Same sex couple Jewish wedding

[2dBride]

We're getting married at Temple Shir Tikvah in Winchester, MA. Its rabbi, Rabbi Rim Meirowitz, will be the officiant. We'll be getting married at noon on October 6.

The marriage license is kind of a sore subject. Massachusetts has a three-day waiting period for marriage licenses. It can be waived, but you have to go to court to do it. This is a huge hassle for us, because we live eight hours away, and don't know anyone in Massachusetts. We can't just drop in on a weekday to apply for the license, and then drop in again three days later to pick it up. We're therefore driving up overnight on a Sunday night, so that we can get to the town clerk's office first thing Monday morning. We'll go directly from the town clerk's office to the court to get a waiver of the three-day requirement, then back to the town clerk's office to get the license. We'll have the wedding on a Tuesday, drive back home on the Wednesday, and have our reception on Friday evening.

The only bright spot here is that you can get the license anywhere in Massachusetts. Thus, if one court turns us down, we will just go to another until we get the license. However, it's still a huge stress for the day before our wedding.

Hi! I'm from Massachusetts so I'm eager to know your details! Where are you getting married? By who? When are you getting married? Have you got your marriage license yet or is it too early?

[2dBride]

I'm reluctant to keep yet one more journal, since I have my own planning site and don't want to have to post the same things multiple places. But heaven knows I have enough ideas! I somehow seem to have ended up with the kind of wedding in which we've built our own chuppah, created our own invitations, and are doing everything from uplighting to a "photobooth" ourselves at our reception.

Start a journal, post some ideas etc and you will be posting links very soon! Plus, we love to see new stuff! :winktongue:

[girlggc]

We're getting married at Temple Shir Tikvah in Winchester, MA. Its rabbi, Rabbi Rim Meirowitz, will be the officiant. We'll be getting married at noon on October 6.

The marriage license is kind of a sore subject. Massachusetts has a three-day waiting period for marriage licenses. It can be waived, but you have to go to court to do it. This is a huge hassle for us, because we live eight hours away, and don't know anyone in Massachusetts. We can't just drop in on a weekday to apply for the license, and then drop in again three days later to pick it up. We're therefore driving up overnight on a Sunday night, so that we can get to the town clerk's office first thing Monday morning. We'll go directly from the town clerk's office to the court to get a waiver of the three-day requirement, then back to the town clerk's office to get the license. We'll have the wedding on a Tuesday, drive back home on the Wednesday, and have our reception on Friday evening.

The only bright spot here is that you can get the license anywhere in Massachusetts. Thus, if one court turns us down, we will just go to another until we get the license. However, it's still a huge stress for the day before our wedding.

That's great that you are having a Jewish wedding! I'm Jewish so I know all about Jewish weddings. Just out of curiosity, which one of you will break the glass since that is traditionally done by the groom?

Just so you know, the cost of the marriage varies from town to town and can be anywhere from $15 - $50. We paid $20 for ours and that was in Acton. What I recommend you do is call several town halls and see which one offers the best price.

[2dBride]

We're planning to have both of us step on the same glass to break it. Just wish us luck that one of us doesn't step on the other's toes in the process!

I know the cost varies. However, for us, the biggest issue is having the town clerk very close to the courthouse, since we will be having to go back and forth between the two all day. We're thinking that Worcester may be our best bet on getting the license, even though we will actually be staying in Acton, because a) we'll get to it first while driving up to MA, and b) the town clerk and the courthouse are pretty much next door to each other.

That's great that you are having a Jewish wedding! I'm Jewish so I know all about Jewish weddings. Just out of curiosity, which one of you will break the glass since that is traditionally done by the groom?

Just so you know, the cost of the marriage varies from town to town and can be anywhere from $15 - $50. We paid $20 for ours and that was in Acton. What I recommend you do is call several town halls and see which one offers the best price.

[2dBride]

Here is my wedding planning site (http://sites.google.com/site/2dbride/).

And here is a picture of my biggest DIY project, our chuppah:

http://s89575357.onlinehome.us/ChuppahSmall.jpg

[Brian's Bride]

I checked out your planning site and it's pretty cool! You have lots of great stuff on there. Welcome to OW!

