The wedding schedule with program notes

1:00-1:45 Pictures with Ed & Eddie and with our kids
1:45-2:15 Pictures with rest of wedding party
2:15-2:30 Pictures with parents, siblings, other family
2:30-2:55 Gather in Conference Room for Ketubah Service
- Wedding party, family, witnesses & spouses/dates. The ketuba (“that which is written”) is the traditional marriage contract that has joined Jewish spouses for more than 2000 years. Written in both Hebrew and English, ours documents the date and place of our wedding, bridges our ceremony to the beginnings of Jewish traditions with Abraham and Sarah, and underscores the promises of caring and provision we are today making for one another.
2:15 Greeters in place
2:30 Piano music starts
2:55 Wedding party in hallway
3:00 Piano music starts for wedding itself
- Groomsman escorts Eddie’s Aunt & Uncle to seats
- Groomsman escorts Ed’s Father & Mother to seats
- Rabbi greets congregation and sets the scene
3:10 Procession begins to piano music:
- The Chuppah supporters (8 friends) come down the aisle
- Our two Groomsmen come down the aisle
- Our two Best Men come down the aisle
- Ed escorted by his two daughters and one son walks down the aisle
- Eddie escorted by his three sons walks down the aisle
3:15 Service under the Chuppah
- Rabbi greets and welcomes us
- Jewish music as Eddie & Ed circle one another seven times. We circle one another as a physical gesture of becoming ‘one.’ This circling symbolizes the unity of our marriage.
- Ed and Eddie’s two oldest children pour 2 cups of wine for blessing
- Erusin (Bethrothal). We will share the first cup of wine. Wine is associated with celebration in Judaism, and the sharing of the first cup symbolizes the great joy we share together today. Our first cup of wine will be drunk from the kiddush cup of a dearly departed friend.
- Personal remarks by Rabbi. Rabbi reads letters we wrote to each other.
- Soloist sings “With You” from Pippin by Stephen Schwartz
- 7 blessings read by wedding party. The Sheva B’rachot (Seven Blessings) moves us from the beginning of time to the end of time, weaving the joy of this moment into the continuum of history. They celebrate the blessing of a loving companionship, and they imagine a time when joy and singing will be heard in the streets of Jerusalem and around the world. The Cantor will chant each in Hebrew, and those on the bima will recite the English.
- Nissuin (The Nuptuals). The ceremony now moves from betrothal to marriage. A second Kiddush is recited over wine with a first-time used Kiddush cup we will hereafter use on Shabbat in our home as a constant reminder of the vows we have taken.
- Kiddushin (Ring Ceremony). We exchange rings as an acknowledgement of the mutuality of our bonding. In Jewish law, a verbal declaration is not legally binding for a marriage; there must be an exchange of some object of known value.
- Ed and Eddie read “Love Stories” We feel especially connected to and strengthened by two stories of our tradition, those of David and Jonathan and of Ruth and Naomi. We are inspired by the unparalleled commitment, sacrifice, and love that they recount. During our ceremony, we will offer this reading with gratitude that the stories are a part of our tradition.
- The Reading of the Ketubah. Together we read it again before the whole congregation.
- Wrapping in Tallit by a friend and blessing from Rabbi.
- Breaking of the Glass. When we break the glass at the end of the ceremony, we once again call upon Jewish tradition which informs us that even in times of greatest joy, we must remember that the world is still broken and in need of healing and repair. Our hope is that our marriage will last as long as it would take to piece together the broken bits of this glass.
At the sound of the glass breaking, it is customary for everyone witnessing to shout “Mazel tov” (“Good luck”) and for there to be joyous music and clapping.
- Recessional
3:45 Service Ends
- Yichud. After the recessional, we will have a few minutes of privacy to reflect on the significance of this day and of our joining. We will re-enter the world as a couple united in love and commitment, joining all of you in the outdoor patio.
3:45-4:30 Outdoor Reception (Champagne/Wine offered, passed hor’dourves and bar open)
4:30-8:30: Seudat Mitzvah (Celebration). Jewish law considers it a religious imperative to rejoice with the married couple. Everyone will be invited to join hands, dance, and have loads of fun. And please, eat, eat, eat!
4:30 Doors Open to Social Hall; "Manhattan Towers", six piece band begins playing
- People find their table. Each table has a musical show name and is decorated with props from that musical done by TheatreWorks.
4:45 Horas, chair lifts, Jewish dancing.
- Salads delivered to tables as guests dance
5:05 Salad course begins
- Motzi (blessing of bread) by friends
5:30 Dance set of Motown, classic rock and show tunes
5:50 Main course begins. Entres served as guest are seated.
6:30 Toast. Eddie & Ed called up to dance. Everyone else invited to dance floor.
7:30 Cake Cutting; dessert served
- Eddie & Ed welcome everyone and thank them.
7:40 Final dance set begins of more Motown, classic rock and show tunes
8:25 Last Dance
8:30 Party Ends