How Can We Blend Sephardic and Ashkenazi Traditions in One Wedding?

Planning a Jewish wedding in Toronto can be a beautiful journey of heritage, harmony, and heartfelt decisions. For couples with diverse cultural backgrounds, the question often arises: Can we blend Sephardic and Ashkenazi traditions into one ceremony? The answer is a joyful and resounding yes.

I am Cantor Ben, a Toronto-based Jewish wedding officiant, and I had the great honour of officiating the marriage of Brad and Molly, a couple who came to me with this exact question. Brad’s family is proudly Sephardic, originally from Morocco. Molly’s roots are Ashkenazi, with family from Poland and Lithuania. Their vision? A unified, joyful Jewish wedding celebration that honoured both of their traditions equally.

Let me walk you through how we brought their vision to life and how you can too.

The Beginning: A Couple with Two Worlds in Their Hearts

Brad and Molly found me through a friend whose wedding I had officiated the year prior. From our very first conversation, I could tell they were deeply committed to creating a ceremony that respected their individual family histories. Molly grew up attending Shabbat dinners full of Eastern European melodies and challah passed around the table. Brad, on the other hand, was raised with the bold spices of Sephardic cuisine and the rhythmic joy of Ladino music.

Their love was built on shared values, deep respect, and a desire to blend—not erase—their cultural uniqueness. As a Jewish wedding cantor, I saw this not as a challenge, but as a beautiful opportunity.

The Ceremony: When Two Traditions Become One

In designing Brad and Molly’s Jewish wedding ceremony, we began with the chuppah, the wedding canopy. Their Jewish wedding chuppah was designed using Molly’s grandmother’s lace tablecloth, draped over four hand-carved wooden poles gifted by Brad’s uncle. This was a symbolic fusion of both families.

They chose to include both Ashkenazi and Sephardic blessings during the Sheva Brachot. One was sung in the traditional Ashkenazi melody Molly had known since childhood, and another was read in Ladino by Brad’s grandfather. As I led the ceremony, I was moved by the quiet awe in the crowd, many of whom told me afterward how meaningful it was to hear both traditions honored with such care.

Brad broke the glass, a Jewish wedding custom familiar to all, but then their recessional was a spirited Sephardic drumming procession leading straight into the Jewish wedding hora, uniting everyone in dance and laughter. It was the perfect fusion of modern Jewish wedding energy with traditional Jewish wedding rituals.

Music, Food, and Celebration

For their Jewish wedding music, they hired a live band with musicians who understood both Ashkenazi klezmer and Sephardic rhythms. The set list included “Siman Tov” alongside “Ocho Kandelikas.”

Their Jewish wedding reception menu featured gefilte fish and lamb tagine. Their Jewish wedding decorations reflected both aesthetics, with floral motifs from Eastern Europe and Moroccan lanterns lighting up the night.

Even their Jewish wedding invitations were printed in English and Hebrew, with flourishes inspired by both cultural styles. Their Jewish wedding photographer captured every moment of this incredible blending of legacy and love.

A Word on the Ketubah

One of the most powerful moments came when they signed their Jewish wedding Ketubah. The text had been customized to reflect egalitarian values, but we also included a Sephardic-inspired design in the border. When they signed it under the chuppah, it wasn’t just a contract—it was a work of art and a spiritual commitment.

A Lifelong Partnership and Future Naming Ceremonies

Since the wedding, Brad and Molly have told me how many of their friends were inspired to explore their own roots more deeply. When they were blessed with a daughter the following year, they called on me again—not as their wedding cantor this time, but for a Jewish baby naming ceremony.

Their Jewish newborn ceremony was held in their home, with family joining from abroad over Zoom. We crafted a Jewish baby naming celebration that echoed the same blended values as their wedding. I led the Jewish baby naming rituals, shared the Jewish baby naming tradition, and blessed their daughter under the same chuppah canopy we had used at their wedding.

Planning a Jewish baby naming ceremony? I also help with Jewish baby naming invitations, music, and reception ideas.

Why I Do This Work

I was mentored by a great Jewish wedding Rabbi who taught me the deep sacredness of this role. But I’m not a Rabbi. I’m a Cantor, with a heart for storytelling and a passion for uniting families through meaningful ritual.

When couples come to me unsure of how to blend their backgrounds, I tell them what I told Brad and Molly: Love makes room for everything. You don’t have to choose. You can have a ceremony that reflects your story.

Planning Your Own Jewish Wedding in Toronto?

If you’re planning a Jewish wedding in Toronto and wondering how to blend traditions, I offer fully customized Jewish wedding services that honor your history while creating a celebration that feels fresh and personal.

Whether you’re dreaming of a traditional Jewish wedding, a modern Jewish wedding, or something completely unique, I can help you plan a Jewish wedding ceremony that is rooted in meaning, music, and joy. I also collaborate closely with venues, musicians, and other vendors to bring your vision to life.

From the Jewish wedding attire to the Jewish wedding vows, from the decor to the dance floor, your celebration should feel like you.

Let’s Talk

If you’re a multicultural couple in Toronto—or anywhere in the world—consider me your guide and partner in planning a beautiful, meaningful Jewish wedding celebration.

Blending traditions isn’t just possible. It’s powerful. And it tells the world a story worth celebrating.

Book your consultation today, and let’s begin your journey toward the most meaningful wedding day of your life.