Jewish weddings are filled with traditions that can be joyful, emotional and deeply symbolic. From standing beneath the chuppah and signing the ketubah to drinking wine, reciting the Seven Blessings and breaking a glass, many Jewish wedding customs have been passed from one generation to the next for centuries.

And then, of course, there is the dancing.

For Jewish-Australian couples, these traditions can provide an important connection with family, faith and heritage. A couple getting married in Melbourne today might have a traditional Jewish ceremony beneath a chuppah followed by a thoroughly contemporary Australian wedding reception.

But there isn’t one single type of Jewish wedding.

Jewish wedding traditions can vary according to religious observance, denomination, family history and cultural background. An Orthodox Ashkenazi wedding may look quite different from a Progressive Jewish wedding or a celebration incorporating Sephardi or Mizrahi traditions.

Some couples observe almost every traditional ritual. Others choose just a few customs that have particular meaning to them.

So, what actually happens at a Jewish wedding?

Here are some of the best-known Jewish wedding traditions, what they mean and how couples incorporate them into modern Jewish-Australian weddings.

What Are Traditional Jewish Wedding Traditions?

A traditional Jewish wedding brings together religious ritual, family, community and celebration.

Depending on the couple’s tradition, the wedding may include the signing of a ketubah, the bedeken or veiling of the bride, a ceremony beneath the chuppah, blessings over wine, the giving of a ring, the Sheva Brachot or Seven Blessings, breaking a glass and a period of private time known as yichud.

The reception may then include a blessing over bread, a festive meal, speeches, energetic Jewish dancing and further recitation of the Seven Blessings.

Some of these customs have deep religious significance, while others vary considerably between Jewish communities.

Jewish Wedding Traditions at a Glance

Jewish wedding tradition	What it means
Ketubah	Jewish marriage document setting out marital commitments
Bedeken	Traditional veiling ceremony before the wedding
Chuppah	Wedding canopy beneath which the couple marries
Kiddushin	Betrothal or consecration component of the Jewish marriage ceremony
Wedding ring	Central element of the traditional Jewish marriage ceremony
Sheva Brachot	Seven wedding blessings
Wine	Used during blessings within the ceremony
Breaking the glass	One of the most recognisable Jewish wedding customs
Mazel tov	Traditional expression of congratulations
Yichud	Private time for the couple immediately after the ceremony
Challah	Braided bread often associated with the festive wedding meal
Hora and Jewish dancing	Energetic celebration involving family and guests
Birkat Hamazon	Grace after meals, which can form part of traditional wedding celebrations

1. The Ketubah

One of the most important elements of a traditional Jewish wedding is the ketubah, or Jewish marriage document.

The ketubah has a long history within Jewish marriage and traditionally sets out the husband’s obligations towards his wife.

In contemporary Jewish communities, ketubah texts can vary considerably.

Traditional Orthodox couples generally use a traditional Aramaic text, while Progressive, Conservative/Masorti and other Jewish couples may use versions reflecting their own religious practices and commitments.

Some contemporary ketubot contain mutual commitments made by both partners.

The signing usually takes place before the main wedding ceremony in the presence of witnesses.

But the ketubah isn’t simply paperwork.

Many modern ketubot are beautifully designed works of art incorporating Hebrew calligraphy, illustration and personalised elements.

After the wedding, couples often frame their ketubah and display it in their home.

That means a document with ancient origins can also become one of the most personal keepsakes from the wedding day.

2. The Bedeken: Veiling the Bride

In many traditional Ashkenazi Jewish weddings, the ceremony is preceded by the bedeken, or veiling of the bride.

The groom approaches the bride and places or lowers the veil over her face.

The custom is traditionally associated with the biblical story of Jacob, who expected to marry Rachel but discovered that he had instead been married to her sister Leah.

The bedeken is therefore often interpreted as the groom symbolically confirming the identity of his bride before the marriage.

There are other interpretations surrounding modesty and the idea that marriage is based on qualities beyond physical appearance.

Not every Jewish wedding includes a bedeken, and the way it is performed varies between communities.

Where it is included, it can be an intimate and emotional moment before the public ceremony begins.

3. The Chuppah

Perhaps the most recognisable visual symbol of a Jewish wedding is the chuppah.

The chuppah is the wedding canopy beneath which the couple stands during the ceremony.

