All About Signing The Ketubah (Jewish Marriage Contract)

The Ketubah is a Jewish marriage contract, and is considered an integral part of a traditional Jewish marriage. The Ketubah outlines the agreed upon rights and responsibilities of the groom, in relation to his bride, and it is most assuredly not a bill of sale. In modern practice, the Ketubah has no monetary value, is an important ritual, and usually uses modern texts that stipulate equality and love within the marriage. And, it is seldom enforced by civil courts, except in Israel.

The History of The Ketubah

The Ketubah or marital contract has been an essential part of Jewish weddings for many thousands of years. There are even mentions of the wedding contract in the bible, specifically stipulating how much a groom’s family would have to pay the bride’s family upon marriage. The earliest surviving historical Ketubah is from around 440 B.C.E and is written in Aramaic.

In some Orthodox communities around the world, the text hasn’t changed, and is still written in Aramaic. However, in nonorthodox communities, couples generally use more modern (English or Hebrew) texts that speak about equality and love within the marriage. It’s also fairly common these days for the bride and groom to take on writing the contract themselves, as the Ketubah has grown and evolved to fit every couple and every ceremony. It now happily includes LGBTQ+ and non-binary couples in Reform or Interfaith ceremonies. 

Much like a prenuptial agreement, the Ketubah lays out details such as what a wife gets if there is a divorce or untimely death and what the husband promises to provide to his wife, and outlines a husband’s marital obligations to his wife, it also lists all the details of the wedding: the date, the name of the bride and groom, and more.

The Ketubah Ceremony

The signing of the Ketubah takes place in a ceremony before the official wedding ceremony under the chuppah. Some couples make this an intimate family-only affair while other couples, especially Orthodox couples, do the ketubah signing at the Chatan’s Tisch (the groom’s reception, which takes place before the chuppah) Some couples even opt to do the signing the day before the wedding in a private ceremony for close family and friends.

Once it is signed the Ketubah is read out loud at the ceremony, and after the wedding it is usually framed and displayed in the newlywed’s home. 

Who Signs The Ketubah?

Surprisingly, in Orthodox Jewish weddings, the Ketubah isn’t signed by the bride and groom, and is instead signed by two witnesses, unrelated to the couple. The signers in Orthodox Jewish Ceremonies also must abide by Jewish law and be male; however, in modern or reform Jewish practices, the witnesses can be anyone the couple wants. In this instance it doesn’t matter whether they are male or female or observant or not. Some couples even choose to have more than two witnesses, and it’s common for the bride and groom to both sign their own Ketubah, signifying their lifelong commitment to one another. The Rabbi or officiant also signs the document.

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All About Dancing The Hora at Jewish Weddings

The Hora dance, sometimes also referred to as the chair dance, is a dance traditionally performed at Jewish weddings. During the Hora dance the newlyweds are lifted up into the air on chairs while their family and friends dance in circles around them. The couple holds hands, or each person holds one end of a handkerchief or napkin to signify their new union. It’s a very high energy affair and can go on for hours at some weddings! It takes stamina, but it’s lots of fun and is generally considered one of the biggest highlights of the entire wedding celebration! 

History Of The Hora

It surprises some people to find out that the hora was not actually a Jewish dance at all until it traveled to Palestine from Romania, where Zionist pioneers, or halutzim, adopted it in the early 20th century. And, the word “Hora” comes from the ancient Greek word khoros, which is also the root of words such as “chorus” and “choir.” 

In fact, traditional circle dances that have derived their names from the Greek word khoros can be found all over the Balkans and even southeastern Europe!  These dances include the Turkish and Romanian Hora, the Bulgarian Horo, the Montenegrin and Macedonian Ora, and the Russian Khorovod. The dances all have a long history and are danced in a similar style!

The Hora as we know it today, only dates back to 1924 when a welcome Hora was performed for the Jewish settlers arriving in Palestine. The Hora dance then became associated with joy and celebration, and has since been performed at special occasions like weddings, both in Israel and America. In more traditional Jewish communities men and women still dance the Hora separately in their own circles, while in more modern Jewish communities men and women dance together in circles with the couple in the middle.

When Should The Hora Be Performed?

