One of my best friends got married over the weekend. Kevin and Daniella, I want you to know that Amy and I are honored to be your friends and we know you will have a lifetime of joy and happiness. We love you guys.

I have known Kevin since the fall of 1994 when we lived across the hall from each other in our dorm at UT. Kevin and Daniella (freshmen at the time) had been dating since their senior year of High School. Quite a lot has changed in both of our lives since we first met but I’ll spare you those sappy details.

I had the extreme privilege of participating in the wedding, and if you have never attended or been behind the scenes of a Jewish wedding, it is certainly something to behold. The Ketubah signing and the Bedeken ceremony were incredibly fascinating, full of rich history and ceremony and at the same time exciting and energetic.

About 45 minutes before the ceremony was to start the Bride, her bridesmaids and some close family and friends (women only) retreated to a private room near the ceremony hall. At the same time the Groom, groomsmen and some close family and friends (men only) gathered in an adjacent private room. In the men’s room the civil marriage certificate was signed and then the Ketubah was signed. The Ketubah was a beautifully painted large document signifying the marrige contract. The Rabbi spoke a bit about what the document means and what a marriage means to the Jewish community. Then the Bedeken began. A close group of the guys gathered around the groom. We joined arms and began singing (in Hebrew) and dancing as an accordionist started playing. We then escorted the Groom to the room with the Brides party. She was sitting down, veiled and surrounded by all the women. The Groom was presented to her, she was unveiled and the Rabbi spoke about marriage and what the Ketubah meant. The men all gathered around the Groom again and we escorted him back to our room. A few minutes later we were all lined up for the wedding ceremony.

The ceremony was short (a little under 30 minutes) and sweet. The brides and grooms parents, best man (me) and maid of honor, both Rabbis and the Bride and Groom all met under the chuppa. The Rabbis both spoke a few words, read the Ketubah, rings were exchanged, they kissed, the Groom broke the glass, we all left. Interestingly enough I noticed that Daniella let Kevin put her ring on her index, not her ring finger. Apparently this is a Jewish custom.

The reception was grand. We danced with and around the Bride and Groom for quite a while. We lifted the Bride and Groom up on chairs, then the Brides parents, then the Grooms parents. Then more dancing. The food was by far the best wedding food I have ever been served. My only complaint was that there wasn’t enough time to do proper toasts. I did get to catch up with a few people I hadn’t see in years. I met a few people I had heard many stories about. And Amy and I got to show off Ben (at the Rehearsal Dinner). All in all we had a wonderful time. Now it’s time to relax.