Jewish Weddings in Spain | Tradition, Celebration, and Sunshine
We usually cover a variety of bridal stories in our weekly write-ups, but today, we’re focusing on a wedding tradition that’s especially meaningful: Jewish ceremonies. For Jewish couples dreaming of a unique destination wedding, Spain has become a top choice, combining rich traditions with a breathtaking Mediterranean backdrop. Celebrating a Jewish wedding in Spain blends cultural heritage with the vibrant scenery of Spanish landscapes. With over 20 years of experience, Sunshine Weddings Spain has had the privilege of planning Jewish and interfaith weddings across southern Spain and Mallorca, helping hundreds of couples honour their traditions in stunning venues. Today, we’ll highlight key moments in the Jewish wedding ceremony and explore why Spain is an ideal setting for this meaningful celebration.
Why Spain? Tradition Meets Destination Wedding Charm
Spain has become a top wedding destination for many couples, thanks to its stunning landscapes, Mediterranean climate, and range of venues. For Jewish couples, Spain offers more than just scenery; its rich culture complements Jewish traditions beautifully. Picture a chuppah by the beach, a joyful celebration with loved ones, and a sunset over the Mediterranean. Spain offers diverse venue options, from rustic fincas to modern beach resorts, making it possible for each couple to find the perfect setting.
Jewish weddings are all about community, family, and joy—values that fit perfectly with the vibrant atmosphere in Spain. Because these weddings often include large guest lists, we work with many venues that can accommodate up to 150 or even 400 guests, ensuring that couples can celebrate with everyone they love in a beautiful, meaningful setting.
Planning a Jewish Wedding in Spain: Honouring Tradition Abroad
A top priority for Jewish couples planning a wedding abroad is the ability to honour their faith and customs. In Spain, couples can incorporate all essential Jewish wedding traditions, maintaining a strong cultural connection while celebrating in a new and beautiful setting. Many couples choose to bring their own Rabbi for familiarity and continuity, while others leverage our connections with local rabbis, particularly in Málaga, who are skilled in Jewish ceremonies. These rabbis are deeply knowledgeable about Jewish customs and understand the importance of each ritual, ensuring a ceremony that feels both traditional and personally meaningful.
From the bedeken to the Hora, all central elements of a Jewish wedding can be seamlessly included, creating a celebration that is both authentic and unforgettable in a Spanish setting.
Celebration and fun are key parts of any Jewish wedding in Spain. Here are some of the moments we enjoy most at these weddings:
The Ketubah: A Binding Jewish Wedding Contract
The ketubah is a key component of a Jewish wedding, serving as a formal contract that defines the couple’s commitment to one another within the framework of Jewish law. Essentially, it is a legal document that requires specific information about the bride and groom, including their full names, the names of their parents, the date, and the location of the wedding. These details are added to the ketubah in spaces provided within the text, making it personalised to each couple.
Typically, the ketubah is signed in a small ceremony before the main wedding event, often in the presence of close family and friends. This document holds both religious and cultural significance, as it is a fundamental part of validating the marriage according to Jewish tradition. Although only two signatures are required on the ketubah to make it official, the choice of witnesses is highly significant. Being selected as a witness is a respected role, symbolising trust and honour within the Jewish community.
The Tisch: A Pre-Wedding Tradition for the Groom and Close Friends
The tisch is a lively pre-wedding tradition that takes place shortly before the main Jewish wedding ceremony, providing a time for the groom to bond with his close male friends and family members. This gathering is an opportunity for the groom and his friends to relax and celebrate together before the formal proceedings begin.
During the tisch, it’s common for the group to share drinks, often with a few rounds of whiskey, adding to the lighthearted atmosphere. The group may also sing traditional songs, chant, and engage in animated conversation, building excitement and energy for the ceremony ahead. This tradition is all about camaraderie and creating an upbeat, supportive atmosphere around the groom before he heads to the wedding itself.
The Bedeken: The Veiling of the Bride
The bedeken, or veiling of the bride, is a symbolic tradition that takes place shortly before the Jewish wedding ceremony. This ritual involves the groom approaching the bride, looking at her closely, and then placing a veil over her face. This act represents his commitment to valuing her inner qualities and character rather than just her outward appearance.
The origins of the bedeken trace back to the biblical story of Jacob, who was deceived by his father-in-law, Laban, into marrying Leah, the sister of his beloved Rachel. To ensure there is no mix-up, the groom in the bedeken confirms he is marrying the intended bride before covering her with the veil.
The bedeken is typically performed in the presence of close family members and a Rabbi, creating a meaningful and intimate atmosphere. It serves as a reminder of the couple’s shared faith and heritage, marking the final moment before they proceed together to the chuppah, where their marriage will be formally sanctified.
