A year ago, I was contacted by a couple who were referred by another bride and groom I had married in the past. He was Indian, multi-talented, being a lawyer, an entrepreneur, and a band manager all rolled up in one. She was Jewish, a world traveler, and a corporate yoga consultant.
We met at my apartment and started planning the service. I then met her mother, who visited her from Florida, and got to know another family member. The Groom’s mother was deeply interested in having a traditional ritual Indian wedding, and the Jewish family wanted a spiritual Jewish service as well.
The couple decided that the Indian service would be in the morning with a Hindu priest officiating in English as well as using Sanskrit prayers. He would explain all the rituals in English. It would start with the groom arriving at the venue atop a white horse, dismounting, and walking to the ceremony with his parents.
The Jewish service was humanistic with prayers over wine, a thanksgiving prayer, and seven blessings. The benediction was given at the end, and the glass was broken. I attended the Indian service in the morning and incorporated what I witnessed into my service that afternoon. There were so many commonalities. The canopy Jews call a Chupah was a Mandap in the Indian service. They circled around as the Jewish 7 circles. The groom stepped on a clay pot in much the same way as the Jewish service has the breaking of the glass. And the parents sit under the mandap as they participate under the chuppah.
I was blessed to officiate this wedding and learn so much about the Hindu religion and service. The destination was Beacon, NY, which had picture-perfect September weather. The day before, I visited DIA Beacon, an amazing modern art museum, and walked the beautiful country paths. How lucky I was to be a part of this wonderful weekend wedding!