Jewish Wedding Traditions ~ A Brief Introduction From Twin Lens Images
We have a slightly different twist to today’s post. Kitty and Craig Fritz, two of our very favorite Little Black Book photographers sent us another fantastic wedding … and instead of going into the details documented in the photos, they’ve shared a little bit of what they’ve learned about the significance and meaning behind some of the Jewish traditions captured in their images. They are stunning … the bride & groom, the rituals and the photos.
The beautiful Eleana and Avi live in Washington DC but were married at the Allan Houser Compound in New Mexico last June. By the end of the day, you’ll not only feel like you know them personally … you’ll even feel like you were at their wedding! And, if you are unfamiliar with the Jewish ceremony, you will have learned just a bit …
The Groom’s Table – The “choson’s tisch” takes place just prior to the ceremony. Avi was surrounded at a table by his male relatives and friends. He attempts to give a commentary on that week’s Torah portion, but his guests keep interrupting him with singing and toasts. The tisch is invariably humorous and fun, in an attempt to relax the nervous groom before the wedding.
When Eleana decides she is ready, she sends an emissary to the Groom’s Table to summon him.
The Ketubah – Eleana and Avi have been reunited for the signing of their marriage contract, the Ketubah. The Ketubah is a contract ordained by Jewish rabbinical law around 200 CE which lays out the rights of the wife and obligations of the husband. Eleana and Avi used the same Aramaic text that generations of Jewish couples have signed before to honor the continuity of their people. The Ketubah is an artistically beautiful and meaningful part of the Jewish wedding ceremony. It is an illustrated work of art that is generally hung in the home and will serve as a daily reminder of the vows they have made to each other. Although the Ketubah has its roots in the Jewish wedding tradition, its beauty has recently become embraced by couples from all different religions and cultures.
Veiling of the Bride, Badeken - Having verified that Eleana is the bride, Avi lowers the veil on her face himself just before proceeding to the ceremony- thus avoiding the fate of Jacob, who was tricked into marrying Leah instead of Rachel. As Avi lowers the veil over Eleana’s face, he is also avowing that just as his bride’s face is enveloped by the veil, so will love envelope the couple. In many conservative weddings, this is a private ceremony performed where the ketubah is signed.
We would love to share more of these stunning images from Twin Lens of Avi & Eleana’s wedding, so please join us back here in a bit!
Oh … and if anything we’ve said is incorrect, or should be explained in a different way, please do let us know!
These are beautiful. If I could should my own wedding I would use my old twin lens...ha.
I like the sense of intimacy these photos have. Beautiful work.
Thank you for featuring this wedding! It's not often you see these different rituals feature on such a prominent site!
Gorgeous images!! All stunning and really love the one of the signature! So beautiful.
Love hearing about different wedding traditions. Great photos and post!
I was just wondering if you knew where the bride's dress was from simply stunning
Wow, these are so beautiful! And I *love* the one of her standing veiled in front of the Ketubah!
Eleana just emailed from Jordan to give the dress details:
The designer is Ramona Keveza and she thinks it must have been the 2008 collection
Who designed your beautiful ketubah?
I'm glad people are enjoying Kitty and Craig's amazing photographs!
We searched for a long time for a Ketubah that we both liked. We stumbled on a ketubbot digitization project by the Jewish National and University Library, and we both loved this one from Italy, dated 1831:
http://jnul.huji.ac.il/dl/ketubbot/html/k0191.htm
We then searched for a scribe who reproduced it for us. I can give you more details if you'd like.
As for the dress, it was Romona Keveza, Spring 2008 collection - http://www.romonakeveza.com/legends/runway/current/pages/spring2008/01a.html - I had spaghetti straps added.