Jewish Outdoor Weddings: Allowed Or Not?

Jewish weddings are steeped in rich traditions and rituals. While there are many laws and customs associated with the ceremony, there is no rule stating that it must be held in a synagogue. As long as the chuppah (a canopy symbolizing the couple's new home) is present and the ceremony is under a rabbi's supervision, it can be held anywhere. In fact, it is increasingly common for Jewish weddings to be held in reception halls, hotels, and outdoor venues. The only days on which weddings are prohibited are the Jewish Sabbath and major Jewish festivals such as the Day of Atonement or Jewish New Year.

The chuppah/huppah (wedding canopy) is required

The chuppah/huppah (wedding canopy) is an essential part of a Jewish wedding ceremony. It is a canopy with four open sides, symbolising the new home that the couple will create together. The chuppah is usually made of a square cloth, often silk, wool, velvet, or cotton, and supported by four poles. The poles can be free-standing or held by four men, usually friends of the couple.

The chuppah is rich in symbolism and steeped in history. In the biblical story, Abraham's tent had four entrances to welcome travellers, no matter which direction they came from. This tradition of hospitality is reflected in the open sides of the chuppah, symbolising the couple's involvement with their community, family, and friends. The canopy also represents the presence of God, offering protection and support to the newlyweds.

The chuppah is mentioned in the Bible in association with marriage: "As a bridegroom goes forth from his chuppah. Let the bridegroom proceed from his chamber and let the bride go forth from the chuppah." The appearance of the couple under the chuppah before their guests is a public proclamation of their union.

The chuppah is an integral part of a Jewish wedding, whether it takes place outdoors or indoors. In fact, it is preferable to have the ceremony outdoors, under the stars, symbolising the couple's hopes for a large family, in line with God's blessing to Abraham: "I will greatly bless you, and I will exceedingly multiply your children as the stars in heaven."

The ceremony must be supervised by a rabbi

The rabbi will also be involved in other rituals that take place in the weeks leading up to the wedding. For example, the rabbi will be present at the tena'im ceremony, which involves breaking a plate to symbolise the destruction of the temples in Jerusalem. The rabbi will also be present at the Ufruf ceremony, where the groom goes to the synagogue, takes an active part in the service, and announces his impending wedding to the congregation.

The rabbi will also be able to advise on the best day to hold the wedding. For example, weddings are forbidden on the Jewish Sabbath, which runs from sunset on Friday until sunset on Saturday, or on major Jewish festivals such as the Day of Atonement or Jewish New Year. The rabbi will also be able to advise on the best location for the wedding. While it is increasingly common to hold Jewish weddings in hotels and other venues, the rabbi may suggest holding the ceremony in the synagogue or on the synagogue grounds.

The ketubah (marriage contract) is signed before the ceremony

Jewish weddings can take place outside, as long as there is a rabbi present and a chuppah (representing the home the couple will make together). In fact, it is considered traditional for the ceremony to be held outdoors, under the sky.

The Ketubah Signing Ceremony

The ketubah is the Jewish marriage contract, a unilateral agreement drawn by witnesses in accordance with Jewish civil law. It is not a ceremonial document of scripture or prayer, but a statement of law that provides the framework for love. It is written in Aramaic, the technical legal language of Talmudic law, rather than Hebrew.

The ketubah outlines the groom's responsibilities in relation to the bride, including providing her with food, clothing, and conjugal rights. It also includes the husband's guarantees to pay a certain sum in the event of divorce and inheritance rights if he dies before his wife.

The ketubah is signed before the wedding ceremony in a private room attended by the officiant, the wedding couple, the witnesses, close family, and possibly a few dear friends. The witnesses must be halakhically valid and so cannot be blood relatives of the couple. In Orthodox Judaism, women are also not considered valid witnesses.

In an Orthodox wedding, the bride and groom do not sign the ketubah under the Aramaic text, although they may sign under the English text. In non-Orthodox weddings, the rules change, and the bride and groom can sign their Hebrew and English names.

The ketubah is then read out loud under the chuppah during the wedding ceremony and handed to the bride or her mother for safekeeping.

The groom gives the bride a ring

Jewish weddings can take place outside, as long as the huppah (or chuppah), representing the home the couple will make together, is present and the ceremony is under the supervision of a rabbi.

The wedding ring is a major part of a Jewish wedding ceremony. The groom gives the bride a ring, which is traditionally a plain wedding band, made of solid metal with no gemstones or other embellishments. The ring is placed on the bride's right index finger, though some brides move it to their left hand after the ceremony to follow modern Western custom. The groom recites the following declaration:

> Behold, you are consecrated to me with this ring according to the law of Moses and Israel.

The ring is an ancient symbol of the bride price, or money given to the bride by the groom. However, the groom is not buying the bride or owning her; rather, he is giving her something of monetary value, and she is accepting him by accepting the ring. The bride is agreeing to exclusive intimacy with her groom, and no one else. The ring must have some monetary value, though it can be very small, to ensure there are no financial barriers to marriage.

The ring is also a symbol of the purity and honesty that should exist in a relationship. The circle of the ring is a symbol of the equality of all people, and the hope for a beautiful, perfect marriage.

The groom breaks a glass

Jewish weddings can take place anywhere, as long as the ceremony is supervised by a rabbi and the huppah (representing the home the couple will make together) is present. In ancient times, Jewish weddings were sometimes held in the home of the groom or the bride, or in a courtyard. Nowadays, it is common for Jewish weddings to be held in reception halls, hotels, and outdoor venues.

Breaking a glass is one of the most well-known and memorable Jewish wedding traditions. The glass, usually wrapped in a cloth or napkin, is placed on the floor in front of the groom, who then smashes it. This act of breaking the glass symbolises several things. Firstly, it is a reminder of the destruction faced by Jewish people and the suffering they have endured throughout history. Secondly, it represents the idea that a marriage is not about material goods but about the commitment between two people. Additionally, the breaking of the glass can be seen as a way to transfer any potential cracks or flaws in the relationship onto the glass, ensuring that the relationship remains seamless and strong. Finally, the loud noise created by breaking the glass is believed to ward off demons and evil spirits that may be attracted to the happy couple.

The breaking of the glass is often followed by shouts of "Mazal Tov" or "Mazel tov" from the guests, marking the start of the celebration. Many couples choose to have something made from the broken glass shards, such as a decorative mosaic or artwork, to display in their marital home.

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