Jewish Wedding Must-Have: Finding the Perfect Ketubah for Your Ceremony

In a Jewish wedding ceremony, the ketubah stands as more than just another Jewish wedding custom—it is a deeply rooted tradition that combines legal significance with profound spiritual meaning. Dating from ancient times, the ketubah originated as a legal marriage contract designed to protect the rights of the bride, outlining the groom’s responsibilities and financial obligations in marriage. It was essentially a prenuptial agreement to protect the bride in the case of divorce or the untimely death of her husband.  While its legal framework remains essential in traditional Jewish law, the modern ketubah has evolved into a powerful symbol of love, commitment, and human relationships. It serves as a bridge between ancient Jewish wedding customs and the essence of contemporary relationships: reminding the happy couple that their married life is based on both a sacred bond and a mutual partnership rooted in trust and respect.

In the context of today’s Jewish traditions, selecting the right ketubah is a moment of thoughtful intention. It is an opportunity to express the couple’s unique story and is a definition of relationship goals through carefully chosen words, design, and symbolism.  Whether a couple opts for a traditional Aramaic text or a modern, inclusive version, the ketubah becomes a deeply personal reflection of their union. It is usually signed in a quiet, intimate setting away from the wedding feast, just before the betrothal blessings are recited under the marriage canopy. According to Jewish custom, in Orthodox weddings the ketubah is read out loud under the marriage canopy, for all the celebrants to hear (and witness).

A beautifully crafted ketubah enhances the entire Jewish wedding experience. It elevates the ceremony beyond ritual, adding a visual and emotional centerpiece that guests remember long after the wedding day. For many couples, the ketubah is not only a sacred document but a cherished piece of art they will proudly hang in their home—a daily reminder of the promises they made under the chuppah. A ketubah is a lifelong keepsake that begins its journey at the heart of one of the most meaningful moments in Jewish married life.

Understanding the Ketubah: More Than Just a Contract

The ketubah has transcended its historical role to become a deeply meaningful symbol of love, mutual commitment, and shared values in a Jewish marriage. Historically, the Ketubah was a binding agreement rooted in Jewish law, primarily designed to protect the rights of the bride. It outlined the groom’s obligations—financial and otherwise—ensuring her security in the event of divorce or widowhood. Written traditionally in Aramaic, it was a forward-thinking marriage contract that demonstrated the value Judaism places on marital responsibility and the well-being of women within the marriage.

Over the centuries, however, the ketubah has evolved significantly. While its legal essence remains intact, particularly in Orthodox and traditional ceremonies, modern interpretations have infused the document with emotional depth and artistic beauty. In today’s Jewish weddings, the ketubah often includes language that reflects not only legal commitments but also emotional ones—promises of partnership, respect, kindness, and support. Couples now choose from a wide range of texts, including egalitarian, interfaith, and LGBTQ+-inclusive versions, allowing them to tailor the Ketubah to their own beliefs and relationship dynamics.

This evolution has transformed the ketubah into more than just a Jewish marriage contract —it is now a statement of intention, a visual representation of the couple’s journey, and a piece of art that embodies their shared future. The customization of design, language, and style allows the Ketubah to mirror the personalities and stories of the couple, making it a unique and irreplaceable element of the ceremony. Framed and displayed in the home, it continues to inspire and ground the couple long after the wedding day, reminding them daily of the sacred covenant they entered together. In this way, the ketubah endures as a testament to the enduring blend of tradition and modern love.

The Signing Ceremony: Timing and Participants

The ketubah signing ceremony is a meaningful and often intimate prelude to the larger Jewish wedding celebration, setting the emotional and spiritual tone for what’s to come under the marriage canopy/chuppah. Typically held shortly before the actual marriage ceremony, the signing takes place in a quiet room or a designated area where close family members and friends may gather. This moment marks the official beginning- the betrothal ceremony of the couple’s union in the eyes of Jewish tradition, even before they step beneath the wedding canopy.

Traditionally and  still in the Conservative and Orthodox communities, the ketubah is signed by the couple and two “kosher” witnesses—adult Jewish males who are not related to the bride or groom and who are considered observant of Jewish law. However, in modern and egalitarian ceremonies, many couples choose to include witnesses of any gender or background who are personally meaningful to them. The officiant, whether a rabbi, cantor, or a professional wedding officiant, typically presides over the signing, guiding the couple through the ritual and explaining its importance.

Preparation for the ketubah signing includes ensuring the text is correct. If the ketubah has not been personalized in advance–the seamless inclusion of the couple’s names, the date of the wedding ceremony  as well as the the location at which the wedding takes place–then this information will be filled in at this time. A moment of quality time and reflection, far  from the loud noise of the wedding, this is a time for the families and the couple to be together. Separating it from the busy wedding day, some couples make the signing a separate mini-event, complete with photos, blessings, and emotional exchanges between family members. This Jewish wedding tradition, though brief, often becomes one of the most cherished memories of the day—quiet, powerful, and filled with purpose. It reminds everyone present that a Jewish wedding is not only a nice wedding meal and fervent celebratory dances, but also a sacred and timeless commitment, grounded in tradition and elevated by love.

Displaying the Ketubah During the Ceremony

Displaying the ketubah during the Jewish wedding ceremony is a beautiful way to give visual prominence to the ketubah. Married couples have embraced creative and elegant ways to showcase their ketubah, turning it into a central element of the celebration. Whether it’s displayed on an easel beside the chuppah, placed on a small table adorned with flowers, or framed in advance and positioned near the ceremony space, the ketubah  is a powerful visual anchor that enhances the atmosphere and invites guests to participate in the newlywed couple’s blessed marriage.

Couples often work with their planner, rabbi, or officiant to ensure the ketubah is both protected and prominently displayed. Acrylic stands, glass easels, or decorative wooden holders are popular choices that blend seamlessly with various wedding aesthetics, from traditional to modern. These presentation methods not only protect the ketubah from the elements, especially at outdoor weddings, but also elevate it as a centerpiece that guests can admire both during and after the actual wedding ceremony.

Beyond the ceremony, many couples choose to frame and hang their ketubah in a meaningful place in their home—often in a bedroom, study, or shared living space. As a daily reminder of their vows, love, and commitment, the ketubah is a permanent reminder of the wedding day and the continuity of the Jewish people.  In this way, the document transcends its ceremonial role to become a lasting expression of the Jewish rituals core values: devotion, partnership, and a journey rooted in tradition and love.