Ketubah 101
A Ketubah Ordering Guide
Feel like you need a “crash course” in how to shop for a ketubah? You’ve landed in the right place. At MP Artworks’ “Ketubah 101” find out the basic essentials of what you need to know and should take into consideration when you are making decisions and placing your ketubah order.If you’re looking for quick answers in a specific area, use the menu to the right to “jump” to the appropriate section on this page. (And if you find you need more information that what you find here, please check out our FAQ or feel free to give us a call or e-mail at 888-336-4224 or ketubahstudio@gmail.com.)
*** Also: We can’t stress enough how important it is to involve your officiant in choosing your ketubah text and in compiling the information needed for personalizing the text!
Decisions You Will Need to Make
• Ketubah Studio | Since any design is available with almost any of the texts we offer, you are limited only by your personal style.We offer texts for all kinds of Jewish weddings (Orthodox, Conservative, Reform and Humanistic Secular), Interfaith weddings, Nonreligious weddings, Commitment ceremonies and Anniversary celebrations. In most of these categories, we even offer more than one text option!
Don’t be intimidated: Start by choosing a text that is appropriate for the type of ceremony you will be having. If you have any doubts about whether or not a text is appropriate for you, you should consult your officiant.
Because of our production process, we are in the position to offer any Ketubah Studio text with almost any Ketubah Studio design.
(The one exception: We do not offer the “No-English” versions of our Orthodox and Conservative texts for designs that leave two spaces for text. It is generally considered unacceptable to split these traditional Aramaic texts into two parts.)
You may also provide us with a custom text of your choosing, which we can translate into Hebrew or another language, if necessary.
You’ll need to decide if you want us to personalize your ketubah -- fill in the names, dates, etc. -- or have the officiant or a calligrapher do the work.
If we do the personalization, all of the text will be professionally fitted and incorporated into your design and look as if it was all done at one time. (An additional charge will apply for this service.) If you opt to have your officiant fill it in, you will save the money, but it will look “filled in.”
You should also check with your officiant, since he or she may have a strong opinion either way or may not want the responsibility of writing on a fine art print. (Read our FAQ for very detailed information about personalizing specific types of ketubah texts.)
Learn about all of your shipping options in our handy-dandy FAQ section on shipping.
Basic Information You Will Need to SupplyIf your wedding is only a few weeks away, you should choose a shipping address where someone is available to receive your delivery at all times.
A business address is best since UPS requires a signature to deliver to businesses, and there is less chance your package will get lost.
Billing / Payment Information:
We accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover. Your billing address must match that of your credit card.
To accept your order, we will need the following: ketubah design, ketubah text and decisions about whether or not you want personalization, your preferred shipping method, etc.
Personalized Ketubah Texts: More Information You Will Need to Supply
We need the Gregorian date and whether or not the wedding is before or after sunset. (This affects the Hebrew date.)
You will need to provide the city and state, or city and country, where the wedding will be held.
(For texts with English sections only.) The names of the bride, groom, bride’s parents and groom’s parents are typically required. However, the names can be written whichever way you prefer: first and last; first, middle and last; first, middle initial and last; or first only. Choose what is most comfortable for you. You also may choose to omit your parents’ names, if you wish. Visit our FAQ for more detailed information.
(For texts with Hebrew or Aramaic sections only.) The names of the bride, groom, bride’s parents and groom’s parents are typically required. Names typically appear as first, or first and middle, Hebrew names only. You may choose to omit your parent’s names, if you wish and if your officiant approves. We will need to know if either of your parents is no longer living. In these cases, an abbreviation for “of blessed memory” in Hebrew will be added to the names of the deceased.
Orthodox or Conservative Ketubah Text? Additional Information You Will Need to SupplyWe will need to know if this is the bride’s first marriage, if she has been divorced or widowed, and if she has converted. When in doubt, consult your officiant. Please visit our FAQ for additional information.
We will need to know if this is the bride’s first marriage, if she has been divorced or widowed, and if she has converted. When in doubt, consult your officiant. Please visit our FAQ for additional information.
We will need to know if either father is Cohain, Levite or Israelite. (It will be one of these unless the bride or groom is converted. Check with your officiant if you are not sure.) Please visit our FAQ for additional information.
In Orthodox texts, the mothers’ Hebrew names are almost never used. In Conservative texts, they are allowed the majority of the time, but you should consult your officiant. Please visit our FAQ for additional information.
In Orthodox texts, the officiant should tell you whether or not the “regal” – the descending part of the letter in the “koof” – in the word “v’kaninah” should be filled in or left out. Please visit our FAQ for additional information.Bride’s Status:
We will need to know if this is the bride’s first marriage, if she has been divorced or widowed, and if she has converted. When in doubt, consult your officiant. Please visit our FAQ for additional information.
Additional Information You Will Need to Supply for Anniversary Texts
Original Wedding Date / Original Location of the Ceremony / Bride’s Maiden Name:
The “who,” “when” and “where” of the Anniversary text uses the information for the original wedding ceremony. The original wedding date, city and state are used, as is the bride’s name at the time of the original wedding.
