Noa & Nadav

Noa and Nadav got married back in July. After the wedding Nadav's aunt asked me to make them a special card using a favourite photo from the day, below. It shows the couple standing under their outdoor chuppah, the canopy under which Jewish couples stand for the duration of their wedding ceremony. I'm guessing that the formal part of the ceremony was over when this photo was taken because the bride and groom are both smiling and looking very relaxed. Nadav's aunt chose the photo because "It has life!".

I carefully cut out the panels of the bride's wedding dress and added each of the tiny buttons. The groom is wearing a kittel, a white linen or cotton robe worn by Orthodox men on their wedding day to symbolise purity. It is also felt to signify unity with the bride and the beginning of a new life together. Another reason a kittel is worn at the wedding is because it has no pockets, showing that the couple is marrying for love, not for what they possess. On top of the kittel he has his tallit (ritual fringed prayer shawl). In traditional Judaism, the fringes of the tallit symbolise the commandments of the Torah. It is usually put on once the groom has stepped under the chuppah.

Nadav's aunt loved the card I made for her. "Absolutely fabulous!" she wrote to me. "Looks just like them. Incredible!". She was excited to give it to the young couple because she was certain they'd love it. A few days later she wrote to say that they said it was amazing and have already put it in a frame!

* This post has been shared on The Good. The Random. The Fun., Wordless Wednesday (on Tuesday), {wow me} wednesday and Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop.