Chuppah - Chuppa
A chuppah or chuppa is a Hebrew word that describes a canopy used in traditional Jewish weddings. The chuppah itself is made up of a sheet or cloth stretched over four poles which symbolizes the home the couple will share together. The poles themselves could be decorated with:
- Flowers
- Ivy
- Leaves
- Silk
- Ribbons
- Cloth draping
- Paint
The chuppah is sometimes carried to the wedding location by attendants and the importance of tradition and symbolism requires the groom to cover the brides face with a veil before he steps underneath the Chuppah, he is then followed by the bride. The order in which the bride and groom step underneath the chuppah is symbolic of the fact that the groom is providing the bride with shelter denoting his new responsibilities. In a very Orthodox Jewish wedding it is suggested that there be open sky above the chuppah itself.
The chuppah can be decorated in any manner the couple would like. Often times, the chuppah will be representative of the couple’s interests and occupation. The chuppah should be a very personal thing because although it has great religious symbolism it serves as a piece of decoration for the wedding itself. Any material can be used as the cloth including:
- Silk
- Paper
- Heavy printed cloth
- Tarp
When planning a Jewish wedding, it is important to find out the couples’ views on incorporating their religion into their wedding. Not every Jewish couple wants to have a traditional Jewish wedding, so it is important to inquire before assuming.
