Breaking of the Glass - A Jewish Tradition.

Breaking of the Glass Wedding Ceremony Scripts

There are many different meanings for the breaking of the glass at the end of a wedding.  Everyone has a different opinion or tradition.  I once performed a wedding with two glasses - both the bride and the groom wanted their own glass to stomp on!  Mazel Tov!! Here are some scripts to choose from for your wedding ceremony.

Breaking of the Glass Option 1

There have been many stories explaining the breaking of the glass.  For those of us here today, it serves to remind us of several very important aspects of a marriage. Name and Name, and everyone here should consider these marriage vows as an irrevocable act, just as permanent and final as the breaking of this glass is unchangeable. The shattered glass also reminds us how fragile life and love can be. That sometimes a single thoughtless act, breach of trust, or marital misstep can damage a marriage in ways that are very difficult to undo, just as it would be difficult to undo the breaking of the glass. It serves as a reminder of the sanctity of marriage, and that the love of the bride and groom should last for as long as it would take to make the glass perfectly whole again. It also symbolizes the transforming experience that marriage creates, leaving the bride and groom forever changed.

In a moment, Name will break the glass signifying the end of the ceremony and the time for celebration.​

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Breaking of the Glass Option 2

The breaking of the glass is one of the most beloved traditions of a Jewish wedding ceremony.
This goblet was created especially for the treasured moment when the couple sanctifies their marriage. This ancient practice has been interpreted in many ways.  As a symbol of the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem, the glass reminds us of sadness even in during the most joyous of occasions.  Another view is that a broken glass cannot be mended and this reflects the permanence of marriage. After the wedding, the married couples will be changed forever.  Some consider the fragility of glass as a symbol of the frailty of human relationships. Even as Name and Name strengthen their relationship with the act of marriage, they must remember the care required to maintain this bond as they settle into their life together.
No matter what the interpretation, the breaking of the glass is an important part of any Jewish wedding and marks the beginning of a new life together. Name breaks the glass, I invite everyone to shout the Hebrew words Mazel Tov,” meaning Good Luck” and Congratulations.”

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Breaking of the Glass Option 3

We conclude this ceremony with the Breaking of the Glass.

In Jewish tradition, the Breaking of the Glass at a wedding is a symbolic prayer and hope that your love for one another will remain until the pieces of the glass come together again, or in other words, that your love will last forever.  The fragile nature of the glass also suggests the frailty of human relationships.  Even the strongest of relationships is subject to disintegration.  The glass then, is broken to protect the marriage with the implied prayer — May your bond of love be as difficult to break as it would be to put together the pieces of this glass.

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Breaking of the Glass Option 4

The final act of this ceremony is the breaking of the glass.

The breaking of the glass reminds us, that just like the glass is fragile, so are human relationships. Once the glass is broken, it can never go back to what it was. If you break your marriage vows, your relationship can also never go back to what was.  As you break this glass today, you will find it’s going to take a conscious effort. You are going to have to really stomp on it! So, may your bond of love be as difficult to break, as it would be to put back together these pieces of glass. Knowing that this marriage is permanent, may the two of you strive every day to show each other love and  respect.

After Name breaks the glass, I invite everyone to shout the Hebrew words “Mazel Tov,” meaning, Good Luck and Congratulations.

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Breaking of the Glass Option 5

Name and Name, this glass symbolizes the clarity of your love for each other and the shattering of your old separate lives as you begin your life together as a married couple.  As you break the glass, all of our blessings will be bestowed upon you.

Ladies and Gentlemen, it is the tradition for everyone present to shout Mazel Tov! -  the Hebrew word for congratulations - as Name stomps the wedding goblet. 
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The sound of the glass breaking is also a signal saying, “Let the party begin!”

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Breaking of the Glass Option 6

And now, for the breaking of the glass.

Name and Name, like your marriage, this glass is a beautiful thing. It’s clean and clear, allowing sunshine to flow through it. If cared for properly, it can last a lifetime. Like a marriage though, it can also be quite frail.
You stomp the glass at the end of a wedding ceremony to remind you that just as your foot can shatter this glass, so too a single thoughtless act cause irreparable harm to your marriage. As you enter into marriage today, you commit an irrevocable act — permanent and final. As you stomp this glass, you also commit an irrevocable act. It can no more be undone than this glass could be made whole again.
Cherish each other with the love and respect the love of your life deserves.

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Breaking of the Glass Option 8

The traditional breaking of the glass marks the end of the ceremony and the beginning of the celebration.

As Name breaks the glass, I invite everyone to shout Mazel Tov! Which means Congratulations and Good Luck!

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Breaking of the Glass Option 9

We end the ceremony with the traditional breaking of the glass.

Breaking this glass symbolizes the permanent change the covenant of marriage makes in lives of the couple.​

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Breaking of the Glass Option 10

It is a Jewish custom to end the wedding ceremony with the breaking of a glass.

Some people say that the breaking of the glass symbolizes the irrevocable change in the lives of the couple; other say it has its roots in superstition when people broke glasses to scare away evil spirits from the married couple. In the context of the joyful occasion of marriage and it’s place in the community, the breaking of the glass represents that even in the moment of our greatest joy, we should have a responsibility to help relieve some of that pain and suffering in the world around us.
And, of course, the breaking of the glass marks the beginning of the celebration.

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Breaking of the Glass Option 11

We conclude this ceremony with the breaking of the glass.  This is a joyful ceremony.  And most people at a wedding ceremony wonder, what does it mean?  The fragility of the glass suggests the frailty of human relationships. The glass is broken to protect this marriage with the implied prayer: May your bond of love be as difficult to break as it would be to put together the pieces of this glass.

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Breaking of the Glass Option 12

May the breaking of this glass remind you of the fragility of human relationships. A broken glass cannot be mended, and likewise marriage is irrevocable. As this glass shatters, so may your marriage never break.