“Our culture, our traditions, our language are the foundations upon which we build our identity”

-Ana Flores & Roxana Soto (from their book, Bilingual is Better)

Our identity is created from the traditions and customs passed down from our ancestors. We live with the same values and ideals of our parents and grandparents, and pass them on to future generations. People who say that traditions are lost in the modern world could not be further from the truth. Rather, people are more in touch with the words and experiences remembered from history.

Because traditions are such an important part of our lives, it only makes sense to go back to them at important moments in our lives; prominently that includes birth, death and marriage. Marriages in Judaism are still conducted with the same words and promises that were made by the first Jewish followers.

Traditional ketubahs feature a unique artwork in the style of remnants from historical ketubahs from different eras. Ketubahs found before the Middle Ages featured no artwork, just text. It wasn’t until rich Jewish communities in Islamic countries felt the need to have fancier ketubahs with adornments as they would display their ketuabhs for all the wedding guests to see.

The Bucharest Ketubah, above, is inspired by Jews living in Romania in the 16th century. The Romanian Jewish tradition of Ketubah art is one of the best of the European and Ashkenazi Jews. The Ketubot of Bucharest often traditionally included references to the twelve tribes of Israel (such as the names and symbols of the 12 tribes aligning the columns of the Bucharest Ketubah) and the blue that is now so powerfully associated with Judaism.

Persian Jews have been known for their tradition of flowery art since ancient times, particularly in Tehran, Isfahan and Shiraz. The Tehran Ketubah, above, is a recreation of a traditional Persian Ketubah, and includes the core elements consistently found in Persian Ketubot, including, above all the extreme flourishes and ornamentation.

Sometimes couples ask us, the invoice says it is from “Diseno Porteno” — is that really you? and it can cause some confusion.

So I wanted to write a post today to clear that up!

In short: Yes, it’s all cool! Diseno Porteno, Ltd is a New York corporation that is our billing and processing and back-end partner. They take care of the Paypal and invoicing and that side of it — so, the invoices will come from them.

If you see an invoice that says “Diseno Porteno, Ltd” then it is us — and don’t worry about it :)

We work with a bunch of partners. We work with various other sites like Orthodox Ketubot, Gay Ketubahs, Bespoke Ketubah and Golden Tree Ketubah — for some examples! So, working with a lot of different teams and companies, sometimes it can get confusing.

Any more questions?

Morgan
Team Ketubah

Your ketubah is undoubtedly one of the most important pieces of paper in your life. It’s more than just an official document to store along with your birth certificate and passports, but a document of choice, commitment and love. Ketubahs not only hold a special place in your marriage and life, but they also hold a lot of meaning in its details and artwork.

Because of their significance and aesthetic appeal, many couples choose to display their ketubahs at their wedding ceremonies and homes. And why shouldn’t they! Our ketubahs are works of art made with a lot of consideration, and a dedication to delivering only the best.

During the wedding ceremony

The first time your guests get a glimpse of your ketubah is at the ketubah signing ceremony. Signing your exquisite ketubah makes for a great photo opportunity, and will be a key photo in your wedding album for ages to come.

In traditional Jewish weddings, the rabbi reads the ketubah out loud to the couple and their wedding guests under the Chuppah. The groom then hands the ketubah to the bride, who by accepting signifies the acceptance of the union.

Afterwards, some couples display their ketubahs on an easal or a frame at the wedding and/or reception. Wedding guests get an opportunity to see the ketubah and appreciate the details in its design and text.

At home

Framing your ketubah and hanging it on the wall is a much better option than storing it in a safety deposit box. They not only make a great addition to the wall and room by adding colour and depth, but they serve as a reminder of your commitment to one another and your vows.

You can display it in the living room to share with your friends and family. But if you feel that your ketubah is a personal possession, then your bedroom is a great place to make it home.

Vincent William Van Gogh had one of the biggest influences on the post-impressionist era, but he only become a known name after his suicide at the young age of 37. The misunderstood genius lived a short life, but left a legacy to be admired and studied by generations to come.

The Dutch painter belonged to a middle class family and his upbringing comprised of governesses and boarding schools. He described his youth as “gloomy and cold and sterile,” and grew up with a strong religious values and was familiar with modernist trends in art, music and literature.

