Weddings and Blessings

Judaism delights in celebrating love between people. In our communities this coming together is marked through special rituals and blessings, performed before family and friends. Progressive Judaism celebrates equal marriage and also offers ceremonies for both Jewish and mixed faith couples, embracing all expressions of love.

Our weddings and blessings reflect the joy and sanctity of love, unity and commitment.

In Progressive Judaism, there are a range of ceremonies available. These include for relationships where both partners are Jewish, and for mixed faith couples where one partner is Jewish and they intend to build a Jewish life together. We are also the only Jewish Movement to officiate at LGBTQI+ marriages.

Due to UK law, we can only conduct full Jewish weddings for couples where both partners are Jewish – which is why our rabbis and cantors have developed meaningful marriage blessings for mixed faith/dual heritage couples.

For those who wish to commit to each other without marrying, our communities also offer alternative ceremonies to honour and celebrate a partnership.

Marriage

A longstanding and central aspect of Jewish life is marriage. In Judaism this is called kiddushin, which is derived from the Hebrew word for holiness, because marriage is seen as a way to experience holiness in our everyday lives.

Whilst the precise structure of a Jewish marriage ceremony can vary from person-to-person and community-to-community, common features often include:

• Chuppah: Those marrying stand under this temporary, four-sided canopy symbolising the new home they will share and create together.
• Rings: The couple exchange rings with a traditional declaration of betrothal recited by both partners.
• Blessings: As marriage is holy, we offer b’rachot (blessings) to God that the marriage should be blessed with joy, companionship and peace.
• Circling: The couple circle each other seven times; an allusion to the seven days of creation and that marriage is itself a process of creation.
• Wine: The blessings are recited over a cup of wine symbolising joy (this may be replaced by grape juice). The couple then sip from the cup.
• Ketubah: The Jewish marriage document that is signed by the couple, their two witnesses, and the officiating rabbi or cantor.
• Breaking a Glass: The wedding ceremony concludes with the breaking of a glass to remind us that, even in moments of joy, the world is still in need of healing.

Mixed faith wedding blessings

A key value of Progressive Judaism is our welcome of mixed faith/dual heritage couples and families and our belief in ‘marrying in’.

Our rabbis and cantors, working with a couple, can create meaningful and appropriate wedding blessings, which can also incorporate elements of the non-Jewish partner’s culture.

Some of the features of a Jewish wedding, described above, can be included in a mixed faith/dual heritage wedding blessing – though the exact details are shaped by the couple, their rabbi or cantor, and the traditions of the congregation.

Other ceremonies

For those who wish to honour their love and commitment without marrying, our communities offer meaningful alternative ceremonies.

Officiated by rabbis or cantors, these provide a space to celebrate love and partnership in a way that resonates with the couple.

To find out more about weddings and blessings, your local community’s rabbi, cantor or lay leader should be your first point of contact. They will be able to offer you guidance and advice as you approach this special moment.