If you have never been to a Jewish Wedding, let alone an Orthodox Jewish Wedding, you would think you are entering into a different world. Just like going to an Indian or Abrabic Wedding, these weddings are filled with wonderful and interesting traditions. We may not fully understand them but are so happy to be a part of it, and talk about it for days on end with our family and friends!
It starts, above, with the bride sitting on a "throne" in one room where her guests come and congratulate her. She usually is sitting with her mom, grooms mom, grandmas and sometimes sisters or bridal party. The groom is in the "tish" room. Here he is surrounded my the dads, his groomsmen, rabbis, uncles, friends etc, who pray, give speeches and talk about torah. (Below)
Prior to receiving her guests, the bride has a few private moments with her mom, last minute praying.....
Last minute touch ups......
a few more prayers.......
Then after they "dance" or "walk" the groom over to the bride, to do a bedecking ( that's when the groom covers the brides face with a veil after making sure he is marrying the right girl) it is time for the wedding ceremony. The ceremony is performed towards the east, so the sun can shine on them.
Note that all the men are on the left and all the woman are on the right. And that is how it will be for the remainder of the evening. At an orthodox wedding, the dinner and dancing will be like two separate events going on at the same time. The bride and groom will sit next to each other at the head table with their parents, but will not hold hands, or kiss in public. 
The flowers were beautiful from Breath of Spring and smelled so beautiful!
The band was brought in from out of state and did a fabulous job! Everyone was up and dancing the entire night. Note to oneself: Make sure you bring a comfortable pair of shoes to change into!
As you can see the dance floor was divided in half, ladies on the left and the men on the right.you would think that people would not have a good time because they were not with their spouses, but it just is not so. Guests seem to dance "freer" you are just having fun and do not have to worry about what anyone else thinks. The girls lifted the bride in a chair, brought "schdick" which is fun stuff like hats, balloons, and pompoms etc, to dance with. The guys did their thing, the girls did theirs.
On some of the tables were canisters asking for a small donation. Not only were the bride and groom enjoying themselves on this fabulous night, but were thinking of others by asking guests, if they wanted to make a donation, they could, knowing that it was going to be going to a good cause. Mazel tov, Jordan and Hilary, I mean Chanan and Shoshana! Many years of happiness together!
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