The Ketubah Process

Process

The ketubah is a time honored Jewish marriage ritual. First encoded in Jewish law around 500 C.E., it was originally a legal contract ensuring the bride’s economic security within the partnership. Over time, couples have broadened this contract into an artistic expression of love and commitment to each other and to Jewish life.

The ketubah has come to be one of the most distinctive Jewish wedding rituals, allowing couples to invest in a unique piece of art with a text that is meaningful to their relationship. At Kolbo, we are happy to help you through the whole process and find a ketubah that you will cherish for years to come.

Please check out our FAQ page for more questions and don’t hesitate to be in touch at info@kolbo.com or 617-731-8743.

1. Choose your artwork

Look through our large selection of ketubah designs (or come into our Brookline store to see samples in person!) and fall in love with a piece of art.

*Consider lead time: we recommend 8-12 weeks of lead time. Some artists can accommodate a shorter time frame (see list below).* Note the recommended lead time listed in each description, and if you have questions, please reach out to info@kolbo.com or call 617-731-8743.

1. Choose your text

Each artist offers a range of proprietary texts with their designs. Any design from one particular artist can be used with any of that artist’s texts. Find your artist’s texts by clicking on the link in each ketubah description. Find all texts here.

*Note that the Orthodox and Conservative texts offer the traditional Aramaic (a language similar to Hebrew that was the Jewish vernacular when the ketubah was first used), with English texts that are liberal interpretations of the themes of the ketubah, instead of a direct translation. Read the direct translation of the traditional texts here. 

*Almost all of our artists offer some kind of text that can be used for partners of any gender. Some artists offer a separate same-sex text; others can adjust their texts for any gender. If you see a text that you like but you’re not sure if it can be made with differently gendered language (this includes for the Orthodox and Conservative texts), please be in touch!

1. Place your order!

You can order directly online under any of the ketubah designs. The order form will ask you to specify your choice of text as well as whether you would like personalization. This means that the artist will fill in your personal details (names, wedding location, date etc.) into the ketubah with their own calligraphy or font. Most artists charge a fee for this service. If you decide to not have the ketubah personalized, it will come with blank spaces where you or your rabbi can write in those details.

1. Submit your fill-in form

After placing your order, proceed to the Ketubah Fill-in Form page and submit the online form with your personal information. 

*Note that there is a separate fill-in form for same-sex ketubot and several of the artists have their own fill-in form.

*Do not worry at all if you do not know some of the questions on the form! A real live human will receive and process the form and will be in touch with any follow up questions as necessary.

*Note that the lead time on your order does not start until you submit the form, so complete it as soon as possible.

1. Check the proof

After we receive your form, we will be in touch with a digital proof from your ketubah artist. We will check the proof over for you, but it is crucial that you do so as well, and that you send it to your rabbi or officiant for review. Once we have your approval, the artist will be able to proceed!

1. You get the ketubah! 

Your ketubah will be shipped directly to you, either flat or rolled in a tube. If it arrives rolled, simply lay it flat and place books or other heavy objects on the corners and it should flatten in 24 hours. Framers will often be able to mount it temporarily on foam board or pre-mat it to sign and display at the ceremony. For locals, we recommend Artful Edge in Boston.

For signing the ketubah, we recommend a ballpoint pen such as this one, which does not smudge, bleed, or fade. Any other similar style would work well- just don’t use fountain pens or sharpies, which will fade and smear.

*Artists who can usually accommodate shorter lead times (1-2 weeks):*

Alana Berman-Gnivecki

Mickie Caspi

Amy Fagin

Nava Shoham