The simplest chuppah is to have four friends each hold up a corner of a large tallit. The downside of this, is those holding up the tallit can only do so for about 10 minutes, before their arms feel very tired. The heads of the bride and groom may touch the tallit as it is likely to droop jin the middle.
A handheld simple chuppah needs a white cloth, or Tallit attached to the top of four sturdy poles. The ploes should be 2.5-3.0 meters, or 7-9ft long. This allows those holding the poles to keep them on the ground and not have to hold up the weight of both the poles and the canopy by themselves. A tablecloth makes an ideal canopy and can be used at home afterwards to connect the marriage to festive occassions later on.
This is well constructed chuppah, save for the two stands with coloured flowers which could easily be knowcked over by anyone making thier way under the canopy. It is also better not to have audio speakers at the front.
A ceremony on a beach can be very romantic. Attention should be given to ensure that guests will have no problems getting to the beach for the ceremony and afterwards to the reception.
A sunset ceremony can also be very romantic, but care needs to be taken over its timing. Guests do not want to be dazzeled the sun. The ceremony should not end so late that guests will have to leave in the dark, or the rabbi is unable to read the text for the ceremony. In the countryside, or at the beach, the ground maybe uneven which can be problematic for the elderly, infirm, or anyone wearing high heels.
Due to changes to global weather patterns, it can be unduley hot in the summer. Increasingly when held outdoors, a canopy is erected to protect the guests from the sun. A table with some bottles of ice cold water and glasses can help prevent dehydration and fainting.
When having an outdoor ceremony, consideration needs to be taken of any adverse weather conditions that might occur just prior, or during the ceremony and for an alternative in-door option to be available. Other important issues are to ensure that there will be no disturbances, or activities taking place near-by and that there is sufficient parking space.
In some circumstances, it is not possible for the aisle to go straight down to the chuppah. This is not a problem. Note the fans on the seats to help keep the guests cool. Electric fans are not a good idea.
If the chuppah is build on a platform, care must be taken that the steps leading up to it are not too steep, nor too narrow for the bride in her wedding dress. It must also be solid enough to support the groom when his foot breaks the glass at the end of the ceremony. The platform must have enough room for the bride and groom, both sets of parents and the rabbi. There should also be space for a table and possibly a microphone on a stand.
This is a stylish chuppah, but the wide descending drapes at the front, will hide the parents from being viewed by the guests.
A wedding on a public beach, risks having passers-by watching out of curiousity to see what is going on. There may be unexpected noise from others on the beach having fun, while boats and people in the water can unexpectedly appear in the wedding photos. Care also needs to be taken if there are any sea breezes, so that guests don't feel that they are in a draft.
In Ashkenazi ceremonies those under the chuppah stand, but in Sephardi weddings, everyone under the canopy sits. The chuppah has to be large enought to accomodate the chairs. The chairs for the bride and groom are put aside until they arrive under the canopy, when they are placed in position by two groomsmen.
Having a wedding in the midst of vineyards is very popular, although care must be taken if the round is uneven.
This looks like the perfect arrangement. The only potential issue is if it has been raining earlier, the ground may be slippery and difficult to walk on, especially if wearing high-heeled shoes and the mud will cling to all shoes.
It is better not to have too much foliage. Less can be more. The guests have come to see the couple, not a flower show. Some guests may be sensitive to pollen due to hay-fever, or suffer from food, or other allergies.
An elegant chuppah, but the wide columns will hide the parents from being viewed by the guests and the speakers are poorly placed. A sound-check before the ceremony is advisable.
A ceremony in the alps can be memorable in summer and romantic in winter. Depending on the height, it can be colder even in summer then guests may expect. Care must be taken not slip on any ice, or snow.