So What Does the Orthodox Ketubah Text Really Say Anyway? An Examination of the Traditional Aramaic Wording
January 21, 2010
If you’re having a Jewish wedding, you’ve no doubt been shopping for a ketubah, or you will be soon. You may have already discovered that there are hundreds of text options available, and choosing the right one for you can be very confusing!
If the officiating rabbi is Orthodox, however, your choices are made quite simple, since an Orthodox rabbi will in almost all cases only accept the traditional Aramaic wording, frequently referred to as the “Orthodox text.” So what is the Orthodox ketubah text? Since it’s written in Aramaic, which you probably don’t read or speak, and few ketubot come with an English translation, the whole thing can seem very opaque! Even if you order an “Orthodox plus English” text, the English will usually be something short and poetic — not a direct translation at all!
So what does the Orthodox ketubah text say anyway?
A little historical background
Originally developed over 2,500 years ago, the ketubah started out as a prenuptial agreement, an attempt to ensure that a woman would have a means of support if her husband should die or divorce her. Although the text was mostly codified in the Middle Ages and hasn’t changed much since then, there are in fact a few minor variations around, so it’s critical that your rabbi sees the actual text that will be used on your ketubah before you purchase it. If one word is spelled differently from the way your rabbi wants it, your ketubah will be rendered un-kosher and you won’t be able to use it at your wedding! Always check with your rabbi first!
There’s nothing poetic or romantic about the traditional Aramaic ketubah text – it is, as mentioned above, quite literally a prenuptial agreement, very dry and legal. Here is a translation.
Traditional Aramaic Orthodox Ketubah Text Translation
“On __________ [day of the week], the __________ day of the month __________ in the year __________ since creation of the world, the era according to which we are accustomed to reckon here in the city of __________ how __________ son of __________ said to this virgin/widow/divorcée/convert __________ daughter of __________ ‘Be thou my wife according to the law of Moses and Israel, and I will work for thee, honor, support, and maintain thee in accordance with the custom of Jewish husbands who work for their wives, honor, support, and maintain them in truth. And I will set aside for thee 200 zuz [traditional money] {for virgins}/100 zuz {for all others}, in lieu of thy virginity, which belong to thee (according to the law of Moses), and thy food, clothing, and necessaries, and live with thee in conjugal relations according to universal custom.’ And __________ this virgin/widow/divorcée/convert consented and became his wife. The dowry that she brought from her father’s house/her own house, in silver, gold, valuables, dresses and bedclothes, amounts to __________ [100 silver pieces {virgin}/50 silver pieces {all others}], and the bridegroom consented to increase this amount from his own property with the sum of __________ [100 silver pieces {virgin}/50 silver pieces {all others}], making in all __________ [200 silver pieces {virgin}/100 silver pieces {all others}]. And thus said
__________ the bridegroom, ‘I take upon myself and my heirs after me the responsibility of this marriage contract, of the dowry, and of the additional sum, so that all this shall be paid from the best part of my property, real and personal, that I now possess or may hereafter acquire. All my property, even the mantle on my shoulders, shall be mortgaged for the security of the contract and of the dowry and of the addition made thereto.’ __________ the bridegroom has taken upon himself the responsibility for all the obligations of this ketubah, as is customary with other ketubot made for the daughters of Israel in accordance with the institution of our sages — may their memory be for a blessing! It is not to be regarded as an illusory obligation or as a mere symbolical delivery between __________ son of __________ the bridegroom, and __________ daughter of __________ the virgin/widow/divorcée/convert, and they have employed an instrument legally fit for the purpose to strengthen all that is stated above, and everything is valid and established.”
What to do with the text
The blank spaces represent places in the text that will be filled in with your personal info (this is what is usually referred to as “fill-in” or “ketubah personalization”). You’ll notice that there are some spots that have some set options. For example, the bride is referred to either as a virgin, widow, divorcée or convert. If this is the bride’s first marriage then she counts as a “virgin” (whether or not she technically is a virgin — don’t worry, nobody’s going to check! — “virgin” being the legal term for a first-time bride 2,500 years ago), and the default amount she is granted on the ketubah is 200 silver pieces: 100 from her father’s property, if he’s still living (the assumption being that the bride is coming from her father’s household to her groom’s household), or her own property if he’s deceased, and 100 from the groom’s property. This total amount now legally belongs to the bride.
