In spite of knowing exactly two
people (mom and dad of the bride) at this weekend’s wedding, we had a
delightful evening. It took place on a breezy warm summer evening at a
restaurant on the edge of the water in Westport
Connecticut. We really enjoyed how
different this Jewish service was from previous weddings we’ve been to. I
learned later that depending on whether the couple is Orthodox or Conservative
or some other denomination, the family has a fair amount of latitude to
incorporate whichever cultural and spiritual elements they wish.
First
of all, it was a small wedding, certainly under 100 people. We arrived and were
guided around the building to where chairs were set up on the lawn facing a
simple chuppah, a canopy supported by four poles, which in a Jewish ceremony symbolizes the home the couple will
build together. What a lovely idea.
The
other ladies and I did our part to help out the facility’s groundspeople as we
aerated the lawn with every step of our heels. There’s a real art to getting
across a spongy lawn in heels – if you’re not careful, your heel will plunge
down into the soft earth, tipping you back and then requiring you to yank up
your foot like a toilet plunger. A useful workout for the calves.
Once
we were settled in our white chairs facing the bay, we all stood up as the
parents of the bride both escorted her together to meet her waiting groom. Instead
of being shuffled off to sit with everyone else, both parents – and the mother
of the groom – stood with the couple throughout the
ceremony.
I
was unable to see much since we were in the very back, but I could make out the
bride circling the groom several times. I did a little research and learned
that this is to symbolize righteousness, kindness, and justice, the
virtues of marriage. There was also general laughter when the rabbi instructed
the groom to break the glass, saying it would be the last time he’d be able to
put his foot down. Before long the ceremony was over and we all called Mazel
Tov!
We
nibbled appetizers while looking out over the sunny bay but then grabbed our
drinks and headed inside as a storm swept toward us. Before too long we all
found our tables and were chatting with our dinner companions when the DJ
struck up Hava Nagila and the entire room piled onto the dance floor. People
sang and circled in the Horah left and right and back and forth regardless of
age or talent. They had the stupid Electric Slide and Chicken Dance beaten by a
mile.
There
was the usual dinner and speeches, but then before I knew it, the bride and
groom were on chairs, hoisted up and danced around the room, as were the
parents of the bride.
This
was one fun evening. I may begin a new career crashing Jewish weddings.
ha! Sounds like fun! My hubby and I used to joke about how one could make a habit of crashing wedding receptions. ;) (long before the movie of the same name.)
ReplyDeleteI think Hava Nagila is the backbone of all encompassing folk music. It's about the people, and you're right; it beats the chicken dance by a country mile.
ReplyDeleteI have only been to one Jewish wedding. They broke the glass, and they did the chair hoisting. I have only been to one Jewish wedding. They broke the glass, and they did the chair
ReplyDeleteOh I have always wanted to go to a Jewish wedding. Love all the different symbols. I almost did cept his mother wasn't about to let a divorced Irish gal mess up the lineage.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds lovely. Really lovely. Weddings are somewhere where I definitely think small is better. Small and joyful? Bliss.
ReplyDeleteGood weddings, no matter what denomination, can lift the spirits.
ReplyDeleteIt's like travelling in your own country. It's why I love having friends from all over the world, and different cultures in my own country. Every party is a trip.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like Jewish weddings are a lot of fun for everyone.
ReplyDeleteThis was fun! I felt like I was right there with you. It has been a long time since I walked across a lawn in high heel shoes. I used to be really good at it!
ReplyDeleteI don't usually think of a hundred people as a "small" wedding, but it sure looks like it was fun. I knew how they do Jewish weddings from movies I've seen but I've never attended one myself. :-)
ReplyDeleteI have never been to a Jewish Wedding so I found your post very interesting:)
ReplyDelete