You say Chuppah, I say Huppah...

Hello my dear coordinators (and brides!!) and welcome to the official 2008/2009 "busy season"! While I am on vacation, one of our very own coordinators, Tamara Bradley from Incredible Weddings and Events, is our guest blogger and she will be talking about Chuppahs, or Huppahs as we call them down here! (P.S. If you would like to be a guest blogger, please email me and let me know your topic or we can come-up with one together!!).

In case you are already lost, this is a huppah (one of ours!)!!

WHAT IS A CHUPPAH/HUPPAH ?? by Tamara Bradley

A chuppah (Hebrew: חוּפָּה) (also spelled khuppa, chupah, or chuppa - plural: chuppot or chuppahs, Hebrew: חוּפּוֹת) is a canopy traditionally used in Jewish weddings. It consists of a cloth or sheet — sometimes a tallit ("prayershawl") — stretched or supported over four poles, and is sometimes carried by attendants to the ceremony's location. A chuppah symbolizes the home the couple will build together.


HISTORY

The word chuppah originally appears in the Hebrew Bible (Joel 2:16; Psalms 19:5). The chuppah represents a Jewish home symbolized by the cloth canopy and the four poles. Just as a chuppah is open on all four sides, so was the tent of Abraham open for hospitality. Thus, the chuppah represents hospitality to one's guests. This "home" initially lacks furniture as a reminder that the basis of a Jewish home is the people within it, not the possessions.

REQUIREMENTS

A traditional chuppah, especially within Orthodox Judaism, recommends that there be open sky exactly above the chuppah[1]. If the wedding ceremony is held indoors in a hall, sometimes a special opening is built to be opened during the ceremony. Many Hasidim prefer to conduct the entire ceremony outdoors. Please remember that a traditional chuppah needs to be exactly 7 feet high!!

MODERN TRENDS

Traditionally using a family heirloom such as a Grandmother`s tablecloth, or Prayer shawl can be attached under the main Chuppa fabric for support if the fabric is lace and aged as wind can tear lace,taking great care in pinning the fabric so it does not rip!!

Below are beautiful examples that can be found at Gallery Judaica.

In these more modern times, a chuppah can be made of any material. Silk or quilted chuppot are increasingly common, and can often be customized or personalized to suit the couple's unique interests and occupations. Additional flowers can be added along the top edges and sides as long as all four sides of the Chuppah are open.

TAMARA'S NOTES

While we often use Huppahs in Vallarta for decorative purposes (as opposed to, say, a floral arch), it is important that, when we do have a more orthodox Jewish couple, we know and understand the requirements for a more traditional Chuppah (as well an understanding of the customs and traditions) and ensure that our florist (or designer!) is also familiar with the set-up, so hopefully this information will be helpful to you in the upcoming season. Down below are some examples of Chuppahs we had last season!

Thank you Tamara for the blog and I hope you all tune-in for mid-October as I'll cover the color scheme of red and blue!!

Beach Weddings Every Which Way!!

I think we saw two days so far this month with some sun - but I'm sure you all were as okay with that as I was, because at least it kept the first part of this month a little cooler!

This mid-month I want to show you some ideas I found for beach weddings, especially since we are on the beach! I have a doubt that we will ever get by an entire year without someone wishing to focus on our lovely beaches! :)

BOUQUETS

I love these colorful bouquets - the first of which I found at Beach Weddings by the Knot and the second at the Hawaii Wedding Blogspot. Of course, we can't copy these bouquets exactly, as there are a few flowers not available to us here, but we can get the general look and feel. I love the simplicity and tranquil feel of this pink and green bouquet found at Project Wedding as well as this bout found at Beach Weddings by the Knot. Of course, I try to save the best for last, and I think this bouquet wrap is FABULOUS with the mixture of burlap and crystals, found at Style Me Pretty.

CEREMONY

Finding a well-done beach ceremony is a little tricky, but I did find 3 that I found worthy of note. This first design huppah design was found at Project Wedding and I love the use of fabric with the shells - very beach shabby chic! I also thought this heavy seashell laden ceremony set-up was original and could be perfect for the right couple, found at Brides Buzzing and designed by Colin Cowie. Last, but not least, is this seashell ceremony aisle from The Knot.

FAVORS AND ACCENTS

These pretty, yet simple floating candles I found at PhotoLulu. I'm not sure where I found this photo, as I've had it for a while, but I really love the idea of mosquito repellent and sunblock laid-out in a nice way, available for guests to use when they need. I believe I found the cute star fruit at The Knot. This pretty hanging candles were found at Beach Weddings by the Knot and are something we could easily do here, although perhaps not with those exact votives. I love wine glass charms, and this one was found at Hot Ref as were these pretty sailboat favor candles - they were also really cheap!! Last, but definitely not least, was this really nice favor bag found at My Wedding Favors, which could also double as a place card setting!

PLACE CARDS/ESCORT CARDS

Three new place card ideas ... the first is a way of displaying them, which we've seen before, but I like the simple, plain type on these cards which belays the rather casual way of displaying them - these were found at Trista Lerit. I love the calligraphy on these rocks and think they would work great as either place cards or escort cards, found at BPJ Designs. And lastly, I adore these wave escort cards found at Beach Weddings by the Knot.

CENTERPIECES

First, we have this candle with seashells which I think is understated but elegant found at My Dream Wedding, followed by a colorful display of orange roses with beach twigs at Beach Weddings by the Knot. Still colorful, but with a much more casual air, is this centerpiece and place set-up by Social Couture. Back to the elegant side of things we have these submerged orchids and tulips at Project Wedding as well as this really fab coconut shell filled with floating orchids. I love using coconut shells, or scooping out a pineapple and utilizing the pineapple or a watermelon, etc. - I think we have a variety of different textures available in Vallarta which would make a more organic beach side wedding truly unique and fabulous!

CAKES AND CUPCAKES

These simple, yet elegant beach wedding cakes at Budget Dream Weddings and at Wedding Flowers and Reception Ideas. I love this cupcake display found at Wedding Ideas and Details.

Well, that's all for this mid-month update. Next month I will focus on bouquet and centerpiece ideas, so check back!!