CEREMONIAL CHUPPA HOOPLA

As the marriage program stated:You are about to sit through the totally Jewish and not boring marriage celebration. They weren't kidding one thing definitely not missing from my daughter's demeanor was sheer joy. 

One happy groom too!

This was one happy Bride if I may say so myself... Her Dad even promised as difficult as it was to not sprint down the aisle during the processional. And he kept his promise, we actually had time to say "Here comes the Bride" before we handed her to Evan. Lori joined her Evan under the Chuppah smiling ear to ear.

The Bride circled her Groom giggling, trying to keep track of how many times she circled around him. She needed to reach the special Biblical number  7.  Was Evan keeping track/ did he already know he had the right woman? In the old days when matches were made, the couple may have only met a couple times and the guy certainly did not want to take home the wrong woman.

After locking gazes, he acknowledged she was the right woman,  it was time to bless the wine, the Erusin, to symbolize life's sweetness. According to their program it is the second most important blessing of the evening.

Next was the ring ceremony when the Groom and Bride repeat

the Hebrew after the Rabbi. Lori proudly  
showed off her  ring. Yep, you're seeing correctly it was on the pointer finger.  It wasn't that it didn't fit but tradition is for the groom to place it on his Bride's pointer  as that artery goes straight to her heart. AW, once again, a very happy Bride. Would Evan break  into Beyonce's song "If I Like it, then I shoulda put a ring on it?" He didn't need to... They were no longer single but officially married! Rabbi Aggie then spoke about the previous signing of the ketubah, the marriage contract which states the rights and responsibilities as a married couple. Let me digress: I used to make up different translations of my ketuba hanging on the wall. Anytime there was a discussion of household chores, I'd run over point to any line and make up whatever i.e.: like line 9 translates: Man takes out trash. Who knows what all that Hebrew says?  Anyhoo back to the ceremony...  

Sheva Brachot, the Seven Blessings, seem to take forever but join the new couple to the community. Every time the Rabbi'd finish one, Lori would look to her asking if it was time to kiss. The Rabbi repeatedly responded, "Not yet."

But after handing Evan the glass to stomp, we all shouted Mazal Tov, Good Luck, as "the remaining shards remind us of how fragile the bond of marriage is and how we must care for each other with love and understanding." The couple stood there looking at each other, until the Rabbi finally said "Now, now, you can kiss the Bride." Lori's response was to jump up and down and threw her arms around her new husband. Such joy.

And that was it, Evan and Lori were married. L+E  headed down the aisle as we all clapped, hooped and hollered. 
(There's a short video that I might be able to insert at a later date. Just take these photos at face value. It was joyous.

There they go L+E now M/M

The newlyweds would have a couple minutes alone.  We'd see them after we had time at the reception for some schmoozing at the dinner and party.  Check back as the celebration continues...

* Thanks to Josh, Amanda, Denise& Jo for the use of your photos.