Under The Chupa


The Ring


Same Sex Weddings

In the United States gays and lesbians can legally marry in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, Washington, D.C., Vermont and New York City,

We will officiate at Jewish or Interfaith Gay & Lesbian weddings. In addition to officiating at a legal ceremonies, we also support religious unions. 

The makeup of the ceremony will depend on you and the Rabbi (and Minister if a co-officiant is involved). However, generally speaking, following are the key elements:

Processional & Greeting
The Rabbi and/or Minister welcomes guests to a celebration of the love and commitment between the couple. He or she will probably also say a few words about their relationship, or about marriage/commitment in general.

Vows
The couple declares their intent to be a committed or married couple. As in any kind of wedding, they will make promises about what that commitment means. They may promise to love in sickness and in health, in richness and poverty, till death do they part. Alternatively they may write their own vows.

Readings/Music
A religious commitment ceremony will incorporate liturgy and scripture readings that, of course, focus on love.

Exchange of Rings
The couple exchanges rings, and in a Jewish ceremony, repeat an appropriate version of an ancient wedding formula.

Pronouncement of Marriage
The officiant announces to the guests or congregation that the couple is now married (joined/united/wed - whatever word you prefer to say) and invites the couple to kiss. Some couples may not be used to kissing in public and thus may only have a very small kiss, or forgo this part altogether. Others will relish the moment to have the opportunity to kiss each other in front of their loved ones, proclaiming their love, and pride in having that love.

Reception
Most couples will follow the ceremony with a reception of some kind. As with all weddings, there are no rules as to what this should be - it can be very formal and traditional, or as casual as a backyard picnic. It may include traditional wedding elements such as the first dance, cake cutting, and bouquet toss, or may just be an unstructured party.

Contact us now to reserve your Ceremony!