[Bunnyfeet]

That chuppah is gorgeous :bbeek:

I've been to many Jewish weddings and they are so beautiful/so much fun!

And I love DIY so I get very excited to see people with DIY projects... it always inspires me!

Congrats on the upcoming wedding ;)

[Goin2thechapel]

Congratulations on your upcoming wedding! I too am from Massachusetts, And I don't believe you can be turned down from a court :) I love the Chuppah. It came out great and I can't believe it's handmade!

My question, Are you planning on drive to Massachusetts with the Chuppah??? Is it assembled??

Anyways, Good Luck!

[amisteratwisterandme]

Welcome to OW. Sounds like you have everything under control. I checked out your website as well and I think your vows are beautiful.

[2dBride]

The chuppah is built on the frame from a portable popup gazebo. The top is fastened to the frame with Velcro, and the leg sleeves are fastened to the top with more Velcro. Thus, we can remove the sleeves and the top, fold up the frame, and transport it that way. At that point, it's only about 6 inches wide and 3 feet long. It then takes about 5 minutes at the synagogue to pop up the frame, and reattach the top and sleeves.Congratulations on your upcoming wedding! I too am from Massachusetts, And I don't believe you can be turned down from a court :) I love the Chuppah. It came out great and I can't believe it's handmade!

My question, Are you planning on drive to Massachusetts with the Chuppah??? Is it assembled??

Anyways, Good Luck!

[ChristineLS]

The chuppah is built on the frame from a portable popup gazebo. The top is fastened to the frame with Velcro, and the leg sleeves are fastened to the top with more Velcro. Thus, we can remove the sleeves and the top, fold up the frame, and transport it that way. At that point, it's only about 6 inches wide and 3 feet long. It then takes about 5 minutes at the synagogue to pop up the frame, and reattach the top and sleeves.

You really engineered that to travel! :)

[2dBride]

Christine LS, we really had to make the chuppah able to travel. I built it in DC. It will go with us to MA for the wedding. It will then come back to DC with us, so we can display it at the reception three days later.

[2dBride]

Here are some pictures from the wedding in which we are not identifiable. If anyone want to see the other pictures, you're welcome to message me.

Bouquet (we had identical ones, except that I carried mine on the right arm and she carried hers on the left):
http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs068.snc3/13539_1256858068712_1447423713_30730735_3669442_n. jpg

The ketubah (Jewish wedding contract):
http://sites.google.com/site/2dbride/ketubah/KetubahFramed-anon.jpg

Under the chuppah (Jewish wedding canopy):
http://sites.google.com/site/2dbride/ceremony/UnderTheChuppah.jpg

Wearing our rings after the ceremony:
http://sites.google.com/site/2dbride/Home/Hands%26Rings.jpg

Reception decor:
http://sites.google.com/site/2dbride/decor/lighting/Lighting.png

Centerpieces:
http://sites.google.com/site/2dbride/decor/centerpieces/Centerpiece2.jpg

Cake table:
http://sites.google.com/site/2dbride/decor/food-service/CakeTable.JPG
One of our reception guests dressed up in the DIY "photobooth":
http://sites.google.com/site/2dbride/photography/diy-photobooth/Calvin2.jpg

[2dBride]

Program and kippah baskets:
http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs068.snc3/13539_1257702929833_1447423713_30732660_2691519_n. jpg

Mezuzah made from broken wedding glass:
http://sites.google.com/site/2dbride/ceremony/MezuzahFinished.jpg

Buffet:
http://sites.google.com/site/2dbride/food/IMG_4187.png

Chocolate fountain:
http://sites.google.com/site/2dbride/decor/food-service/ChocolateFountainInUse.jpg

Dancing shoes:
http://sites.google.com/site/2dbride/music-and-dancing/dancing-shoes/ShoeBasket.jpg

[~MrsTyson~]

Congrats! It was a beautiful wedding! I would have never guessed it was a DIY wedding, your projects came out gorgeous, you should be proud!:yesnod:

:star:

[massagenvy]

Hi. I like your wedding pictures.I wish that i could there and enjoy your wedding.

I am also getting marriage next months.My wedding date is 19 November.