Whats a Kabbalat Panim?
On the day of the wedding the bride (Kallah) and the groom (Chatan) are treated as royalty. They hold court, and receive the guests. This is the Kabbalat Panim — literally “receiving faces.” Traditionally, this consists of two separate ceremonies: male guests go to a groom’s table (tisch), and women “attend the bride” in another room. Following this, all the guests will attend the bedeken (the “veiling” of the bride by the groom). At the groom’s table refreshments and hors d’oeuvres are served, while everyone chants, sings, and tell jokes. The bride is surrounded by women in another room. She may be seated in a special chair to receive greetings and blessings from her guests. Everyone entertains her and keeps her calm. Do not mention to her that the bathroom is out of toilet paper. She may kill you. That would get her dress dirty, and THAT would be something to worry about. Do not taunt happy fun bride. When the bride is ready, she sends a delegation to the groom’s table to invite the