Traditionally, it represents the home the couple will build together.

Its open sides are also commonly associated with hospitality and openness to family, friends and community.

A chuppah can be remarkably simple.

It may consist of fabric supported by four poles.

Modern couples often turn it into one of the most beautiful visual features of the wedding, decorating it with flowers, greenery or meaningful family textiles.

Some couples use a family tallit or another fabric with personal significance.

For Jewish-Australian weddings, a chuppah also offers enormous flexibility.

It can stand inside a synagogue, in a ballroom, in a garden, beside the beach or at a contemporary Melbourne wedding venue.

The surroundings change.

The symbolism remains.

4. Circling Beneath the Chuppah

At some traditional Jewish weddings, the bride circles the groom beneath the chuppah.

Seven circles are particularly associated with Ashkenazi Orthodox tradition, although customs vary.

There are several interpretations of the practice, including the creation of a symbolic new family space and associations with the number seven within Jewish tradition.

Modern couples sometimes adapt the custom.

In some egalitarian Jewish weddings, the partners may circle one another rather than having only the bride circle the groom.

Other couples omit the practice entirely.

This is a good example of how an old Jewish wedding tradition can be interpreted differently across contemporary Jewish communities.

 

5. Kiddushin and the Wedding Ring

The traditional Jewish marriage ceremony includes Kiddushin, sometimes translated as betrothal or consecration.

The giving of the wedding ring is central to this part of the traditional ceremony.

In an Orthodox ceremony, the groom traditionally places a ring on the bride’s right index finger while reciting the marriage formula.

The ring is traditionally simple and without stones or interruptions, although customs vary.

After the ceremony, the bride may move the ring to another finger.

In egalitarian Jewish ceremonies, both partners may exchange rings.

Again, the exact practice depends on the couple’s Jewish community and religious approach.

What can look like a relatively simple exchange therefore carries substantial legal and religious significance within Jewish tradition.

6. Wine and the Wedding Ceremony

Wine plays an important role in many Jewish religious celebrations, and weddings are no exception.

Blessings over wine are recited during the marriage ceremony, and the couple drinks from a cup.

Wine is traditionally associated with joy and sanctification within Jewish life.

Its presence at a wedding therefore connects the marriage celebration with a much broader pattern of Jewish ritual and family life.

For couples who don’t drink alcohol, grape juice may sometimes be used depending on religious practice and guidance.

The important element is the blessing and symbolism rather than the alcohol itself.

7. Sheva Brachot: The Seven Blessings

One of the most beautiful parts of a traditional Jewish wedding is the Sheva Brachot, meaning Seven Blessings.

The blessings are recited beneath the chuppah over a cup of wine.

They speak about creation, humanity, joy, the couple and the hope for happiness within marriage and the wider community.

Different people may be honoured with reciting individual blessings, depending on the couple’s religious tradition.

This provides an opportunity to involve relatives, rabbis or respected members of the community in the ceremony.

The Seven Blessings don’t necessarily end at the chuppah.

In traditional Jewish practice, they may also be recited during festive meals following the wedding, subject to the requirements of the particular tradition.

8. Breaking the Glass

If there’s one Jewish wedding tradition almost everyone recognises, it’s breaking the glass.

Near the end of the ceremony, a glass is traditionally placed on the ground and broken underfoot.

And immediately afterwards you’ll usually hear:

“Mazel tov!”

There are several interpretations of the broken glass.

The most widely recognised connects it with remembrance of the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem, introducing a moment of historical memory even during an occasion of enormous happiness.

Other interpretations focus on the fragility of life and relationships or the permanence of marriage.

The important point is that it isn’t simply a fun way to finish the ceremony.

It has deep cultural and religious associations.

Modern couples sometimes save the broken glass and have the pieces incorporated into artwork, a mezuzah or another wedding keepsake.

9. What Does Mazel Tov Mean?

Immediately after the glass breaks, guests commonly call out “Mazel tov!”

It’s often translated simply as “congratulations”.

That works perfectly well in everyday use, although the phrase literally relates more closely to good fortune.

At a Jewish wedding, there’s no need to overthink it.

The glass breaks.

Everyone shouts “Mazel tov!”

The couple is married.

And the celebration begins.