If, however, the bride is not a first-time bride, the default amount is decreased to 100 silver pieces: 50 from her father’s property and 50 from the groom’s. Although this may seem quite unfair, the rabbinical reasoning behind the different amounts was that a widow or divorcée would already have money from her previous marriage, and wouldn’t need as much. (It still doesn’t account for the fact that a convert may never have been married before, however!)
(An interesting side note: although nobody knows what a zuz would be worth in today’s money, from the Passover song “Chad Gadya” it is said that 100 zuz would be enough to buy 50 goats: “My father bought for 2 zuzim chad gadya (one little goat).” Presumably 50 or 100 goats would keep a woman in good stead for some time!)
Most Orthodox rabbis will not let you alter the text, but your rabbi may permit you to add to it. This is why it’s not uncommon to find Orthodox ketubot with English wording that is unrelated to the Aramaic. This way a couple can fulfill their rabbi’s requirement for the traditional wording, but also include language that may be more personally meaningful to them. Some couples even choose to get two ketubot: one to fulfill their rabbi’s requirements — their halakhically kosher ketubah, and one to be a special, non-legal but personally meaningful contract between themselves.
Be advised, also, that an Orthodox rabbi may have very strict requirements about how the text can appear on the ketubah. For example, the text may have to be fully justified, left and right, with no ragged edges, and it may need to be in a regular shape, such as a rectangle, square or circle. This is ostensibly to prevent anyone from adding a word without your knowing, thereby changing the content and possibly rendering the ketubah invalid. (The same way you add a squiggly line after the dollar amount when you write a check, to prevent anyone from changing the dollar amount without your consent.)
In summary, always check with your rabbi before you purchase your ketubah, especially if he’s Orthodox!
Have fun ketubah shopping!
©copyright Melissa Dinwiddie 2010
Variations on Modern Ketubah Texts: Reform/Egalitarian, Interfaith and Same Sex Wording
January 20, 2010
If you’re shopping for a ketubah you may have some questions about the wide variety of texts available. Couples who want something different from the Orthodox Aramaic language have seemingly unlimited options (though you always need check with your rabbi or cantor before choosing your ketubah to make sure you’ll be able to use it at your wedding!) It can be awfully confusing!
In fact, modern ketubah texts tend to fall into three main categories: Reform/Egalitarian, Interfaith, or Same Sex. The variations on these themes are indeed limitless, so shop around to see what you like. Here is a brief explanation of what you can expect to find while ketubah text shopping:
The “Reform” or “Egalitarian” Ketubah
With the rise of Feminism and women’s rights in the 20th Century, many couples wanted a document that was more egalitarian than the traditional ketubah. Rabbis and ketubah artists started writing alternative ketubah texts that treated the wedding couple as equals, rather than as “provider” and “dependent.” In these modern, “egalitarian” ketubah texts the language is usually more romantic and poetic than dry and legal, often including phrases from the Song of Songs or other poetic sources.
Today almost all ketubah artists and ketubah stores offer texts for Jewish couples looking for this more equal kind of document. This kind of ketubah text is usually referred to as “Reform” (though usually not directly affiliated with the Reform movement) or “Egalitarian.” Most “egalitarian” ketubah texts still retain some of the flavor of the traditional ketubah wording, however, at least in the opening section, often including some variation of the following:
“On the ___ day of the week, the ___ day of the month of ___ in the year ___, [corresponding to {civil date}] in {city, state, country}, the groom ____ and the bride _____ …”
Usually an egalitarian ketubah text also includes some reference to Jewish law or tradition, often phrased in a manner such as “according to the laws and traditions of Moses and the Jewish people.” These egalitarian variations on the ketubah tend, therefore, to be a blend of traditional style, with a modern mindset.
