Tip Tuesday: Religious Traditions – Stein Eriksen Lodge Jewish Wedding Ceremony

Make your ceremony special and personal by using traditions from your heritage. One of our clients who was recently married at Stein Eriksen Lodge in Park City, immigrated to the United States from Russia as a young girl. She married her groom in a traditional Jewish ceremony. First, they signed the Ketubah prior to the ceremony. The Ketubah is a Jewish marriage contract and is considered an integral part of a traditional Jewish marriage. Then the brides’ brother, sister-in-law and cousins carried the chuppah down the aisle. A Jewish chuppah consists of a cloth supported over four poles, or sometimes carried by attendants to the ceremony. The couple is married under the chuppah. The Jewish chuppah symbolizes a home the couple will build together and it is a great honor to carry the chuppah. The ceremony began on the Plaza Terrace at Stein Eriksen Lodge with the bride circling the groom seven times representing the seven Jewish wedding blessings and seven days of creation. This groom also chose to circle his bride seven times symbolizing their equality as partners in the marriage.  At the conclusion of the ceremony, a glass was placed beneath the groom’s foot as he stomped the glass. The breaking of the glass has many different meanings, but one interpretation is that the marriage will last as long as the glass is broken—forever. All the guests shouted “Mazel Tov”, which means good luck in Hebrew.

Consider personalizing your ceremony and research your heritage for unique ideas. Many German couples use a two-handed saw and saw a log in half together after exiting the church, to symbolize that they can get through tough problems as one.  Ask your grandparents for special mementos. One bride read a letter her grandfather had written her grandmother while they were engaged and he was serving in World War II to her groom. Many cultures have poems or letters on love and marriage that can serve as readings during your ceremony. Investigate Native American or Indian poetry for alternatives to the standard ceremony readings.  Many of these readings are available online or stop by Soiree Productions Wedding Planning Studio and browse our library.  We have many books and reference materials available to assist you with these types of things.  Take advantage of our complimentary one hour consultation and we’ll help you with your details.  To assist you better, we ask that you make an appointment by calling us at (435) 655-2943 and let us know the best day and time that work for you.  We are open Tuesday-Saturday from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm.  It is always our pleasure to assist you to ensure your wedding is exactly as you wish!

Design & Decor: Soiree Productions
Floral: Orchid Dynasty
Photography: Bruce Gardner
Ceremony Music:  Michael Lucarelli
Venue: Stein Eriksen Lodge – Plaza Terrace