10. Yichud: A Private Moment After the Ceremony

After the ceremony, some Jewish couples observe yichud, a short period in which the newly married couple spends time privately together.

At a traditional Orthodox wedding, yichud has specific religious significance.

For other couples, it may simply provide a welcome opportunity to spend a few quiet minutes together before joining the reception.

And after months of planning, hundreds of decisions, family photographs and an emotionally intense ceremony, ten minutes alone can feel surprisingly luxurious.

Some couples also use this time to eat something before the reception begins.

Which may be one of the most practical wedding traditions ever invented.

11. The Jewish Wedding Feast

Food is an important part of Jewish celebration, and a wedding traditionally includes a seudat mitzvah, or festive meal associated with the mitzvah of marriage.

The exact menu varies enormously.

Ashkenazi, Sephardi and Mizrahi Jewish food traditions can be completely different.

A Jewish-Australian wedding might serve traditional dishes, contemporary restaurant-style food or a mixture of both.

At an Orthodox or traditionally observant wedding, kashrut, or Jewish dietary law, can be particularly important.

Couples may require kosher catering, kosher-certified ingredients and appropriate food preparation and service.

For less observant couples, dietary practices can vary considerably.

As with so many Jewish wedding traditions, it’s better not to assume.

12. Challah and Blessings Over the Meal

Bread has an important place in Jewish meals, and challah, the familiar braided bread, may appear at a Jewish wedding reception.

A blessing over bread, Hamotzi, may be recited before the meal.

At the conclusion of a traditional festive meal, Birkat Hamazon, or Grace After Meals, may also be recited.

At a traditional Jewish wedding, the Seven Blessings can be incorporated following Birkat Hamazon when the relevant religious requirements are met.

For guests unfamiliar with Jewish weddings, these rituals demonstrate that the religious elements of the celebration don’t necessarily finish when everyone leaves the chuppah.

The wedding feast itself can have religious significance.

 

13. Jewish Wedding Dancing

Then things can become considerably less quiet.

Dancing is a major feature of many Jewish wedding receptions.

Traditional Jewish wedding dancing is energetic, communal and designed to celebrate the bride and groom.

Guests may dance in circles around the couple, join hands and move together as the music becomes progressively more energetic.

At Orthodox weddings, men and women may dance separately in accordance with religious practice.

At Progressive, secular and many other Jewish weddings, everyone may dance together.

Either way, standing quietly beside the dance floor may become increasingly difficult.

Someone will probably find you.

And bring you in.

14. The Hora and Chair Dance

One of the best-known Jewish wedding dances is commonly referred to as the Hora.

Guests form a circle and dance together to traditional Jewish or Israeli music.

At many weddings, the bride and groom are lifted into the air on chairs while guests continue dancing around them.

The couple may each hold onto opposite ends of a handkerchief or napkin while being carried above the crowd.

It is joyful.

It is energetic.

And from the couple’s perspective, it can probably feel considerably higher than it looks from the ground.

Although the chair dance has become strongly associated with Jewish weddings in popular culture, dancing traditions vary across Jewish communities.

Still, at many Jewish-Australian weddings, it can be one of the most memorable moments of the reception.

15. Honouring and Entertaining the Couple

Jewish tradition places importance on bringing joy to a bride and groom.

That idea can help explain the extraordinary energy of some Jewish wedding celebrations.

Guests aren’t simply spectators.

They’re participants.

Friends may perform dances, organise entertaining routines or find creative ways to make the newlyweds laugh.

At some traditional weddings, guests may perform shtick, playful entertainment designed specifically for the couple.

The objective isn’t polished performance.

It’s joy.

That creates a very different atmosphere from a wedding where guests spend most of the evening sitting at assigned tables.

At a lively Jewish wedding, participation is part of the celebration.

Ashkenazi, Sephardi and Mizrahi Jewish Wedding Traditions

Jewish communities have lived across many different parts of the world for centuries, and that history has created an extraordinary range of wedding customs.

Ashkenazi Jewish traditions developed primarily among Jewish communities in Central and Eastern Europe.

Sephardi traditions have roots in the Jewish communities of Spain and Portugal and their descendants across North Africa, the Mediterranean and Middle East.

Mizrahi Jewish communities developed throughout the Middle East and surrounding regions.

These broad categories themselves contain enormous diversity.

