (repeat after me)
The ring is a symbol of the unbroken circle of love. Love freely given has no beginning and no end, no giver and no receiver for each is the giver and each is the receiver. May these rings always remind you of the vows you have taken.
I GROOM/BRIDE, take thee, GROOM/BRIDE to be my Husband/Wife- To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, in joy and sorrow, and I promise my love to you. And with this ring, I take you as my Husband/Wife, for as long as we both shall live according to the law of God / and the faith of Israel.”
I GROOM/BRIDE, take thee GROOM/BRIDE, to be my Husband/Wife. To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, in joy and sorrow, and I promise my love to you. And with this ring, I take you as my husband/wife, for as long as we both shall live according to the law of God / and the faith of Israel.”
7 Jewish blessings Sheva B’rachot
We praise You, Adonai our God, Ruler of the universe, Creator of the fruit of the vine.
We praise You, Adonai our God, Ruler of the universe, Creator of all things for Your glory.
We praise You, Adonai our God, Ruler of the universe, Creator of man and woman.
We praise You, Adonai our God, Ruler of the universe, who creates us to share with You in life’s everlasting renewal.
We praise You, Adonai our God, who causes Zion to rejoice in her children’s happy return.
We praise You, Adonai our God, who causes loving companions to rejoice. May these loving companions rejoice as have Your creatures since the days of Creation.
We praise You, Adonai our God, Ruler of the universe, Creator of joy and gladness, friends and lovers, love and kinship, peace and friendship. O God, may there always be heard in the cities of Israel and in the streets of Jerusalem: the sounds of joy and happiness, the voice of loving couples, the shouts of young people celebrating, and the songs of children at play. We praise you, Adonai our God, who causes lovers to rejoice together.
Silent Prayer
I ask you and all your dear ones to bow your heads in reverence. Silently pray that God will bless the home of GROOM/BRIDE and GROOM/BRIDE and that they each, and together, may achieve their highest hopes.
(After short pause)
“May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious unto you. May the Lord lift up his countenance unto to you, and give you peace. Amen”)
Closing Comments
To make your relationship work will take love. This is the core of your marriage and why you are here today.
It will take trust, to know, that in your hearts, you truly want what is best for each other.
It will take dedication, to stay open to one another – and to learn and grow together.
It will take faith, to go forward together, without knowing exactly what the future brings.
And it will take commitment, to hold true to the journey you both have pledged to today.
Crushing of the Glass
The final act of this ceremony is the shattering of the glass.
This old custom has many traditions, with many interpretations. At one time it was meant to scare off demons that frequent celebrations (or pesky wedding guests) Today, the fragility of the glass suggests the frailty of human relationships.
The groom/bride and groom/bride – and everyone –that they should consider these marriage vows as an IRREVOCABLE ACT. Just as permanent and final as the breaking of this glass is unchangeable. The glass is broken to protect this marriage with the implied prayer. ”May your bond of love be as difficult to break, as it would be to put back together these pieces of glass.”
Knowing that this marriage is permanent, the Groom/Bride and Groom/Bride should strive every day to show each other love and respect and happiness.
After GROOM/BRIDE breaks the glass, I invite everyone to shout the Hebrew words “Mazel Tov,” meaning “Good Luck” and “Congratulations.”
CRUSH TIME
By the power vested in me I now pronounce you . . . . . .
The Kiss
You may kiss your Groom/Bride.
I would like to introduce the happy couple
