Stance

All participants at the chuppah should stand, except the infirm and the aged. Some even hold that everyone at the wedding should stand either because of the reference to sanctity, ke'dushah (as one stands during the ke'dushah prayers during a religious service), or in respect for the bride and groom. The bride customarily stands to the groom's right.

Bride and groom may face in any direction. Rokeach suggests they face east as the blessings refer to "the cities of Judea and the streets of Jerusalem," and the breaking of the glass to the destruction of the ancient Temple. Some authorities say they face north, while Maharil counsels that they should face south. Ba'er Heitev holds that they face the Ark when in a synagogue. While contemporary opinion tends toward facing east, whatever direction is most convenient is perfectly acceptable. In most Hasidic weddings, the couple faces the wedding guests. In most American weddings, it is accepted practice that they face only the rabbi and witnesses, in a demonstration of the personal component of this public celebration. The rabbi, cantor, and witnesses customarily face the bride and groom. Where the other members of the wedding party stand is their own decision.