What does the bride and groom says to each other at the Jewish wedding?

Answer 1

In a traditional Jewish wedding ceremony, there are no vows recited. However, when the groom places the wedding band on the bride's finger, he says (in Hebrew): "Behold, you are consecrated to me with this ring according to the traditions of Moses and Israel."

If the bride gives the groom a ring, when placing the ring on his finger, she says (in Hebrew): "I am my beloved's, my beloved is mine."

Answer 2

Breaking a glass at a Jewish wedding is not signifying a happy event. We break a glass to be reminded that we lost the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. It is a reminder that no matter how happy we are now and how happy this day may be, our happiness can never be complete without the Temple that "housed" the most important relationship of all, that between us and G-d.

It is appropriate to say nothing. Some people cry at this point (genuine tears). Although many say Mazal tov, it is NOT appropriate to do so. The couple is no more married after the glass is broken than before it was broken. The time to say Mazal tov is after the groom puts the ring on the bride's finger, that is the time at which they are married.

Answer 3

The officiator at a Jewish wedding is a rabbi, not a priest. His function is to ensure that everything is in accordance with Jewish law and custom, and he need not say anything. Nonetheless, he often reads the ketuba (marraige-contract) and one or more of the eight blessings (the ברכת האירוסין and the שבע ברכות).

More information:

The Orthodox Jewish wedding has four parts. The first two parts are under the Chuppah (wedding canopy).

Before the ceremony gets underway, the two families meet and agree upon tanaim (what their respective financial support to the couple will be). This may take place at any time before the wedding.

Just prior to the chuppah, the groom, led by the parents, approaches the bride and places a veil upon her which will remain during the chuppah. This is based on a tradition from Jacob.

The first part of the wedding: under the chuppah, the groom gives an item of value (customarily a gold ring) to the bride and, in Hebrew, declares his intention to marry her (see Tosafot commentary, to Talmud Ketubot 3a). Then a blessing is said (Talmud, Ketubot 7b). Technically, this actually constitutes the binding stage of the engagement, and in ancient times was usually done separately from the wedding ceremony.

Between the first and second parts of the wedding, the Rabbi customarily reads aloud the ketubah (marriage contract).

The second part of the wedding: the seven wedding-blessings (see Talmud, Ketubot 8a) are sung over a cup of wine, and the bride and groom take a drink from the cup. Then a glass or plate is broken, to symbolize that even in this happy time, we remain aware of the Destruction of the Temple (see also Tosafot commentary, to Talmud Berakhot 31a).

The third part of the wedding: the bride and groom retire in privacy for several minutes to a room. This constitutes a symbolic consummation and finalizes the formal portion of the marriage. During this seclusion they break the fast which they observed on their wedding day.

The fourth part of the wedding: the couple then enter the adjacent wedding hall, and the festive meal is served to the assembled guests amid a lot of music and dancing (see Talmud, Ketubot 17a).

Answer 4

The attached link gives a detailed description of the ceremony. Of course, just as with Christian ceremonies, there's a lot of variety in the details!