Drs. Rachel & Josh G
When I found out that these two were planning a ceremony at The Columbus Museum of Art, I did a little happy dance. This is one of the most beautiful buildings in Columbus, Ohio. I had seen so many weddings featured there on social media, and finally, it was my turn!
Ahem. I mean, it was THEIR turn.
The money shot. (Photo by Derk's Works Photography)
These two called me to officiate their Jewish / interfaith wedding over a year and a half before their date. The bride had done her research. She knew that it was important to both of them that they find a rabbi to conduct their interfaith wedding ceremony, and she had read that it might be difficult. I think I was actually the second wedding pro she contacted, after the venue manager. So smart. SO appreciated.
(I’m sure that the person she called either directly before or after me was Ashley Stephan, wedding planner extraordinaire in Columbus. She had the entire day HANDLED. She cannot be beat.)
At the ketubah signing. (Ketubah by ketubah.com, Photo by Derk's Works Photography)
The bride took her inspiration for the color scheme from the CMA’s iconic Chihuly sculpture. When she told me that her theme was “a whole bunch of colors,” she inspired me to make a new prayer shawl specifically for her ceremony.
The wedding was an interfaith ceremony, but I did not have a co-officiant. That means that the couple and I worked extra hard to make sure that her family felt just as represented in the ceremony as his did. We were able to invite all four of their parents to the chuppah to give their children a Biblical blessing, wrapped in the groom’s grandfather’s prayer shawl while the bride’s mother held her grandmother’s rosary. The tallis and rosary symbolized more than just family heirlooms – they represented a connection to their roots, a bond with their ancestors, and a commitment to carrying forward their family's values.
The bride and groom stand under the chuppah with their parents, wrapped in a tallit (Jewish prayer shawl) (Ketubah by Ketubah.com) (Photograph by Derk's Works Photography) (Flowers and chuppah by Genevieve at Blumen)
In the end, there were lots of emotional tears and LOTS of laughter. Dr. And Dr. G, it was my honor and privilege to officiate your beautiful Jewish/interfaith wedding ceremony. You are two of the best people in Columbus, Ohio, and I am so happy you chose me to be your wedding rabbi.
Listening to Rabbi LeighAnn’s retelling of their story. (Flowers and chuppah by Genevieve at Blumen Cbus) (Photography by Derk's Works Photography)
They partied the night away thanks to DJ Loren. Love that guy.