Although he is one of the most renowned painters in history today, his paintings were not so revered in his life. He took up painting later in life – his late twenties – but has managed to leave over 2100 artworks (which include 860 oil paintings). Van Gogh’s broad, gestural brush strokes left a lasting impression on the Expressionist movement, and partly on the Abstract Expressionism of the 1940s and 1950s as well.

His painting Portrait of Doctor Gachet holds the record of the most expensive painting sold at an auction for $82.5 million (U.S.) to Ryoei Saito, Japan’s second-largest paper manufacturer, within 3 minutes.

Couples with a flair for arts and art history, appreciate ketubahs in the style of artists that inspire them. Van Gogh may have been childless, but he has left a legacy behind. Couples who are interested in ketubahs inspired by the famed painter can check out our Van Gogh inspired ketubah collection.

The Starry Sea Ketubah, above, is inspired by the canonical work of Vincent Van Gogh. The bold shades of sunset at the shore creates an intense scene full of emotion and quiet contemplation rich with color. Van Gogh’s work was never literal and was an expression in the eyes of the Dutch genius. A couple’s love is never literal either, and is beholden only the eyes of each other.

Dating back to more than a century ago, origami is the ancient Japanese art of paper folding. The word ‘origami’ is the combination of two words: ORI means to fold and KAMI means paper. Origami structures are so simple, children make it. Yet, they look sophisticated enough that many are used as decor in high society parties. The art has passed down from generation to generation, and has recently crept into pop culture.

In pop culture

The first time I heard about it was from the TV show Prison Break where the lead character Michael Scofield constantly folds origami swans leaving them here and there in prison. They made an appearance again on the House of Cards when Claire gets an origami bird in return for cash to a homeless man, prompting her to make origami animals and giving them to Peter Russo’s children.

The wish of a thousand origami cranes

Origami animals have been whirled up in Japanese legends. A popular one is the legend of a thousand origami cranes which states that anyone who makes a thousand origami cranes held together by a single string will be granted a wish by the Gods. This inspired  Sadako Sasaki, a Japanese girl who was 24 months old when she was exposed to radiation from the atomic bombing of Hiroshima during World War II, developing leukaemia as a result. She heard of the legend and began making the cranes but according to a popular version of the story she only made 644 before she died. Today a memorial of her holding an origami crane stands at Hiroshima.

Orgiami Ketubahs

The latest addition to our gallery is the origami ketubah collection. Each featuring origami paper cranes dangling in the air above the text of the ketubah by string. The Paper Crane Ketubah below features eighteen birds, instead of a thousand, the classic Jewish number that also means “chai”, or “life”. It is available in more colors and designs.

We have a very large collection of ketubahs in all shapes and sizes – we should know, because we ‘re the ones who have to manage them! Having so many options to choose from should make it easier for couples searching for the perfect fit, yet many have a hard time picking.

If you’re overwhelmed by all the great designs, don’t worry. Follow our tips on narrowing down your ketubah search to find the right one.

Start with a color scheme

One of the easiest ways to narrow down your choices is by color. It doesn’t necessarily have to be you and your partner’s favourite colour, but colours which will blend in well with your home environment. Dark colours, light colours, warm colours, cold colours, solid colours, and mixed colours are just some ways to filter your search. Some people prefer eye-catching bold colors, while others like something subtle.

Whether you decide to have your ketubah displayed or not, the color scheme is important. You don’t want to settle down on a ketubah you can’t bear to look at 5 years down the road.

Details that carry meaning

Ketubahs are meaningful. Not just because they are a signed document sealing your marriage, but because they are a mark of your love and commitment to spend the rest of your lives together. We encourage customers to choose ketubahs that hold meaning to them. Whether its a bridge over a river that describes their relationship, or a Ketubah featuring New York City – the place you met and fell in love. Create the big picture with details that hold meaning to the both of you.

Trust your instinct

Ketubahs are a life-long document so if you don’t love the design, leave it. Move on to the next one. Just like that Harry Potter moment when he first holds his wand and sparks fly in the air, you’ll have a similar experience – minus the wind blowing through your hair. The perfect ketubah is the one that gives you the feeling that this was made just for you!

