It is more and more common these days for people to marry outside of their faith. This means that there are also more guests attending weddings with customs which may be unfamiliar to them. Since many religions have very meaningful wedding traditions, becoming familiar with them can help guests have a better understanding and appreciation of what is taking place during the ceremony. This is everything you wanted to know about Jewish weddings but were afraid to ask.

Do all Jewish ceremonies take place under a canopy? Yes. It is called a Chuppah, and represents the bride and groom's first Jewish home under God. The custom is believed to date back to Biblical times, and the open sides of a Chuppah are like the open sided tent of Abraham and Sarah, which was welcoming to visitors. The Chuppah can be made from any beautiful or meaningful material, including fabric, flowers, or even an old family quilt.

Why is the bride at a Jewish wedding dressed so conservatively? The strictness of the bridal dress code varies from Orthodox to Conservative to Reform Judaism, and may even vary from one synagogue to the next. In general, most Jewish brides will wear modest gowns which cover the shoulders, a bridal veil, and classic wedding jewelry. Orthodox brides will have the strictest requirements about their attire, while some Reform synagogues may have fewer specific rules. In any case, it is always in good taste for a bride to err on the traditional side for her gown and wedding jewelry when being wed in a house of worship.

Why are Jewish weddings frequently held on Sundays? This one is quite simple: a Jewish wedding may not take place on the Sabbath, which runs from sundown on Friday until sundown on Saturday. That leaves Sunday as the logical choice.

Why does the groom break a glass with his foot at the end of the wedding ceremony? The breaking of the glass represents the destruction of the ancient Temple in Jerusalem; in other words, it is a reminder of the fragility of life and an instruction to appreciate every joyous moment. The breaking of the glass is also said to be a celebration of the covenant of marriage into which the newlyweds have just entered.

What is a Ketubah? The Ketubah is a special marriage contract signed by the bride and groom. Perhaps the most interesting thing about the Ketubah is that it is designed to protect the interests of the bride, right down to requiring a witness that can attest to the fact that she has chosen to enter into the marriage willingly. The Ketubah is always very beautifully decorated, and may be displayed in the newlyweds' home.

What does "Mazel Tov" mean? Mazel tov means "good luck", and is also frequently used to mean "congratulations". This is why you will hear it shouted joyfully at many points during a Jewish wedding, starting with the moment when the groom breaks the glass at the end of the marriage ceremony.