The Jewish Wedding: Centuries of Tradition

In a Jewish wedding, many traditions take place, which have been implemented for centuries, since biblical times. One in particular, is a well known custom in their ceremonies.

After the official signing of husband and wife, also known as the “ketuba”, the bride and groom follow their fathers and the rabbi into a separate room, referred to as the “bride’s chamber”. This is for the veiling of the bride, also known as “badekan”.

This tradition reverts back to many centuries ago, in the bible, when the apostle, Jacob, who put all his effort to marry Rachel, was left to discover that her father just so happened to do a switch on them, and offered up Leah, his other blind daughter to be his wife.

So, this of course breaks the American tradition of avoiding to see the bride before the ceremony. The Jewish people beg to differ, and many might agree, that centuries of tradition, would justify their desire to be sure ,that in fact, that their bride-to-be is not the sister, or the neighbor, for that matter.

Creative First Looks

If wedding photography is an important element to your wedding then consider some of these ideas for your first look!

1) Balloons!

2) Doors

{ A Paper Proposal }

{ London Bride }

{ Pb Fingers }

3) Blindfold

{ Pinterest }

{ Bow Ties and Bliss }

4) Tradition

{Katelyn James Blog }

{ Orchard Cove Photography }

5) Role reversal anyone?

 { Callaway Gable }

Traditions aside, if you’re still hesitant about revealing one another before the ceremony here are a few short reasons why:

1) fresh make up

2) maximizes time – more time to spend with family and guests

3) intimate alone time with your special someone

4) better quality shots

5) flexibility to be creative

The Way He Looks At Her

The First Look:

{ Radiant Photography }

The moment when he lays eyes on the bride as he turns to see her for the first time in her wedding dress is an intimate and special moment that’s hard to forget. It’s the moment when the beautiful bride is revealed to her groom. Rosy cheeks, hair styled to a T, a glowing face and a million dollar smile, it’s an intimate moment for two. It’s also a moment that photographers and videographers love to capture because it’s a time when all hidden emotions are revealed. The reaction, the facial expression, maybe even a tear sliding down the groom’s face is a heartwarming and priceless experience.

{ Radiant Photography }

This tradition dates back to a time when arranged marriages were a common practice. Because the groom did not meet the bride until the actual wedding day, the custom was created for fear that the groom would disappear if he saw her before the ceremony and was not pleased with her physical appearance.

{ The Bridal Detective }

Originally, the first look occurred as the bride walked down the aisle. It was done to avoid superstition with the belief that it was bad luck if the groom saw the bride before the ceremony. Going even further, the bride did not reveal her face until she reached the altar and lifted her veil.

Aide from superstitious reason, it can be a fun way to build anticipation and excitement from not seeing one another. It’s also enjoyable for friends and family to witness.

{ The Bridal Detective }

{ Andrea Lindquist }

Nowadays, it’s becoming more common in modern weddings for the first look to occur before the ceremony. With this flexibility, couples and photographers have gotten more creative with their first look photo shoots!

A modern and creative twist

{ The Bridal Detective }

{ Style Me Pretty }

{ Pinterest }

Non-White Bridal Dresses

Imagine if white wasn’t a color option for your dream wedding dress. What would you wear instead? Take a different look at how these real wedding dresses stole the spotlight. From patterns, bold colors, gradients to even black, these gorgeous dresses make white so yesterday!

Femine, flirty and chic! The glittered belt adds some extra color to this gown.

{ Ruffled Blog }

This cascading dress, long in the front but short in the back is super couture!

{ Tropic Pic }

This dress became the original inspiration for her desert themed wedding.

{ 100 layer cake }

Who says you officially turn old  when you wed? You’re never too young to play with gorgeous color combinations.

{ Flickr }

Elegant baby pink gown, red lips and a beautiful bride.

{ Once Wed }

Incorporating a dark wedding dress like this one gives an extra spark to colors like her red lips and the bouquet.

{ Jenny Sun Blog }

Orange asymmetrical dresses are definitely new yet timeless.

{ Green Wedding Shoes }

Striped cotton blue and white wedding gown.

{ I Love SW Mag }

Gold, glitz and glamour!

{ Ruffled Blog }

Affordable, Budget Bridal Fashion

Weddings are expensive. There. We said it. But that said, we love a challenge! There are so many affordable options out there for you budget-savvy brides. Your guests don’t need to know who you’re wearing as long as you look stunning!

We found five wedding dresses that are under $500 (wow!). From blush to ivory, these five bridal dresses are gorgeous, fashionable, and on par with current wedding style trends. The shorter cocktail length dress is an eye-catcher with its cute rosette pattern, making it perfect for summer garden weddings. We’re in love with the dramatic one shoulder gown with the sparkle details! See, you can find the dress of your dreams for under $500.

{Jill Stuart, Mignon, Mignon Bridal, Mignon Bridal, Mignon}