RP: Need your opinion re: Chuppah

CaughtMyFish Posted: May 04, 2011 11:50 AM

RP: Need your opinion re: Chuppah

OK, FH and I are very non religious, however we are being married by a Rabbi to keep the peace with our parents.

We obviously need to rent a Chuppah however the cost is pretty high, and there is an alternative in renting an Arch. The Arch is going to save us about $300 which may not seem like a lot of money, but as you know it will all add up.

So, Jewish brides and non-Jewish brides... what say you? Will an Arch be looked at in a bad way? I know interfaith ceremonies use an Arch all the time, but not when both parties are Jewish from what I know.

Thoughts? Thanks in advance.

jettahot Posted: May 04, 2011 11:59 AM

Re: RP: Need your opinion re: Chuppah

Well. The temple our Rabbai is from has a beautiful Chuppah that we are using for free!!
Ask the temple or the Rabbai about this!!
good Luck!

CaughtMyFish Posted: May 04, 2011 12:03 PM

Re: RP: Need your opinion re: Chuppah

OK I should have added that the Rabbi has the traditional four poles he can bring, and then drape the talit across. The issue is that it is 'hand held' and outside in July, my four honorary chuppah-holders may die of heat exhaustion. For real.

What do you think about the Arch, since you are Jewish (I think!)?

HSsweethearts Posted: May 04, 2011 12:04 PM

Re: RP: Need your opinion re: Chuppah

An arch really isn't the same thing as a chuppah, but it's up to you.

maybe your rabbi has one you can borrow?

Another alternative (which we are doing) is to wrap ourselves in a tallis.

You could also MAKE a chuppah with dowels and a tallis pretty inexpensively and then you can include the tallit of someone special to you

ETA: : Just say your second post. I don't really think holding up the chuppah is a big deal. The jewish ceremony is really short, and usually the poles touch the floor, so they're just holding them up, not really supporting weight.

I would not personally consider an arch to be the same thing as a chuppah

AwaitingAugust Posted: May 04, 2011 12:17 PM

Re: RP: Need your opinion re: Chuppah

Posted by HSsweethearts

I would not personally consider an arch to be the same thing as a chuppah

i agree - i think if your parents were pushing for tradition, then the arch would not be ok.

but if your ceremony site has a gazebo, you could possibly use that for free (that's what i did)

my florist (Pedestals) had offered to bring me a chuppah (decorated with draped cloth & flowers) and was going to charge me $400 for it.

CaughtMyFish Posted: May 04, 2011 12:18 PM

Re: RP: Need your opinion re: Chuppah

Posted by AwaitingAugust

Posted by HSsweethearts

I would not personally consider an arch to be the same thing as a chuppah

i agree - i think if your parents were pushing for tradition, then the arch would not be ok.

but if your ceremony site has a gazebo, you could possibly use that for free (that's what i did)

my florist (Pedestals) had offered to bring me a chuppah (decorated with draped cloth & flowers) and was going to charge me $400 for it.

$400 draped and with flowers is amazing! I may have to call them. Right now, I have 2 quotes - one is $700 and another $750. The Arch is $450, and yes it's NOT quite the same thing. I guess I just need to keep looking.

lindseynaggle Posted: May 04, 2011 12:20 PM

Re: RP: Need your opinion re: Chuppah

you can make different types of stands to secure the poles if you don't want people to hold them. I found this which you might find helpful.

CaughtMyFish Posted: May 04, 2011 12:23 PM

Re: RP: Need your opinion re: Chuppah

Thanks for the info!

rmiller2255 Posted: May 04, 2011 12:36 PM

Re: RP: Need your opinion re: Chuppah

My florist Hidden Essence included the Chuppa decorated with flowers and a package deal with the bouquets, centerpieces and all the other floral stuff. Michele is very reasonable and she will work with our budget, she's giving us a chuppa and we're just having it draped with white fabric and two clusters of flowers in each corner!

ndeokinanan Posted: May 04, 2011 01:04 PM

Re: RP: Need your opinion re: Chuppah

I am not Jewish but we have to get married under something called a mandap...which is similar with the 4 pillars and decorations. I have gotten price quoted from 2500-3500....I think this is way to much.

The one that our officiant has is old and ugly....if you find something reasonable let me know.

Ellynrose Posted: May 04, 2011 05:03 PM

Re: RP: Need your opinion re: Chuppah

I'm getting married in August, outside, under a hand held Chuppah - The ceremony is 30minutes... People will survive.

Personally, I don't like the arches as they are non-traditional. You could always make your own chuppah. My cousin made hers - Metal poles - cemented into flower pots (which were covered with flowers) and drapped a tallit across.

MarryingMyBFF1110 Posted: May 04, 2011 05:23 PM

Re: RP: Need your opinion re: Chuppah

We are using the Cantor's hand held chuppah. I think it will be fine. FH is a little hesitant, but I googled pictures of hand held chuppas and it doesn't seem to be a big deal...

sweeangelt Posted: May 04, 2011 09:10 PM

Re: RP: Need your opinion re: Chuppah

We were quoted like $900 from our florist. My fiance' and dad is going to make our chuppah out of pvc pipes and material on the top (with my grandfather's tallis on top or the tulle. They have directions online. It seems a little crazy but $900 for 4 poles and and some material seems even more insane.