Origins of the Chuppah
Interfaith, mixed marriage, nonreligious, and Jewish/Catholic couples almost always request a chuppah. The chuppah consists of a cloth or sheet, sometimes a tallit or prayershawl, stretched or supported over four poles. It symbolizes the home the couple will build together. Sometimes, the chuppah is carried into the wedding location by the attendants. Often, four attendants hold the poles during the ceremony.
Just as the tent of Abraham opened on all four sides for hospitality, the Chuppah remains open on all four sides. This "home" is free of furniture as a reminder that the foundation of a Jewish home is the people who inhabit it, not their possessions.
Choosing a Chuppah
The huppah (or chuppah) is probably the most distinctive element of the Jewish wedding. The huppah is made of a tallis or beautiful cloth held aloft over the bride and groom by four poles. Holding the poles is a special honor, given to family or friends that the bride and groom wish to honor. The chuppa creates a beautiful focal point for the wedding. The huppah represents the Jewish home that the bride and groom will make together. It is open on all sides, symbolizing that guests will always be welcome in their home.
We recommend MP Artworks for your Chuppah because their work is beautiful, reliable and affordable. They have many gorgeous designs to choose from including mixed marriage and interfaith and will personalize your huppah with your names and wedding date if you would like. You can also choose a ketubah and huppah pattern that match! Because we place so many orders with them, they have kindly extended to us a discount rate. Use the following discount code when you order.
$50 OFF |
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To receive $50 off the cost of your MP Artworks chuppah, use the following discount code when you place your order:
#SRDF6T10SZ2865-C
www.mpartworks.com |
Find out how to build your own chuppah from Seth and Amy. Click this link: http://www.sethandamy.com/ceremony/chuppah.html
Hanging Your Chuppah
Check with your synagogue, temple or florist for available poles. If none are available, consider using 8 ft. to 10 ft. long closet rods, 1.5 in. thick wood dowels or PVC pipes from your home improvement store. For a beach wedding, try bamboo trunks (found in your garden supply store) or thick tree branches. You can either drill holes or screw in an eye hook to the top of each pole to allow easy connection to the chuppah ribbons or ties. Decorate the poles, especially if they're PVC or closet rods, by wrapping fabric around them, painting them, or wrapping linear floral arrangements around them. Plant the poles in outdoor umbrella bases, flower pots filled with sand (a windy day could create a problem with this method) or Christmas tree stands. Weave hanging lights through the trellis or wrap around poles for a really festive look.
Other ideas to consider--Purchase a build your own Sukkah kit or hire a carpenter to build one for you. Your local Jewish bookstore may rent chuppahs. Craft stores and garden cetners often carry trellises and arbors.
Need ideas for ceremonial readings? Take a look at our suggestions for mixed marriage, interfaith, nonreligious ceremonies.
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