How does the Ketubah signing ceremony work? Michael Shapiro (Ketubah.com CEO) clarifies Ketubah scripts, timing & more. Ketubah signing ceremony questions answered.
By Michael Shapiro
The Ketubah signing ceremony can feel like a mystery at times.
For a lot of people – especially those not planning an Orthodox or Conservative Jewish wedding – it’s hard to find any advice at all. You start reading online and suddenly you’re wondering: Is this really a male-only event? And what’s with the two hundred silver coins?
Don’t worry. In this post, I’ll explain how to carry out the Ketubah signing ceremony in both Orthodox/Conservative couples and all other situations.
By the end of this article, you will learn:
- What the traditional Ketubah signing looks like according to Halacha (Jewish Law)
- Eight popular adaptations for interfaith, secular, LGBTQ+ and other weddings
- How to find Ketubah signing scripts that cover all situations
Is there Only One Way to Do the Ketubah Signing Ceremony?
As the CEO of Ketubah.com, I get a lot of questions about Ketubahs.
But I can tell you this. The Ketubah ceremony brings up the most questions for couples. A lot of it revolves around the same core questions:
- Where can I get a non-Orthodox Ketubah signing ceremony script?
- Do we sign before, during or after the main wedding ceremony?
- Who do we invite?
- Who should the witnesses be?
These questions are common if you’re planning an interfaith wedding, if you’re an LGBTQ+ or non-binary couple, or if you’re a secular or Reform Jewish couple. Because the truth is there’s no official “Ketubah signing script” for weddings operating outside of Halacha (Jewish Law).
So can you still incorporate a Ketubah signing in your wedding?
Yes, of course you can!
At Ketubah.com, only around 27% of our Ketubah sales are for couples who purchase an Orthodox or Conservative text. For the other 73% there are a number of popular alternatives.
Untangling the Two Main Ketubah Ceremony Styles
Before I can explain the alternatives, let’s look at the two main Ketubah signing ceremony formats:
- In the Orthodox and Conservative traditions, the Ketubah ceremony is fixed and governed by Halacha.
- In weddings outside of Halacha, there’s flexibility to align the ceremony with the couple’s personal beliefs and needs.
I want to be clear. Both are valid ways to perform the ceremony. While this should be reassuring, I imagine you’re still thinking: So why can’t the ceremonies be exactly the same?
It’s a good question.
To answer, I need to explain a little more about the elements of a Halacha-based Ketubah signing ceremony. You’ll see why a lot of people choose to make adaptations. So let’s get into the most common questions about the Ketubah ceremony.
8 Questions Answered About the Ketubah Signing Ceremony
1. What’s the “Vibe” of the Ketubah Signing Ceremony?
Traditionally, the Ketubah event is a spirited event filled with singing and Divrei Torah (“Words of Torah”). However, as Halacha dictates, this lively energy takes place in a private, male-only space.
By contrast, weddings operating outside of Halacha embrace a variety of ceremonies, ranging from intimate gatherings to public highlights of the main event. Let’s untangle these two approaches.
Inside Halacha
For Orthodox and many Conservative weddings, the atmosphere is spirited yet gender-segregated. The focus is on fulfilling legal requirements before the main ceremony, but the environment is far from dry. It’s a high-energy celebration rooted in tradition.
The vibe depends on whether you’re the bride or the groom.
- The Groom’s View. The signing takes place at the Chossen’s Tish (Groom’s Table). In this male-only space, the atmosphere is electric, filled with spirited singing and Divrei Torah. Between the legal formalities, guests toast the groom with schnapps and enjoy traditional fare like herring, making the “legal” room feel a little like a party.
- The Bride’s View: At the same time, the bride is in a separate room having her own cocktail hour with the women and other wedding guests. She is often seated on a kind of “throne,” being celebrated and catered to, treated like a queen by her family and friends.
Beyond Halacha
For the majority of our couples – those having a Jewish Reform, secular, interfaith, LGBTQ+ or other wedding – the vibe can be different.
I hear from customers that the Ketubah signing ceremony atmosphere is light, a lot of fun, but still intimate. Both of the beloveds are present. Our Director of Operations at Ketubah.com, Tani Gordon, likes to call it a “pre-game to the big game.”
The officiant keeps the mood light-hearted, in contrast to the more emotional moments that will take place under the chuppah. (More on the Ketubah ceremony timing later.)
In other words, it’s not serious and it’s not really emotional either. It’s a chance for the couple and their closest loved ones to relax, take a moment to “chill,” and get some paperwork done before the main wedding procession begins. The goal is to set a joyful, excited tone for the rest of the day.
