Under the Chuppah: A Bride’s Prayers

The preparation prior to the day of your wedding includes so many minor details it is easy to forget the big picture – you are getting married! The day of your wedding should be one of celebrating the unification between you and your soul mate, not one of stressing about trivial things that may not go as planned on your wedding day. That being said, I believe one of the essential ways to tap into the spiritual side of your wedding day and embrace getting married is Under the Chuppah. 

Walking around your husband-to-be seven times is an important opportunity to give blessings and say prayers that seal a stronger bond between you, your chosson and Hashem. Out of all of the details you may want to think about on your wedding day, embrace the time you spend under the chuppah walking around seven times and praying to Hashem. Your prayers are personal and there are many thoughts that may come to your mind. I thought of what I wanted to say ahead of time, printed it out and brought it with me under my chuppah, which turned out to be very handy. I also wrote a list of names to say when praying for others. 

This is a personal thing to each bride, but here is an outline of some essentials based on A Bride’s Prayer for Sepharadim and Askenazim Jewish Women by Rabbi Michael Haber: