A Guide To The Duration Of Jewish Orthodox Weddings

Jewish Orthodox weddings are often quite short, lasting no more than 20 minutes. The ceremony involves prayers and blessings, a few songs, and someone saying a few words of Torah. The meal and dancing part of the wedding will then occur. Some people stay for all four parts, others for just the second or third, and still others come for just the fourth.

Engagement lasts 6 months to a year

Engagement in Jewish Orthodox weddings can last approximately six months to a year. In some cases, the couple does not meet at all during the engagement period.

The wedding ceremony itself is quite short, often lasting no more than 20 minutes. It typically involves prayers and blessings, a few songs, and a brief Torah reading. The groom then steps on and breaks a glass, marking the end of the ceremony.

After the ceremony, the bride and groom retreat into seclusion for a few minutes, during which an appetizer course is served to the guests. The wedding then continues with a reception, dinner, and dancing. The duration of these activities can vary, but a room is often rented for 4-5 hours to accommodate the celebration.

The engagement period and the wedding ceremony are just a part of the overall wedding experience in Jewish Orthodox traditions. The specific customs and rituals can vary based on community and cultural practices.

It's worth noting that the length of a Jewish Orthodox wedding can range from 3 to 6 hours or even longer. Some people stay for all the different parts of the wedding, while others may attend only some of the events. The flexibility in timing allows guests to participate according to their own schedules and preferences.

Ceremony lasts 20 minutes

Jewish wedding ceremonies are often quite short, often no more than 20 minutes. Some prayers and blessings will be said, a couple of songs will be sung, and someone might say a few words of Torah. Then the groom will step on and break a glass and that will be it. You don't have to do anything in particular during this time. Just sit and watch. Finally, the meal and dancing part of the wedding will occur. The bride and groom will be in seclusion for a few minutes together during which time an appetizer course is often served to the guests. The ceremony is followed by a reception, usually held in two separate rooms, one each for men and women. Light refreshments are often served, the groom will repeat a maamar and the tenaim are read. A room is often rented for 4-5 hours so maybe that is a good number. or 1 hour for the shmorg, 1 for the entire chupah and 2-3 for the meal/dancing? But some weddings are structured differently so there can't be a universal answer.

Chabad wedding lasts 3 to 6 hours

A Chabad wedding can last between 3 and 6 hours, and occasionally more. You are not required to stay all the way. There are four main parts to the wedding: Kabbalas Panim, Chupa, dinner, and dancing. Some people stay for all four, others, for just the second or third, and still others come for just the fourth. From start to finish, a wedding can run from 3 to 6 hours. Generally, family and close friends stick it all the way out, while others (especially those with children) often leave earlier. There are exceptions to both, and you're unlikely to offend anyone either way.

The Chabad wedding starts with a reception called Kabbalat panim. It is usually held in two separate rooms, one each for men and women. Light refreshments are often served, the groom will repeat a maamar and the tenaim are read.

The second part of the Chabad wedding is the Chupa. The Chupa is the ceremony itself. It is quite short and often no more than 20 minutes or so. Some prayers and blessings will be said, a couple of songs will be sung, and someone might say a few words of Torah. Then the groom will step on and break a glass and that will be it. You don't have to do anything in particular during this time. Just sit and watch. Finally, the meal and dancing part of the wedding will occur.

The third part of the Chabad wedding is the dinner. The bride and groom will be in seclusion for a few minutes together during which time an appetizer course is often served to the guests.

The fourth and final part of the Chabad wedding is the dancing. The meal and dancing part of the wedding will occur.

Meal and dancing lasts 2 to 3 hours

Jewish wedding ceremonies are quite short, often no more than 20 minutes. Some prayers and blessings will be said, a couple of songs will be sung, and someone might say a few words of Torah. Then the groom will step on and break a glass and that will be it. You don't have to do anything in particular during this time. Just sit and watch. Finally, the meal and dancing part of the wedding will occur. The bride and groom will be in seclusion for a few minutes together during which time an appetizer course is often served to the guests. The meal and dancing can last 2 to 3 hours. A room is often rented for 4-5 hours so maybe that is a good number. A Chabad wedding can last between 3 and 6 hours, and occasionally more. There are four main parts to the wedding: Kabbalas Panim, Chupa, dinner, and dancing. Some people stay for all four, others, for just the second or third, and still others come for just the fourth. From start to finish, a wedding can run from 3 to 6 hours. Generally, family and close friends stick it all the way out, while others (especially those with children) often leave earlier. There are exceptions to both, and you're unlikely to offend anyone either way.

Community and culture vary wedding structure

The bride and groom will be in seclusion for a few minutes together during which time an appetizer course is often served to the guests. A room is often rented for 4-5 hours so maybe that is a good number. or 1 hour for the shmorg, 1 for the entire chupah and 2-3 for the meal/dancing? But some weddings are structured differently so there can't be a universal answer.

A Chabad wedding can last between 3 and 6 hours, and occasionally more. You are not required to stay all the way. There are four main parts to the wedding.

Kabbalas Panim, Chupa, dinner, and dancing. Some people stay for all four, others, for just the second or third, and still others come for just the fourth. From start to finish, a wedding can run from 3 to 6 hours. Generally, family and close friends stick it all the way out, while others (especially those with children) often leave earlier. There are exceptions to both, and you're unlikely to offend anyone either way. Kabbalas Panim is the reception. Usually held in two separate rooms, one each for men and women. Light refreshments are often served, the groom will repeat a maamar and the tenaim are read.

In some extremely-Orthodox Jews, the tradition is to not meet at all during the engagement (the engagement will last for approximately six months to a year).

Frequently asked questions