When couples wish to stomp a glass at the end of their ceremony, I always suggest using a light bulb wrapped in a napkin instead because a light bulb is easy to break and makes a nice “popping” sound. Recently, I performed a wedding where my point was proven.

About a week or so before the wedding, the bride’s mother called to tell me that she had found on the internet a glass specifically made for this ritual. It came in a velvet bag so the groom could stomp on it in the bag and the fragments could be kept as a memento.

Next the bride called. She’s Jewish, he’s not. She explained that since the custom is associated with Judaism, her fiancé preferred not to stomp on the glass. She asked if it would be OK if she did so. I told her that there was nothing written in stone as to who could or could not stomp on the glass it would be fine.

[Note: breaking a glass is a Jewish ritual which goes back to the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem. These days people who aren't  Jewish often like to include it in their ceremony simply because it’s a nice, dramatic ritual. In these cases I use an interpretation which is that a broken glass cannot be mended and thus reflects the permanence of marriage.]  

So the moment comes in the ceremony where the glass is to be broken. I place the glass on the floor in front of the bride. First problem: because the bride’s gown reaches the floor she can’t see her feet. So she lifts up her gown. Second problem: she is, of course, wearing high heels. Trying to stomp on a glass with high heels is virtually impossible ─ it just rolls away. She finally is able to get the glass underfoot and tries to break it with the sole of her shoe. Nothing doing. It won’t break. 

By now the glass is rolling all over the floor and the audience is beginning to laugh. Soon the bride, groom and entire wedding party join in the laughter. In desperation I tell the groom that he is the only other person who can break the glass and he has to stomp on it. He does so. The glass still won’t break. Finally the bride’s mother picks up the glass and, with the rest if the wedding party, joins the recessional. 

I could have said, “I told you so,” but, as it turns out, it became one of the highlights of the ceremony!
 


Comments




Leave a Reply