Of all the Jewish life cycle ceremonies, the wedding is my favorite. Each wedding ceremony takes us back to the Creation Story of Genesis. Every bride and groom is as significant to the world as Adam and Eve. Marriage is seen in our tradition as an extension of God's creation, a demonstration of the human ability to be a partner with God in adding to the beauty and fullness of the world.

Marriage stands out from the other life cycle rituals in a number of ways. When we see a pregnant woman, we can already anticipate a brit milah or baby naming ceremony. We can almost certainly count on a Bar/Bat Mitzvah celebration, and sadly, all lives will conclude with a funeral. But no one can truly predict if and when a newborn child will get married. This uncertainty brings an additional layer of mystique and excitement to every wedding that does indeed occur.

Also, most of the life cycle ceremonies focus on only one person. And marriage requires the intertwining of two lives. In this era when intermarriage by Jews is sadly becoming an all too common occurrence, it is all the more gratifying to attend a traditional Jewish wedding, including of course, a Jewish bride and Jewish groom.

The first important part of the Jewish wedding is called Badecken, which is when the groom places the veil over the bride's face. At a traditional wedding, the Badecken takes place in public. Prior to the Badecken, the bride sits on a throne-like chair and is greeted by the guests. The groom sits at a table, or tisch, in another part of the building, and is also greeted by guests. The groom attempts to give a talmud lesson to those gathered, but he is lovingly interrupted. During this time period the ketubah, or wedding document, is properly witnessed and signed.

At many weddings, the Badecken and ketubah signing are conducted in more private surroundings, with attendance limited to the wedding party and the immediate family and grandparents of the bride and groom.

After the badecken, the ceremony continues under the chuppah, or wedding canopy. Some ceremonies begin with the bride's circling of the groom three or seven times. One of the officiants raises a full wine cup and recites the blessings of erusin (betrothal). The betrothal becomes official when the groom then places a ring on the bride's right index finger and recites the traditional declaration. Frequently, in modern ceremonies, the bride also gives a ring to the groom. This practice is welcome, though it is not required.

The ketubah is then read by one of the officiants. This is followed by the recitation (usually by the Cantor) of the seven wedding blessings. As with the blessings of Erusin, the seven wedding blessings are followed by the bride and groom's drinking from the wine cup.

After the breaking of the glass, marking the end of the ceremony, the bride and groom enjoy yichud, which is a short period of privacy together as a married couple. Following yichud, the bride and groom re-join their family and friends for a festive meal and celebration. During this time, it is customary to treat the newlywed couple like royalty, to entertain them, dance and sing before them, and yes, even lift them up in their chairs.

A traditional wedding meal should, of course, be a kosher meal, and include the appropriate berakhot before and after eating. The synagogue is a perfect place to hold such a traditional and meaningful Jewish wedding.