Planning a Jewish wedding is one of the most meaningful experiences of your life. With so many traditions, vendors, and details to coordinate — from the ketubah signing to the chuppah ceremony — a comprehensive checklist is essential.
12 Months Before: The Big Decisions
Set your budgetDetermine your total wedding budget and how it will be split between families
Choose your rabbi or officiantA rabbi who knows your family is ideal — popular rabbis fill up 12+ months ahead
Book your venueJewish wedding venues with kosher kitchens book 12-18 months in advance
Select your kosher catererConfirm their hashgacha and whether they provide glatt kosher
Create your draft guest listStart with family — Jewish weddings average 150-300 guests
Set your wedding dateAvoid Shabbat, Jewish holidays, and Sefirat HaOmer if observant
9 Months Before: Vendors
Book photographer and videographerMake sure they understand Jewish wedding traditions
Book band or DJA Jewish wedding band that knows hava nagila and Israeli music is essential
Start dress shoppingAllow 6-9 months for ordering and alterations
Plan the chuppahFamily tallit or floral chuppah — decide early so your florist can prepare
Commission your ketubahCustom ketubahs take months — choose artist and text early
Book floristDiscuss centerpieces, chuppah flowers, and bouquets
Bisheret Tip
Use Bisheret.com to browse verified Jewish wedding vendors in your city — filter by category, denomination, and location.
6 Months Before: Logistics
Send save-the-datesInclude the date, city, and your wedding website URL
Plan the Aufruf or Shabbat KallahThe Shabbat before the wedding — coordinate with your synagogue
Book hair and makeupSchedule a trial run for the bride
Arrange transportationShuttle between ceremony and reception if at different venues
Create your wedding websiteShare details, registry, and hotel info with guests
Reserve hotel room blockFor out-of-town guests near the venue
3 Months Before: The Details
Send formal invitationsMail 8 weeks before the wedding with RSVP deadline
Plan the tish and bedekenThe groom's table and veiling ceremony before the chuppah
Finalize the menuConfirm dietary restrictions and headcount with caterer
Order wedding cakeEnsure kosher certification matches your caterer
Plan sheva brachotArrange the seven days of celebration after the wedding
1 Month Before: Final Preparations
Final headcount to catererMost caterers need final numbers 2 weeks before
Confirm all vendorsCall every vendor to confirm time, location, and details
Final dress fittingBring your wedding shoes to the fitting
Arrange the wedding ringsJewish law requires a plain gold band for the ceremony
Create day-of timelineShare with all vendors, wedding party, and family
Jewish Wedding Dates to Avoid
Shabbat, Jewish holidays, the Three Weeks, Sefirat HaOmer, and Chol HaMoed. Always consult your rabbi when setting your date.
Week of the Wedding
Mikvah appointmentTraditional brides immerse in the mikvah before the wedding
Rehearsal or Kabbalat PanimWelcome reception the night before
Prepare vendor payments and tipsHave envelopes ready for day-of gratuities
Get a good night sleep!Your wedding day will be the most beautiful day of your life