In a traditional Jewish wedding, the private ritual allowing the newlyweds to spend time alone after the ceremony is called yichud.
Yichud comes from a Hebrew root meaning “union” or “seclusion.” After the chuppah ceremony and, in many traditions, the wedding meal or immediate formalities, the couple enters a private room or secluded area. The brief period marks their new status as a married couple.
The exact timing and form differ between Jewish communities. In some Orthodox ceremonies, witnesses confirm that the couple has entered a private space. Yichud should not be confused with the chuppah, the wedding canopy, or sheva brachot, the seven blessings recited at a Jewish wedding and during the following celebratory period.
Modern ceremonies may adapt the practice while retaining its central idea: a private first moment together as spouses.