The Chuppah: A Symbol of the Couple’s New Home
The chuppah (or huppah) is a central element of a Jewish wedding, symbolising the couple’s new home together. This wedding canopy, often beautifully decorated with flowers, serves as the focal point of the ceremony. Under the chuppah, the bride and groom stand together for the duration of the ceremony, joined traditionally by both sets of parents and the officiating rabbi.
The chuppah is open on all sides, representing the openness and hospitality that will characterise the couple’s shared home. This canopy holds deep significance as it embodies the couple’s commitment to building a life together, with family and tradition as its foundation.
Circling: Creating a Symbolic Protective Barrier
In a traditional Jewish wedding, the bride circles the groom under the chuppah either three or seven times. This act represents the formation of a new family circle, symbolising the couple’s union and commitment. The circling also serves as a symbolic “wall” of protection around the groom, guarding him from negative influences, temptation, and distractions from others. This meaningful ritual emphasises the bride’s role in creating a safe, supportive space as they begin their life together.
Smashing the Glass: A Moment of Reflection and Commitment
The breaking of the glass at a Jewish wedding carries multiple layers of meaning. One interpretation is that it commemorates the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem, serving as a reminder of Jewish history and the resilience of the Jewish people. Another view is that it symbolises the realities of marriage, acknowledging that along with happiness, there can also be challenging times. The act represents the couple’s commitment to support one another through both joy and hardship, emphasising the strength of their bond.
The Hora (Jewish Dancing)
The Hora is one of the most anticipated moments of a Jewish wedding reception. During this lively tradition, the bride and groom are lifted on chairs by the guests while everyone sings “Hava Nagila” and dances in a circle around them. The dance is performed in a 6-beat rhythm, adding to the festive atmosphere. Israeli dancing typically takes place before dinner, with men and women dancing in separate groups to themed music. Once the bride and groom are raised on the chairs, the two groups join together, creating an exciting, high-energy moment.
The Wedding Meal: A Key Element of the Celebration
Food plays an important role in Jewish culture and family life, making it a central part of any wedding celebration. The wedding meal, also known as the Seudat Mitzvah, is a significant part of the festivities. When it comes to catering, the meal is an essential aspect of the event. With many wedding venues in Spain located near the Mediterranean Sea, fish is commonly featured on the menu, offering a fresh and local touch to the meal. For couples who require kosher options, Málaga—one of our most popular destinations for Jewish weddings—has excellent kosher catering services that meet all expectations, ensuring the meal adheres to dietary requirements while still delivering on taste and quality.
A note of thanks to the bridal couple, Jonathan and Lisa, featured in these wedding photos, thanks for sharing your special day with us, and to Calin from Epic Film for the use of these amazing photos!
Jewish History in Spain: A Rich and Complex Legacy
Jewish history in Spain stretches back more than a thousand years, marked by periods of prosperity, tolerance, persecution, and exile. The Jewish community, often referred to as the Sephardim (from the Hebrew word “Sepharad,” meaning Spain), flourished in various regions of Spain, particularly during the so-called “Golden Age” under Muslim rule from the 8th to the 12th centuries. During this time, Jewish scholars, poets, and philosophers thrived, making substantial contributions to philosophy, medicine, science, and literature. Figures like Moses Maimonides, a philosopher and physician, and poet Yehuda Halevi became renowned for their work and are still highly regarded in Jewish and broader historical scholarship today.
As Christian rulers gradually reclaimed Spain through the Reconquista, the treatment of Jews became more complex and difficult. By the late 14th century, anti-Jewish sentiment was widespread, leading to violent pogroms and forced conversions, as many Jews were pressured to abandon their faith and become “conversos” or “New Christians.” However, suspicion of the conversos’ genuine conversion persisted, and in 1478, King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella established the Spanish Inquisition to root out any remaining Jewish practices among the conversos.
The most defining event in Spanish Jewish history came in 1492, when Ferdinand and Isabella issued the Alhambra Decree (also known as the Edict of Expulsion). This decree ordered the expulsion of all Jews from Spain, giving them the choice of converting to Christianity or leaving the country. The expulsion had devastating effects on Spanish Jewry, with many families forced to flee to North Africa, the Ottoman Empire, and other regions. Those who stayed often continued to practise Judaism in secret, becoming known as “crypto-Jews” or “Marranos.”
Despite the exile, the legacy of Jewish life in Spain remains visible. Synagogues from the mediaeval period still stand in places like Toledo and Córdoba, serving as reminders of the once-thriving communities. In recent years, Spain has shown an effort to reconnect with this heritage, passing laws to grant citizenship to Sephardic Jews and preserve Jewish sites. The country now celebrates its Jewish history with festivals, cultural centres, and educational initiatives, acknowledging the lasting impact of Jewish culture on Spanish art, language, and identity. This renewed interest in Spain’s Jewish past underscores both the resilience of the Sephardic Jewish diaspora and the rich legacy that persists even after centuries of exile.
