Wedding Ceremony Script 7 - Interfaith-Jewish Wedding Ceremony Script

Formal Wedding Ceremony Script 7

I wrote this ceremony with a couple several years ago.  The bride wanted to include her Jewish traditions in the ceremony and it was important to her that the groom's family understood what they were doing.  This explains the basic elements of a Jewish wedding in a straightforward way a lot of people appreciate.  The version of the 7 Blessings For A Jewish Wedding are an updated version I love so much I include them in other ceremony scripts too!

A lot of couples might just choose to break the glass at the end of their ceremony.  A few years ago, the bride insisted on breaking her own glass.  It was a two-glass breaking ceremony!  You do you!!

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Unplugged Ceremony Announcement

Family, friends, honored guests, on behalf of Name and Name, I would like to warmly welcome you to the celebration of their marriage. They wish to express their gratitude for each of you who has chosen to be here today.  During the ceremony this afternoon, we respectfully request that you silence and put away all cell phones and cameras so we can all be fully present in this moment. Thank you! Let us begin…

Welcome Everyone!  Thank you for being here today to celebrate the marriage of Name and Name as they make their promises to each other and become husband and wife.  In the ceremony they will be honoring some Jewish traditions. 

They meet here first, under the chuppah.  The chuppah is a canopy which sits atop four poles. The marriage ceremony takes place beneath this canopy, which is open on all sides, representing the couple's commitment to establish a home together that will always be open to guests .  

There are veils in Jewish weddings - As in weddings of other faiths -They symbolize the idea of modesty and convey that however attractive physical appearances may be, the soul and character are paramount. With or without a veil, we remember this union is based on a mental, physical and spiritual commitment for a lifetime.  Veils are also used to signal the groom's commitment to clothe and protect his wife.  So Name, you can take comfort in knowing no matter what, Name will always clothe you and keep you safe.  Groom, you never have to worry about dressing well again! Bride will make sure you look good!

I’m not a Rabbi, but I am an interfaith minister.  I believe in your ability to make intimate promises to each other, and your sincerity in making those promises will indeed bless both of you. 

The exchange of the wedding rings are a symbolic part of the wedding ceremony.  They are traditionally a simple, yet perfect, gold band.  It symbolized the hope that your marriage will be a marriage of simple beauty.  It is when the ring is placed on the brides hand that marriage is considered complete.  

I will recite the traditional Jewish 7 blessings of marriage, followed by the breaking of a glass.  It is a Jewish custom to end the wedding ceremony with the breaking of a glass. Some people say that this symbolizes the irrevocable change in the lives of the couple standing before us; others say it has its roots in superstition, when people broke glasses to scare away evil spirits. And, of course, the breaking of the glass marks the beginning of the celebration. So please, after Groom breaks the glass, I invite everyone to shout the Hebrew words “Mazel Tov,” meaning “Congratulations.”

Now, Let’s Get started.  

Who Presents this woman/man?

We do, 
In Jewish weddings the bride and the groom are escorted down the aisle by both of their parents. You can also ask both sets of parents to "presents this person in marriage"

Thank you.

Vows

Please join hands and face each other

On this day do you affirm the love that the two of you share, looking to the future to deepen and strengthen it? Will you affirm that love, in plenty and in want, in sickness and in health, in failure and in triumph? Together will you share and break bread?  When you stumble will you restore one another?  Will you share all things, serving one another and your fellow man?  Will you cherish and respect, comfort and encourage, each other for as long as you both shall live? 

Bride and Groom:  We do.

Do you Groom, take Bride, to be your wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do you part?

Groom Responds: “I do”

Do you Bride take Groom, to be your husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do you part?

Bride Responds: responds, “I do”

Ring Exchange

May we have the rings please?

The rings are the universal symbols of marriage.  They have many meanings.  From now on you will wear these rings, and like love, they have no beginning and no end.  They are a daily reminder of your marriage.  Sometimes they will remind you of the commitment that you have made - for better or worse.  But, may they always remind you that there is one person in the world that has pledged their love to you with all that they have. 

Bride, Please repeat after me:  Groom, I give you this ring as a symbol of my enduring love and lifelong devotion. Wear it and know that I love you.

Groom, Please repeat after me: Bride, I give you this ring as a symbol of my enduring love and lifelong devotion. Wear it and know that I love you.

THE SEVEN BLESSINGS RECITED AT A JEWISH WEDDING

May you be blessed with love. May your admiration, appreciation and understanding of each other foster a love that is passionate, tranquil and real.  May this love between you be strong and enduring, and bring peace into your lives.  

May you be blessed with a loving home filled with warmth, humor and compassion.  May you create a family together that honors traditions old and new.  May you teach your children to have equal respect for themselves and others, and instill in them the value of learning and tikkun olam (making the world a better place). 

May you be best friends and work together to build a relationship of substance and quality. May your sense of humor and playful spirit continue to enliven your relationship.  May you respect each other’s individual personality and perspective, and give each other room to grow in fulfilling your dreams. 

May you be blessed with wisdom. May you continually learn from one another and from the world. Together, may you grow, deepening your knowledge and understanding of each other and of your journey through life. 

May you be blessed with health. May life bring you wholeness of mind, body and spirit. May you keep each other well-balanced and grounded, and live long that you may share many happy years together. 

May your life be blessed with the art and beauty of this world. May your creative aspirations and experiences find expression, inspire you, and bring you joy and fulfillment.  May you find happiness together in adventures big and small, and something to celebrate each day of your lives. 

May you be blessed with community. May you always be blessed with the awareness that you are an essential part of a circle of family and friends. May there always be within this group love, trust, support and laughter, and may there be many future occasions for rejoicing in their company.  

I now pronounce you husband and wife!  You may kiss the bride!

Breaking of the glass

Everyone shouts Mazel Tov!!!

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** Formal Ceremony 1 ** Formal Ceremony 2 - Traditional, Non-Religious ** Formal Ceremony 3 - Modern and Romantic ** 
​** Formal Ceremony 4 - Short and Sweet ** Formal Ceremony 5 - Christian-lite ** Formal Ceremony 6 - Secular Humanist **
** Formal Ceremony 7 - Interfaith-Jewish ** Formal Ceremony 8 - Modern Handfasting ** Formal Ceremony 9 - Christian Traditional **
​** Formal Ceremony 10 **

** Formal Wedding Ceremony Guide ** Formal Wedding Ceremony Scripts ** Elopement Ceremony Guide ** Elopement Ceremony Scripts ** Parts of a Wedding Ceremony ** Vow Writing Guide ** Unplugged Ceremony ** Opening Prayers ** Welcoming ** Moment of Silence ** Declaration of Support ** About Love and Marriage ** Non-Religious Readings ** Christian Readings ** Secular I-do's! ** Christian I-do-s! ** Ring Meaning ** Ring Blessings ** Secular Ring Exchanges ** Christian Ring Exchanges ** Unity Ceremonies ** Secular Blessings ** Christian Blessings ** The-pronouncement-Secular  ** The Pronouncement - Christian **