When Ruchi and Eric first contacted me for a bespoke ketubah to celebrate their destination wedding ceremony, I knew instantly this was going to be a beautiful artwork for me to design and create for them. Their interfaith wedding meant that both Hindu and Jewish cultures would need to be featured and with so many intricate and ornate symbols typical of both faiths, I couldn’t wait to bring the two together to represent their union!

I N S P I R A T I O N 

Ruchi and Eric adored my Mehndi Dreams ketubah and there were details they wanted to feature having seen it. From the Star of David with the Om symbol to the Hamsa, I filled the design with good luck charms nestled betwixt symbolic elephants, peacocks, mandalas, lotus flowers and stars to feature in their design.

Whilst this may seem like a long list of components to include, thanks to the consult process I do Ruchi and Eric provided me with a really clear vision of the ketubah they were looking for so I had a strong groundwork to start designing for them both!

The couple chose a rich palette of midnight blue, ivory and super gold to bring a decadent and regal look to their ketubah and I love how the three so naturally complemented the design references they had asked for.

T H E    D E S I G N 

I came up with the concept for Elephant’s Kiss to symbolise everlasting love and wisdom. Showcased beneath the ketubah text, two elephants create a focal point with their trunks lovingly entwined to signify a kiss and I added traditional Mehndi designs to them as a nod to Ruchi’s culture.

Sitting proudly about the ketubah text is a single peacock as a symbol of prosperity, protection and good fortune. I then designed around the animals to create a wonderland of decorative flowers, foliage with dainty hidden gold treasures thoughtfully placed throughout. The more detailed the papercut, the laciest it will look, and the ornate elements only enhanced the concept of this ketubah's design. It's fun to papercut, too! It's designs like these that challenge me to improve my skills with the blade and develop a style that's uniquely Woodland Papercuts. 

I make papercuts for all weddings, as luckily Jewish people aren't the only ones who thought of presenting their vows to their community in artful detail - take the QUAKERS for example. They take it a step further even and involve their community by having everyone sign their hand as witnesses to the union - making the ketubah pull double duty as both a troth keeper and a guestbook!

There are different styles and ways to go about writing a Quaker certificate. Traditionally the text is short and written by the community of witnesses (it is most comparable to the Jewish ketubah's Egalitarian text). The more modern texts range from the bride and groom's vows followed by their signatures and their guests' signatures, to a succinct sentence declaring all the signatories witnesses to the union followed by the signature lines (read the text options I offer HERE).

I like the approach that combines the couple's vows with space for all the wedding's guests because it has something for everyone. And I truly mean everyone, because like the Jewish ketubah, the Quaker certificate has been adopted and adapted by couples of all faiths and persuasions for their weddings, as seen below.

For more photos of this ketubah  GO HERE

For more photos of other custom orders GO HERE

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In January of this year, Mohan & Lauren approached me to create a custom ketubah for them that will combine their Hindu and Jewish backgrounds. They wanted something in the style of a previous commission of mine called LACEY FLORA & FAUNA, but unique to them.

They gave me pretty much free reign, but cautioned that while they wanted motifs that related to the Groom's Indian roots and the bride's Jewish heritage, they wanted to keep them pretty light. We started with a design that was much more floral with a hint of henna motifs mixed in. Funnily enough, after seeing the preview the clients decided a burst of henna art is just too beautiful to pass up! So the ketubah is much more Indian than originally intended, but who can blame us? Amidst the elephants and monkeys we snuck in two cats, if you can spot them;)