A ketubah is a Jewish marriage contract, traditionally outlining the groom's obligations to the bride. Many modern versions are written in egalitarian language, and couples often commission artistic ketubot to display in their home after the wedding.

Do interfaith couples have Jewish weddings?

Yes. Many interfaith couples incorporate Jewish elements like a chuppah, ketubah, or glass-breaking into their ceremony, sometimes alongside traditions from a partner's own background, and often with an officiant experienced in interfaith ceremonies.

How does an Orthodox Jewish wedding differ from a Reform one?

Orthodox weddings generally follow Jewish law closely and may include separate seating for parts of the celebration, while Reform weddings tend to be more flexible, letting couples choose which traditional elements to include and how to interpret them.

What vendors should I book first for a Jewish wedding?

Most couples start with an officiant, since that choice shapes the structure and requirements of the rest of the ceremony. From there, a ketubah artist, caterer familiar with any kosher requirements, and musicians familiar with traditional wedding music are common early bookings.

Planning a Jewish Wedding: Traditions & Vendors

Q: Why do Jewish couples break a glass at the wedding?

Breaking a glass at the end of the ceremony is a widely recognized Jewish wedding tradition. Interpretations vary, from remembering the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem to symbolizing the seriousness and fragility of the commitment being made.

Quick answer: A Jewish wedding typically includes a few recognizable elements—a chuppah (wedding canopy), a ketubah (marriage contract), and breaking a glass at the end of the ceremony—but exactly how a wedding is structured varies widely across Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, Reconstructionist, and secular or interfaith Jewish couples. Planning starts with deciding, as a couple, which traditions feel meaningful to you, then finding officiants and vendors who can support that vision.

Jewish Weddings Look Different Across Movements—and That’s Normal

There’s no single template for a “Jewish wedding.” An Orthodox wedding might include separate seating during parts of the celebration and a strict adherence to Jewish law throughout; a Reform or secular Jewish wedding might keep a few symbolic traditions while otherwise looking like any modern wedding; interfaith couples often blend Jewish elements with those of a partner’s own background. All of these are Jewish weddings. The goal in planning is figuring out which pieces matter most to you as a couple, not following someone else’s checklist.

Core Traditions You’ll See Most Often

The Ketubah

The ketubah is a marriage contract, traditionally outlining the groom’s obligations to the bride, though many modern versions are written egalitarian, and some couples commission ketubot as artistic pieces to display in their home afterward. It’s typically signed before the ceremony and read aloud during it.

The Chuppah

The chuppah is a canopy, open on all sides, under which the ceremony takes place—symbolizing the new home the couple is building together. It can be as simple as a tallit (prayer shawl) held on poles or as elaborate as a custom floral structure.

Circling

In many ceremonies, one or both partners circle the other a set number of times before the vows—a custom interpreted differently depending on community and level of egalitarian practice.

The Seven Blessings (Sheva Brachot)

A set of traditional blessings recited under the chuppah, often divided among several honored guests. Many couples also hold additional Sheva Brachot celebrations on the days following the wedding.

Breaking the Glass

Perhaps the most widely recognized moment—the groom (or both partners, in many modern ceremonies) breaks a glass underfoot at the end of the ceremony, met with shouts of “Mazel Tov!” Interpretations vary, from remembering the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem to marking the fragility and seriousness of the commitment being made.

How Movements Approach the Ceremony Differently

Orthodox weddings follow Jewish law closely, typically require a kosher ketubah and a mesader kiddushin (officiating rabbi) knowledgeable in these requirements, and often separate men and women for some or all of the celebration.
Conservative weddings generally follow traditional structure with more flexibility, often egalitarian in language and roles.
Reform and Reconstructionist weddings tend to be the most flexible, with couples free to choose which traditional elements to include and how to interpret them.
Interfaith and secular ceremonies often incorporate Jewish symbols and traditions—a chuppah, glass-breaking—alongside elements from a partner’s background or entirely personalized vows, sometimes with a rabbi, cantor, or independent officiant comfortable performing interfaith ceremonies.

If you’re not sure which approach fits, talking to a few rabbis or officiants early in planning—even before booking one—can help clarify what’s possible and what each option involves.

Finding the Right Officiant

This is often the first and most important vendor decision, since it shapes everything else about the ceremony. Questions worth asking early:

Will they marry an interfaith couple, and under what conditions?
Are they comfortable co-officiating with clergy from another faith, if relevant?
What language and structure do they typically use for the ceremony?
Do they require premarital counseling or meetings beforehand?

Other Vendors to Think About

Ketubah artists, for a customized contract you’ll want to display for years afterward.
Caterers who can accommodate your kosher requirements, if any—ranging from fully kosher and glatt kosher to kosher-style to no restrictions at all.
Musicians familiar with traditional wedding music like the hora, alongside whatever else you want played.
Photographers and videographers experienced with Jewish ceremony structure, so key moments like the badeken (veiling) or glass-breaking aren’t missed.

Community recommendations are often the most reliable way to find vendors who understand Jewish wedding traditions well, especially in areas without a large Jewish population. It’s worth asking any vendor directly about their experience with Jewish ceremonies before booking, rather than assuming—some caterers and photographers work with Jewish couples regularly, while others may need more guidance on timing, ritual moments, or dietary requirements.

Budgeting and Timeline Basics

Jewish weddings can range from small, intimate ceremonies to large multi-day celebrations, and there’s no single “correct” scale. A few practical planning notes apply regardless of size: many couples sign the ketubah in a private moment shortly before the ceremony (sometimes called a bedeken or tisch), which needs to be factored into the day’s timeline; kosher catering, if you’re using it, often requires booking further in advance due to a smaller pool of certified caterers in some areas; and if your ceremony falls near a Jewish holiday or Shabbat, timing needs to work around when the ceremony and any signing of documents can take place.

Finding Support Through Your Community

Wherever you are in the planning process, your local Jewish community can be a real resource. Browsing local Jewish communities can connect you with rabbis, synagogues, and vendors experienced in exactly the kind of wedding you’re picturing, while Jewish events near you often include bridal fairs or communal celebrations worth attending for ideas and connections. If you’re planning to settle down together after the wedding, it’s worth browsing homes for sale or rentals near the community you want to build your life in. Couples on a tight budget can also look into community chessed resources, which in many areas include wedding gown gemachs (lending programs) and other wedding-related support. If you’re job-hunting as you relocate together, check local job listings, and if you’re a wedding vendor who works with Jewish couples, you can add your listing to reach engaged couples planning exactly this kind of celebration.

By the HeimishMart Community Desk — HeimishMart is the community marketplace for Jewish homes, jobs, and local life across North America.