A friend of mine once said to me, "I feel like I've been to my own wedding five times!" In my hometown, the Jewish community was small, and as families went through the wedding planning process, they would pass along their vendor recommendations to their friends. The result? A lot of weddings at the same venues with the same food and the same bands. When it was my turn to plan my wedding, I was determined to be different. And one of the biggest challenges was finding a band that was reliable and a party pleaser but had not been overly used in my community.
Of course, the easiest way to find a band is word of mouth. Ask friends and family about their recommendations. But if you want your wedding to stand out from the crowd, one way to do so is through the music, and you'll have to veer from the recommendations.
To begin your search, you can check out Gigmasters. This is a great web site that allows you to search for all kinds of different bands that perform in your area. There are reviews posted for some of the bands, and if you find some that seem to meet your needs, then you can go to their web sites where there will often be video clips posted of the bands' work. When considering a band that you find on your own, always ask to see some video clips or a demo CD. While the sound of the music itself is important, you should also see the kind of atmosphere that the band creates.
Another way to find a band is to ask your venue about bands that have performed there. The site coordinator for your venue will probably know several bands from past events, or the venue may even have a person that specializes in finding music for parties. Also, a good wedding planner will maintain lists of great bands for you to choose from.
Some bands may have booking agents. If you find the band through a booking agent's web site, I recommend trying to find the contact information for the band itself and communicating directly to the band. Booking agents are middlemen, and I have found that dealing with them makes booking a band a much lengthier process. From my experience, they often don't know the answers to your questions and then have to contact the band every time you have a question.
Once you decide on a band, read the contract carefully before booking. You'll want to inquire about the band's policy on learning new songs. They will likely only learn one to three new songs. Ask to see their current song list, and ask if the band will follow a "do not play" list. Be sure you know how many breaks the band takes during the reception and the electrical requirements for their equipment. You may also want to ask if they will play recorded music that you have assembled during the break. If you have a lot of special songs that you'd like played at the wedding, but the band will not learn them all, using customized recorded music during the band's break is a great way to fit in all the music that is meaningful to you.
Booking the band is a big decision, but before you know it, you'll be dancing the night away on your big day!
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Friday, May 21, 2010
Picture Perfect
When selecting a photographer, think ahead. Your relationship with your photographer doesn't end after you've cut the cake and jetted off to your honeymoon. Most likely your photog will be responsible for sending your proofs, ordering your prints, and creating your albums. Don't be left still waiting for your digital images a year after your big day. Ask lost of questions to potential photogs, so you know what to expect throughout the process. Here is a list to get you started:
- (For large companies) Will I get to choose the photographer that shoots the wedding?
- (For large companies) Will I get to meet with the photographer before the wedding?
- Will the photographer have an assistant that takes photos also?
- What packages do you offer?
- Do you take only a specific number of photos?
- Do you stay only a specific number of hours or until the end of the reception?
- What is the overtime charge if the wedding is not over before the time contracted for?
- Do you check with me before going into overtime or leaving the wedding?
- Do you have a backup photographer in case of illness or an emergency?
- Do you bring backup equipment with you?
- What is your photography style? Photojournalistic? Artistic? Traditional Posed? Combo?
- Will you follow a list of desired shots?
- How long after the wedding until we get to view the proofs?
- Do I get the copyright ownership to the photos?
- How long after the wedding until we get all of the negatives/digital images?
- What type of albums do you use?
- How many pages in the standard album?
- How much does it cost for extra pages?
- When can we expect to receive the albums?
- How will I receive the proofs? The albums? The digital CD? (mail? Pickup? Online?)
- Do you do any retouching to the photos?
- Who creates the album?
- Do I get to choose which photos will be included in the album?
- Do I get to approve the layout for the album and make changes before it’s printed?
- Do you release the albums to us even if others (such as the bridal party) have not paid for their orders?
