Reception
Even if this is your first traditional Jewish wedding,
there are so many ways that you can participate with us, have a great time,
and make this wedding one to remember.
Read below for some tips on what to expect during the reception.
there are so many ways that you can participate with us, have a great time,
and make this wedding one to remember.
Read below for some tips on what to expect during the reception.
DancingPlan on joining us for lots of energetic dancing all throughout the afternoon. We'll start our reception with "simcha dancing" (also known as "the hora"). This usually involves lots of circle dancing, lifting people up in chairs, stopping to catch your breath, and general chaos. It's amazing.
You've never seen anything like it, and you'll want to join in -- and it's a huge mitzvah (good deed) to make the bride and groom rejoice on their wedding day, so think of it as a requirement to celebrate with them during this time. At some point during the simcha dancing, people will start doing "shtick" (read more below). And don't worry, we'll also have plenty great secular music to dance to as well. |
"Shtick"It is a great mitzvah (commandment) to entertain the bride and groom. “Shtick” refers to the fun extras that you bring along to the wedding to use in the dancing, to enhance the enjoyment of the bride and groom.
Want a history of this custom? Check out MyJewishLearning.com. Read the BEST DESCRIPTION EVER here. Thanks to Lila K. for bringing this site to our attention. Here is a list of some shtick ideas that might spark new ideas, many thanks to "Your Jewish Speech". Most require some amount of advance-planning, but feel free to think of ideas on the spot too. Not all of these will work for our wedding, but they give you a sense of how creative you can be. * Balloons stuffed with confetti to throw around, and a pin or toothpick to help the bride/groom pop them * Pin T-shirts, caps or bandanas with inside joke/fave saying of bride and groom. [Hint, hint - Rachel has created a famous t-shirt... particularly appropriate for this event!] * Dress up in the “hobby” of bride/groom - like their sports team, or any sort of activity * Bring whistles, tambourines, bells or other musical instruments to use during the dancing. * Bring bubbles for people to blow to create a fun atmosphere * Come in wearing wigs, glasses or funny hats * Using napkins from the tables, make a skipping rope for the bride and groom to jump together * Prepare a skit, a short play, a dance or a song for entertainment - perhaps a parody song? * When the couple comes into the wedding hall, stand in pairs and make a tunnel of arches for them to come through together * Bring blow up animals, characters or balls which you can dance with or throw around As a side note, "Shtick" is very fast paced entertainment that takes place in the middle of the simcha-dancing. Think 30-second intervals of entertainment. Therefore, it is typically not a good time for stand-up comedy, song parodies, story-telling, or anything else that tends to be a solo-act or performance. We'll make sure to have plenty of time for that on the Saturday night before the wedding! |