2. Is There a Ketubah Signing Ceremony Script?
In a traditional context, the Ketubah document itself serves as the script. It’s read aloud by the Rabbi to the attendees and then signed by the two witnesses.
However, the ancient text and ceremony doesn’t apply for everyone. I’ve heard from Jews that their Rabbi wouldn’t agree to use the Halachic text for a marriage where only one of the couple is Jewish.
So you’re not alone if you need to find your own Ketubah text and script.
That’s why at Ketubah.com, we have a large library of Ketubah texts written by Rabbis and Jewish writers. These are also intended to be read aloud as a script for a range of celebrations. (More on this below).
Inside Halacha
In the traditional setting, the text of the Ketubah is a fixed legal document that acts as the “script.”
You can see below an image of the Orthodox/RCA Ketubah script here on our page – along with an English translation. This traditional Aramaic text is an authentic halachic document that has been used for centuries. It outlines the financial and care commitments the groom undertakes for his wife during the marriage.
This is a standard and accepted script for Orthodox Jewish weddings.
For couples in the Conservative movement, you can also see Ketubah scripts that include the Lieberman clause here.
Orthodox/RCA Ketubah Script in English
On the ____ day of the week, the _____ day of the month ________ in the year five thousand seven hundred and ____ since the creation of the world, the era according to which we reckon here in the city of ____ that _____ son of said to this virgin ______ daughter of _______ “Be my wife according to the practice of Moses and Israel, and I will cherish, honor, support and maintain you in accordance with the custom of Jewish husbands who cherish, honor, support and maintain their wives faithfully. And here I present you with the marriage gift of virgins, two hundred silver zuzim, which belongs to you, according to the law of Moses and Israel; and I will also give you your food, clothing, and necessities, and live with you as husband and wife according to universal custom.” And Miss ____, this virgin consented and became his wife. The trousseau that she brought to him from her father’s house, in silver, gold, valuables, clothing, furniture and bedclothes, all this ______, the said bridegroom accepted in the sum of one hundred silver pieces, and __________ the bridegroom, consented to increase this amount from his own property with the sum of one hundred silver pieces, making in all two hundred silver pieces. And thus said _____, the bridegroom: “The responsibility of this marriage contract, of this trousseau, and of this additional sum, I take upon myself and my heirs after me, so that they shall be paid from the best part of my property and possession that I have beneath the whole heaven, that which now I possess or hereafter acquire. All my property, real and personal, even the shirt from my back, shall be mortgaged to secure the payment of this marriage contract, of the trousseau, and of the addition made to it, during my lifetime and after my death, from the present day and forever.” _______, the bridegroom, has taken upon himself the responsibility of this marriage contract, of the trousseau and the addition made to it, according to the restrictive usages of all marriage contracts and the additions to them made for the daughters of Israel, according to the institution of our sages of blessed memory. It is not to be regarded as a mere forfeiture without consideration or as a mere formula of a document. We have followed the legal formality of symbolic delivery (kinyan) between _________ the son of ________, the bridegroom and ________ the daughter of __________ this virgin, and we have used a garment legally fit for the purpose, to strengthen all that is stated above, and everything is valid and confirmed.
Beyond Halacha
For all other weddings, you have a wide variety of beautiful Ketubah scripts that you can use during the signing ceremony.
Ketubah.com offers a range of Ketubah texts for Interfaith, LGBTQ+, Reform/egalitarian, secular humanist, non-binary, and more. As an example, the text for our most popular non-Halachic Ketubah text – “Life’s Journey for Interfaith Couples” – will include elements such as:
- Opening with the date, the people present, the names of the couple, and their wish to enter into the covenant of marriage.
- Reading out the vows (these can be customized through our AI Ketubah Text Assistant).
- The officiant then asks the witnesses to sign, before signing themself, followed by the bride and groom.
Life’s Journey/Interfaith Ketubah Script
On the second day of the week, the twenty-seventh day of the month of __________ in the year __________, corresponding to the __________ day of __________ in the year __________ here in __________ in the presence of family and friends, the beloveds __________, son of __________, and __________, daughter of __________, entered into the covenant of marriage.
As we embark on life’s journey, we promise to love, cherish, encourage and inspire one another. Our hearts fuse together, creating a unique bond with friendship and compassion at its core. Through this union, we vow to value and support each other, always striving to show sensitivity to each other’s needs.