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Preparing to Find the One
You've already found the love of your life. Your next big mission will be to find The Dress. You'll want to leave plenty of time for your search. Keep in mind that most wedding gown shops only keep samples of dresses, so when you find The One, you'll have to place an order. Even the dress manufacturer doesn't keep every dress size in stock. It's most cost-effective for manufacturers to cut the fabric for many orders all at once, which means it could take up to four months just to get your dress in after you've ordered it. And remember, once the dress arrives, there's still more to do! You'll most likely need some alterations, so plan on about three dress fittings. With such a lengthy process, it's a good idea to start your hunt for the perfect dress at least six to eight months before the Big Day.
Before setting up appointments, do your homework! You'll need to know if your venue or officiant have any restrictions regarding what you can wear. For example, some churches and synagogues may require that your shoulders be covered during the ceremony. Need inspiration? You may have noticed that most bridal magazines consist primarily of advertisements for dresses. Browsing through these magazines can give you a sense of the styles you like. If you see styles or even a particular dress that you're attracted to, go to the designer's web site. Designers often put photos of their entire collections on their web sites. From there, you can search for the stores in your area that carry those dresses. Then, call those stores to inquire whether they carry the specific dress you're looking for.
Be prepared for your appointments. Bring any pictures of dresses that you like to the bridal shop. Some shops allow customers to browse through all of the dresses in stock on their own. Others will ask the style of dresses that you like and your budget, and consultants will use their own judgment to pull dresses for you to try on. If a consultant is pulling dresses for you, be careful! There are gorgeous, unique dresses for $1,000 to 3,000. If a consultant is only pulling dresses that are the top of your price range, ask to also see dresses that match your style in a lower price range. If you want to play it safe, you can start out by lowballing your budget. And don't forget when determining your dress budget to factor in the cost of alterations, which can range from $100 to $500.
Be open-minded and try on a variety of styles. Even if you're set on finding a slinky satin sheath, try on at least one ball gown and A-line gown. A dress that you thought wasn't your style, may end up being the one dress that makes you feel like a beautiful bride.
Also, be forewarned that a lot of bridal salons have a "no photos" policy. Believe me, I know how frustrating this is! When I was planning my own wedding, I lived in a different state from my mom and had to do some of my dress shopping on my own. But of course, the one opinion that I really wanted on my dress was my mom's! I admit that I snuck a few photos of potential dresses to send to her. I say, when in doubt whether a store has the "no photo" policy, shoot first and ask questions later! But if you can't take a photo of the dress, just take note of the designer and the name of the dress, and you can track down a photo of the dress on the Internet.
Once you've decided on The Dress, start asking questions. You'll want to know how long it takes to get the dress in after it's ordered. Ask if the shop does alterations on site. Ask how much the alterations will cost and how long the alterations typically take.
You may want to go ahead and look at the shop's selection of veils. Be aware that even veils can take about two to three months to come in, as they are sometimes cut to your specified length.
Once you've settled on The Dress, stop your search! You don't want to end up second guessing yourself as you see other possibilities. To avoid this, simply don't commit to a dress until you've exhausted your search and are sure that you have finally found The One. You may end up going back to that first dress that you tried on, but you'll know that you've made the right decision.
Happy Hunting!
Before setting up appointments, do your homework! You'll need to know if your venue or officiant have any restrictions regarding what you can wear. For example, some churches and synagogues may require that your shoulders be covered during the ceremony. Need inspiration? You may have noticed that most bridal magazines consist primarily of advertisements for dresses. Browsing through these magazines can give you a sense of the styles you like. If you see styles or even a particular dress that you're attracted to, go to the designer's web site. Designers often put photos of their entire collections on their web sites. From there, you can search for the stores in your area that carry those dresses. Then, call those stores to inquire whether they carry the specific dress you're looking for.
