During a Jewish wedding, the groom traditionally wears a tallit -- or prayer shawl -- which is the garment worn during Jewish prayer. In some Jewish traditions, the tallit (or "talis") is wrapped around both the bride and groom during the ceremony, to symbolize their unity

Photo courtesy of Skye Blu Photography www.skyebluphotography.com

A ketubah is a special type of Jewish prenuptial agreement. It is considered an integral part of a traditional Jewish marriage, and outlines the rights and responsibilities of the groom, in relation to the bride.

In a traditional Jewish wedding ceremony, the ketubah is signed by two witnesses and traditionally read out loud under the chuppah. Close family, friends or distant relatives are invited to witness the ketubah, which is considered an honour. The witnesses must be halakhically competent witnesses, and so cannot be a blood relative of the couple. In Orthodox Judaism, women are also not considered to be competent witnesses. The ketubah is handed to the bride for safekeeping. Ketubot are often hung prominently in the home by the married couple as a daily reminder of their vows and responsibilities to each other.

Photo courtesy of Skye Blu Photography www.skyebluphotography.com

The horah, which is somewhat different from that of some of the Eastern European countries, is widespread in the Jewish diaspora and played a foundational role in modern Israeli folk dancing. It was brought to Israel by the Romanian settlers in the second half of the 19th century and became the symbol of the reconstruction of the country by the socialistic-agricultural Zionist movement. It is usually performed to Israeli folk songs, and sometimes to Jewish songs, typically to the music of Hava Nagila.

To start the dance, everybody forms a circle, holding hands, and steps forward toward the right with the left foot, then follows with the right foot. The left foot is then brought back, followed by the right foot. This is done while holding hands and circling together in a fast and cheerful motion to the right. Large groups allow for the creation of several concentric circles. In the early days, Horah was popular mainly in the Kibbutzim and small communities. Later it became a must in group dances throughout Israel, and at weddings and other celebrations by Jews in Israel, the United States and Canada. The dance appeared in North America in the early 20th century, well before modern Israeli independence, brought directly from Eastern Europe by Jewish immigrants.

Photo courtesy of Skye Blu Photography www.skyebluphotography.com

The Jose and Stites-Hallet families put together an amazing wedding reception here at La Venta Inn on November 14th.  All the coordinators and staff here did an amazing job to transform the property after the afternoon morning/wedding ended at 3pm right up until the Jose start time for their 5pm reception.

Utmost attention and detail was put in to everything from the candles on the tables to the candles hanging from the ballroom rafters to the cake and its fall look and feel, to the linens and flowers, as well as the photo montage, right down to the classic getaway car after the formal exit at the end of the evening.  This was truly one of the most amazing all around La Venta Inn receptions.

Vendors

Mayer’s Bakery
310-377-7846
www.mayersbakery.com

Bensko Photography
www.benskophotography.com
310-990-8389

Classic Limos
800-550-3125
http://www.classiclimousines.com