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Frequently Asked Questions
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A ketubah (also spelled: ketubbah, ketuba, ketubba, katuba; plural is ketubot) is a Jewish marriage contract. It is a traditional part of the Jewish marriage ceremony. In its original form it is a prenuptial agreement, outlining the responsibilities of the groom to his bride, to protect her in case of divorce or widowhood. You might wonder why this legal document came to be a work of visual art! Judaism has a precept known as hiddur mitzvah (lit: "beautification of the commandment"), which states that if an object is required for ritual purposes, it should be made as beautiful as possible--hence the custom of highly illuminated ketubot. A decorated ketubah, with images, motifs and colors that represent the bride and groom's personal style and symbolizes their relationship, is one of the few parts of the wedding that actually endures beyond the wedding day. Whether it is a unique piece of commissioned fine art, or a print, a ketubah is an instant heirloom. When the ketubah was first developed around the end of the first century, C.E., it was written in Aramaic, the spoken language of the time, so that all parties would understand the contract. This same Aramaic text is still in use today by traditional Jews. Though a great advance for its time, many couples today prefer a more egalitarian ketubah, expressing their mutual commitments to one another. Ketubahworks offers a range of texts for couples to choose from, from the traditional Aramaic, to modern texts which I wrote myself for egalitarian, interfaith, and same sex couples, plus an anniversary text. Whatever your beliefs and practices, you can choose a ketubah with a design and text combination that fits your needs.
You can order your ketubah right online! Just click to the ketubah design you'd like, make the selections you want, and click the buy now button to place your order. You'll be led to a payment page, where you can pay with a credit card or bank payment. If you are ordering your ketubah personalized ("filled in" with your names, wedding date and location), as soon as I receive your order I'll email you a questionnaire to collect your personalization info. Just type in the answers to all questions and email it back to me. Or if you prefer you can call me and place your order over the phone (650-938-3939 or 1-866-KETUBOT). Please allow at least 3-8 weeks for your ketubah to arrive. (If you are placing your order 4 weeks or less before your wedding, and the ketubah is shipping outside the state of California, you will need to pay for 2-day air shipping to ensure timely arrival.)
What if I don't feel comfortable ordering online? All credit card orders are processed by PayPal, one of the web's safest and most respected payment services. Whether you order online, or fax or phone me with your info, it will be processed the same way, and your credit card info is probably safer than it is at your local restaurant. However, if you would prefer to pay with a check, just send me an email and I'll be happy to email you an Order/Personalization Form.
My wedding's just a few weeks away. Do I still have time to order one of your ketubot? I can almost always fill rush orders, but you do need to confirm before you order. Send an email or call (650-938-3939 or 1-866-KETUBOT). Be aware that if you require your ketubah in under 3 weeks and want it personalized, it will be subject to a rush fee, plus rush shipping charges.
Do I need to pay sales tax on top of the listed price of the ketubah? Not if your shipping address is outside the state of California. Within the state of California you'll need to add 8 1/4% sales tax.
Can I order with a credit card? Yes! I can accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover. You can order with a credit card right online. I can also accept credit card or bank payments directly via PayPal, and personal checks and money orders for US funds.