Frequently an egalitarian ketubah contains both English and Hebrew (usually modern Hebrew rather than Biblical Hebrew or Aramaic), though some ketubah artists offer Hebrew-only or English-only versions.
The “Interfaith” Ketubah
For generations the larger Jewish community has commented on the propensity of Jews to marry “out of the faith.” Although it can be challenging for interfaith couples to find a rabbi who is willing to officiate, many ketubah artists embrace and honor interfaith partnerships, and have written texts specifically for interfaith couples.
Since halakha (traditional Jewish law) does not recognize interfaith marriages, an interfaith ketubah can technically say anything at all. However, as with egalitarian ketubot, interfaith ketubah texts tend to retain some of the stylistic flavor of the original language, and frequently open with the same standard formula as above (or some variation thereof). The main difference is that with an interfaith ketubah, one partner is not Jewish, and therefore technically not a follower of the “laws of Moses and Israel,” so language that specifically references “Jewishness” is normally not included. References to Torah are usually left out as well. Other than this, an interfaith ketubah can say anything, as long as the officiating rabbi or cantor (if there is one) personally permits it. (Again, always check first!) If the officiant is not a rabbi or cantor then the only limitations on the ketubah wording are the couple’s personal preferences.
As with egalitarian ketubot, an interfaith ketubah may be in English and Hebrew (usually modern Hebrew), or it may be English- or Hebrew-only.
The Same Sex Ketubah/Lesbian Ketubah/Gay Ketubah
There has been a trend among progressive Jewish movements in the past few decades toward accepting and honoring unions between same-sex couples. Many ketubah artists now offer texts written specifically for gay and lesbian couples. As with interfaith couples, since these unions are not recognized by halakha, there are no “legal” restrictions on the wording allowed. As long as the officiating rabbi accepts the wording (or if the officiant is not a rabbi or cantor), anything goes! Same sex ketubah wording tends to retain the traditional flavor of the original Aramaic, and may be almost identical to interfaith ketubah wording, but will refer to the couple as “equal partners,” or “beloveds,” rather than “bride and groom.”
An interesting note: while in English a same sex text may be entirely gender neutral, Hebrew is a gendered language, which makes a genuinely gender-neutral text impossible. As a result, same sex ketubah texts in Hebrew are always either gendered female or male. And since male is the “default” in Hebrew, as in most gendered languages, a male same sex text may in some cases actually be appropriate for heterosexual couples as well.
Other Categories: Anniversary and Custom Texts
Two other categories that haven’t been mentioned are anniversary ketubah texts and custom ketubah texts.
Some couples never had a ketubah at their wedding, and choose to get an anniversary ketubah sometime later. Since an anniversary ketubah is not a legal document under Jewish law, again, there are no requirements a couple has to follow (unless a rabbi is officiating at a ceremony, in which case always check with him or her first!) Not all ketubah artists offer anniversary texts, but an egalitarian or interfaith ketubah text can often work perfectly well.
Whether for a wedding or anniversary, the final option is to write your own custom wording. Writing your own ketubah text allows you to include personal promises you won’t find in a publically available text (such as “we promise to provide each other love, hugs, and snuggling”). It can also be an incredibly bonding and learning experience to work together on your ketubah text!
If you choose to write your own text and you borrow wording from another author, make sure to obtain copyright permission to use their text! And be sure to give a draft to your rabbi or cantor to make sure it passes muster and you’ll be able to use it at the wedding.
Whatever kind of ketubah text you choose, enjoy the search. And mazel tov!
©copyright Melissa Dinwiddie 2010
Children’s Formal Wear: Renting vs Buying, Which is Right for You?
January 16, 2010
Renting
There are several advantages for renting kids formal wear, but perhaps the biggest is convenience. You simply bring your child in for measurements, pick out the style from an in-store selection, leave and then return to pick it up a day or two before the big event. Then, when it’s over, you simply return it to the store. You don’t even have to worry about washing it! A couple other advantages include paying a low one-time fee for something your child is will probably wear once before he or she out grows it and, of course, you don’t have to store it.