Be prepared for your appointments. Bring any pictures of dresses that you like to the bridal shop. Some shops allow customers to browse through all of the dresses in stock on their own. Others will ask the style of dresses that you like and your budget, and consultants will use their own judgment to pull dresses for you to try on. If a consultant is pulling dresses for you, be careful! There are gorgeous, unique dresses for $1,000 to 3,000. If a consultant is only pulling dresses that are the top of your price range, ask to also see dresses that match your style in a lower price range. If you want to play it safe, you can start out by lowballing your budget. And don't forget when determining your dress budget to factor in the cost of alterations, which can range from $100 to $500.
Be open-minded and try on a variety of styles. Even if you're set on finding a slinky satin sheath, try on at least one ball gown and A-line gown. A dress that you thought wasn't your style, may end up being the one dress that makes you feel like a beautiful bride.
Also, be forewarned that a lot of bridal salons have a "no photos" policy. Believe me, I know how frustrating this is! When I was planning my own wedding, I lived in a different state from my mom and had to do some of my dress shopping on my own. But of course, the one opinion that I really wanted on my dress was my mom's! I admit that I snuck a few photos of potential dresses to send to her. I say, when in doubt whether a store has the "no photo" policy, shoot first and ask questions later! But if you can't take a photo of the dress, just take note of the designer and the name of the dress, and you can track down a photo of the dress on the Internet.
Once you've decided on The Dress, start asking questions. You'll want to know how long it takes to get the dress in after it's ordered. Ask if the shop does alterations on site. Ask how much the alterations will cost and how long the alterations typically take.
You may want to go ahead and look at the shop's selection of veils. Be aware that even veils can take about two to three months to come in, as they are sometimes cut to your specified length.
Once you've settled on The Dress, stop your search! You don't want to end up second guessing yourself as you see other possibilities. To avoid this, simply don't commit to a dress until you've exhausted your search and are sure that you have finally found The One. You may end up going back to that first dress that you tried on, but you'll know that you've made the right decision.
Happy Hunting!
Monday, May 3, 2010
Finding a Rabbi When You're Not a Member of a Synagogue
If you're having a traditional Jewish wedding, you'll need a Rabbi to perform the ceremony. Finding a Rabbi can be a challenge when you don't already belong to a synagogue.
First you'll want to become familiar with the synagogues in your area in order to identify Rabbis that might be available. Local Jewish organizations will likely have lists of all the synagogues in the area. For example, in Chicago, the Jewish United Fund's Guide To Jewish Living lists all the synagogues categorized by denomination. Keep in mind, that if you are having an interfaith wedding, you will likely be limited to Reform Rabbis.
Start contacting synagogues and ask what the rabbi's policy is regarding performing ceremonies for non-members. There are a variety of possibilities. Some Rabbis will not perform weddings for non-members. Others will simply ask for a donation to the synagogue. And others might require that you pay the membership fee, effectively making you a member for a year. If the synagogue requires you to pay the membership fee, ask if they offer discounted membership fees for young couples.
Once you find potential Rabbis, set up appointments with them all to see if you are a good fit for them. You'll want to inquire about any requirements or restrictions that the Rabbi has for the ceremony, what he or she typically includes in the ceremony, if you can customize the ceremony, how far he or she will travel, and whether you'll have the traditional Jewish marriage counseling leading up to the wedding. Every Rabbi is different, so meeting with them ahead of time will help you find the perfect match for the wedding that you envision.
First you'll want to become familiar with the synagogues in your area in order to identify Rabbis that might be available. Local Jewish organizations will likely have lists of all the synagogues in the area. For example, in Chicago, the Jewish United Fund's Guide To Jewish Living lists all the synagogues categorized by denomination. Keep in mind, that if you are having an interfaith wedding, you will likely be limited to Reform Rabbis.
Start contacting synagogues and ask what the rabbi's policy is regarding performing ceremonies for non-members. There are a variety of possibilities. Some Rabbis will not perform weddings for non-members. Others will simply ask for a donation to the synagogue. And others might require that you pay the membership fee, effectively making you a member for a year. If the synagogue requires you to pay the membership fee, ask if they offer discounted membership fees for young couples.
