I absolutely love intercultural marriages.  Heck, I’m the product of one.  So when I came across this great article, I had to share it with all of you.  There are so many interfaith and intercultural weddings these days, that it is wonderful to adapt traditions and symbolism from other cultures into your new fusion family.  The ketubah, which is rich in symbolism and art in the Jewish community is also a fantastic item anyone can incorporate into their ceremony.  Unlike the cake, the band, the food and the flowers, the ketubah is one of the only parts of your wedding day that lasts beyond the day itself. It is a permanent reminder of your marriage vows that you will see ever day of your life. This is something that any couple from any background can appreciate and make their own.

A sample of a fine art wedding certificate

choosing the right artwork

The challenge for any non-Jewish couple who’s looking for a ketubah is the artwork. Since you don’t have to follow any specific tradition, the choice of the artwork itself is very important: your ketubah has to be a work of art that you find beautiful enough to be in your home forever. Yet most of the ketubah designs available are heavily influenced by Jewish tradition, featuring Stars of David or the Tree of Life, and are either inappropriate or just don’t feel right.

This is why all of my ketubah designs are created from artwork that can be appreciated by people from any background or culture. I am an artist, so I create all of my ketubahs from my own fine art photography of nature, using beautiful abstract images of flowers and leaves to symbolize the life, energy and soul of your wedding vows.

choosing the text for your ketubah

The text used in the ketubah helps convey your feelings about marriage, and your love and commitment for each other. I have written a wide range of texts that you can choose from for your ketubah. Or many couples decide to write their own words. The text is then customarily personalized just for you, including your names and date of the wedding. Each of my ketubah designs also includes a poetic verse. I offer a number of traditional verses from the Song of Songs, that many couples love, or more modern thoughts on love by Shakespeare, Thoreau, Moliere, and Ghandi.

steps to making your ketubah

• First, choose the art for your ketubah.
  
• Choose the text for your ketubah, either one of mine or your own. (Be sure to select “none” for the Hebrew text option.)
  
• Decide if you’d like to customize the text, to make it more personal
  
• Decide if you’d like to have signature lines, so that you, your officiant and your witnesses can sign the ketubah
  
• Choose the poetic verse for your design. (Be sure to specify that you just want it in English).
  

If you have any questions about how to fill out my order form to create your fine art wedding certificate, please contact me and I’ll give you a hand.

including the ketubah in your wedding ceremony

There are many ways to make a ketubah a part of your ceremony. You may follow the custom of signing your ketubah is a small ceremony before your wedding, as a symbolic complement to your community’s official wedding contract. Many couples then have someone read the words of the ketubah during the wedding itself, by either the officiant, best man, or maid of honor. After the wedding, you can display your ketubah in the reception hall, giving your guests a chance to share and discuss its meaning.

Thanks Donna for sharing with the rest of us!