The Hora dance is generally performed during the wedding reception, after dinner and before the dance; however, there is no set rule for when in the festivities it should be completed. Many couples opt to dance the Hora as part of their grand entrance, and many couples wait until after dinner is done, and use dancing the Hora to open up the dance floor for the evening.

Who Joins In On The Hora?

The short answer is everybody who wants to and is able to, is welcome to join in! And, because all the guests are encouraged to join, it is recommended to have a large dance floor and enough space in the ballroom to accommodate the Hora dance. 

Who Is Lifted Up On Chairs During The Hora?

While the couple (of course) is always lifted up on chairs, sometimes other honored wedding guests also join in! For instance, sometimes the couple’s immediate family members such as parents, and siblings are also lifted on chairs into the middle of the circle.

Who Does The Lifting?

Anybody can get in on the fun and do the honors, as long as they are strong enough! After all, It can be hard work, so it’s quite common to swap people in and out as the dance goes on. Sometimes lifters are decided beforehand while other times, lifters spontaneously run into the middle of the circle to do the honors.

Who Plays The Hava Nagila, And For How Long?

The couple can choose either a live band or a DJ for the music for the Hora! They will just have to make sure to plan it all in advance and discuss the details with their DJ or live band, i.e.: when they want the Hora to take place during the reception, what music they would like for dancing the Hora, and the crucial detail of the length of the dance as well! After all, all of these factors are variable when it comes to dancing the Hora!

But, no matter how the newly wedded couple chooses to dance the Hora at their wedding, our wish for them will remain the same! May today’s joy continue to fill your life forever! Mazel Tov! Congratulations!

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The Ins and Outs of the 360 Photo Booth Experience

First things first… what have you heard about 360 Photo Booths?! If the answer is “Nothing!” Keep reading and we’ll give you the whole lowdown on how it works, what all the buzz is about, and why you need to hire one!

This new photo booth craze is sweeping the wedding and events industry, so if you hire a 360 photo booth for your wedding or your next event, you’ll find yourself right on the cutting edge of a new trend in fun and interactive event entertainment!

The most important thing to know is that 360 photo booths create an even more dynamic and engaging experience at events and weddings, than a more conventional photo booth experience. The 360 Booth accomplishes this by giving attendees a truly immersive experience they will remember forever. But, just how does it all work?!

So…What Exactly is a 360 Booth?

The 360 photo booth, also known as a 360 camera booth, is a truly amazing piece of technology that uses a rotating camera mounted onto a wheel swivel, which is set on top of a pedestal. The camera then slowly rotates around the standing platform while capturing multiple images, then the software compiles the images into a highlight reel worthy photo op that can integrate photos, video, GIFs, and  maybe even slow-motion effects into the final product. 

The 360 Photo Booth experience includes trained and knowledgeable attendants, and all of the required equipment to make sure the experience runs smoothly for the duration of your party.  The 360 video booth is a fantastic option for weddings, holiday events, corporate galas, and other life events and parties. 

So, if a mesmerizing, immersive and interactive, high-quality photo adventure that’s unlike anything you ever thought possible sounds good to you, please keep reading or simply get in touch to secure your date today.

Why are 360 Photo Booths so Popular?

There are several reasons why 360 spin video/photo booths are gaining popularity at events around the world:

Easy Setup!

When we arrive at your event we can be set up and ready to go super quickly, meaning less disruption if we are setting up during your event, as opposed to before.  The 360 photo booth comes as a complete unit, including an all-in-one easy setup.

Lots of Fun!

Events are about cutting loose and having fun after all, and a 360 photo booth adds excitement, making users feel like the center of attention with all eyes on them! It also helps to put your guests in a party mood, which will make them ready to get down on the dance floor later on!

Gets People’s Attention

Once your guests start to see the 360 booth in action it’ll attract the crowd’s attention meaning more engagement and capturing more memories!

New and Different!

A 360 photo booth offers an entirely different experience from a traditional photo booth (even though we think they’re pretty awesome too), so it’s likely that the experience will be new to most of, if not all, of your guests, making it extra memorable and enjoyable!

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ESTATE WEDDING VENUES IN BOSTON, PART 2

Like we learned last week…”Estate weddings can be beautiful, unique, and  elegant affairs, and can be a real breath of fresh-air from your more typical ballroom weddings. This is true whether the estate is located oceanside, tucked away in the rolling hills of a ranch, set dramatically amongst a winery. Estate weddings have the potential to be the setting for the wedding of your dreams, and come with a number of advantages.” 

