Circling:

Circling

Under Orthodox custom, when the bride arrives at the chuppah, she circles the groom seven times with her mother and future mother-in-law, while the groom continues to pray, before taking her place at his right. The number seven represents the idea of the seven heavens, the seven wedding blessings and the seven days of Creation. Symbolically, the bride is thought to be entering the seven spheres of her beloved’s soul and the idea of the woman being a protective, surrounding light of the household, that illuminates it with understanding and love from within and protects it from harm from the outside. The circle created by the bride is regarded as the space the couple will now share, separate from parents.

The seven Jewish wedding blessings praise God for:

Creating the fruit of the vine: the blessing over the wine, or kiddush
Creating the earth and all that is in it
Creating humanity
Creating man and woman in God’s image
The miracle of birth
Bringing the bride and groom together to rejoice and live in harmony as did the first couple, Adam and Eve
The joy of the bride and groom and the hope for a world that will one day be filled with the joy of lovers and the laughter of children

The Witness

Every legal procedure in Jewish life is confirmed by at least two "kosher" witnesses. These witnesses can under no circumstances be of the immediate family or even distant relatives to the participating parties.

It takes two witnesses (to the exclusion of others) to attest that all three aspects of marriage have taken place in accordance with the laws of "Moses and Israel." Two witnesses are called upon to stand under the Chuppah and witness these procedures.