The Ring Ceremony

 The main part of the Kiddushin is the ring ceremony.  Many times the ring exchange follows an exchange of vows between the bride and groom. Some couples write their own vows others use vows available from different sources. Still others prefer to recite a poem or even observe a brief moment of silence. The Bride’s ring must be acquired by the Groom. According to Jewish law, the bride’s acceptance of the ring which is the property of the groom as it is placed by him on her left index finger, is the act of legally binding agreement to the marriage.

The placing of the ring on the index finger of the left hand, the closet hand to the heart, symbolizes that the bride agrees to the marriage with all her heart. 

The Bride then places a ring on the left index finger of the groom. 

According to Jewish tradition, the ring should be plain and should have no precious stone of any kind. This represents a perfect circle with no beginning and no end. It reflects the endless love and commitment of the bride and groom to each other.  
  

Reading the Ketubah

In a traditional Jewish wedding the the Ketubah is presented to the congregation and read before or after the ring ceremony. In some Jewish communities the entire content of the Ketubah is actually chanted in Aramaic and sometimes in Hebrew.  

Reading the Ketubah eliminates any doubt in anyone’s mind whether or not the Ketuba was properly signed by the bride and groom and their witnesses.