The Jewish wedding ceremony is held under a wedding canopy called a Chuppah. The Chuppah is symbolic of the couple making a home together. It is so important to Jewish tradition that often a Jewish wedding ceremony is called the Chuppah.

Before the Chuppah ceremony begins the bride and also the groom sign a Ketubah. This is the marriage contract between the husband and the wife. In ancient times, it gave the wife the assurance that in case her husband dies or there is a divorce that the wife is protected and will maintain her well-being. TOday, unless a couple is observant, the above would hold true. However, in the Ketubah for modern couples both speak in the text upholding tradition of the Jewish wedding contract.

Following the signing of the Ketubah, a Badeken, the veiling of the bride takes place, once again as per tradition. This is to ensure that he is marrying the right bride because when Jacob was to wed Rachel, he was tricked by a veil that hid Leah, causing him to marry Leah instead.

Following this the groom goes under the Chupah and the bride is escorted half-way down the aisle and the groom then excorts his bride to the Chuppah. This is symbolic of past traditions where the bride was escorted by her husband to their home to symbolize their new life together and them creating a home together.

Usually it is the parents who escort the groom and bride to the Chuppah. Once the bride arrives at the Chuppah, traditionally she does seven circles around the groom. This can still take place today but is optional or the couple shares by circling three times each and one circle together, symbolizing their union and bond together. This is optional, and once again, as per tradition.

After the groom and bride arrive under the Chuppah there is a blessing over the wine and the rings are exchanged. The wedding bands are to be a simple gold band and there should be no stones or engravings. The wedding band symbolizes that there is no beginning and no end. When the ring is placed on the index finger of the bride and the groom's right hand, the traditional Jewish wedding vows are binding by the exchange of an object. It evolved through the years to the ring.

Then the Ketubah is read during the Jewish wedding ceremony; this is the marriage contract. The Ketubah is often displayed on the right side of the bride, as tradition was the Ketubah given to the bride by her groom. It is often decorated, is framed and is always displayed in the home. Then the Sheva Berachot is read. These are the seven blessings that are about the joys of marriage. The Sheva Berachot is recited over a second cup of wine. These 7 blessings link the groom and bride to their faith in God.

After the Sheva Berachot is read the groom and bride take a sip from the cup of wine and to conclude the Jewish wedding ceremony, the groom smashes the wine cup. The smashing of the wine cup is symbolic that marriage is fragile and it can be broken. It is to remind the couple to be good to one another because if the relationship is damaged it can be difficult to put it back together.

It is also symbolic of the destruction of the temple and to remind that even when we are the happiest we must remember sadness. Following the Jewish wedding ceremony there is a break before the celebrations. The newlyweds are escorted to a small private room, which is called the Yichud. The Yichud resembles the newly married couple going home together and starting their life together. In the past they were escorted to their home, but this is a representation. Here they get to be alone together for a short period of time before the celebrations begin.