A Sacred Affairs | Breaking of the Glass Ceremony

Sacred
Affairs

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Although this ceremony is traditionally of Jewish origin, many couples choose to incorporate it into traditional and
non-traditional ceremonies. One interpretation of this ceremony states that once the glass is shattered, it can never return
to its former condition, thus symbolizing the couples wish to never return to the time before they shared their lives.
The breaking of the glass at the conclusion of
the wedding also symbolizes that marriage is not
always as joyous as the wedding itself. The bad
times, when our hearts break, are representative of
the shattered glass.
The breaking of the glass also symbolizes the fragility
of life, the fact that whatever we see before us as
whole can be broken at any moment. It calls our
attention for the need to care for one another; for
just as of infidelity or repeated acts of emotional
irresponsibility.
Its spiritual significance is our reaffirmation of our
faith in God. The idea is that the couple's lives
together be longer than it would take to fit the pieces
of the broken glass back together again.
In Greece, the custom of breaking plates during the reception symbolizes good luck, happiness and the permanence of
marriage.
The breaking of the glass also serves as a separation between the awe of the ceremony and the reception celebration that
will follow.
Some say (with tongue in cheek) that the moment the groom smashes the glass symbolizes the last time he gets to "put
his foot down."
This part of the ceremony comes right after the exchanging of rings and just before declaring the couple to be wife and
husband.
The "glass" is usually a light bulb wrapped in a white napkin or towel. Sometimes a wine glass is difficult to break. The
best man hands the minister the glass. The minister will say a few words to explain the significance of the breaking of the
glass, then places the glass on the ground before the groom.

After which he/she declares the bride and groom to be wife and husband he invites the couple to seal their promises with
a kiss. The groom then kisses the bride and then breaks the glass with his right foot. Some couples choose to break the
glass together. Applause is appropriate in most ceremonies with the breaking of the glass.

Breaking of the Glass Wedding Ceremony

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