The pole pictured above consists of curly maple, purpleheart, and bloodwood.  More than 180 individual pieces of wood were cut and laminated to form the four poles and bases.

The Process

Because I'm based in the Washington, D.C., area, I can build chuppah poles for clients located anywhere along the East Coast from Richmond to Connecticut.  After initial consultations, we'll meet for an in-person discussion about your ideas and requirements. I'll bring along a variety of examples, including individual pieces of wood and some samples of finished poles, to help you determine the look you like the best.

Since seeing the real thing is infinitely better than viewing sketches or individual pieces of wood, I am happy to construct a number of small samples of your chosen design with the understanding that they all can be modified with more or less detail.  After the basic color scheme and design are chosen, certain modifications can be made as needed throughout the process. Once the design is finalized, your finished chuppah poles will be completed and delivered to you within 4 to 6 weeks.

The Woodworker
I'm a retired attorney with a decades-long passion for woodworking that has taken me from refinishing antiques to woodturning to crafting chuppah poles.

When my oldest son was engaged, I wanted to create something for the wedding with special meaning for him and his bride-to-be. Given my skills (which barred me from singing at or officiating the ceremony), chuppah poles were the answer.

I loved the idea of the poles holding fabrics from the bride's family to create something that would symbolize not just the marriage of two people, but the joining of two families. When they were combined with a beautiful lace fabric handed down from a great-grandmother, we had an heirloom that we knew would be a central part of our family's traditions for generations to come.

-Mark Tessler

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About the Woodworker

I’m a retired attorney with a decades-long passion for woodworking that has taken me from refinishing antiques to woodturning to crafting chuppah poles. 

When my oldest son became engaged, I wanted to create something for the wedding that had special meaning for him and his bride-to-be.  Chuppah poles were the answer given my skills (I couldn’t officiate at the ceremony, nor would I be allowed to sing). 

I could envision the poles being used with fabrics from the bride’s family to create something that would embody not just the marriage of two people, but the joining of two families.  When they were combined with a beautiful lace fabric that had been handed down from a great-grandmother, we had an heirloom that we knew would be a central part of our family for generations to come.