Dreaming About the Hora

Posted November 4, 2024

On a romantic (and slightly rainy) late summer day in September, the vibrant and dashing Emma and Matthew, were married at the charming Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. Join us a we relive all the glamourous moments through the eyes of dreamgroup planner Alexa Gayton, as exquisitely documented by the formidable Lumina Weddings and Events. We give you Dreaming About The Hora.

Hair & Makeup provided by Faye Smith Agency.

Emma’s gorgeous Pronovias gown from Bisou Bridal suited her and the sophisticated and romantic wedding style to perfection!

What was the theme, colours, and overall feeling?

“The overall feeling of this wedding was super classy and elegant. The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver Ballroom just has that elegant feel that I don’t see a lot of elsewhere in Vancouver. Paired with the amazing floral and decor by Koncept and Flowerz, the room was golden and sparkling. It was beautiful!”

STUNNING florals by Flowerz.

For you, what were the highlights of this event? What did you love?

“I love Jewish weddings for their traditions. I think that the ceremonies are so meaningful and beautiful. The hora at this wedding was a major highlight for me! It was so much fun! The guests really got into it and danced for about 30 minutes.”

What was the most successful part of the day?

“Timing for the whole day was great! Between myself and Krista from Lumina, we really kept the day moving and on schedule. Krista actually emailed me after the wedding and thanked me for creating a realistic timeline. She was super happy with the flow of the day. That’s a huge part of a successful wedding! The flow and timing. It sets the tone and creates the environment.”

Design & Chairs by Koncept Event Design.

“Room reveals are so exciting and my favourite part of any wedding day!”

What is a Hora?

The hora is a high-energy traditional Jewish circle dance that’s often considered a highlight of the wedding reception. It originated in Eastern European folk tradition and symbolizes joy and celebration.

Here are some characteristics of the hora:

Dance moves: The hora involves dancing in a circle, with participants holding hands or linking arms around their shoulders. Family and friends life the couple into the air on chairs while everyone dances around them.
Music: The hora is usually performed to traditional Jewish music, often led by a Klezmer band. DJs are a popular choice in lieu of a band.
When it’s performed: The hora is usually performed during the wedding reception, either immediately after the couple is introduced to the guests or after dinner to kick off dancing. The length of the hora can vary, but it’s typically around ten minutes, although they can go as long as half an hour if guests are really into it.

The word “hora” comes from the Greek word khorós, which means “dance”. The dance has spread to many areas influenced by Greek culture, including the Balkans, Turkey, and the Middle East.

Here are some popular songs for the Hora:

Hava Nagila: A classic Jewish folk song that’s often played at weddings and other Jewish celebrations. The song’s title translates to “Let us rejoice” in Hebrew. It’s high energy and starts slow, building to a more lively pace.
Siman Tov U’Mazel Tov: An energetic song that’s often played during the hora dance. The song is about bringing blessings and good fortune to the couple.
Erev Shel Shoshanim (Hadar/Dor): An Israeli folk song that translates to “An Evening of Roses”. It’s often played at weddings that take place at sunset or at night.
Dodi Li: A song that evokes the deep love between the bride and groom.
Yedid Nefesh: A popular prelude song that’s often sung during the Sabbath. It works well as an instrumental.