Jewish Weddings

The religious ceremony of marriage performed according to Jewish rights can be held anywhere considered appropriate, such as a synagogue, a private house or a hired hall, whether registered for the purpose or not. If it is held in an unregistered venue, a civil ceremony in a properly licensed place must also be performed if the marriage is to be lawful.

For a couple to marry under the Jewish faith, both the bride and groom must be Jews. If one of the couple is not Jewish, they must undertake a formal conversion prior to the wedding.

Up to one year before the wedding, the prospective bride and groom should visit the register office(s) in which they live to give notice that they intend to marry under the Jewish religion. After the required fifteen days have passed, the Superintendent Registrar will issue the certificate, which should be sent or brought to the office authorising the synagogue marriage.

The bride and groom must also register with a Rabbi and synagogue through the Jewish Marriage Council about three to four months before the proposed wedding date. Further details can be found in our Useful Resources section.

The groom must obtain the Jewish marriage certificate (a Ketubah) from the Chief Rabbi's office two weeks before the wedding. The Ketubah details the groom's obligations for the maintenance of his bride - to provide food, clothes and shelter and to be attentive to her needs. It also specifies the minimum settlement that the wife would receive if the marriage was ever dissolved.