Can We Include Jewish Wedding Customs in a Destination Wedding?

When Jeremy and Sarah first reached out to me from their home in Toronto, they had just booked their dream wedding venue in Costa Rica. The waves, the golden sand, and the warm sun were exactly what they wanted for their Jewish wedding ceremony. But they also had a question that many couples ask me:

Can we still include all the important Jewish wedding customs in a destination wedding? Will it still feel meaningful? Will it still feel Jewish?

The answer I gave them was simple. Not only can we include Jewish wedding traditions, but doing so in a meaningful way—anywhere in the world—is one of the most beautiful parts of what I do as a Jewish Wedding Cantor.

I want to share their story because it shows how Traditional Jewish Weddings and Modern Jewish Weddings can blend seamlessly, no matter the location.

The Dream of a Destination with the Heart of Home

Jeremy and Sarah wanted the best of both worlds. They dreamed of a beachside chuppah at sunset, and they also deeply wanted their ceremony to reflect their roots, values, and shared heritage. They had celebrated many Jewish Wedding Toronto events in the past, and now it was their turn to do things a little differently.

What touched me most in our early conversations was their commitment to the meaning behind the ritual. Sarah told me, “I want the beauty of the beach, but I also want to feel like my grandparents would be proud.”

Together, we crafted a ceremony that wove together Jewish Wedding Rituals, personal vows, and warm storytelling under the chuppah. They brought their photographer and their planner, but I brought something more—a spiritual roadmap that ensured the soul of a Jewish Wedding Ceremony remained intact.

Here’s How We Did It

We started with Jewish Wedding Planning sessions over Zoom. I got to know their story, their personalities, and their family dynamics. They shared memories of their childhood seders, family simchas, and how much they loved the singing at Jewish Wedding Celebrations in Toronto.

I helped them choose a meaningful Jewish Wedding Ketubah, which they signed before the ceremony in a private moment with their parents and siblings. I also walked them through the structure of the ceremony, so they felt confident and connected at every turn.

We included:

• A custom chuppah made of light wood and white fabric that symbolized their home together

• Jewish Wedding Music that combined traditional melodies with instrumental strings arranged by a local Costa Rican quartet

• The Sheva Brachot (seven blessings) recited in Hebrew and English to include all guests• Their own Jewish Wedding Vows, written with love and laughter

• A spirited Jewish Wedding Dance and an unforgettable Jewish Wedding Hora during the reception

By the time they smashed the glass and kissed beneath the stars, there wasn’t a dry eye in sight.

What a Jewish Wedding Really Means

You can get married on a beach, in a vineyard, or in your backyard. But what makes it a Jewish Wedding Ceremony is the intention you bring to it. The Jewish Wedding Traditions, from the circling to the blessings to the breaking of the glass, are transportable. They are not tied to a city or synagogue. They are tied to your heart.

And that is exactly what I explained to Jeremy and Sarah. Whether you are under a Manhattan skyline or a Costa Rican sunset, the symbolism of the Jewish Wedding Chuppah still represents your new home. The Jewish Wedding Customs remain the same. And the story we tell through ritual becomes your family’s story forever.

More Than a Ceremony. A Legacy.

What made this destination wedding so special was not just the setting. It was what came after.

A year later, Jeremy and Sarah reached out again. They were expecting a baby girl and wanted to plan a baby naming ceremony. They asked if I would lead a Jewish newborn ceremony in their home when they returned to Toronto.

I was honoured. I created a Jewish Baby Naming Ceremony that reflected the same warmth and spirituality as their wedding. We included blessings, music, and a heartfelt explanation of the name they chose for their daughter, connecting it to family members and Jewish tradition. From the Jewish Baby Naming Invitation to the music during the Jewish Baby Naming Reception, every detail was full of care and meaning.

The transition from Jewish Wedding Services to Jewish Baby Naming Services is one of the most beautiful arcs I get to witness as a Cantor. It is a privilege to be part of those key moments.

You Can Take Your Traditions with You

If you are planning a destination wedding, do not worry that it will feel less Jewish. With the right planning and the right officiant, your traditions can travel with you. Your Jewish Wedding Officiant will help you ensure that everything from the Jewish Wedding Invitations to the Jewish Wedding Decorations feels aligned with who you are.

Having been mentored by a great Jewish wedding Rabbi, I carry deep respect and knowledge for these traditions. And as a Jewish Wedding Cantor, my role is not just to officiate but to guide, teach, and personalize. I am not a Rabbi, but I have been blessed with training that allows me to preserve the sacred while celebrating your unique style.

Make Your Destination Wedding Jewish and Joyful

Jeremy and Sarah’s story is proof that you can have a tropical wedding and still honour your roots. The ceremony felt authentic, powerful, and full of soul. Their Jewish Wedding Photographer captured every meaningful moment, and the Jewish Wedding Venue came alive with love and tradition.

If you are planning a wedding in Mexico, Italy, the Caribbean, or anywhere else, and you want to include the richness of Jewish Wedding Customs, I would be honoured to help.

From Jewish Wedding Attire to the Jewish Wedding Hora, from your Jewish Wedding Ketubah to your future Jewish Newborn Ceremonies, your journey can be filled with memories, meaning, and music.

Let’s talk about your destination wedding and how to bring your traditions to life—wherever your heart takes you.