Interfaith Marriage Rabbi, Jewish-Christian customs

Rabbi Davis assists you in merging your different wedding ceremony traditions into your own unique interfaith or nondenominational ceremony, giving you an opportunity to define yourselves spiritually and add even more meaning to your wedding. Use the chart to determine which wedding traditions have significance for you. Rabbi Davis will gladly explain the symbolism behind the different rituals and help you decide which ones to incorporate into your interfaith wedding, mixed marriage or commitment ceremony.

Here's a suggestion Rabbi Davis likes: Walk together! When it comes to the procession, take a cue from the Jewish tradition where both parents walk their child down the aisle. Both sets of parents can make a public display of greeting each other at the end of the aisle, demonstrating the coming together of two faiths. In an interfaith, mixed marriage or non-religious ceremony, walking together eliminates the idea of the father "giving" away the bride to her new husband and also symbolizes the merging of two families.

Learn more about having Rabbi Davis perform your interfaith, mixed marriage wedding ceremony under the chuppah.

View a selection of ketubahs with interfaith text.

Jewels Ketubah
by Rachel Deitsch

$290

Wedding Customs

Jewish Custom

Christian Custom

Guests of the bride sit on the right
  Yes

No

Guests of the bride sit on the left
No

Yes

Guests stand when bride walks down the aisle
No

Yes

Guests remain seated when bride walks down the aisle
Yes

No

Bride stands to the right of the groom
Yes

No

Bride stands to the left of the groom
No

Yes

Parents stand with their children during the wedding ceremony
Yes

No

Parents sit in the front row during the wedding ceremony
No

Yes

Signing the Ketubah
Yes

No

Blessing the Couple
Yes

Yes

Lighting the Unity Candle
No

Yes

Exchange of Vows
Yes

Yes

Exchange of Rings
Yes

Yes

Reading from Scripture
No

Yes

Declaration of Intent/Consent
No

Yes

Standing Under the Chuppah
Yes

No

Drinking Wine from the Kiddush Cup
Yes

No

Breaking the Glass
Yes

No

Rabbi Recites the Seven Blessings
Yes

No

Three Faiths--Three Processionals

The Order of the Processional—Jewish

The Rabbi and/or cantor
Grandparents of the bride, who are then seated in the first row
Grandparents of the groom, who are then seated in the first row
Groomsmen, walking in pairs
Best man
The groom, who is escorted by his parents.
Bridesmaids
Maid or Matron of Honor
Ring bearer and/or flower girl
The bride, escorted by her parents

The Order of the Processional—Catholic

The priest, groom, and best man enter through a side door and wait at the altar.
The groomsmen and bridesmaids walk down in pairs, starting with the two who will stand farthest from the bride and groom, and ending with the best man and maid of honor.
The ring bearer and/or flower girl.
Finally, the bride and her father, or other close family member.
The bride walks on the left side.
If the bride's escort is her father, he leads her to the front of the aisle, then takes his seat next to the bride's mother.

The Order of the Processional—Protestant

The mothers of the bride and groom are seated after all guests are seated, immediately before the start of the processional music. They are usually escorted to their seats by a brother of the bride or groom, or by another usher. After they are seated, the officiant, groom and best man enter by a side door and wait at the altar. Groomsmen may also enter by a side door, or can escort the bridesmaids. Bridesmaids Ring bearer and/or flower girl Maid or Matron of Honor
The bride, escorted by her father or other close male family member or friend. At the front of the aisle, her escort can remain standing with her until the minister asks "Who gives this woman in marriage?" to which he responds "I do," or "Her mother and I do." However, some people feel this tradition is old fashioned and sexist, and choose to forgo it. In such a case, her escort walks with the bride to the front of the aisle, and then takes his seat in the front row.

Home: Interfaith Wedding

About Rabbi Davis

Frequently Asked Questions

Are You Ready for Marriage? Take this test.

Rabbi Davis's Expectation Program

Avoiding Conflict in an Interfaith Marriage

Conditions for Officiating

Call Rabbi Stuart E. Davis, Overland Park, Kansas, today to reserve your wedding date, 913-897-6309

Current Page: Traditions Previous Next

Ketubah? Chuppah? Interfaith Rabbi Compares Jewish Christian Wedding Ceremony Customs

Ceremonies

Rituals

Two Become One Ceremonies

Readings

Ceremonial Objects