Jewish Wedding Photographer – David Stubbs

What can I say about being a Jewish wedding photographer. It’s one of those life’s privileges to be part of such an extraordinary event. So much fun and laughter all day long, making my job with a camera in my hand so much easier. Every second of the entire day, something new is happening. You have to work hard, looking for the moments and capturing these from creative angles, and using the light available to you also. I’m on such a high after photographing every Jewish wedding. So excited for the next one.

If you are looking for a photographer for your Jewish wedding, in Manchester or anywhere in the UK including London and Scotland, then please get in touch. I offer complete day coverage with myself and a 2nd photographer covering both preparations, the tisch and bedeken, the chuppah, reception, family group shots, all the way through the dancing to as late as you need me. 2am if required.

50 Jewish Wedding Photos: My Favourites

Every Jewish wedding I photograph, whether in Manchester, London or any other part of the country, there is always a lot of action to capture. It feels like every minute of the day there is something going on. Whether the groom and his party are having drinks, or even playing Fifa, to the girls dancing around the room while the make up artists do their work.

Crazy, CRAZY Israeli Dancing

It was now time for dancing, and lots of it! Immediately after the newly married couple enter the reception it is straight onto the dance floor for Israeli dancing. I worked so hard during this crazy time to capture every aspect that goes on. I get pushed and shoved and got moved around with the masses of people dancing. I even have had my lens knocked in my hand which hit me in the head – haha. After this it was toasts, speeches and many other Jewish traditions which I will go into more depth about later. Being a wedding photographer of Jewish celebrations in Manchester or anywhere in the UK is just a joy and I love it so much.

Below is a small selection of photos from wedding days. 50 in total, so actually quite a lot. But with so much going on I couldn’t restrict it any more. Massive congratulations to all the newly married couples I have worked for and I hope to see you you all at another wedding soon.

If you are looking for a photographer, anywhere in the UK, I would love to hear from you.

I am available to photograph your Jewish wedding anywhere in the UK – Cheshire, Manchester or London.

You don’t have to have been to a Jewish wedding to know that they are filled with energy and laughter. From the mazel tov to the dancing, it is a far cry from the traditional British suited and booted affair.

Keeping the atmosphere festive from the get-go, the bride and groom each hold their own Jewish receptions to welcome their guests with eating, dancing and fun. Both are said to be very celebratory occasions with the groom’s called a tisch, often involving a good few shots of whisky! Kicking things off, with the ketubah at the reception, for the beginning of the more serious part of the day, everything is signed and set in stone by the groom. The two witnesses, family and friends present, ensure there is no escape, from the terms and conditions to which they are now legally bound. This part of the day is always great to photograph because there is so much emotion between everyone.

With the marriage commandments laid down in law, there should be no confusion about what’s allowed, from spending to obligations- it’s all in there and signed. Too late for any last minute jitters, it’s off to the canopy for the Jewish ceremony. Looking like the top of a four poster bed, the chuppah is the special couple’s temporary home whilst they marry, present to remind them that they are about to begin a new life under the same roof. I always enjoy photographing weddings under the chuppah because it is so intimate and lots of things happen.

A big thank you to my go-to 2nd photographers, who are always incredible on the day. Rhys Beddoe, Matt Hyde, Dan Wimble, Tom Beynon, Philip Eagland

A special thank you to Paul Rogers for stepping up when I needed him the most.

Chuppah and Badeken

Decorated and exposed to the open air above, the chuppah is where proceedings take place. The bride having just finished badeken is poised ready for action, with her veil now covering her face. Having covered his fiancé’s face with the veil, during badeken. This aspect is really ace to photograph. The groom makes his way back to his reception to put on his kittel, a white robe, for the next part of the ceremony. There are no pockets in the kittel to remind the couple that material possessions do not matter, and thus the bride may also choose not to wear any wedding jewellery for the Jewish ceremony under the canopy.

Badeken, is a ritual of old that dates back to when Rebecca covered her face with her veil when she saw Isaac coming towards her before they married. In addition to upholding ancient Jewish tradition, it is also a signal to the rest of the community that this is now a married woman. The groom, rabbi and his family and friends enter the reception, where the groom covers her face with her veil whilst both mothers sit on either side of her. Taking place to the sounds of their family and friends singing, the rabbi says a blessing over the wedding couple, then he leaves to prepare for his entrance to the chuppah. First he then the bride are taken to the chuppah by loved ones, usually by their parents. On reaching the canopy, the bride now circles the groom three or seven times. I love getting wide angle photos at this point as you can see all the floral decorations with the gorgeous pair centre of the frame. A wide angle lens, and slow shutter speed works well here.

The Jewish ceremony begins with Erusin. A traditional ritual where the Rabbi says two blessings over the couple. One of the blessings is for the wine, the other for the union, after which they both taste the wine. Next the newlyweds are presented with her ring by the groom. Whilst saying a special declaration, he places the ring on the right index finger. In some ceremonies, the groom will receive his ring outside of the chuppah. Finally, the ketubah, the Jewish marriage contract is read out loud by the rabbi for everyone, including the bride to hear.

Seven Wedding Blessings

Now for Nissun, the end of the ceremony, during which the Jewish bride and groom are finally married. Seven blessings, the Sheva Brachot are recited by the rabbi or specially chosen guests, for: creation, joy and the couple themselves. At the end, the newlyweds drink from the cup of wine again. Then comes the bit that is easily recognisable. The groom stamps on a glass on the floor with his right foot, and the guests shout “mazel tov”, which means congratulations. After that it is at last time for the celebrations. The happy couple slip away to the yichud for a little private time. After stepping over a sterling silver spoon, right foot first, the bride and groom, must lock the door from the inside and spend a least seven minutes in there.

It is during this time I’ll capture all the wedding guests having fun at their reception. I don’t stop or pose anyone for photographers, I just leave them to enjoy their day and capture them naturally. The time is usually spent putting back on the bling removed for the ceremony, and the bride is likely to be given a diamond ring by her new husband. A reminder that they are now Jewish husband and wife and should always make time for each other. Then it’s time for the wild celebrations.

Party, Dancing and lifted up on chairs

As well as a meal, there is lots of dancing. At the end of the meal the special prayer called the Birkat Hamazon (or Benching), is said to end the meal, a traditional practice in Jewish culture to give thanks for the meal. All guests must be seated and fingertips and lips must be rinsed. The word benching comes from benching, the Yiddish for bless. There are special dances for a number of different purposes. The main two are the hora, where the guests dance in a circle with their hands linked behind their backs, moving to the right. The dance and music are traditional Israeli folk music and dance steps. The dance gets faster and faster and can have a number of circles moving at the same time.

This must be the best part of any event to be a wedding photographer. So much is happening, and so quickly it’s a mad scramble of cameras, flashes and lens to get every angle possible of what is happening. Sometimes I drag the shutter a little, but mainly concentrate on framing my compositions correctly within the scene and the backdrop. Being a photographer at Jewish weddings is just brilliant. I offer a Natural and Relexed Photographic Style. Other traditional dances : the mizinke, where the parents can dance with their child, if it is their last son or daughter. However it often just used as a parents dance- whichever sibling it is. The mitzvah tantz for family and rabbi. The family and friends dance in front of the bride, with the groom, then they dance together. After the family dances which, are sure to bring a tear to the eye, all of the guests can dance until the early hours and celebrations can go on for the next seven days.

If you are looking for a Jewish wedding photographer , please get in touch to see if I am free.