LifeCycle Events: Marriage and Sexuality: The Essential Parts of a Wedding Ceremony:
What are the essential parts of a wedding ceremony?
The only essential thing is the ceremony itself, consisting of two parts,
eirusin ("betrothal") and nisuin ("marriage"), which are always done together
nowadays. Tenoim (antenuptial agreements) are also customary, but nowadays
they too are made at the time of the wedding. The Rabbi who officiates at the
wedding (the "mesader kiddushin") can handle all of these things, if necessary.
Events such as a "Wort", an "Aufruf", a kiddush, and "sheva brochos" are all
optional; they depend on the desire of the couple, family or friends to conduct
celebrations of the event in addition to the wedding itself.
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