Whether your ceremony will be taking place in a historical chapel or a casual backyard, incorporating traditions can bring potent symbolism to the life-changing event. Personally, I’ve always been drawn to the ketubah, a Jewish contract signed during the ceremony by the couple and their witnesses. While rooted in a history of bridal acquisition, the ketubah has come to incorporate modern notions of mutual responsibility and respect.
Rabbi Andy Bachman reflects: “The ketubah is one of the longest running, most enduring Jewish texts. As the Torah is a covenantal document between God and the Jewish people, the ketubah is for the covenantal love between two individuals. Its content, while evolving, is inherently personal and communal.”
In the midst of the sentimental blur of the big day, taking the time to produce this tangible document together strikes me as particularly everlasting. From stunning hand-painted horizons to papercut trees of life, this is a record for the ages.
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Sign in to add your ownWendy from UrbanCollective says:
Thank you for including our ketubah designs!
11 years ago
Ariella Carver from HausofAriella says:
There are some beautiful ketubahs here on Etsy. It makes me kind of wish my fiance were Jewish too.
11 years ago
Naomi Shiek from WoodlandPapercuts says:
Wow, I had no idea about this post! Thank you for including one of my ketubot!
11 years ago
Chellie Mejia says:
We're not Jewish, but the signing of a contract in this way just seems like such a beautiful and meaningful addition to any wedding. I'll be using it for my own!
11 years ago
NubianGoddess says:
We're not Jewish, but I loved what the ketubah symbolized and wanted to incorporate it into my wedding. I found a beautiful design on Etsy, and will be using it in my wedding.
11 years ago
Lara Harris from studiolara316 says:
Beautiful!
11 years ago
moon from jewelsbymoon says:
Totally love this part of the tradition of marriage. I just might want to rewrite the whole contract tho...
11 years ago
ania b. alyson from PaperCutWorks says:
What a beautiful tradition... wasn't familiar with it before. & such a beautiful thing to have turned into a piece of art by etsy artists. Love all the examples presented here. Makes me wish my husband & I had done something like this! :-)
11 years ago
Iris Biran from irisbiran says:
Beautiful designs!
11 years ago
Eva-Lena Rehnmark from artseed says:
Oh! Thank you for including my design! : )
11 years ago
Jul from JulsSewCrazy says:
Jerise's Ketubah is awesome! She even has some smaller versions for the parents of the bride and groom to remember the event! How cool is that!
11 years ago
kikisvintage from kikisvintage says:
I recognize Jerise's piece. She creates truly remarkable designs. Interesting article, thank you for sharing this with us.
11 years ago
Roxanne from watercolorsNmore says:
Love the Greenwich Village Ketubah by jerise.
11 years ago
Teresa from PaperieBlooms says:
amazing is Jerise's work...what an honor!
11 years ago
jerise from jerise says:
thank you so much for including me here--a very thoughtful piece!
11 years ago
Julianne Louise from heartbeasthandmade says:
I love this.
11 years ago
Terri Wright says:
Had I been raised Jewish, I would certainly have included this tradition into my wedding. I was wondering are Ketubah's written in English or only in Hebrew. My father was raised Jewish, but he married my mom in the Catholic church and we are all Catholic, but I like the idea of continuing the heritage...even in English with my Celtic, Catholic husband.
11 years ago
jerise from jerise says:
Actually, I think a lot of folks are now doing interfaith and even all-English ketubahs. And there is a similar document in Quaker tradition, a wedding certificate, that has a much shorter text, and is signed by all those attending the wedding. You can read more about it here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quaker_wedding And there are some folks on Etsy who specialize in these, too!
11 years ago