Which text should I choose for my ketubah? Always check with your Rabbi which text s/he will accept. Each movement within Judaism is very specific about which text is required, and if a different text is used your rabbi may reject your ketubah. Generally, if your rabbi is Orthodox, he will require the traditional Aramaic, Orface="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">E. Egalitarian Text (Modern Hebrew & English). This text is suitable for Reform, Reconstructionist, Jewish Renewal, and other liberal Jewish weddings. I authored the text, which draws on Biblical sources, but reflects a more modern view of Judaism, in which the husband and wife play equal roles in marriage, and is translated poetically into modern Hebrew. Although Hebrew is a gendered language, the translation beautifully captures the egalitarian feeling of the original English. F. Interfaith Text (Modern Hebrew & English). This text is very similar to the Egalitarian text (see E above), and is also egalitarian in feeling, but contains no specific references to Judaism. I wrote this text specifically for couples from different backgrounds, but it has also been used by Jewish couples. The Hebrew is a poetic translation of the English, which beautifully captures the egalitarian feeling of the original. (Tree
of Life Ketubah is offered with two versions of this text, with
different last lines: G. Equal Partners Commitment Text (Modern Hebrew & English). This gender-neutral text is very similar to the Egalitarian text (see E above), and is also egalitarian in feeling, but refers to "equal partners" rather than "husband and wife." I wrote this text specifically for same sex couples, and it is available in Male and Female versions, but has also been used by heterosexual couples. Although it draws on traditional Biblical sources, this text contains no specific references to Judaism. The Hebrew is a poetic translation of the English, which beautifully captures the egalitarian feeling of the original. H. Anniversary Text (Modern Hebrew & English). I wrote this text specifically for couples celebrating an anniversary. It refers to the original wedding date, and the anniversary being celebrated (1st through 100th), and is egalitarian in feeling. Like the Egalitarian, Interfaith, and Equal Partners texts above, the Anniversary text draws on traditional Biblical sources, but can be ordered with or without specific references to Judaism. The Hebrew is a poetic translation of the English, which beautifully captures the egalitarian feeling of the original. This ketubah does not need to be signed, and it comes standard without signature lines. Since the tradition of illuminated ketubot has only regained popularity within the past 15 years or so, many married couples who never had a decorated ketubah are choosing to purchase or commission one now. An anniversary ketubah also makes a wonderful gift. Some couples choose to use my Egalitarian or Interfaith texts, even for an anniversary ketubah. I. Blank (No Text) J. Custom Text. I can now add any wording of your choice in type to one of my ketubot. All copy must be provided in editatable, digital format (MSWord or RTF no PDFs or GIFs), proofread, "filled in" with your personal information, exactly as you want it to read on the ketubah. For pricing check the info page for the ketubah design you like. I will send a layout proof of the ketubah with your text for your approval before printing your ketubah. Calligraphy (hand-lettered) texts may also be available, time allowing. Calligraphy is quite a bit more time-consuming than type, so expect to pay quite a bit more.
Reproduction ketubot are usually personalized in one of two ways: either the text is added completely in type, or if in calligraphy (hand lettering), blank spaces are left within the body of the text for personalizing with the wedding couple's names, the date and location of their wedding, and for Orthodox and Conservative texts, the bride's marital status (first time, divorcee, widow). Many ketubah makers these days don't actually do calligraphy anymore, but instead add all texts in type. When done well, this can look fine, and has the advantage that the text flows together. On the other hand, when not done by a skilled typographer, the ketubah can look as if the text was merely added as an afterthought. It's a shame when what should be a piece of fine art looks as if it has been created with Microsoft Word! In addition, even when done well type lacks the warmth and beauty of true calligraphy, and a typed text can never reveal the presence of a living, breathing artist the way that calligraphy can. When written by a master calligrapher, hand lettering can be an art form in its own right. As you shop for a ketubah, notice the difference in the lettering. Every calligrapher has their own style, and skill level. On the down side, you may find that some ketubot with calligraphy texts either don't allow enough space, or leave too much space for the bride and groom's personal information. This can lead to a "filled in" look, and is one of my pet peeves! I have taken great care to design my calligraphy ketubah texts so that when I calligraph each couple's information I have a great deal of flexibility in how to use the space. Whether your name is Sue Fox or Angelina Elizabeth Rosenkrantz, your ketubah will look as if the entire text was written at one time, especially for you. If you want me to fill your ketubah in by hand with calligraphy
to match that on the print, you'll need to pay the personalization
fee, and fill out a personalization questionnaire, which I'll email to you after I receive your order. Ask your Rabbi to help you fill in all the information correctly. You may also order
an unpersonalized ketubah, and have a local calligrapher do the personalization.
Some couples choose to have their Rabbi fill in the Ketubah just before
the Huppah ceremony.
I see you offer blank ketubot, and ketubot with custom texts. What does that mean? All of my reproduction ketubot can be ordered "blank," which means just the decoration is printed on the ketubah. No text is printed at all, so any text can be added by hand. I can add a text of your choice in type for an additional charge (for pricing, see the info page for the ketubah design you like). If you want calligraphy (hand-lettering) rather than type, expect to pay quite a bit more. Please call or email for more info. If I have time in my schedule to do the calligraphy myself, I'll need to know the length and layout of the text before I can give you a price quote. I also work with some other wonderful calligraphers, or you can find your own, or you could even write the text in yourself.
I'm Jewish, but my partner is not. How should our names be written on the ketubah? Most
interfaith couples have questions about how to handle their names
on the ketubah. I can write your names however you'd like, as
long as your rabbi approves. Most people use their full names English.
