Real Wedding- Baltimore, MD- Michael Temchine Photography

Real Wedding Description

The son, or chosson, of a major pulpit rabbi's wedding in Baltimore is always going to be a large event. Having known the bride's, or kallah's, family for decades, not to mention having photographed all of her siblings weddings, meant this wedding was going to be more than just another wedding.

Despite having 600 people this frum, or orthodox, wedding maintained the intimacy and emotion frum weddings are famous for. At frum weddings the bride and groom (kallah and chosson) are considered the king and the queen. As a guest, you are commanded- yes, commanded- to make them happy on their wedding day. You are not a guest so much as a participant whose role is to ensure they have fantastic time. 

Orthodox wedding parties by their nature are wild affairs,  more akin to a mosh pit at times than a sedate event most people would associate the word orthodox with. Having photographed hundreds of orthodox weddings I am used to the physical and emotional aspect they have, and what I thought all of the traditions. 

Mori and Mordy's wedding had one additional tradition that I had never seen, nor heard of, the mitzvah tantz. After most of the guests have left and only family, and intimate friends, remain the male relatives dance tethered to the bride. The mechitzvah, or divide that separates the women from the men during the dancing is taken down and one by one certain men dance for the kallah. The beauty of the dance is that it is a form of prayer for the new couple. The dance is done without ego or self-regard despite the number of people watching. Most amazing for those familiar with orthdox Jewish weddings is that you see the couple dance. 

I have never seen anything like it. I can't wait until I see it again.