The Wedding Singer

Singing the Sheva Brachot (seven blessings traditionally chanted in Jewish wedding ceremonies) when my friends Amy and Josh got married last summer was one of the major factors that put the cantorial school bug in my head. I enjoyed using music as a means for celebrating a simcha (a joyous occasion) and found that it was in many ways more satisfying than performing operatically. 

Over the weekend, I took things one step further by serving as the cantor (alongside an ordained Rabbi) in my cousin Beth's wedding to Ben. In most of the previous weddings that I've participated in, I sat in the front row and was called up when it was time to sing. This was the first time that I actually got to walk down the aisle and stand under the chuppah from start to finish. It was an experience that I look forward to repeating many, many more times as a cantor, but hopefully only once as a bride! 

As a wedding guest, I often find myself craning my neck over an entire row of people to get a good view of the processional. The cameras flash like crazy, but the people pass by so quickly that it's difficult for anyone other than the professional photographers to capture this part of the ceremony on film. 

But things look different from the bimah. The Rabbi and I walked down the aisle first, which afforded us a birds-eye view as we waited for the rest of the wedding party to join us. I have to practice not getting teary -- I was thisclose to crying as the bridesmaids, groomsmen, and my family entered the synagogue.  Had the tears actually manifested, it would not have made for very pretty singing!

My favorite part of every wedding is that moment right after the groom kisses his parents and stands under the chuppah to await the imminent arrival of his bride. This time, the music crescendoed as Aunt Ellen, beaming with pride, escorted Beth down the aisle. As is traditional in a Jewish wedding ceremony, Beth circled Ben seven times, sporting a uniquely tentative yet exuberant look on her face. 

The singing itself went pretty much as well as I could have hoped for. Wedding liturgy is incredibly beautiful, and there is much more of it out there that I look forward to exploring. Overall, it was a tremendous honor to play such an important role in this very special occasion. 

Speaking of weddings, Mazel Tov to Natalie and Chris -- they got engaged this weekend! :)