Once you find potential Rabbis, set up appointments with them all to see if you are a good fit for them. You'll want to inquire about any requirements or restrictions that the Rabbi has for the ceremony, what he or she typically includes in the ceremony, if you can customize the ceremony, how far he or she will travel, and whether you'll have the traditional Jewish marriage counseling leading up to the wedding. Every Rabbi is different, so meeting with them ahead of time will help you find the perfect match for the wedding that you envision.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Picking a Wedding Venue
Where to have the wedding is one of the first decisions to be made after getting engaged. When I was getting married, my now-husband and I thought we'd wait a little bit before starting to plan the wedding so that we could enjoy our engagement. But we soon realized the ugly truth about planning a wedding -- venues start booking up to a year in advance! So if you want to make sure you have your choice of wedding dates at any particular venue, you should start thinking about your wedding venue asap.
First, ask yourself what type of ceremony you'd like to have. Have you always dreamed of a traditional religious wedding in a synagogue? Or do you envision yourself getting married outside in the open air? Today, couples can choose from a variety of different unique wedding locales: parks, historic mansions, hotel ballrooms, bed & breakfasts, golf resorts, museums, and more.
If you are planning on an outdoor ceremony, make sure the venue has a backup plan in case of rain. Is there an indoor room that can be used on a moment's notice if the weather isn't cooperating on the big day? Having that Plan B is essential!
Next, think about your reception. Do you want your ceremony and reception to happen at the same location? If so, does the venue have separate rooms for the ceremony and reception or will they have to turn over the same room during a cocktail hour? It's more and more popular to keep all the events in one place so that guests don't have to struggle to find their way around an unfamiliar city. Many synagogues now have reception facilities so that there is no need to travel to a separate reception venue.
Think about your guest list. What is the maximum number of people that could show up at your wedding? Once you get a general idea of that number, you'll be able to narrow down venues to those that can accommodate the size of your wedding.
You'll want to check whether the venue hosts more than one wedding or event on the same day. If so, inquire where the paths of the two weddings could cross within the space. How will the events be separated? Is there potential for music or noise from the other event to invade your festivities?
Nowadays, part of the wedding experience is getting ready with your bridesmaids before the ceremony. If you plan on getting dressed at the venue before the ceremony, you'll need to find a place that has extra rooms available to serve as a bridal suite and a groom's room. Hotels will usually include in their packages smaller rooms where the bridal party can gather before the ceremony and get ready together.
Make sure you get a sense of the true cost of the venue. A historic mansion or museum may have a cheaper rental fee, but they may not provide tables, chairs, linens, and place settings. Renting these necessities from an outside vendor or caterer adds an extra cost that is usually included in hotel weddings.
Who do you want to do the cooking? Do you have a specific caterer in mind or do you want to have food taken care of by the venue? Hotels usually provide the food for the event, whereas you'll have to hire a caterer for other venues. Are you able to customize the menu, and can you do a tasting? Also, ask whether the venue allows you to bring your own alcohol, which is often cheaper than what a caterer or hotel will provide.
Check whether the venue has a list of required or preferred vendors. Some venues may require you to choose from a list of certain florists, caterers, or other vendors. If you have a particular vendor in mind that is not on the list, you may have to clear it with the venue.
Does the venue have time restrictions? Often museums won't allow you to get into the space until it closes to the public for the day. Some venues may require that the wedding be over and cleaned up by a specific time. Make sure you know what time the venue allows the vendors to get into the space to start setting up, and whether there are any overtime charges if your guests keep partying the night away.
For ideas of venue possibilities, look in your local wedding magazines at pictures of real weddings. Also, consider hiring a wedding planner. A wedding planner will be able to point you to possible wedding venues that fit your needs. Once you have some potential venues picked out, you have to do some leg work! Make appointments with the site coordinators at the venues to view their facilities. At your appointments, take pictures! Pictures will help you remember the details of each locale when making your final decision.
Once you have booked your wedding venue, you are well on your way to planning your perfect wedding!
First, ask yourself what type of ceremony you'd like to have. Have you always dreamed of a traditional religious wedding in a synagogue? Or do you envision yourself getting married outside in the open air? Today, couples can choose from a variety of different unique wedding locales: parks, historic mansions, hotel ballrooms, bed & breakfasts, golf resorts, museums, and more.
If you are planning on an outdoor ceremony, make sure the venue has a backup plan in case of rain. Is there an indoor room that can be used on a moment's notice if the weather isn't cooperating on the big day? Having that Plan B is essential!
Next, think about your reception. Do you want your ceremony and reception to happen at the same location? If so, does the venue have separate rooms for the ceremony and reception or will they have to turn over the same room during a cocktail hour? It's more and more popular to keep all the events in one place so that guests don't have to struggle to find their way around an unfamiliar city. Many synagogues now have reception facilities so that there is no need to travel to a separate reception venue.
Think about your guest list. What is the maximum number of people that could show up at your wedding? Once you get a general idea of that number, you'll be able to narrow down venues to those that can accommodate the size of your wedding.
You'll want to check whether the venue hosts more than one wedding or event on the same day. If so, inquire where the paths of the two weddings could cross within the space. How will the events be separated? Is there potential for music or noise from the other event to invade your festivities?
Nowadays, part of the wedding experience is getting ready with your bridesmaids before the ceremony. If you plan on getting dressed at the venue before the ceremony, you'll need to find a place that has extra rooms available to serve as a bridal suite and a groom's room. Hotels will usually include in their packages smaller rooms where the bridal party can gather before the ceremony and get ready together.
Make sure you get a sense of the true cost of the venue. A historic mansion or museum may have a cheaper rental fee, but they may not provide tables, chairs, linens, and place settings. Renting these necessities from an outside vendor or caterer adds an extra cost that is usually included in hotel weddings.
Who do you want to do the cooking? Do you have a specific caterer in mind or do you want to have food taken care of by the venue? Hotels usually provide the food for the event, whereas you'll have to hire a caterer for other venues. Are you able to customize the menu, and can you do a tasting? Also, ask whether the venue allows you to bring your own alcohol, which is often cheaper than what a caterer or hotel will provide.
Check whether the venue has a list of required or preferred vendors. Some venues may require you to choose from a list of certain florists, caterers, or other vendors. If you have a particular vendor in mind that is not on the list, you may have to clear it with the venue.
Does the venue have time restrictions? Often museums won't allow you to get into the space until it closes to the public for the day. Some venues may require that the wedding be over and cleaned up by a specific time. Make sure you know what time the venue allows the vendors to get into the space to start setting up, and whether there are any overtime charges if your guests keep partying the night away.
For ideas of venue possibilities, look in your local wedding magazines at pictures of real weddings. Also, consider hiring a wedding planner. A wedding planner will be able to point you to possible wedding venues that fit your needs. Once you have some potential venues picked out, you have to do some leg work! Make appointments with the site coordinators at the venues to view their facilities. At your appointments, take pictures! Pictures will help you remember the details of each locale when making your final decision.
Once you have booked your wedding venue, you are well on your way to planning your perfect wedding!
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Tips for Planning A Quickie Wedding
When talking about a quickie wedding, I don't mean eloping to Vegas. In the wedding industry, a quickie wedding can mean leaving four months or less to plan the big day. How long does it typically take to plan a wedding? Ideally, there will be close to a full year of planning. There are several reasons the planning process can be so lengthy.
First, some venues get booked up a year in advance. So, if you want your choice of venues for your prospective wedding date, then you have to start looking early. Also, if you're getting your wedding gown at a traditional wedding dress boutique, it can take four months just for your dress to come in after it is ordered, and then it will likely need alterations. And if you've dreamed of having the most prestigious wedding vendors do your flowers or bake your cake, again you're going to have to move quickly and book them up to a year ahead.
But not to worry. If you just can't wait to say those vows, you can absolutely plan an amazing wedding in less than four months. Here's how to do it....
