What is the role of the parents in a Jewish wedding ceremony?

Short answer

Parents often welcome the couple, give blessings, and support the ceremony, but their exact role depends on the community and the couple's wishes. In many traditions they escort the bride and groom or join in the blessings over wine.

In a traditional Jewish wedding, parents play a supportive and honouring role rather than a presiding one. The rabbi or cantor leads the service, and the couple make their vows to each other. Parents may escort the bride and groom to the chuppah, sometimes walking each partner down separately. They might also be asked to lift the chuppah or to bless the couple during the service.

Many families join in the sheva brachot, the seven blessings recited under the canopy. In some communities, parents recite these blessings themselves, while in others they are said by invited guests or the officiant. Parents often host or help with the reception, and in some traditions they give a speech or blessing at the meal. The level of involvement is usually agreed between the couple and their families beforehand.

If your family is blended, divorced, or does not follow traditional customs, you can adapt these roles to suit everyone. There is no single rule that applies to every Jewish wedding. For the legal side, parents do not sign the marriage documents. The couple and two witnesses do. Check GOV.UK or the register office for the official requirements, and discuss any religious roles with your place of worship.