Jain
The Jain marriage is of utmost significance and is celebrated as a once-in-a-lifetime occasion, however, it is not acceptable to squander large amounts of money or time on the wedding itself. A Jain Pandit usually conducts the ceremony, although in some cases, Brahmins are allowed to do the honors. While Jain marriage traditions vary, they usually include the use of fire, as well as some of the following: vAgdAna, or declaration by parents of intent to marry; pradAna, ornamental gifts to the bride; paraspara-mukha-avalokana, the bride and groom looking into each other's faces; vara-pratijnA, vows; agni-pradakshiNA, gathering around the fire; kanya-dAna, the giving away of the bride; deva-shAstra-guru-pUja, the worship of Jina, Gurus and the Scriptures; AshirvAda, blessings; and Jina-grahe-dhanArpaNa, donations to the temple.
Jewish -- Conservative Judaism
Traditionally, the Conservative Jewish ceremony takes place in two parts, first in private, where the civil marriage certificate is signed. The bedeken, or veiling of the bride, is performed, in which the groom places a veil over the bride's face and says blessings over her. Next comes a reading of the ketuba, which is signed by two witnesses, and then the kinyan, in which the groom takes a handkerchief from the Rabbi, indicating that he will accept the marriage terms and be a good husband. The second portion of the ceremony is public, and after the processional, the bride may circle the groom seven times under the chuppah, or wedding canopy. A cantor or rabbi gives an opening blessing; and then the couple shares the first cup of wine. The ring ceremony follows, along with a public reading of the ketuba. The couple shares a second cup of wine, and the Seven Blessings are either chanted or read. After the closing blessing, the groom breaks the glass.
Jewish -- Orthodox
Five days before the wedding, a bride has a mikvah, or traditional bath. Both bride and groom must fast on their wedding day. Since orthodox men and women are forbidden from mingling, the groom, rabbi and male attendants sign the ketubah, or marriage contract, in a separate room prior to the ceremony. The bride, escorted by both her parents, waits under the chuppah, a canopy that symbolizes their new home. After the groom reaches the chuppah, the bride circles her groom seven times, then stands to his right. The rabbi begins with an invocation, blesses a glass of wine, and the couple drinks from it. After the groom lifts the bride's veil, rings are exchanged. The bride's ring is a plain gold band with no engravings (to symbolize eternal, unchanging love) and is placed on her right index finger (the one used while reading the Torah). The ketubah is read aloud, then designated guests read the Seven Blessings. At the end of the ceremony, the groom steps on the wine glass, symbolizing the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem. The couple is then led to a separate room for a yichud, or short period of seclusion. At the reception, men and women dance separately, and bride and groom dance clasping a handkerchief. At some point during the hora, a line dance, the guests lift up the couple on chairs.
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