Combining childhood traditions to honor those  who helped raise the bride and groom...

The Jewish blessing of thanksgiving, the “Shehehiyanu”, which marks the appreciation for any special occasion, could be combined with the modern American custom of recognizing all who helped raise the bride and groom.

In a spiritual sense it is recommended that any recognition will take place right before the ceremony begins, just as the wedding party is ready to begin walking down the aisle, and not during the ceremony itself.

The reason for that is that the groom’s energy and the bride’s energy unite into one during the wedding ceremony. Highlighting other people during the ceremony could take away from the intensity of that bonding (this is true in a gay wedding ceremony as well).

Therefore the “Shehehiyanu” could be recited and then followed by the recognition ceremony which could take many forms: A poem, a self-written note, a special bouquet etc. The only drawback is that only the wedding party is present during this ceremony. Rest assured, however, that the honorees will be extremely touched and will not mind the small audience.