february 28, 2026
What Is a Ketubah? A Complete Guide for Couples Planning a Jewish Wedding
Everything you need to know about one of the oldest wedding traditions still practiced today, including what it says, who signs it, and why it ends up on so many walls.
Written by Sara from Love Letters
You've said yes. The venue is booked, the florist is shortlisted, and somewhere between the dress appointments and the catering tastings, someone mentioned the ketubah. Maybe it was your rabbi. Maybe it was your mom. Maybe you saw one framed in a friend's living room and thought: that's actually beautiful. What is that?
If you're starting from zero, you're in the right place. Most couples come to the ketubah with very little context, and the resources out there tend to fall into two camps: dry Wikipedia summaries or dense synagogue documents written for people who already know everything.
This is neither. This is what a ketubah actually is, what it says, what happens with it on your wedding day, and why so many couples, religious and not, end up deciding it's the one wedding detail they're really glad they thought about.
So, what exactly is a ketubah?
A ketubah (pronounced keh-TOO-bah; the plural is ketubot) is a Jewish marriage document. In its traditional form it's written in Aramaic, and it outlines the commitments a couple makes to one another at the time of marriage.
It is one of the oldest continuously practiced legal traditions in the world. Ketubot have been found dating back more than 2,000 years, and the tradition has survived diaspora, modernization, and every cultural shift in between. That staying power isn't an accident. There's something about the idea of writing down your promises, having witnesses sign them, and keeping that document close that clearly resonates across generations.
For many couples today, the ketubah is less about the legal framework and more about the meaning: a written, witnessed record of the commitment they're making, displayed in their home as both an artwork and a reminder. Think of it as sitting somewhere between a marriage certificate and a piece of art that actually means something.
What does a ketubah say?
This is where it gets interesting, because the answer depends on which text you choose, and there are far more options than most couples expect.
The traditional Aramaic ketubah, used in Orthodox ceremonies, outlines the husband's obligations to his wife: food, clothing, shelter, and conjugal rights. It also specifies what she is owed in the event of divorce or his death. To a modern reader it can feel transactional, which is why many couples today choose something different.
Egalitarian ketubahs frame the commitments as mutual, written in language that reflects both partners equally. Interfaith ketubahs are designed for couples where one or both partners aren't Jewish, with text that honors the tradition without assuming a shared religious background. Secular ketubahs center on shared values and personal promises rather than religious obligations. And some couples write their own text entirely, which is something we help with regularly.
The short version: a ketubah says what you want it to say, within the framework of the tradition you're drawing from. Your rabbi or officiant is the right person to guide you on which texts work for your ceremony. Most are far more flexible than couples expect.
Is a ketubah legally binding?
In Israel, yes. In most other countries, including the US, a ketubah is generally not enforceable in civil court, though there have been exceptions depending on the jurisdiction and the specific wording of the text.
For most couples, this isn't really the point. The ketubah is meaningful not because a judge could enforce it, but because you signed it. Witnesses signed it. It hangs on your wall as a daily, visible reminder of what you committed to each other.
Your civil marriage license handles the legal side. The ketubah does something different: it makes your commitment specific, witnessed, and beautiful.
Who signs the ketubah?
Traditionally, two witnesses sign the ketubah. In Orthodox practice, both witnesses must be Jewish men who are unrelated to the couple and to each other. In Reform, Conservative, and egalitarian ceremonies, the requirements are much more open: witnesses can be any gender, and many couples include their officiant's signature as well.
The couple themselves may also sign, depending on the text and ceremony style. Egalitarian and interfaith ketubahs are often structured as bilateral agreements signed by both partners, which many couples find more meaningful than a document that only the witnesses sign.
If you're unsure what your ceremony requires, your rabbi or officiant will walk you through it. It's one of the more straightforward parts of the process once you know what tradition you're working within.
When does the ketubah get signed?
The ketubah is typically signed just before the wedding ceremony, either during the bedeken (the veiling ritual) or in a separate signing moment that happens privately with the couple, their witnesses, and immediate family.
For a lot of couples, this ends up being one of their favorite moments of the whole day. Before the chuppah, before the crowd, before everything that comes after: it's just the two of you in a quiet room, making it official with the people closest to you. A good photographer will know to be there.
The signed ketubah is then read aloud or acknowledged under the chuppah, and from that point on it belongs to the couple to keep.
What do you do with the ketubah after the wedding?
You keep it. That's the whole idea.
Jewish tradition holds that the ketubah should be accessible to the couple at all times. Historically that meant keeping it somewhere safe in the home. Today, most couples frame it and hang it somewhere they see every day: the bedroom, the living room, an entryway, a home office.
This is a big part of why the design matters so much. A ketubah that looks like art, that fits the home you're building, that you'd be proud to show guests years later, is one you'll actually display. One that feels like a formal document in the traditional sense tends to end up in a drawer.
If you're going to invest in one, invest in something you'll love looking at for the next fifty years.
Does a ketubah have to be in Hebrew?
No, and it's worth knowing that traditional ketubahs are actually written in Aramaic, not Hebrew, though the two languages are closely related and often appear together.
Modern ketubahs come in a range of language options: Aramaic and English, Hebrew and English, English only, or occasionally other languages depending on the couple. For interfaith couples, or anyone who wants the text to be fully understood by both partners and their guests, an English or bilingual ketubah is a completely valid and increasingly common choice.
Do you need a ketubah to get married?
It depends on your tradition. In halachic terms, meaning traditional Jewish law, yes: the ketubah is a required part of a valid Jewish marriage ceremony. In Reform and many Conservative ceremonies it is strongly encouraged but not technically required.
For interfaith and non-religious couples incorporating Jewish elements, the ketubah is a choice, and often a genuinely moving one. Many couples who aren't observant at all choose a ketubah because they love the idea of a written, witnessed commitment displayed in their home. You don't need to be religious to find that meaningful.
What to look for when ordering a ketubah
A few things that actually matter when you're choosing where to order.
The text. Understand what your ketubah says before you sign it. If you're working with a rabbi, bring them in early. A good studio will work directly with your officiant to make sure the text is approved before anything goes to print.
The design. This will be on your wall for a long time. Don't settle for something that just works. Look for a design that genuinely fits your home, your aesthetic, and how you want to remember this.
Print quality. A ketubah on thin paper looks like a poster. Look for archival-quality fine art paper that holds color and detail for decades without fading. The difference is visible.
The proof process. You should receive a digital proof before anything is printed, with time to review and revise. If a studio doesn't offer this, keep looking.
Timing. Most custom ketubahs take 4 to 6 weeks from order to delivery. Order earlier than you think you need to, ideally 3 months before your wedding date, more if you want extra time for rabbi review.
Ready to start looking? Browse our full collection of modern, customizable ketubahs at Love Letters Ketubahs, including designs that work with every text tradition and every kind of ceremony.