P.S. I think a chuppah is an exquisite symbol for a marriage. Isn’t it nice that there are so many other cultures and religions that have something similar? With a little research, love, and creativity, anyone who wants to express a similar sentiment in their wedding, can. And they can give it a new name and acknowledge where the inspiration for it came from.

It’s not particularity welcome when I have closed a topic for you to find new ways and new threads to attack me on, and to use words like “offend” instead of limiting yourself to kinder more articulate words. I didn’t personally attack you, and I actually made sure that your position was represented. There is no need to attack me over here. It’s a very unkind way to treat someone whose work you claim to respect. You just made my job harder, again, after a very long week. I week where I was forced to discuss something that I had no interest in discussing – my personal faith and the pain of cultural appropriation.

I absolutely believe in sharing traditions; my partner is not Jewish, and I hope that our wedding would be a marriage of our cultures as well. While I do think it might be odd for a non-Jewish couple to use a tallis in their chuppah (but why would they want to use something so religious anyway?), if they wanted to have a four-poled structure with a fabric top (as many chuppas are these days), it would not bother me in the least – as long as they gave a an explanation of where the tradition comes from and what it means to them.

It is a beautiful thing to think about, the creating of a home and recognizing the challenges, etc. If the symbolism means something to you, and it is important to you, I do not see a problem with sharing that spirit. Especially if you acknowledge where it comes from, and why you are using it in your wedding. Otherwise, people will probably just assume it’s a wedding arch or whatever (and honestly, is that really a problem?) – if a chuppah is not identified as such, is it still a chuppah or is it just a tent? I don’t know, and I don’t care. I would only be offended if you say, made a chuppah using a tallis and said “This is our chuppah. We don’t know what this funny sheet thing with the tassels is on top, but we thought it looked nice, so we put it in our wedding.” — It does not sound like this is your intent.

I understand that some people would be offended by a non-Jew’s “appropriation” of the chuppah, but I just wanted to throw another opinion out there, as I was honestly sort of offended by the nature of Meg’s comments (and those of others). As long as it is done in good taste, and with the proper attribution/explanation, I see nothing wrong with it. In fact, I would be happy to see the tradition being respected and shared.

Like I said, I am a Jew (on both sides, ultra-reform, not practicing religiously, mostly cultural, just for the record), and these are my feelings. Obviously people can feel free to do and feel as they please, but I just wanted to represent another point of view on this very sensitive topic.

Is there any way you could have a huppah that is carried down the isle with you then attaches to it’s supports when you get to the end?

Meg-check out this place and also the flower market. one or both should have simple branches:

http://www.nettletonhollow.com/branches.html