Vary the Venue. First you've got to find your venue. Nowadays, weddings take place in so many different locales, and that's part of what makes them interesting. Be open-minded. Consider hotels, synagogues, gardens, art galleries, museums, yachts, historic mansions, restaurants or even your own backyard. Especially for big city dwellers, there are so many different wedding venues that you're bound to find places with availability. If you're having trouble, go off the beaten path and look at venues in surrounding towns and suburbs.
Find an Officiant. Jewish law actually does not require a person to be ordained in order to officiate at a wedding. BUT states do require an ordained officiant to sign the marriage license in order for the marriage to be legal. Can't find a rabbi to officiate in your city on short notice? In some states, cantors can also serve as wedding officiants. Rabbis or Cantors in neighboring cities may be willing to drive even a few hours to officiate, so expand your search. You can also look online for "wedding celebrants" in your area, which are essentially freelance wedding officiants that are often unaffiliated with any religion. If you aren't looking to have a traditional Jewish ceremony, ask a friend or family member to officiate. Anyone can become ordained through the Universal Life Church. Despite being called a church, the Universal Life Church is not affiliated with any particular religion. Its main tenent is simply to do what is right without infringing on the rights of others, and it advocates freedom of religion. It only takes a few days to become ordained online and couples then have the opportunity for someone close to them to create a special ceremony. No matter who you choose as your officiant, be sure to make sure that person complies with your particular state's laws!
Searching for The One. You already found your groom, now you need the dress! While it typically takes months for a wedding gown to arrive and be altered through a traditional wedding boutique, retailers like J. Crew, Ann Taylor, and White House Black Market have bridal lines. You can order online and have your dress within a couple of weeks! If you're really in a bind, some wedding dress boutiques will sell you their samples off the rack. You can also look online for sample sales in your area when stores are clearing out their sample inventory.
Dealing with the Details. You'll need a cake baker, florist, photographer, and DJ or band. Be willing to stray from the most renowned vendors, who are likely to already be booked up. If you're under a time crunch, you may want to seek the help of a wedding planner. A wedding planner will already have lists of vendors at her disposal, and will save you the time of having to search for the possibilities. Also keep in mind that some of the biggest trends right now require little advance planning. For example, any bakery should be able to provide cupcakes for the very popular cupcake tower with just a little advance notice. And if your favorite band is booked, many couples are skipping the band altogether and opting to create their own wedding setlists using an Ipod and speakers.
With a little creativity, you can plan that wedding and be on your way to a relaxing honeymoon in no time!
First, some venues get booked up a year in advance. So, if you want your choice of venues for your prospective wedding date, then you have to start looking early. Also, if you're getting your wedding gown at a traditional wedding dress boutique, it can take four months just for your dress to come in after it is ordered, and then it will likely need alterations. And if you've dreamed of having the most prestigious wedding vendors do your flowers or bake your cake, again you're going to have to move quickly and book them up to a year ahead.
But not to worry. If you just can't wait to say those vows, you can absolutely plan an amazing wedding in less than four months. Here's how to do it....
Vary the Venue. First you've got to find your venue. Nowadays, weddings take place in so many different locales, and that's part of what makes them interesting. Be open-minded. Consider hotels, synagogues, gardens, art galleries, museums, yachts, historic mansions, restaurants or even your own backyard. Especially for big city dwellers, there are so many different wedding venues that you're bound to find places with availability. If you're having trouble, go off the beaten path and look at venues in surrounding towns and suburbs.