One of nature’s biggest inspirations is mountains. The large formidable masses of rock and mud have fascinated man for thousands and thousands of years, and continue to challenge them. Just yesterday, Snapchat did a live story on the summit of Mount Everest. Not only did it take the mountaineers a very long time to reach the top, it took their breath away – literally! In every snap, they all were breathing heavily, and some seasoned pros actually had to turn back because of the severe wind and cold.

Mountains have always been a symbol of strength, endurance and power. Only the strongest of men have been able to conquer them and plant their flag of victory on top. From a distance, climbing a mountain seems impossible but once you get started you reach the top through strong will and perseverance without looking down once. Building relationships are just as challenging psychologically, but once you complete the trek, your relationship solidifies and becomes unbreakable.

Couples who have built a strong relationship before marriage will like our collection of mountain ketubahs. Each featuring the large structures as backdrops to poetic sceneries. Northern lights, sunsets, night skies, lakes and a scene right out of a Dr. Suess book make up our diverse range of ketubahs featuring mountains.

A popular choice among couples is The Aurora Borealis Ketubah, containing a fish-eye view of the Northern lights above the silhouette of almost symmetrical mountains, bordering a lake reflecting the spectrum of colours in the Aurora Borealis. The inspirational yet sublime style is a powerful metaphor for a great relationship: inspiring and moving each other, full of energy.

Just remember:

“A relationship is like climbing a mountain. When you’re climbing, it’s hard and difficult to keep going, but when you’re at the top of the mountain, the view is all worthwhile, and absolutely and utterly incredible.”

While almost everyone knows how to read these days, not many take out the time to spend hours every day curled up to a book. With Netflix and Facebook, most people prefer to spend their free time in front of a screen. But some prefer a book instead.

Book lovers relish lazy afternoons and rainy days to snuggle up to a good book. For them reading is a major part of their life. With so much technology surrounding us, readers appear to be few and far between. Those few who do read regularly, do so with a passion they are proud of and wear their love for books on their sleeves. That’s why it’s not unusual to find book lovers with illustrations of a book, pages or calligraphic text as the decorum to their ketubah.

Couples who go into marriage, are like an open book to each other. They’ve shared their pasts, laid bare their secrets, and confided their thoughts and fears into the person they are going to marry. Like reading a book, it takes time to take in everything, but once you’ve reached the end there’s nothing you don’t know about the story. The time before your wedding is like reading a book, and there are some blank pages towards the end which are yet to be filled.

The Library Ketubah captures the quiet composure of a library and the excitement of starting a new book. It is perfect for people who enjoy the silent wisdom permeated in the air of a library. Wisdom they too would like to carry on in their new chapter together.

Another vibrant, yet modest choice is The Book Lovers Ketubah. As the title suggests, this is a great choice for couples who love books. Drawing on a classical look, the vintage books are painted with a modern twist.

“A river cuts through a rock not because of it’s power, but its persistence.” – Jim Watkins

Rivers have symbolized strength and life for centuries abound. Almost all major civilizations have stemmed from settlements by the riverside. The great River Nile is perhaps the biggest example. It is the source of all activity, and feeds people in the deserts of Egypt and Northern Africa. The strong flow of water feeds the land along its way and the people with it. We, humans rely heavily on rivers for nourishment and draw strength from them.

Ketubahs that depict rivers are symbols of persistence, endurance, strength, and new life. Water has long been associated with Judaism. In Hebrew, the world Hebrew (“Ivrit”) comes from an ancient word meaning river. The Jews were literally known as the people who lived by the river!

Just as the water from rivers brings life to the soil and plants in its surroundings, ketubahs with rivers are a mark of new life and fertility. The moisture from rivers brings life to dead soil without which crops, vegetables and fruits would surely wither and die.

The By The Lake Ketubah holds the picture of an idyllic countryside scene bearing a stone bridge over a mighty river. The bridge over the water is a representation of couples who come across different sides of a river to build common ground over the strong current of the river.

Remnant of a fantasy, the Stay in a Dream Ketubah is an illustration of a couple embracing on a riverbank. The scene looks like its right out of a romance, fantasy graphic novel. The river holds as a centre point for this ketubah, reflecting the aura of a full moon. It is great for couples of fantasy books and movies, and is an instant winner among younger couples.