Weddingbee Blog

After we all arrived at the Chuppah, it was time to begin. Before any words were even spoken, we circled. The tradition is actually for the bride to circle the groom seven times. In an effort to make our ceremony more egalitarian, I circled Mr. HC three times, he circled me three times, and then we circled together once.

Our ceremony program said the following about this tradition:

Chuppah - The Wedding Ceremony

The Chuppah, the marriage canopy, is the central part of the ceremony. It is symbolic of the Jewish home that Mr. and Miss Hermit Crab will build together. Like the tent of Abraham and Sarah, it is open on all four sides to show that the new home will welcome family, friends, guests, and strangers alike. Miss and Mr. Hermit Crab’s Chuppah was handmade by Miss Hermit Crab’s aunt, S.

Rabbi KB will be officiating the marriage ceremony. KB was the Rabbi at the NYU Hillel where Mr. and Miss Hermit Crab attended frequently. Mr. HC also knows Yoni from years at Camp Ramah. Mr. and Miss Hermit Crab are honored to have KB officiate their wedding.

As the bride and groom arrive at the Chuppah, they are welcomed with song. Upon arriving, the bride circles the groom three times, the groom circles the bride three times, and they will circle together once. The number seven is important as it incorporates this marriage into the cycle of life that began with Creation. Circling also represents building the walls of their new home.

We finished circling and took our spots under the chuppah

The ceremony is broken down into two parts. The first part:

Kiddushin - Betrothal

The first portion of the marriage ceremony is Kiddushin, stemming from the Hebrew word for holiness, and also referred to as Erusin. Two blessings are recited; one is a blessing over wine, a symbol of joy, and the other thanks God for the uniqueness and sanctity of marriage. Then Mr. HC gives Miss HC a ring. This ring was worn by Miss HC’s maternal great-grandmother, grandmother, and passed on to her by her Great Aunt B, who wore it as well. The ring’s solid, round design symbolizes the continuity and completeness the couple will share in their lives together. As he places the ring on Miss HC’s index finger, Mr. HC says, “Now you are consecrated to me, with this ring, according to laws of Moses and Israel.” Miss HC then makes it clear to the witnesses that she is entering this marriage willingly and of her own accord. She accepts by placing the ring herself on her ring finger and verbally affirming that she accepts this marriage proposal.

The first blessing over the wine

Mr. HC helps me drink the wine while wearing a veil

He gives me the ring

Ketubah - The Marriage Contract

Under the Chuppah, the signed Ketubah will be read in the original Aramaic and the English translation that Mr. HC and Miss HC have chosen. This document outlines Mr. HC’s legal and ethical obligations to Miss HC as her husband. Miss HC gives Mr. HC a ring and says, “You are now obligated, through this ring, to fulfill all the precepts of this Ketubah.” To show that he is willingly accepting this obligation, Mr. HC will accept this ring and place it on his ring finger. The Ketubah is read aloud by Rabbi RA, friend and Miss HC’s former boss at CBS-CS in Syracuse. Mr. HC gives the Ketubah to Miss HC, which is hers to keep.

I give him the ring

The Ketubah is being read

Rabbi RA reading the ketubah

Hermit Crab wedding tip #17: There are often religious traditions that do not totally resonate with you and your partner. Work with your officiant to make sure that you are comfortable with every part of your ceremony. We made sure to make the ceremony as egalitarian as possible, even though a traditional Jewish ceremony is not.

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Did you miss any of the Hermit Crab recaps? Catch up here!

• L’Chaim is for Lovers: What’s with the recap title?
• We kick off the wedding weekend on Friday night with an intimate family dinner
• I spend Saturday buzzing with some Bees, and we greet our out of town guests
• I get pampered and beautified
• I arrive at the scene
• I get dressed and have a different kind of first look(s)
• My somethings: Something Borrowed, Something Bee
• All the small things - up close and personal with my bridal deets
• I strike a pose and Mr. HC arrives just in time
• We have our first look
• We take some photos together - just the two of us
• Our families join us for some family fun photo ops!
• Mr. Hermit Crab’s Tish officially kicks off the festivities as our guests arrive
• I make my big entrance and join the party!
• We signed and signed again - our marriage license and ketubah
• Bedekin - I was veiled and he was kippah-ed!
• We walked down the aisle

(Unless otherwise noted, all photos in the Hermit Crab recaps are by Joel Greenberg of Joel Greenberg and Wendy Stewart Photography)

Check out the Hermit Crab Honeymoon in Croatia!

• Part 1: Zagreb and Istria
• Part 2: Plitvice Lakes and Zadar
• Part 3: Split and Dubrovnik