Smashing the Glass' Top 5 Do’s and Dont’s For The Perfect Jewish Wedding

Hamish Shephard
Last updated: 30th May 2022

I love inspiring brides and grooms with wonderfully original and inclusive ideas for their wedding day. Here are my Top 5 Do’s and Don’t’s For The Perfect Jewish Wedding:

bridebook.co.uk-karen cinnamon at her laptop
Smashing the Glass’ Karen Cinnamon, portrait by John Nassari

DO expect to kick up a storm, and have your face glisten with glee (and sweat) during the ‘hora’, the joyous tradition of Jewish dancing. Just be careful not to fall off the chair, and make sure those with a penchant for booze are not the ones nominated to lift you!

bridebook.co.uk-smashing-the-glass- couple on chairs being lifted up
Courtesy of David Bastianoni

DO try to experience the pure and sacred side of a Jewish wedding as much as possible, as the spiritual significance is often lost in all the madness of putting it together.

bridebook.co.uk-smashing-the-glass- ciew of a synagogue from above
Courtesy of David Bastianoni

DO create a Pinterest board to store all your wedding ideas in one place. Pinterest is your best friend when it comes to planning your big day, as you can collect beautiful images and wedding design tips and paste them all in one place. It’s not only useful for you, your boards will also help give guidance to your suppliers. If you don’t want your whole social network to see details before the big day, use one of your private boards for your favourite ideas.

DO incorporate things into your wedding that are important to you, for example, a nostalgic song that brings back memories of when you first got together, favours made by you or a family member, table centres incorporating things that are personal to you as a couple, messages from guests woven into your chuppah design – the more individuality you stamp on your wedding, the better.

bridebook.co.uk-smashing-the-glass couple being lifted up on a chair holding a blue cloth between them
Courtesy of Blake Ezra

DO take time to be calm and in the moment of your day. Hand over the reins, don’t think about any of the details and enjoy your wedding day for what it is: a joyous celebration! 

DON’T try to please everyone. This is your opportunity to do things as you want and it’s a time to be making decisions without having to justify them or fit expectations. Real friends and family will understand and those that don’t are not worth losing any sleep over.

bridebook.co.uk-smashing-the-glass-rustic jewish wedding ceremony
Courtesy of Amy Shore

DON’T expect local guests to adhere to a black-tie dress code if you’re getting married in Israel. They will show up in shorts, with a couple of unexpected extra kids in tow. Expect guests that confirmed attendance not to show up, and guests that were not invited to make an appearance instead – that’s how they roll in the land of milk and honey!

DON’T think that you need a large bridal party of groomsmen and bridesmaids if that’s not your bag. What you do need is a circle of a few close friends to rely on for support, help and mini-errands on the day. Have a think on who you would like to enlist in the months or weeks leading up to your wedding – close friends and family will feel honoured and will be only too happy to help.

bridebook.co.uk-smashing-the-glass-groom jumping over wedding guests
Courtesy of David Pullum

DON’T invite too many people. Fewer and closely connected is better than inviting a cast of unknowns, and makes for a far more meaningful, intimate atmosphere.

DON’T follow the crowd. Be true to yourself and have the confidence to do things your way, whether that means incorporating something non-traditional into your ceremony, picking a weird theme or wearing a gown so impractical you can barely move. Go for it, this is your day!

bridebook.co.uk-smashing-the-glass-beautiful white outdoor jewish weddings
Courtesy of John Nassari

Happy Planning!

 
Want more amazing Jewish wedding inspiration? Head over to Smashing the Glass where you can get your fill of the wonderful world of Jewish weddings or have a read of our other article written by Smashing the Glass on Bridebook! 
 
Hamish Shephard
Hamish Shephard is the founder and CEO of Bridebook, the UK’s leading wedding planning app. He is now considered an expert in the wedding industry, having appeared on BBC news multiple times to provide his expertise and having his own Evening Standard column, Groom With a View, where he shares his insights as one of the UK’s most prominent wedding experts.
Last updated: 30th May 2022