How to Dress for a Jewish Wedding

In the Jewish culture, men wear a kippah at the crown of their head to remind them they are below God.

If you or your intended spouse is Jewish, you may find yourself planning a traditional, Jewish wedding. There are many aspects that are catered to this culture: from the time of the wedding, to accessories used during the ceremony, to the attire involved. Perhaps the most important to you is what you and your intended will be wearing on your special day. There are a few traditions to follow when purchasing your ensemble.

Instructions

1. Adorn the bride in a white gown and veil. The white gown is for two purposes: first, that she is pure and virginal, and second, that she is beginning a new and pure life together with her husband. The tradition of wearing a veil began when Rebecca wore a veil in her marriage to Isaac as a sign of modesty.

2. Add gloves as a part of Sephardic Jewish bride's ensemble, for she cannot accept the marriage coin with her bare hands. A Jewish bride, however, must receive the wedding ring on a bare hand, so if gloves are desired, she should purchase one with a slit on the ring finger so the finger tip can be removed for the placement of the ring.

3. Dress the groom with a white kittel over his wedding suit. Again, white is worn to symbolize a pure and new start in marriage. The kittel is actually a burial shroud and is worn during the marriage ceremony to remind the groom of his eternity in heaven and to keep the wedding party focused on all things good and the brevity of life.

4. Complete the groom's attire with a white kippah on the crown of his head.

5. Provide male, Jewish guests with a kippah. Female Jewish guests and all non-Jewish guests are free to wear whatever attire they desire, though the bridal party may request a specific attire as well.

Tips & Warnings

• When the veil was used to trick Jacob into marrying the wrong sister, the tradition became for the groom to lift the veil before the ceremony to avoid future trickery.

References

• Jewish Celebrations: Jewish Wedding Attire