The Design of a Ketubah
A traditional Jewish ceremony holds one decorative accessory that isn't often seen in any other culture.
Known as a ketubah, it is in actuality a contractual pre-nuptial agreement, whereby a future husband commits to providing food, shelter, clothing and marital relations to his wife, and that he will pay a specified sum of money to her should he choose to divorce her.
Originally designed to act as protection for the wife, the ketubah became the mechanism whereby a wife was compensated in the event of the cessation of the marriage either through death or divorce. Today the modern-day ketubah is slightly less full of legalize and more full of the love and devotion the couple shares. Acting not only as a declaration of the values the couple places on the marriage, such as love, companionship, family, tradition, etc. but also as a central piece of artwork that hangs in the couple's home for the length of their marriage.
As a part of the wedding ceremony, the ketubah is traditionally read aloud by a scholar or other predominant member of the wedding party after the groom has placed his ring on the bride's finger, as a way of showing that love and marriage is not just a physical and spiritual union, but also a legal and moral commitment.
After it is read, it is handed to the groom, who in turn hands it to the bride, and at the end of the ceremony it is signed by two witnesses, who though close in relationship to either the bride or the groom, are not blood relatives. It is then given to the bride and her family for safekeeping until it is displayed in the couple's home.
Hung prominently in the home as a reminder of their vows to each other, ketubah's are works of art that are created to be as beautiful as possible to visually represent the beautiful love the couple shares.
It is for this reason, that often ketubah's are not created in the couple's wedding colors, but as an accessory that will match the décor of the couple's home.
The text that is contained in the ketubah is usually done through the work of a calligraphy artist, and many couples choose to have the same artist design their invitations, escort cards, favor cards, programs and other wedding stationery in order to give a unified look.
Even if you are not of Jewish descent, but are merely looking for a way to have your vows written in such a way that they can be displayed forever more, look to the artful tradition of the ketubah for inspiration.
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