Buying
While renting sounds great, buying has its own advantages. Many take comfort in knowing their child is the first one to wear her flower girl dress. This means there will be no hidden damage, odor or stains on the dress. Also, if you give yourself plenty of time to browse before the big event, you will most likely be able to find the formal attire you’re looking for, for less than it would cost to rent! Shopping online at stores like www.KidsFormal.com and www.PumpKinFormal.com great places to find bargains. Usually there’s a larger selection of colors and styles online too. And, most stores offer great promotions for shopping with them online. Examples of promotions you may find at KidsFormal.com include free shipping after you spend so much, a 30 day flexible return policy or a special discount for placing an order online. If you are planning a wedding, you may even be able find the perfect ring bearer pillow and flower girl basket, as well.
There are many things to take into consideration when choosing whether to rent or buy kids formal wear. It is important to weigh the pros and cons of each to make the best decision for you and your family.
3 Positives And Negatives About Buying Wedding Dresses At Consignment Shops
January 15, 2010
Consignment shops can be a good place to find a cheap price for a wedding dress. However, sometimes you might not get close to what you’re looking for, and the dress you end up with might not really be that cheap. Here’s 3 things that are both positive and negative about buying wedding dresses at a consignment shop.
Positives
1. You could find a great deal at a consignment shop. Sometimes women will sell their dresses at a consignment shop at a greatly reduced price without knowing that it’s a designer dress worth a lot more.
2. Consignment shops are close to home. You usually don’t have to travel all that far to get to a consignment shop, which means you can hit a lot of them if you’re a big time shopper. Also, it’s nice being able to buy something and immediately take it home, rather than waiting for something to arrive via mail.
3. You might find what you’re looking for. It might not be exactly right, but if it’s close enough and the price is right, you’ve got a great deal doing and you can stop shopping.
Negatives
1. You might get something that’s really bad. Not in look, but how it’s put together, or many other problems you might not know about, that both the bride and the shop may not know about either. People who run consignment shops aren’t experts in wedding dresses, or anything else; they just help sellers market their wares.
2. The prices might not really be that low. If a seller comes in with a certain price, consignment shop owners rarely have the discretion to bargain with someone over the price of an item. On the other side of things, every once in awhile a consignment shop person does get to bargain, and might mark up a dress higher than the seller had been expecting.
3. You often can’t take a dress back. Consignment shops make no promises, therefore there’s no warranty if there’s something wrong with a wedding dress. The discount might not be a bargain if there’s major problems that can’t be overcome, even by the best alterations person you know.
Plan Your Honeymoon Online
January 5, 2010
These days, the easiest thing for wedding couples to do is to plan their wedding vacation online. There’s so much information online, along with pictures, that people can find almost anything they might want to do and even things they may never have thought about.
For instance, if you wanted to go on a honeymoon to a beach resort area, you might be thinking of the same places many people go, such as Miami or Cozumel. However, if you research online, you might find packages to places like Guam or Tahiti that might give you even more of what you want at even better prices.
Or if you’re thinking about a skiing honeymoon but it’s the middle of summer, you can find places online where there’s actually still skiing during warm weather, although where you go might end up being somewhat remote.
One of the best things about planning your honeymoon online is that you can find out more about the place you’re going than you probably could just by talking to a regular travel agent, unless the travel agent has been to that city. You can find museums, special attractions, and tours. You could even select an entire vacation package that could cost you a lot less money, and still give you everything you’d like in a perfect honeymoon.
For instance, if you pick a site like DiscountHotels.com, Expedia.com, or Travelocity.com you can plan your flight, pick your hotel and book the type of room you’d like. You can select packages which could include a tour, or a show in some cities. You can glean extra information about each city you select and learn more about the hotels you might want to stay at. One stop shopping all in one place, and save money along the way.
