Can we write our own text?
All of the ketubot are available blank (except for the Feather
Crescent Ketubah) so that we can individually calligraph your own
custom text into the design of your choice. You will need to type
the English portion of your text exactly as you wish it to appear on
the ketubah. If you want Hebrew on your custom text, you will have
to have the Hebrew portion translated and either typed in Hebrew, or
written out very neatly by hand.
Please allow 4 to 6 weeks to complete. The cost of custom texts
is $1.25 per word. Since custom texts are so much work, we do have
rush charges - within 3 weeks, add 20% & within 10 days, add 40%.
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How do we enter our Hebrew
names on the Ketubah?
You have three options:
- Transliterate the name from
Hebrew to English and type in English letters. Example:
Mordechai. We will then write Mordechai in Hebrew on the ketubah
where it is called for. There is only one proper spelling for
many Hebrew names. If you have a specific spelling for a name in
Hebrew that is different from the commonly accepted spelling
please let us know!
- If you don't know the name in
Hebrew or if someone does not have a Hebrew name, we can
transliterate the English name into Hebrew. Write
"transliterate" in the box that asks for the Hebrew name.
Example: If the name is Richard, we will write Richard in Hebrew
letters. A person reading the Hebrew will read the Hebrew
letters as Richard.
- You can print out the
information form and write the Hebrew names in the proper places
(clearly and legibly) -or- you can call us and we will fax or
send you an information form that you can fill out in pen and
return to us.
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What if I don't have a Hebrew name?
There is a space on all of our ketubot for Hebrew names. If
you don't have a Hebrew name, please write "transliterate" in the
appropriate box and we will write your English name in Hebrew
letters. Please do not leave the box blank, or write "none" or "N/A"
as this will lead to a phone call from us asking for your Hebrew
name.
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Will my ketubah look exactly as I see it
on my computer screen?
Although the ketubah will look very similar, it will not be exactly
as you are viewing it. Different monitors and display settings will
affect the color, as well as the fact that the computer screen is a
very different medium than ink on paper. The actual ketubah also has
a finer, more delicate feel to it. And finally, the gold foil that
appears on many of the ketubot cannot be produced accurately ( if at
all ) on your computer screen.
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Why is the time of the wedding
significant?
In the Hebrew calendar, the day begins and ends at sunset. Although
Shabbat is on Saturday, we actually begin observing with the setting
of the sun on Friday evening. Holiday celebrations also begin at
sundown of the previous day. If your wedding takes place after
sunset, the Hebrew date for the wedding is actually the following
Hebrew day. When filling out the order form, enter the English date
and whether the wedding takes place before or after sundown, and we
will look up the Hebrew date for you.
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How long does it take to
complete a Ketubah?
From the day we receive your completed form, please allow two weeks
for us to personalize and ship your ketubah. If you need it sooner,
just let us know. We can usually complete your ketubah within a day
if necessary (without any rush charges, although you will be
responsible for the extra cost of express shipping). For a custom
text (a text that you have written and want us to calligraph into
one of our designs), please allow 4 to 6 weeks to complete.
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What happens if there is a
mistake on our ketubah?
Please fill in your form carefully and have the rabbi or officiant
approve it. We cannot be responsible for any mistakes you make in
filling out the form. Please make sure we can reach you during the
day by phone for any questions we might have. If we make a mistake
(it is very rare, but it does happen) we will redo your ketubah
immediately at no charge to you. If, however, the mistake is yours,
you will be responsible to pay for a new ketubah.
Helpful Hint: Check again that
everything is correct, especially the spelling of the name of your
mother-in-law to be.
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Can we see a proof of the
ketubah?
With new inkjet printer technology, many artists are printing out
proofs prior to printing an actual ketubah. We continue to fill in
each ketubah by hand with beautiful calligraphy. We never use inkjet
printers and therefore cannot print out an individual proof. If you
or your rabbi requires a proof, we can fax a blank text that your
rabbi can fill in exactly to his or her specifications. We will then
hand-calligraph your ketubah exactly as on this 'proof' provided by
your rabbi. Please call us to discuss this option further.
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How should we handle the
ketubah during the ceremony?
Since the ketubah is actually read during the ceremony, many couples
like to display it on an easel. We recommend that you bring the
ketubah (you will receive it rolled in a tube) to a framer and ask
them to mat it for you. Ask the framer to place a sheet of acetate
over the ketubah to protect it from dirty hands and flying bits of
spit. The matted ketubah can be placed on an easel during the
ceremony and reception to add a splash of color and tradition. You
can complete the framing process after the ceremony.
Helpful Hint: Appoint someone
reliable at the wedding (a position of honor for someone?) to be in
charge of the ketubah. This way you will be sure that it is not
accidentally left behind at the end of the celebration, or worse,
trampled or lost.
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What type of pen should be used
to sign the ketubah?
You can use any pen with indelible ink. We strongly discourage the
use of fancy fountain or ink pens since these tend to leak,
especially when people are not used to writing with them. We have
seen horrible ink accidents. Choose a trusty medium ball point pen
(any color, although many couples prefer black) to give the ketubah
the look of a signed document, which is what it is.
Helpful Hint: Practice signing
your Hebrew names on a different piece of paper before you sit down
to sign the actual ketubah (English names also if you need to).
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How do we fill in a ketubah by
ourselves?
If you would like our calligraphers to fill in your ketubah, please
call us. If your rabbi, cantor or officiant is filling in your
ketubah as a contract, we recommend using a black, medium ball point
pen. If you are using your own calligrapher to fill in the ketubah,
please note that your calligrapher must take full responsibility for
any damage done to the ketubah.
To the calligrapher: Among other pens, we have used a Rotring Art
Pen with Black Ink Cartridge and a matching nib (depending on the
text, we use 1 of 5 different size nibs). If you pencil in
guidelines first, please note that erasing pencil marks will remove
the coating on the paper and can damage the pre-printed text and
art. Erasing is very, very tricky - try not to erase on the
pre-printed text at all, as little as possible in general, and as
lightly as possible when necessary. We use Hi-Polymer erasers such
as Pentel or Staedtler-Mars. You can experiment on the edges of the
paper in order to get a feel for how your ink and pen work on the
paper.
We strongly recommend that you have us complete the ketubah
personalization for you.
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How should we display the ketubah
in our home?
After framing the ketubah with acid-free matting and backing, as
well as UV protection or archival quality glass, you can hang your
ketubah in your home. Please do not subject the ketubah to direct
sunlight or bright indoor lights, as these can damage the ketubah
and lead to fading. |