Music, food, clothing, pre-wedding celebrations and ceremony customs can all vary.

Some Sephardi and Mizrahi communities, for example, have traditions involving henna celebrations before the wedding.

That’s why it can be misleading to describe something simply as “a Jewish wedding tradition” without acknowledging where it came from.

For couples, family history is often the best guide.

Orthodox Jewish Wedding Traditions

Orthodox Jewish weddings generally follow traditional Jewish religious law and established marriage rituals.

The ketubah, Kiddushin, chuppah, ring, Sheva Brachot and yichud can all have specific halachic significance.

Men and women may be seated or dance separately depending on the community.

The wedding meal will generally follow kosher dietary requirements.

There can also be customs relating to fasting by the bride and groom before the wedding, prayer and preparation for marriage.

Even within Orthodox Judaism, however, customs differ between communities.

Progressive and Contemporary Jewish Weddings

Progressive, Reform, Liberal, Conservative/Masorti and other Jewish communities may adapt traditional wedding rituals in different ways.

Ceremonies may be more explicitly egalitarian.

Both partners might exchange rings.

The ketubah may contain mutual commitments.

Both sets of parents may participate in the ceremony.

Same-sex Jewish couples may incorporate traditional elements such as a chuppah, ketubah, Seven Blessings and breaking the glass into their wedding.

Some couples create ceremonies that are strongly religious.

Others identify culturally as Jewish and incorporate selected traditions without following a traditional religious service.

There is considerable diversity within contemporary Jewish weddings.

Jewish Wedding Traditions in Australia

Australia’s Jewish community includes families with roots across Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, Israel and many other parts of the world.

Melbourne in particular has a substantial and diverse Jewish community.

As a result, a Jewish wedding in Melbourne can take many forms.

One couple might marry in an Orthodox synagogue and have a fully kosher reception.

Another may marry beneath a chuppah at a contemporary Melbourne wedding venue with a Progressive rabbi.

Another couple may have a largely secular wedding while still signing a ketubah, breaking a glass and dancing the Hora because those traditions remain important to their family identity.

Australian Jewish weddings can also bring together different cultural backgrounds.

An Ashkenazi and Sephardi couple may combine family traditions.

A Jewish partner marrying someone from another cultural or religious background may incorporate customs from both families.

There isn’t one correct formula.

The traditions should reflect the couple themselves.

Planning a Jewish Wedding in Melbourne

If you’re planning a Jewish wedding in Melbourne, there are some practical considerations worth discussing with your venue early.

If you’re having a traditional Jewish ceremony, you’ll need appropriate space for the chuppah.

Kosher catering may be essential depending on your level of religious observance, so establish whether the venue permits specialist kosher caterers and what kitchen arrangements are available.

Orthodox couples may have additional requirements relating to food service, dancing and the timing of the wedding.

The Jewish calendar can also affect wedding dates, particularly around Shabbat, festivals and certain periods when traditional Jewish weddings aren’t held.

Rather than assuming a venue understands these requirements, discuss them clearly before booking.

A venue experienced with Jewish weddings can make the planning process considerably easier.

Which Jewish Wedding Traditions Are Still Practised Today?

Many Jewish wedding traditions have survived remarkably well.

The chuppah remains one of the most recognisable elements.

Ketubah signing, wine, wedding rings, Seven Blessings and breaking the glass continue to feature in many religious Jewish weddings.

Jewish dancing remains enormously popular.

Other traditions depend more heavily on religious denomination, cultural background and individual family practice.

Some couples follow a traditional ceremony very closely.

Others take a small number of traditions and incorporate them into an otherwise contemporary wedding.

Both approaches can create a meaningful connection with Jewish heritage.

How to Include Jewish Traditions in a Modern Wedding

If you’re planning a Jewish or Jewish-Australian wedding, start with the traditions that have meaning to you and your family.

Speak with your parents and grandparents.

Ask about their weddings.

Find out where your family came from and which traditions they followed.

Talk to your rabbi or celebrant about the religious elements of the ceremony.

You may decide you want a traditional ketubah and chuppah but a contemporary reception.

Perhaps your family has a particular Kiddush cup you’d like to use beneath the chuppah.

Maybe you want to use a grandparent’s tallit as part of the wedding canopy.

You might want a huge Hora.

