Cameron Diaz and her new husband, Benji Madden of Good Charlotte, tied the night at Diaz’s Beverly Hills mansion. Celebrity weddings aren’t anything new, but the difference is this couple chose to have a Jewish wedding when neither of them appears to be Jewish.
According to US Weekly, the ceremony was completed with crushed glass, heartfelt chants of “mazel tov” and even a traditional Yichud ritual, during which the newlyweds were left by themselves in a private room after they said their vows.
The couple had a gorgeous wedding with over a 100 guests, including celebrities such as Gwyneth Paltrow, Samantha Ronson, Drew Barrymore, Joel Madden, Lionel Richie, Toni Collette, Nancy Juvonen, Judd Apatow, Leslie Mann, and Robin Antin.
Cameron Diaz wore a dress with a low cut back and lots of sparkles. Her bridesmaids wore black dresses with white bouquets. The men wore sleek black tuxedos. Despite being separated in different rooms, the groom sent a sweet note to the bride before their wedding.
An officiant presided over the wedding and recited the seven blessings before Nicole Richie’s five-year-old son presented the rings to the couple. Madden mistakenly dropped the ring, the crowd erupting in laughter, and the ceremony was finished the symbolic Jewish ceremony of stepped on a glass.
After finalizing their wedding, the couple retreated into a private room for 30 minutes. They asked for absolute privacy, similar to the traditional Jewish ceremony called the “Yichud.” In that time their guests enjoyed a cocktail in the backyard’s outdoor tent, which was decorated with olive trees, linen tablecloths, and beeswax candles. The newlyweds joined their friends and family in the tent soon after, giving a welcome toast
Overall the wedding was that of a fairytale, but the question still remains why they chose a Jewish wedding?
Diaz’s father is Cuban and her mother comes from English and German decent. Madden also appears not to come from a Jewish background. However, his middle name “Levi” may offer a clue to a possible Jewish background or conversion that may have been overlooked.
Although we have seen other celebrities such as Gwyneth Paltrow and Madonna converting to Judaism or showing interest in Kabbalah, there is no record of Diaz or Madden showing any interest in converting. If this is the case, Jewish weddings and conversions may just be the new Hollywood trend.
