Home chuppahs a blossoming trend

JORDAN MOSHE

The decision to hold a chuppah in a private home is made for one of two reasons, says function décor co-ordinator, Cari Berkowitz. “It’s about cost or doing something different.”

“It has become more costly to have your wedding at a recognised venue, and many people simply cannot afford them. Beautiful venues like the Killarney Country Club are popular and have facilities for the chuppah, but come with a hefty cost, so couples look to friends who have the space to host it.”

Others, however, are driven by a desire to be novel. “Some people just want to be different,” says Berkowitz. “They want to break away from typical venues and do something unique.”

Either way, couples look to friends, relatives, or hospitable community members with the space to accommodate them on their special day.

Glenhazel resident Ingrid Seeff has hosted eight weddings in her garden to date, the first taking place 19 years ago.

“We had recently moved into our house and we felt that doing such a wonderful mitzvah (good deed) could only bring blessing to our new home,” says Seeff. “We have a lovely garden which lends itself to outdoor events, and it’s more intimate than a shul. It was gratifying to know that we had made a young couple’s dream of getting married in a garden a reality.”

Adi Kaye, who lives in Sydenham, feels the same way. Since 2015, she and her family have hosted three chuppot in their garden. They realised the potential their home had as a wedding venue the moment they bought it.

“When we bought the house six years ago, it had a beautiful established garden which we thought would be ideal for chuppot,” says Kaye. “Close friends of ours had been married for a number of years, were in the process of going through the conversion programme, and wanted to celebrate their chuppah in a beautiful setting. We were thrilled to be able to offer them our home.”

Both Seeff and Kaye actively involve themselves in arranging the chuppah, helping the families set up the necessary facilities.

“Once the couple have seen the house and garden, and decide to get married here, the bride will usually liaise with those supplying the chuppah – the band, chairs, and décor, and this information is then relayed to me so that I can co-ordinate it all,” says Seeff. “Some of the brides have used the house as a venue for dressing themselves and their retinue, the bride or groom’s table, and family photographs.”

She says she has got used to having crowds in her personal space, but has on occasion found people wandering around where they shouldn’t be. “Having a crowd is to be expected, and for the most part it’s fine, but it’s awkward to find strangers wandering around inspecting the upstairs of the house,” says Seeff.

Kaye agrees. “One thing we knew before going ahead with the first chuppah is that our home would be invaded by tons of people, and we needed to relax and go with the flow.”

It can get a bit much at times, however. “One of the chuppahs we hosted was planned and executed in five days,” says Kaye. “We expected maybe 50 people, and instead landed up with 200 people in our garden, many of whom stood in flowerbeds and fishponds just to view the couple under the chuppah.”

Seeff recounts a similarly memorable experience. “The day of the chuppah dawned rainy, but the couple were adamant that they still wanted to get married in the garden,” she says. “We moved the chuppah as close as we could to the patio, and all the guests stood under cover while the couple got married in the rain. My garden was a muddy mess afterwards.”

However, they both stress that each wedding is uniquely memorable, and has given them cause to continue to offer their home to others.

Neither family has ever considered charging for the space, and though they’ve hosted only the weddings of people they know, they remain willing to open their homes to strangers.

“Having a chuppah in a private home makes the experience far more intimate and personal,” Kaye says. “Hosting a chuppah in my home has brought many blessings to our home and family. It’s wonderful to celebrate simchas, bring joy to the bride and groom, and have the happy, smiling faces of family and friends all around.”