Jewish Wedding -Speeches

jean424 Posted: Jan 19, 2011 04:22 PM

Jewish Wedding -Speeches

Hi girls!! Can you help me out with something...

Is it customary for both sets of parents to give a speech at a Jewish wedding?

My FH is Jewish and his parents have mentioned multiple times they are going to both give a toast; I was thinking this was really strange but one of my friends just told me this was a custom at Jewish weddings (I'm obviously not Jewish!)

So if it is, is it traditional for both the father and mother say something or? My father has passed away, my mom would probably say something if I asked (forced? lol) her to but that would be it on my side...so just trying to do the right thing by all, while also have everyone comfortable

what do you think? thanks so much!!

CrazyLove11 Posted: Jan 19, 2011 04:40 PM

Re: Jewish Wedding -Speeches

I'm not Jewish but my MOH/best friend is and at her wedding her father and step mother gave a speech, then her mother, the grooms parents, her grandfather did a blessing of the bread (I think), then the best man, and then me (the MOH), and then the grooms sister even did one. Insanity I tell you.

But IMO, if I was marrying a Jewish man, I would let his parents but not mine b/c it isn't customary for me (Italian/Catholic). So I'd say if anyone on your side isn't comfortable then don't force it on your side.

jean424 Posted: Jan 19, 2011 05:04 PM

Re: Jewish Wedding -Speeches

very true! i have a feeling my mom will wind up feeling bad if she doesn't toast and they do, but will totally leave it up to her

thanks for the info! my fh doesn't know anything about weddings; we really should have known that! lol

leesah85 Posted: Jan 19, 2011 05:14 PM

Re: Jewish Wedding -Speeches

Posted by CrazyLove11

I'm not Jewish but my MOH/best friend is and at her wedding her father and step mother gave a speech, then her mother, the grooms parents, her grandfather did a blessing of the bread (I think), then the best man, and then me (the MOH), and then the grooms sister even did one. Insanity I tell you.

But IMO, if I was marrying a Jewish man, I would let his parents but not mine b/c it isn't customary for me (Italian/Catholic). So I'd say if anyone on your side isn't comfortable then don't force it on your side.

ITA with this

FutureMrsRP Posted: Jan 19, 2011 05:18 PM

Re: Jewish Wedding -Speeches

My FH is Jewish. His parents are giving a speech at our wedding, but they are also giving us the wedding, so I had always assumed that was why. I never knew it was a tradition. I don't think my parents will be saying anything since they are not 'hosting'.

rmiller2255 Posted: Jan 19, 2011 05:24 PM

Re: Jewish Wedding -Speeches

I'm Jewish and I never knew anything about this, we're not really religious so I can't see his parents or mine wanting to give speeches...

jettahot Posted: Jan 19, 2011 06:49 PM

Re: Jewish Wedding -Speeches

FH and I are both Jewish. Although we are hosting our own wedding, our parents will all be saying a little something which is fine with me!

jgold910 Posted: Jan 19, 2011 06:56 PM

Re: Jewish Wedding -Speeches

I'm Jewish - my dad will be doing a speech - but I think it's b/c he likes to hear himself talk

legalchef Posted: Jan 19, 2011 06:56 PM

Re: Jewish Wedding -Speeches

I don't think there is any tradition about that. At the most the tradition would be that one of them gives a toast on behalf of both of them, but I don't even think that there is that.