Find the perfect interfaith ketubah for your interfaith wedding
Interfaith weddings represent a beautiful moment: the joining of two traditions into one family. This gives interfaith couples the opportunity to create a ketubah that not only appeals to them artistically, but also symbolizes the coming together of their religions and traditions.
My wife and I are an interfaith couple. The frustration we felt over not being able to find a ketubah that didn't feel one-sided is what encouraged me to make my first ketubah. I believe that many traditional ketubahs, which rely heavily on Jewish symbolism and language, are not a good fit for interfaith couples. These ketubot feel as if they are ignoring the non-Jewish half of the marriage. It is important for the interfaith couple to find a ketubah which which celebrates both halves of their union by using symbols and language they both share.
I try to make all of my ketubahs open and inclusive. My ketubah designs use my fine art photography of flowers and leaves, because this imagery of nature has meaning for all cultures and traditions. My ketubah texts use language that is open and modern, carefully written to acknowledge people from different backgrounds. Combining these images and words, my ketubot become a lasting symbol of a union between two individuals, two families, and two traditions.
Texts and options for interfaith ketubahs 
Since an interfaith ketubah is a personal document, not bound by any specific rules, interfaith couples have a lot of freedom over what they want it to say. I have just added three new texts for interfaith couples. These texts (named Interfaith 1, 2 and 3) honor the traditions and values of both families, and celebrate how you are "...two individuals becoming one couple, two families becoming one family, two pasts becoming one shared future." I have also added new interfaith poetic verses, that use quotes from a variety of non-traditional and non-religous sources such as Aristotle, Thoreau, and Ghandi.
Interfaith couples often combine traditions, such as including both a ketubah and unity candles in their ceremony.
How to make your ketubah a part of your interfaith wedding ceremony
Interfaith couples work very hard to make sure that their ceremony somehow incorporates both of their traditions. There are many ways to make a ketubah a part of an interfaith wedding. If your ceremony is a based on a Jewish service, you may follow the Jewish custom of signing the ketubah before the ceremony. If your ceremony is based on a Christian service, you might make the signing of the ketubah a part of the reception. If your ceremony combines both traditions, you might want to pair the ketubah with a Christian tradition, by having your officiant read the ketubah aloud while you light the unity candle. Many people have their ketubah on display during and after the ceremony, giving their Jewish and non-Jewish guests a chance to share and discuss its meaning. Whatever you do, be sure to be thoughtful of your non-Jewish guests and somewhere provide an explanation of the meaning of the ketubah, to both the Jewish tradition and your own ceremony.
Here's how one of my customers incorporated a ketubah into their interfaith wedding:
"My fiance's family is Jewish on his mother's side, although mostly non-practicing. I am Catholic, although more spiritual than religious. We're having a civil ceremony officiated by a friend, and are incorporating some sacred moments into it. When I found your site through a google search, I knew right away that we should have one of your Ketubot - not only for that ceremonial aspect we wanted, but because the text says exactly how we feel about our commitment to each other, and because they are also works of art." (Jennifer and Shane, from San Francisco)
I hope this article helped you undertand interfaith ketubahs a little more, and how they can be designed to become a true symbol of your marriage. If you have any questions, please contact me.
Click here for links to some interfaith wedding officiants.
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