So I know r.s.v.p’s were due yesterday, and there are a few of you out there that have not gotten back to us yet. No worries. As long as you get them to us before October 1st, it is all good! We love you all!
So I just signed up for class for this fall on the long pursuit to my nursing career, and I realized that since I am taking a Saturday/Sunday accelerated 8 week Anatomy and physiology class all the way up till the wedding, I will not be able to have a Bridal Shower or a Bachelorette party. After being a little bummed I decided to do something a little different. So on Saturday, October 25th, I would like to go have afternoon tea with all of my bridesmaids and girl family members and friends at a tea room here called Chantilly! http://www.chantillytearoom.com/index.html Then afterward, anyone who would like to, can come with me and we can all get our nails and toes done together! It will be the perfect “girls” day that I am dying to have with people I have not seen in forever or ever, for all of you ladies coming from Canada! I give more specifics as it gets closer, but let me know if you are interested! 
For all of you who will be in Tucson the Friday night before the wedding (October 24th, 2008), we will be attending a temple service at 7:30 where the Rabbi will be performing an Oyfruf, or blessing us and our marriage in front of the torah and congregation on the sabbath before our wedding. You are all more than welcome to come! Just let Brad or I know if you are interested and as the date gets closer we will give you directions to the temple!
OK, is you do not already know, and I think most of you do, Brad and I will be having a somewhat traditional Jewish wedding. For many of you this may be your first time attending a Jewish wedding, (don’t worry it’s my first time too, haha!) so I thought I would explain a little about what you are going to see and hear.
Let’s start from the beginning….
Ketubah
Before the wedding ceremony even starts Brad and I will be signing our Ketubah, or Jewish Marriage document. This is one of Judaism oldest wedding traditions. Back in the olden days it was a legal contract in which the groom agrees to support the bride and guarantees her certain rights of marriage. After it has been signed it becomes property of the bride. Today, the purpose of the Ketubah is to remind the couple of their moral responsibilities to each other. They also serve as beautiful artwork. Though many of you will not be there when we sign the Ketubah we will make sure it is on display for everyone to see!
(This is a picture of our actual Ketubah, it is very pretty!)
The wedding ceremony
Something that you will noticed that is different at our wedding ceremony than most, is that in a Jewish wedding the Groom gets escorted down the aisle by both of his parents, as does the Bride. I think this is nice considering it is your mother who carried you for 9 months in her body, why should it only be the father that gets to give you away?
The Chuppah (wedding Canopy)
This structure is a symbol that represents the home of the Bride and Groom. It is open on all four sides just as Abraham’s tent was open on all four sides, so that visitors from all directions would know they are welcome. The Chuppah is traditionally a temporary handmade structure that is a sign of God’s presence at the wedding and in the home we will soon create.
(This is the garden at the Wild Horse where we will have the ceremony! The Chuppa is the wooden structure we will be getting married under!)
Circling
The Bride and groom circle one another a total of 7 times. Alluding to the seven days of creation and the seven wedding blessings. This symbolizes their new union, as well as protecting each other from evil spirits. The bride first circles the groom three time; then he circles her three times. Finally they circle together once
Birkat Erusin (Blessing of the Betrothal)
Sacred events in Jewish life are traditionally marked with wine and a blessing. Over a cup of wine – a symbol of joy – two blessings are chanted that create betrothal. At the conclusion of the blessings bride and groom share a cup of wine.
(These are the Kiddush cup we will be using!)
Ring Ceremony
The bride and groom will exchange rings and vows of consecration – “You are consecrated to me in accordance with the law of Moses and the people Israel.” The circular quality of the rings symbolizes the unending character of marital love.
Sheva B’rachot (Seven Wedding Blessings)
These blessing begin with the Kiddush and continue with praise for creation, the individual, the union of marriage and the perpetuation of the Jewish people. Finally the bride and groom are blessed both as individuals and as a union.
Breaking the Glass
At the conclusion of the marriage ceremony, the groom breaks a glass under his foot. There are many explanations of this tradition. It represents the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem and reminds us that even in our happiest of times we recall sadness. The fragility of the glass reminds us of the fragility of marriage: as this glass breaks, may our love for each other never break. A third explanation is that, if lurking evil spirits see that something has already been broken, they will move on without disrupting the happiness of the day!
It is treaditional to shout” MAZEL TOV!” when the glass is broken.
After The Ceremony
Immediately following the ceremony, the bride and groom will retreat for a few moments of privacy with one another. This provides the couple with time to reflect on what has just taken place and symbolically consummate the marriage.
OK, so there seems to be a little concern about having to wear something that fits into the Cowboy/Cowgirl realm of things. If you do not feel comfortable doing this, don’t worry, you don’t have to! Brad and I just thought it would be fun for everyone to come dressed country since we are getting married at a ranch. You can come dressed however you would like. We are just trying to discourage people from coming in big fancy dresses and suits, (well that is everyone except the bridal party, I am making them, but they are more than welcome to change after pictures and the ceremony!! ) because it is Arizona, and it will be a little dusty and dirty out there! Not too bad though. For all of you who are interested in coming in your full on Cowboy Gear, I look forward to it! Brad and I just want everyone to be comfortable, dance, drink, and be merry as we celebrate the most important day of our lives! We love you all and can’t wait to see y’all!
We have sent out the invitations! So keep an eye out for them in your mailbox! Please RSVP (or decline) By September 1st. If you happen to get it back to us a little later that is not a problem either, I am not the RSVP police! As of right noweverything is going well and we are getting excited as the BIG DAY gets closer and closer! Hope to see y’all in October! It is going to be a great time!
Thank you so much for checking out this wedding web page that Brad and I have put together. As we get closer to the big day we will have more info and news to update you on! As of right now, Brad and I have made the final choices for the menu at the reception. We will be starting the evening with butler passed hors d’oeuvres, and Margaritas. There will also be an open bar with soda, ice tea, beers on tap, and many different Liqueurs for the mixing! We decided to go with buffet style dining. We will start with a plated Southwestern Caesar salad. The buffet will contain choices of Tilapia w/ a Pineapple Salsa, Tri tip Steak (cook to order) with a choice of either Smokey BBQ Sauce or a Burgundy Mushroom Sauce. For sides we chose scalloped Potatoes, Grilled Veggies and Cilantro Rice. We also have a vegetarian option of a Stuffed Bell Pepper, and even a Kid’s Option! So when you receive your invitations (which should be going out at the end of this month!!!) make sure to state on the RSVP the number of people who will be having which option! Easy enough right?!
Now Brad and I have decided that since we are getting married at The Wild Horse ranch, which is the oldest Guest Ranch in the state of Arizona, that it would be fun if everyone came dressed in their favorite cowboy/cowgirl gear! I’m talking about wearin’ your favorite pair of Jeans, cowboy hats, jean skirts, cowboy boots, or anything you have ever seen in a John Wayne Movie!! If the cowboy/ cowgirl look is not your thing, don’t worry, you can dress in whatever makes you feel comfortable enough to kick up yer’ heels and have a GREAT TIME! The reception will be outside, (weather permitting, so keep your fingers crossed) so you may wanna have a light jacket, because it may get a little chilly
For all of you out of town guest, if you check out the Hotels Page on our website, we have received a group discount at the Embassy Suites. refer to the page for more info. It sounds like rooms are going fast!
If you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to get a hold of Brad or I! We can not wait to see y’all!