Planning a honeymoon has never been easier. Or is it; with so many choices, you might have to plan more than one for total satisfaction.
Cool Fall Wedding Theme Ideas For A Special Day
September 2, 2009
Planning a wedding can be complicated enough, but it doesn’t have to be the end of the world. Themes are a major part of the process; in fact, having one makes it that much easier. Fall weddings lend themselves to many different themes, and each one can be as different as the leaves you’ll see this season.
Try planning your wedding around a color theme. Reds, golds, greens and browns are all very autumnal in color. Within those shades, you have even more choices; russet red, dark or bright gold, or dirt brown, for starters. You can have your wedding and reception hall decorated in those colors, have fall wedding favors or autumn wedding favors in those same colors, or have your wedding party wear them. In fact, you can do all of the above-when done correctly, it can look absolutely beautiful.
Why not pick a fall related theme? Harvest time is an excellent one; it brings to mind the completion of something started a long time ago. Your wedding is the “harvest”, so to speak, of your relationship. Use cornucopias, corn, squash and other fall related foods to reflect this theme, and find quotes that have to do with the harvest. The wedding cake might have decorations like a bride and groom standing by a pile of fruit and vegetables, smiling. You can include the latter on the tables of your guests as additional fall wedding favors. And a scarecrow in the corner would be particularly cute.
You could use fall as a “winter is nearly here” theme too. All of your decorations could be a combination of fall and winter. Leaves could be on one table, and snowflakes on the next. Invitations could be decorated with a scarecrow and a snowman seated at a table playing cards. The music could be mostly holiday themed as well. Your guests would find it unique and interesting; the combination of seasons would definitely give them something to talk about.
How about a play on words? Your theme could be “Fall”ing in love. Your autumn wedding favors could have a picture of a bride and groom slipping and sliding on leaves. Or you could pass out candies with a tag that says, “Don’t fallunless it’s into your loved one’s arms!” Your wedding cake could have figurines doing something similar. And again, your music can reflect the theme. There are many songs that talk about that very theme, and finding them is as simple as a Google search or ransacking a friend’s music collection. Talking to a knowledgeable DJ would also give you the information you need.
Fall, of course, means cooler weather, so you could have a toasty theme to your wedding. Guests could get s’more kits as favors, and the colors could be red and gold-the colors of a nice hot fire. The reception could take place around or near a real fire, and hot foods, like soups and casseroles, could be served. Drinks could include hot toddies, mulled wine, and other warm beverages. Not only would it be a charming theme, but a very welcome one indeed!
If you’re stuck on what to do for your fall wedding, never fear-themes are the answer. There are more themes than you might imaging for your situation, and all you have to do is find the one that works for you. Make your fall wedding work for you by choosing a good theme, and give your guests the best time they’ve ever had in the process.
Aaron Hu is a leading author on a wide range of well published wedding articles. If you are looking for Fall Wedding Theme Favors, E-weddingfavors has the biggest selection available. You will also find Groomsmen Gifts and much more, all at very affordable prices.
Manufacturers and Retailers of Odd-Sized Designer Wedding Shoes
September 1, 2009
Department stores with some designer wedding shoes may not be able to satisfy your needs but there are manufacturers you can contact directly for your shoe size. Not all feet are created equal! Choosing footwear can often be a problem for those ladies with large or smaller feet. Most of these types have sleek and slender designs which large feet can hardly fit or too big for smaller foot-size.
Odd sizes like ten or eleven may not a problem anymore these days especially with the presence of web sites that can provide these ladies needs. For brides who are taller than the average woman may have a ten-plus foot size but can still wear designer wedding shoes. The days of foot gears deprivations for these big-foot ladies are over. These tall ladies with big feet can already become shoe fanatics and be fashionable from head to toe.
Those brides with smaller feet also encounter the same problem in shoe sizing. Most often, women with a five-foot size frequently find themselves in the kids sections of many stores. Locating fashionable designer wedding shoes is not an easy task for such tricky foot size. Well, in shoe stores you might not be able to find your desired size for your desired style, but on the internet you will. There are many online retailers that can address your plight and can supply stylish shoes in smaller sizes.