So, Continuing on from last week’s feature on Estate Wedding Venues in the Boston, MA area, here are two more amazing Estate Event Venues!

Hampshire House, on Beacon Hill

The Hampshire House on Beacon Hill, was Commissioned by Bayard and Ruth Thayer. The Brahmin traditional style mansion was completed in 1911 by architect Ogden Codman Jr., who is known for his other designs of several other Newport Mansions, including The Breakers and Land’s End. 

The gorgeous Hampshire House is a five-story Georgian revival  townhouse that is lavishly decorated with Italian marble, ornate carved oak paneling, impressive crystal chandeliers, and grand Palladian windows. The Mansion remained the Thayer Family’s private residence well into the 1930’s, it wasn’t until the late 1940’s that the building was open to the public as a private and opulent, boutique style hotel. The owners then dubbed the mansion The Hampshire House, named after the English county of Hampshire. 

Then in 1969, Thomas A. Kershaw became the owner of The Hampshire House, and  throughout his ownership, opened it to the public as a restaurant and eventually as an exclusive event venue for weddings and other private functions. To this day, the decor captures the aura of those long forgotten days when the Thayers entertained house guests in their magnificent mansion in Beacon Hill.  And, now you, too, can be a part of history at the Hampshire House, by hosting your wedding or celebration within its walls.

The Hampshire House is classic Boston elegance for up to 100 honored guests, and can offer the flexibility of either an intimate cocktail style reception in the Baker Bar or an elaborate celebration hosted in the Library. Or if you’re looking for something even more casual, you could host your celebration in Cheers on Beacon Hill, formerly known as the Bull & Finch Pub. The pub was the original inspiration for the classic Cheers, t.v. show, and features two oak bars, booth seating and is fully decorated with Cheers & Boston Sports memorabilia. The pub is capable of accommodating up to 85 guests for a plated meal or 135 for a cocktail style event.

No matter your choice, this venue comes with incredible views of Boston Public Garden, delicious and decadent, custom catering, classic style and a whole lot of history!

The Bradley Estate

The Bradley Estate is located less than 20 miles from Boston, and is  just minutes off the I-95 in Canton, MA. The Estate has humble origins, and was once a colonial farmstead that was known as Cherry Hill Farm. The Estate underwent transformation in 1902, and started its new life as a classic country estate situated on 90 beautiful acres. For the transformation Dr. Arthur Tracey Cabot hired noted Architect Charles Platt to design the great house, including landscaped grounds, and a large complex of farm and estate buildings. Today the lovely natural setting still boasts manicured lawns, a walled garden, and a brick-edged parterre garden.

The estate stayed relatively the same until 1991, when ownership transferred to the Trustees of Reservations, and today, the Bradley Estate is open to the public and the house and grounds play host to many special occasions for both private and corporate clients. When it comes to events, seating inside the mansion is for up to 80 guests, or you can host a tented reception on the North Lawn for up to 180 guests; however, and your guests may use the terrace and gardens for either your ceremony or cocktail hour and the entire first floor of the mansion for socializing during your celebration. 

Next up, we’d like to take a moment to talk about the Bradley Estate’s wonderful & exclusive, on-site caterer, Fireside Catering. Fireside is committed to creating delicious, elegant and seasonal menus, sourcing the freshest local ingredients possible. In fact, many of the ingredients come from their own farm – Gibbet Hill Farm – as well as several other local farms and suppliers to provide you with the very best local, sustainable, seasonal and delicious cuisine. 

This venue is also a great choice if you’d like to have a great party, but be done a little earlier, as the venue only offers a 5-hour rental period from 5pm to 10pm; however, all events have the option of beginning half an hour earlier,  at 4;30pm, thus extending the rental period to accommodate for an on-site ceremony, but all events must also conclude by 10pm.

As you can see, Boston, MA and the surrounding area is home to a collection of wonderful Estate Wedding Venues! We at Beat Train Productions believe that you can have an absolutely fantastic wedding celebration at any of these magnificent estates we’ve profiled in this Estate Wedding Venue Series!

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