Symbolism of the Jewish Wedding Groom's Glass

The Jewish wedding groom's glass is a crucial part of the ceremony, one that has a significant meaning. After the bride and groom have been officially announced husband and wife, the Rabbi recites the Seven Blessings. The couple drinks from a single glass of wine and then the glass is placed inside a cloth or specially designed bag. With his right foot, the groom crushes the glass and the celebration of marriage begins.

While fun to watch, and one of the most anticipated events of the wedding, the act of breaking the Jewish wedding groom's glass actually has deep meaning. In fact, several meanings relate to this act, some ancient and some modern. The most reverent meaning symbolizes a time in 70AD when the Temple of Jerusalem was destroyed. This temple was a place where the Jewish people went to worship so its destruction was devastating to them. The breaking of the glass reflects both happiness and sadness of the Jewish history, something that should be remembered and honored throughout the marriage, but also passed down for generations.

A more contemporary meaning for breaking the Jewish wedding groom's glass is a symbol of commitment, love, and trust, so as the marriage moves forward, the couple would never experience breaking in the marriage union. Then, some people believe that because the glass has been broken and can never be put back together, it symbolizes that the marriage is complete, a bond of two people that would never change.

If you were to look at photos in homes of Jewish couples, you would notice numerous photos specific to this ritual. Interestingly, while this act is often a part of a ceremony when both bride and groom are Jewish, it is also used when one party is Jewish and the other one not. In a mixed-union marriage, it is common for the Jewish wedding groom's glass to be broken, followed by a ritual taken from a non-Jewish wedding, which might involve the lighting of the unity candle.

Capturing this part of the wedding in pictures is certainly important. However, many people ask what happens to the glass. Today, companies have come up with unique ways of using the broken pieces of the wine glass such as creating gorgeous picture frames. These frames are not just a way of showing off the actual photo of the groom as he steps on the glass but also for displaying various aspects of the wedding that would be enjoyed every day going forward.

The Jewish wedding groom's glass could be any number of things. As an example, some people will use the nuptial or betrothal cup. Some couples choose a high quality wine cup that is quite expensive. To save money, the bride and groom can also choose to break a less expensive "prop glass", which can also be used for making beautiful photo frames. In addition to being inexpensive, prop glass comes in a wide variety of colors and patterns and designs. Best of all, prop glass is much easier for the groom to break than traditional glass so as the groom brings his foot down to crush it, the glass is the only thing that breaks.

If you are planning a Jewish wedding, one of the most important decisions you will ever make is choosing the right photographer. You want a professional that understands Jewish customs so the most important parts of the ceremony will be captured, which includes the breaking of the Jewish wedding groom's glass. Then, for a permanent memory, we recommend that you consider having a picture frame made with the glass, something you and the entire family will cherish forever.