You can wear your dream shoes on your dream date. Looking for designer wedding shoes that starts with a size four to eleven is no longer a problem these days. There are manufacturers and retailers that can provide you with your needs whether you are looking for dressy gears, sexy heels, carefree sandals, business footwear or athletic sneakers.
More websites are offering the footwear that can bring you elegance and comfort for any occasion. You can find online these shoe manufacturers or retailers that can provide your hard-to-find footwear sizes. Try to visit these sites and make your search-by-size feature catalogs especially for designer wedding shoes.
For such a stressful event like the wedding, perfectly designed comfortable shoes like Designer Wedding Shoes which are now getting popular. If you want to learn more about this just visit www.englishbridalcouture.com.
Styles of Bridal Sandals
September 1, 2009
The height of the bridal sandals must always be considered when buying for these can make your special day a happy or unhappy memory. These pieces of footwear must coordinate with the colour of your wedding gown considering that not all whites are created equal. In buying the perfect match for dress and shoes, it is best to take a sample of your gowns fabric.
If you have the penchant for wearing those with heels, you can opt for a wedged sole for comfort for no more than three inches high. High-heeled shoes or sleek stilettos are truly elegant but you need to consider the venue or setting of your wedding. You cannot wear those things under your feet if the site is on a beach or a grassy garden.
To have an attractive pair of bridal sandals that match exactly with your wedding dress, it would be wise to wear shinier shoes with a satin dress or matte pair of footwear with a crepe dress. Bear in mind that several shades can show up differently on certain fabrics. If you have a particular preference for your foot gears, and the only available one are in bright or optic white, you have them customized to match excellently with your gown.
You might not be pleased when friends or relatives tell or ask if you are wearing your wedding shoes. You must also be practical when choosing your bridal sandals. These foot gears are to be worn for just one day. It would be wise if you choose those styles that can be worn even after the big day. It would not be a bad investment for buying a very expensive pair as long as you can find them useful in some other occasions after the wedding.
For your particular needs, you can visit some websites on the internet that can provide you with the best solution for your needed footwear. It is a brides dream to emerge as the most beautiful woman on the day of her wedding. It is every womans dream to be perfectly dressed up from head to toes especially with an elegant pair of bridal sandals.
Bridal Sandals are gorgeous footwear that any bride will love to wear. As her pretty toes of her dainty feet are shown, surely this will match the totality of the wedding gown itself. Any bride would want to look lovely and feel comfortable on her special day. Simply visit this site at www.englishbridalcouture.com for suggestions of these items.
Icy And Delightful Tips For Your Winter Ceremony
September 1, 2009
Winter is a special time of year when many significant and important holidays are celebrated by peoples of many faiths. It is also a time when family and friends gather together and enjoy each other’s company. This is why this season is perfect in a unique and special way for wedding ceremony. The act of marriage has significant religious connotations in many faiths just like holidays celebrated during the winter months. It also is a time when family and friends come together to celebrate an important event. So take advantage of the benefits this season offers while planning your ceremony. If you feel daunted by the challenge of planning a wedding long after the peak months of spring and summer, don’t fret. Here are some great tips and ideas to guide your efforts as you plan your winter ceremony.
When planning for the main ceremony always start with the venue itself. Due to the season it is most likely an indoor affair. Take advantage of the season by having the event at your religious house of worship such as a church or synagogue. Try to use wintry and holiday themed decorations when decorating the halls. If you want to use a lot of decorations without making the hall or sanctuary look like it is being prepared for a holiday service, go for wintry decorations like icicles, snowflakes and blue and white Christmas lights. This will give the hall a cool, solemn, and ethereal glow. A great design motif is a winter’s night. Try using twinkle lights on the ceiling to simulate a cold winter night sky. Of course use adequate lighting so that everyone can perform their proper duties safely and properly as the ceremony progresses.