We shall nurture one another emotionally, spiritually and intellectually, embracing our respective qualities, strengths and heritages. May we continue to grow together, maintaining the courage and determination to pursue our desired paths. We promise to celebrate life’s joys with grace and overcome life’s adversities with tenacity.
May we maintain the intimacy that fosters trust, honesty and communication. As life partners, we shall strive to build a home emanating love, peace, charity and tolerance. Through each other’s eyes, we see the world anew: may we be better together. All this is valid and binding.
3. How Long Does the Ketubah Signing Ceremony Take?
There’s not a fixed minute-by-minute rule. But the traditional Ketubah signing ceremony can often take around 20 minutes.
I know. “Around 20 minutes” isn’t a good answer when you’re trying to plan a wedding. You want a tightly scheduled event, and you need to know how much time to budget for the ceremony.
So let’s dig a little deeper.
Inside Halacha
For the Orthodox and traditional Conservative ceremonies, the Ketubah signing is just one component within a larger, pre-ceremony block of time.
The men’s ceremony (Chosson’s Tish) takes place simultaneously with the women’s celebration (the bride’s “cocktail hour”). The signing of the Ketubah is just one part of the Chosson’s Tish ritual, which also involves Divrei Torah and celebrations.
The signing itself is quick (probably 10-20 minutes) but you need to budget for the entire pre-ceremony before the main wedding event begins.
Beyond Halacha
For the majority of our couples, the signing ceremony is usually kept brief, efficient, and light-hearted.
As you’ll see in question four, it’s still popular for the Ketubah signing ceremony to take place just before the guests arrive. Because the event is solely focused on the signing, it often lasts no more than 10 to 20 minutes from start to finish.
That said…there’s no fixed rule.
I’ve heard from couples who want their Ketubah signing as part of the main wedding ceremony. In that case, it can be a 5-minute job to read the text aloud and call the witnesses up to sign.
4. Should We Sign Ketubah During, Before, After the Main Wedding Ceremony?
In most cases, the Ketubah signing takes place before the main wedding event.
The ceremony will be a private affair with just the couple and a few family members. This is a direct influence of the Ketubah signing ceremony in the Jewish Orthodox and Conservative traditions.
So let’s take a closer look.
Inside Halacha
The timing is very clear within the traditional framework: the Ketubah must be signed before the main wedding ceremony.
The Ketubah signing will take place in the private Chossen’s Tish (Groom’s Table), before the groom is danced in to see the bride (the Bedeken). This is done because the Ketubah is a legal contract that must be validated by the witnesses’ signatures before the couple performs the final act of consecration (the groom saying the words and giving the ring) under the chuppah.
Beyond Halacha
For the majority of couples buying Ketubahs today, their wedding won’t be guided by Halacha. So you can have the Ketubah signing ceremony whenever you like – before, during or after the main event.
That said, I notice a lot of non-Orthodox Ketubah signings are still done before the main wedding event. Often in a small, separate room. The main reason for signing beforehand is practical. It’s quicker to get the signing done privately than to have to read the text out and have witnesses come up to sign under the chuppah.
5. What Happens to the Ketubah After the Signing Ceremony?
This is a great question.
After the signatures are dry, the Ketubah transitions from being a legal contract signed in a private room to being a cherished piece of art and a public symbol of your commitment.
Inside Halacha
The timing is key. Because the Ketubah must be signed before the main ceremony, it moves directly from the private Chosson’s Tish (Groom’s Table) to the main wedding.
The Rabbi will bring the Ketubah out and place it prominently under or next to the chuppah. During the ceremony itself, the document is read aloud in Aramaic – and sometimes in English – to the assembled guests. This reinforces the legal and spiritual weight of the contract.
Beyond Halacha
For most other weddings, the Ketubah is still signed prior to the main event. And then brought out to the main ceremony space. But here’s where the traditions differ. I’ll often see the officiant just talk about the vows or read the English translation – they won’t read out the whole text as in an Orthodox or Conservative wedding.
6. Do We Exchange Rings During the Ketubah Signing Ceremony?
This is a point of common confusion, as the signing of the document and the exchange of the ring are often thought of as a single legal act. But in Jewish tradition, they are not.
So, no, the rings are not exchanged during the Ketubah signing ceremony.
Inside Halacha
The traditional framework makes the separation of these two acts very clear.
- The Ketubah signing must be completed by the witnesses before the main wedding ceremony.
- The giving of the ring by the groom to the bride (kiddushin or consecration) is a defining act that takes place later under the chuppah (the wedding canopy).
On a separate note…only one ring is used in Orthodox Jewish weddings (given by the groom to the bride). And it must be a simple band with no stones, as the witnesses must know its exact value.
