Two very reasonable questions came my way and I thought they’d be great to share with all of Yentaland. These questions crossed my mind when I was planning my wedding as well, so I’m sure there will be readers who are looking for these answers, too.
First, a message from Melanie:
Hello Yentas!
I am so glad I finally found you! I am trying to order the yarmulkes and I have no clue what to write inside. I don’t live in my home town so I can’t go to the drawer with all of the old ones in it. So do personalize them with:
“The Wedding of Bride’s First and Last Name & Groom’s First and Last Name” or should I just use our first names?
What goes inside? Please and thank you!
Melanie
Answer from The Wedding Yentas:
Hi Melanie!
It’s really up to you when you personalize the inside of your yarmulkes! It’s a personal preference. For my own wedding, I just included The Wedding of Alison & Bryan with our wedding date underneath. While it’s not wrong to include last names, you might not want to take up extra space and clutter the area with the 2 additional names. Plus, by the time people take them home to re-wear them, you will no longer be known as your first name and maiden name (exciting, right?!) and you will both have the same last name (mazel!). So, my suggestion would be to keep it to the first names. Nothing’s right, nothing’s wrong. Personal preference and that’s mine.
You can also include your wedding date below the names. You can use the American calendar like I did — May 25, 2008 — or you can include the Hebrew month, day, and year. You’d need to check to make sure you have it correctly, but it just depends on how Jewish you want to make it.
Good luck!!
Alison
Great question, right? Melanie, I hope that helped you!
Next, another question about last names, but this time it’s in regards to the ketubah.
On Facebook, Megan asked:
Ok this may be a dumb question but do I sign the ketubah with my maiden name or married name??
Answer from The Wedding Yentas:
Not dumb!! Totally reasonable question. Since you sign the ketubah before your chuppah ceremony (which also serves as your official civil ceremony), you’ll autograph the ketubah with your maiden name. All ketubah signers, as well as marriage certificate signers, should use their full names, and that includes the bride and groom. If you have a Hebrew name, be prepared to know what it is and sign that as well. If your Hebrew is a little rough or non-existent, your rabbi should be able to help you write the letters. Always check with your officiant for specific directions.
So there you have it! Two totally reasonable questions with answers that hopefully help some fellow Yentas in distress.
If you have more questions, feel free to email them to alison @ theweddingyentas [dot] com and I’ll be happy to help you! I’m a geek, so I normally know the answer but if I don’t, I’ll find out for you. Consider The Wedding Yentas your personal wedding concierge!