In the case of your bridesmaids, make sure their dresses are in keeping with the wintry theme. The colors to look are either gray, icy blue, or if you can dare to risk it miming your wedding dress, white. An important thing to remember is to make sure that the dresses are as flattering on your bridal party as fashionably and properly possible. Of course, make sure to either use one or two colors for all the dresses.
For the groomsmen, advise them to follow the same color scheme when choosing the vests and ties for their tuxedoes. In the case of winter it is better if you choose one color for all the groomsmen’s suits. Another great idea is to use white or blue flowers for the lapel decorations.
The last thing to consider about your ceremony is the looks of your flower girl or ring bearer. The important thing is that both their clothes match your seasonal theme. A great suggestion is that you can use your imagination with the little flower girl’s dress. Once again keep in mind winter colors when advising her parents about her costume. Also try suggesting a fantastical look like a winter sprite. A great suggestion in pulling this look is to give her wreath made of paper snowflakes and giving her a basket full of the same rather than traditional petals. For the ring bearer, dress him in a tuxedo similar to the groomsmen’s tuxedoes. You can also try for something more adorable like a powder blue tux. Also make sure the ring pillow is in accordance with the winter theme.
Aaron Hu is a leading author on a wide range of well published wedding articles. If you are looking for Christmas Party Favors, E-weddingfavors has the biggest selection available. You will also find Wedding Favors, Bridesmaids Gifts and much more, all at very affordable prices.
Fruitful Suggestion For A Fall Vineyard Wedding
September 1, 2009
The fall season is one of harvests one part of the season that is not normally realized in wedding themes is wine and vineyard weddings. If you think about it you would be bewildered as to why it doesn’t come immediately to mind. Grapes are fruit also and must be harvested during the autumn season just like apples. This is good news because it allows you the bride to bring a level of elegance and sophistication that would not be normally possible with other fall wedding themes. Here are some great suggestions for a fall wine wedding.
The first thing to consider is the location and whether you are having the wedding inside or outside. The fist location to have a wine wedding is fairly obvious. Have it at a local winery. The interesting thing is that while grapes can grow only under certain climates, California is not the only place you can find vineyards. If you live on the East Coast, the South, or even the South West there are a lot of local wineries and vineyards near you. Just do some research and you will be surprised by the results. If you are in an area where a vineyard is not near enough try bringing the vineyard to you by making the decorations of your ceremony hall transform the location where you exchange vows with your groom an Italian or Californian vineyard. For example you can use trellises laden with grapes and vines as wall decorations and clusters of grapes and small wine bottles as aisle markers. If the wedding is held outside, in either a vineyard or some other location try using a gazebo as an option for where ceremony will be held.
The reception is an important part of planning for a wine wedding. Wine is a beverage associated with feasting so it stands to reason that you would need to pay most attention to the details of your reception. The menu needs to be essentially built around wines. The types you choose will either depend on the winery if you hold your wedding there or your personal preferences in other settings. A great idea is to have wine tastings and provide cheese and fruit that best match certain vintages. Do your homework to make your reception meal a success.
Another aspect of reception planning will be the decorations. Like the location of the ceremony use the grape and vineyard theme but more of it. Use grapes and wickerwork combined with fall blossoms for a dramatic center pieces. Also use other types of decorations for the walls and main serving table. Of course choose theme appropriate place cards.
The piece de triumph for the reception will be the cake. You can have many options to choose from. For example a great idea is a chocolate cake with white chocolate icing to delineate a vine trellis and candy confections for grapes and the vines climbing up and culminating into either a traditional cake topper or a bunch of grapes or confection bottle of your favorite wine. You can go for simple elegance with any flavor cake that has non colored icing and only molded designs of grapes, wine, and vineyard implements. This will present a dynamic option that your guests will surely like and remember always.
Aaron Hu is a leading author on a wide range of well published wedding articles. If you are looking for Wine Wedding Favors, E-weddingfavors has the biggest selection available. You will also find Bridal Shower Favors and much more, all at very affordable prices.