Beyond Halacha
Even for couples not guided by Halacha, the signing and the ring exchange are usually kept separate.
Since most non-Orthodox couples perform the Ketubah signing before the main wedding ceremony, the rings are exchanged later on during the main event surrounded by guests under the chuppah. While traditional weddings use a single ring, the vast majority of our modern couples choose to have both partners exchange rings.
7. Who Should I Invite to the Ketubah Signing Ceremony?
This question is a delicate balancing act for couples: How do you keep the signing intimate and private without excluding the people you love?
The attendance list varies dramatically depending on the ceremony style you choose.
Inside Halacha
The signing in the traditional Orthodox framework is a gender-segregated and separate event from the bride’s celebration.
- For the Groom’s Side: The signing takes place at the Chosson’s Tish (Groom’s Table) and is a private room reserved for only the men. This will include the groom, the Rabbi, the two male witnesses, and usually all of the male guests invited to the wedding.
- For the Bride’s Side: The female family members are not present for the signing. At the same time, the women, led by the mother of the bride and groom, are celebrating the bride in a separate cocktail hour-style room.
Beyond Halacha
The Ketubah signing ceremony outside of Halacha is customizable, allowing you to invite whoever you like.
But as I’ve noted previously, we hear that customers of Ketubah.com like to make the signing ceremony a small, intimate, and non-segregated moment reserved for the couple’s closest inner circle.
I usually see that the only invited parties are:
- The couple themselves
- The two witnesses
- The immediate family (parents and siblings)
- The maid of honor and the best man
You can invite anyone you wish. But the atmosphere works best when kept in a small room with about 10-20 people.
8. Who Should Sign the Ketubah?
The general rule for most modern couples is simple: two witnesses, the officiant and the couple signs. But for those following the handed-down tradition, the answer is very different.
This is perhaps the most significant distinction between the two ceremony styles. In the traditional Jewish context, the Ketubah witnesses are signing a legal document and are confirming that the correct protocol has been followed.
Inside Halacha
In an Orthodox or conservative wedding, neither the bride nor the groom signs the Ketubah. Instead, the document is signed only by the witnesses.
And there are rules around who the witnesses are. Only two male, Shomer Shabbat (Sabbath-observing) males who are not related to the couple or to each other can serve as witnesses.
As noted in the English translation of the Orthodox/RCA Ketubah text above, the witnesses are essentially signing that “the things that are supposed to happen” have been done according to Jewish law.
Beyond Halacha
For all other weddings operating outside of Halacha, the custom is more flexible. You can have the couple sign, along with witnesses, the officiant, and anyone else you wish.
Here’s what I see most often.
Many couples still stick to using two witnesses (often a maid of honor and best man, or siblings) even though there is no religious or legal requirement to do so. This is a practice we reflect in our most popular texts, such as for Interfaith Ketubah texts, where our most popular ones have designated spaces for two witnesses, the officiant, and the bride and groom.
This practice of having the couple and two witnesses sign is also standard for our most popular Secular Humanistic texts, Reform/Egalitarian texts and LGBTQ+ Ketubah texts.
(The key difference is that LGBTQ+ and non-binary texts will say “Beloved” and “Beloved” instead of “Bride” and “Groom”.)
While two witnesses is common practice, you have the freedom to invite anyone to sign. I once had a customer who got over 200 wedding guests sign the Ketubah!
But this is important.
The more people you invite to sign, the longer the ceremony will take. This is why the signing is done before the main wedding ceremony: it allows the officiant to reference the Ketubah vows later when the guests are all present, without making the full public ceremony about waiting for signatures to dry.
Where Can I Get Hold of Ketubah Ceremony Scripts for any Wedding Situation?
As we’ve seen, the most common confusion for couples is figuring out where their ceremony fits in the spectrum between traditional Halacha and a fully customizable event.
It’s something I’ve given a lot of thought to. As a result, my team and I have built a wide collection of Ketubah texts for any situation. Remember: the text is read aloud, so your Ketubah text doubles up as the script for the Ketubah signing ceremony itself.
A key point to remember is that at Ketubah.com, around 75% of our customers are purchasing a text for a wedding not governed by Halacha. Each of our texts is designed to be meaningful and authentic, with every text either coming from an official Jewish body or written by Rabbis.
This ensures the texts are both anchored in Jewish heritage and tradition while being adapted for wedding formats that do not follow Halacha.
We’ve done the heavy lifting for you.
Just check out our comprehensive Ketubah texts page to find the right script for your ceremony.