Or perhaps breaking the glass is the one Jewish wedding tradition you have always imagined including.

The important thing isn’t how many traditions you include.

It’s whether they mean something when you do.

Planning a multicultural wedding in Melbourne?

Cultural traditions become particularly interesting when two families come together. Our Multicultural Weddings in Melbourne Guide explores how to combine ceremonies, food, music, family traditions and religious requirements while making both families feel genuinely represented.

Frequently Asked Questions About Jewish Weddings

What are the main Jewish wedding traditions?

Common Jewish wedding traditions include signing a ketubah, marrying beneath a chuppah, blessings over wine, exchanging a wedding ring, reciting the Seven Blessings, breaking a glass and celebrating with a festive meal and dancing. Exact customs vary according to Jewish community and religious practice.

What is a chuppah?

A chuppah is the wedding canopy beneath which a Jewish marriage ceremony takes place. It is commonly understood to represent the home the couple will build together.

What is a ketubah?

A ketubah is a Jewish marriage document. Traditional ketubot set out marital obligations, while contemporary versions may contain mutual commitments reflecting the couple’s Jewish community and beliefs.

Why do Jewish couples break a glass?

The broken glass has several interpretations. The most widely recognised connects it with remembering the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem even during a moment of great happiness.

What do people say when the glass breaks?

Guests traditionally call out “Mazel tov!”, an expression commonly used to congratulate the newly married couple.

What are the Seven Blessings?

The Sheva Brachot, or Seven Blessings, are wedding blessings recited as part of a traditional Jewish marriage ceremony. They celebrate creation, humanity, joy and the bride and groom.

What is a bedeken?

The bedeken is a traditional Jewish veiling ceremony, particularly associated with Ashkenazi weddings, in which the groom veils the bride before the main wedding ceremony.

What is yichud?

Yichud is a period of privacy for the newly married couple immediately following the ceremony. It has particular religious significance in traditional Orthodox Jewish marriage.

What is the Hora?

The Hora is a circle dance strongly associated with Jewish celebrations. At many weddings, the couple is lifted on chairs while guests dance around them.

Are Jewish weddings always kosher?

No. Orthodox and traditionally observant Jewish weddings generally follow kosher dietary requirements, while practices vary considerably among other Jewish couples.

Can a Jewish wedding take place on Saturday?

Traditionally observant Jewish weddings aren’t held during Shabbat, which runs from Friday evening until Saturday evening. Practices vary between Jewish denominations and couples, so wedding timing should be discussed with the officiating rabbi.

Why do Jewish couples marry under a canopy?

The chuppah symbolises the couple’s new home and is often interpreted as representing hospitality because of its open sides.

Do both people exchange rings at a Jewish wedding?

In a traditional Orthodox Jewish ceremony, the groom gives the bride a ring as part of Kiddushin. In egalitarian and other contemporary Jewish ceremonies, both partners may exchange rings.

What should you wear to a Jewish wedding?

Dress expectations depend heavily on the synagogue, denomination and couple. Orthodox weddings may require more modest clothing, and men may be expected to cover their heads. Guests should follow any instructions provided by the couple or synagogue.

What Jewish wedding traditions are common in Australia?

Jewish-Australian weddings may include the ketubah, chuppah, wine, wedding rings, Seven Blessings, breaking the glass, kosher food and Jewish dancing alongside contemporary Australian wedding traditions.

Celebrating Jewish Heritage in Your Own Way

Perhaps the most powerful thing about Jewish wedding traditions is their ability to connect different generations.

A couple can stand beneath a chuppah in Melbourne today and participate in rituals recognisable to Jewish families who married generations before them and thousands of kilometres away.

But that doesn’t mean every Jewish wedding has to look the same.

Traditions evolve.

Families move countries.

Communities change.

Couples bring together different Jewish backgrounds, different levels of religious observance and sometimes entirely different cultures.

What remains is the opportunity to decide which traditions deserve to travel forward with you.

It might be a ketubah.

A grandparent’s Kiddush cup.

A family tallit incorporated into the chuppah.

The Seven Blessings.

The sound of a glass breaking.

Or the sight of grandparents, parents, children and friends joining the same circle on the dance floor.

Those moments connect the wedding with something larger than the day itself.

And that’s what can make Jewish wedding traditions so meaningful.