Q&A: Small Wedding
Small Wedding
Question
Hello Rabbi Michael,
I wanted to ask whether, from a halakhic standpoint, it is permitted to hold a small wedding ceremony through the rabbinate (and not in a wedding hall with a meal and dancing). Or perhaps there is an obligation to hold a mitzvah meal, and for there to be music and dancing at the wedding?
With blessings,
Answer
There is no obligation at all for music and dancing. A mitzvah meal, yes; preferably with a quorum of ten (also for the seven blessings). Also at the betrothal ceremony itself, it is very preferable that there be ten present (it seems to me that this is a rabbinic obligation, or at least an important and proper custom. I have not checked this right now).
——————————————————————————————
Questioner:
Can the mitzvah meal be held in a separate restaurant? Or does it have to be in the place where the betrothal is performed and with those who participated in the betrothal ceremony?
——————————————————————————————
Rabbi:
It can be in a separate place. There is no problem at all.