How to Add Jewish or Persian Traditions to a Modern NYC Elopement (2025)
One of the most beautiful things about eloping in New York City is that everything can coexist. A quick City Hall ceremony and a cultural nod to your ancestors? Absolutely. A modern elopement that still honors where you come from? That’s our specialty.
If you or your partner come from a Jewish or Persian background — or both — you can absolutely bring meaningful traditions into your elopement without making it feel overly formal or like a big production.
Here’s how to incorporate Jewish or Persian wedding customs into your small NYC ceremony in 2025, Cakewalk style.
🕍 Jewish Traditions You Can Easily Include
Jewish weddings are full of joyful, symbolic rituals. Here are some that work beautifully in a small wedding setting — no synagogue required.
1. Breaking the Glass
One of the most iconic moments of any Jewish wedding. We’ll bring a wrapped glass or lightbulb, you’ll step on it at the end of your vows, and your guests will shout “Mazel Tov!” Simple, powerful, and deeply symbolic.
2. Ketubah Signing
The traditional Jewish marriage contract. You can write your own modern version, use a simplified template, or even turn it into a work of art. We’ll find a quiet moment before the ceremony to sign it with witnesses.
3. Seven Blessings (Sheva Brachot)
In a small wedding, we often invite close friends or family to read modern interpretations of the seven blessings. It’s an intimate, grounding moment and works well with 5–15 guests.
4. Chuppah Alternatives
No need to schlep a full tent — a symbolic chuppah can be made with two people holding a scarf or shawl, or even just by standing under a tree canopy. We’ll help you make it meaningful without the logistics of a full buildout.
🌿 Persian Traditions to Incorporate into Your Elopement
Persian weddings (Aroosi) are rich with poetry, symbolism, and celebration. Here’s how we’ve helped couples nod to tradition in subtle, gorgeous ways:
1. Mini Sofreh Aghd
The traditional wedding spread doesn’t need to be full-scale to be meaningful. We’ve worked with couples to create scaled-down sofrehs with a mirror, candles, honey, and symbolic items displayed on a bench or low table. It photographs beautifully and gives your ceremony real depth.
2. Mirror & Candles
In Persian weddings, couples look into a mirror at the start of the ceremony — symbolizing a bright future. We’ve done this with hand mirrors held by a guest or officiant, surrounded by candles on the ground or table.
3. Honey Ceremony
After vows, one partner dips a pinky finger into a small bowl of honey and feeds it to the other — for a sweet life together. It’s quick, charming, and one of our favorite micro-traditions.
4. Poetry Readings
Rumi, Hafez, or even your own family’s favorite verses — Persian poetry is emotional, rich, and totally at home in a quiet NYC ceremony. We’ll help you choose a reader or incorporate it into the officiant’s script.
🌀 Combining Cultures (Yes, You Can Do Both)
If you're blending Jewish and Persian traditions — or any combination of backgrounds — Cakewalk ceremonies can incorporate multiple elements without feeling chaotic or forced. We've seen:
Chuppahs and sofrehs existing side by side
A glass break followed by honey sharing
Seven blessings read in English, Hebrew, and Farsi
Multicultural playlists for post-ceremony photo walks
The point is: this is your moment. It can hold more than one story.
How Cakewalk Helps
Our officiants are experienced in crafting ceremonies that feel modern but grounded — with just the right amount of tradition. We’ll:
Help you choose which elements fit your vibe
Write custom scripts that honor your heritage without getting heavy
Coordinate with guests if you want them to participate
Make it logistically simple and emotionally powerful
NYC Is the Perfect Place for a Wedding That’s Yours
This city knows how to hold complexity — and so do we. Your elopement can be short, sweet, stylish, and full of history and meaning.
We’ll help you do it all with grace, joy, and maybe a little bit of honey.
Start planning your 2025 NYC elopement → Reach out here.