Find an Officiant. Jewish law actually does not require a person to be ordained in order to officiate at a wedding. BUT states do require an ordained officiant to sign the marriage license in order for the marriage to be legal. Can't find a rabbi to officiate in your city on short notice? In some states, cantors can also serve as wedding officiants. Rabbis or Cantors in neighboring cities may be willing to drive even a few hours to officiate, so expand your search. You can also look online for "wedding celebrants" in your area, which are essentially freelance wedding officiants that are often unaffiliated with any religion. If you aren't looking to have a traditional Jewish ceremony, ask a friend or family member to officiate. Anyone can become ordained through the Universal Life Church. Despite being called a church, the Universal Life Church is not affiliated with any particular religion. Its main tenent is simply to do what is right without infringing on the rights of others, and it advocates freedom of religion. It only takes a few days to become ordained online and couples then have the opportunity for someone close to them to create a special ceremony. No matter who you choose as your officiant, be sure to make sure that person complies with your particular state's laws!
Searching for The One. You already found your groom, now you need the dress! While it typically takes months for a wedding gown to arrive and be altered through a traditional wedding boutique, retailers like J. Crew, Ann Taylor, and White House Black Market have bridal lines. You can order online and have your dress within a couple of weeks! If you're really in a bind, some wedding dress boutiques will sell you their samples off the rack. You can also look online for sample sales in your area when stores are clearing out their sample inventory.
Dealing with the Details. You'll need a cake baker, florist, photographer, and DJ or band. Be willing to stray from the most renowned vendors, who are likely to already be booked up. If you're under a time crunch, you may want to seek the help of a wedding planner. A wedding planner will already have lists of vendors at her disposal, and will save you the time of having to search for the possibilities. Also keep in mind that some of the biggest trends right now require little advance planning. For example, any bakery should be able to provide cupcakes for the very popular cupcake tower with just a little advance notice. And if your favorite band is booked, many couples are skipping the band altogether and opting to create their own wedding setlists using an Ipod and speakers.
With a little creativity, you can plan that wedding and be on your way to a relaxing honeymoon in no time!
Monday, April 12, 2010
Why Sunday?
Jewish weddings are often held on Sunday evenings. Wedding guests might wonder: "Why Sunday? Don't they know we have work tomorrow?"
What you may not know is that choosing a date for a Jewish wedding can require the strategy of a five star general. Jewish law prohibits weddings on certain dates. One of the most basic rules is that weddings may not be held on the Sabbath. The Jewish Sabbath runs from sundown on Friday evening to sundown on Saturday evening. In the spring and summer, the sun lingers in the sky for quite a while, which doesn't leave much time for a Saturday evening wedding. So Sunday is often the next best choice for a full length wedding celebration.
But the restrictions don't end there. Jewish weddings may not be held on Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Passover, Shavuot, and the day before each of these holidays. After Passover, weddings generally may not be held during the Omer period, from Nissan 23 to Sivan 2, meaning much of April and May is off limits.
Jewish weddings also should not be held from the 17th of Tammuz through the 9th of Av on the Jewish calendar. These dates correlate to about three weeks in June and July.
While picking a Jewish wedding date may seem like a challenge, the good news is that the choices are narrowed down. Check out Chabad for more specifics on choosing a date for your Jewish wedding. And it's always a good idea to talk to your rabbi before committing to a specific date.
What you may not know is that choosing a date for a Jewish wedding can require the strategy of a five star general. Jewish law prohibits weddings on certain dates. One of the most basic rules is that weddings may not be held on the Sabbath. The Jewish Sabbath runs from sundown on Friday evening to sundown on Saturday evening. In the spring and summer, the sun lingers in the sky for quite a while, which doesn't leave much time for a Saturday evening wedding. So Sunday is often the next best choice for a full length wedding celebration.
But the restrictions don't end there. Jewish weddings may not be held on Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Passover, Shavuot, and the day before each of these holidays. After Passover, weddings generally may not be held during the Omer period, from Nissan 23 to Sivan 2, meaning much of April and May is off limits.
Jewish weddings also should not be held from the 17th of Tammuz through the 9th of Av on the Jewish calendar. These dates correlate to about three weeks in June and July.
While picking a Jewish wedding date may seem like a challenge, the good news is that the choices are narrowed down. Check out Chabad for more specifics on choosing a date for your Jewish wedding. And it's always a good idea to talk to your rabbi before committing to a specific date.
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