In the Hebrew there are several options. The standard formula is: (Orthodox ketubot usually don't include the mother's name.) ...but of course not everyone has a Hebrew name, even if they're Jewish! When one of the couple doesn't have a Hebrew name, the most common way to write the names in the Hebrew text is:
Some people choose instead to have me write their names this way:
Again, be sure to get your rabbi's approval. Your rabbi can also help you with the Hebrew spelling.
Um... neither of us is Jewish, but we love the idea of a ketubah! Can we get one? Certainly! An illuminated marriage document is a beautiful tradition that anyone can enjoy. Every Ketubahworks ketubah print is available without printed text, and can be customized with your vows, or any other words you wish. I can include as many signature lines as you wish, and you can use one of her customized ketubah prints as the basis for a Quaker wedding certificate, which everyone at the wedding signs as witnesses to your marriage.
I want to use the image on my ketubah. Can I reproduce the ketubah on cards or on personal stationery? In order to reproduce the any of the images on this website, you must obtain express written permission from me. Without permission, such a use is a direct infringement of copyright. I now have a range of invitations and other stationery items that coordinate with my ketubot! Click here for brochures, pricelist, and type catalogue. Several design options are available, and custom design is also possible (depending on my schedule availability). Call 650-938-3939 or 1-866-KETUBOT or email for a quote.
The ketubah will come wrapped in acid-free tissue, and rolled in a sturdy 4" diameter tube, or a 3" diameter tube inside a FedEx tri-tube. See below for how the ketubah should be handled on arrival.
How should the ketubah be handled on arrival? Recommended procedure for preparing your ketubah for your wedding:
How is the ketubah used at the wedding? The ketubah is signed before the huppah, and read by the Rabbi as part of the ceremony. Be sure to put a piece of scratch paper under your hand while signing the ketubah, to avoid getting sweat or skin oils on it. You may
wish to appoint a friend or family member to pass the ketubah to the
Rabbi and later to receive it from the Rabbi and look after it. The
Ketubah is one of the central elements to the main ceremony and is
often held up for everyone to see. Most couples like to display the
ketubah after the ceremony at their reception. I am collecting photos of brides and grooms with their ketubot. With your permission some of these will be shown on my website. I also welcome any stories or accounts of your wedding.
How should we display the ketubah at our wedding and reception? To protect the ketubah during the wedding and reception, buy a sheet of clear Mylar that is larger than the ketubah, and tape it over the board (see above), on top of the ketubah. This will offer protection from moisture, drool, champagne, etc. For a more attractive finish you can have a window mat cut to fit over the mylar. For even greater protection, you can make a temporary frame very easily: Buy a sheet of acid-free foam-core from an art store or framer, and a sheet of 1/16" or 3/32" plexiglass from a plastics store or hardware store. Have these cut to the same size, an inch or more larger than the ketubah (height + width). Tape the ketubah down to the foam-core with small pieces of white artist tape, place the (clean, dry) plexiglass on top, and clip the whole package together with 6 or 8 binder clips from a stationery store. Optional: for an elegant presentation, have a window mat cut to place over the ketubah. This
assembly can easily be taken apart for the ketubah signing, but will
keep the ketubah well protected during the ceremony and reception.
The mat and frame assembly should be loose enough to allow for expansion and contraction of the artwork, so as to avoid warpage or buckling. DO NOT USE SPRING CLIPS in metal frames. Displaying
Your Ketubah The most important things to keep in mind when considering where to hang your ketubah are light and humidity. Light: Both original artwork, and museum quality prints can be subject to fading or color shift when exposed to light, especially direct sunlight. The best protection from this occurring is to frame the piece behind ultra-violet shielding glass or plexiglass (talk to your framer about your options), and hang it away from direct sunlight. Humidity: Paper absorbs moisture in the air, and will expand or contract depending on the relative humidity. This can cause warpage or buckling, especially if the piece is pressed tightly in the frame (a no-no!). Try to hang your ketubah in a space in your home where the humidity is most constant:
Ongoing
Care of Your Ketubah When dusting or cleaning, NEVER spray cleaner directly onto the glazing or frame, as moisture could seep inside the frame and cause permanent damage over time. Instead, spray cleaner onto a cloth. Dust regularly, and check periodically for insects and mold. Enjoy
your ketubah! Mazel tov!
I have just a few more questions that aren't answered here... I would be happy to speak with you! Just email or call 650-938-3939 or 1-866-KETUBOT. |