Marriage Roadmap and Definitions
Erusin - betrothal. Also called kiddushin - sanctification. A halachic "engagement", but unlike our modern understanding of the term. Erusin makes the woman legally married from a halachic point of view, and would require a get (a religious bill of divorce) to sever, but the couple are not yet considered a family unit for purposes of financial obligations, property rights, shared housing, or intimacy. In Biblical times, erusin could last up to a year (in order to first secure a marriage agreement but then provide time for the groom to begin earning a living prior to starting a family). But since Medieval times, the two components of the wedding process - erusin and nissuin (the marriage itself) - now occur back-to-back, with only a brief pause in between.
Ketubah - marriage contract. The ketubah is traditionally signed by the groom and two witnesses as part of erusin. The ketubah enumerates the husband's obligations to his wife (specifically: food, clothing, and conjugal rights), and a financial sum to be paid by the husband to the wife in the event of divorce - a form of alimony or spousal support. The ketubah also serves as a bill of record of the marriage, and was traditionally kept by the wife in the event proof was ever needed of her marriage. Today, ketubot are often ceremonial art pieces proudly displayed on the walls of a newlywed couple's home.
Note: Many couples will also now sign what is called the "halachic pre-nuptial agreement", a modern mechanism designed to avoid the tragic issue of agunot ("chained" women, or women whose husbands refuse or are unable - missing, incapacitated, etc. - to give them a get, a bill of divorce, which would then "unchain" them from their husbands and permit them to remarry and otherwise move forward in life).
Kinyan - acquisition. The groom formally accepts the unilateral obligations to which he is committing himself in the ketubah by performing an act of kinyan. The groom may do this by lifting up a pen, handkerchief, or other small object symbolically to affirm consent and demonstrate acceptance via a physical act of acquisition. Once kinyan is performed in front of signed witnesses, the ketubah is valid and binding.
The bride and groom are led to the chuppah (wedding canopy), and proceed with both portions of the wedding ceremony (erusin and nisuin) in rapid succession.
During erusin, the first part of the wedding ceremony, a blessing over wine and then the betrothal blessing (birkat erusin) are said.
The groom gives the bride an object, commonly a wedding ring, thought it can be anything of at least nominal/minimal value (i.e. it's not about the value of the item, it's just that the item must have some value). He then recites the traditional formula while placing the ring on the bride's finger:
“Harei at mekudeshet li b’taba’at zu k’dat Moshe v’Yisrael,”
"Behold, you are consecrated (mekudeshet) to me with this ring, according to the Law of Moses and Israel."
This completes erusin/kiddushin. In order to mark a separation between this stage and the second stage of the wedding ceremony, nissuin, the ketubah is often read aloud, or the rabbi, an honored guest, or the bride and groom themselves make speeches.
Nissuin - marriage. This is the second part of the wedding ceremony, and is effected by the recitation of Sheva Brachot (Seven Blessings) over a second cup of wine. The groom then customarily smashes a glass with his foot, guests cheer, and the ceremony is concluded.
Yichud - seclusion. In Ashkenazi custom, the bride and groom are immediately ushered away to a private room where they can be secluded together for the first time, a demonstration of their new status as husband and wife. Theoretically, they are secluded for sufficient time to make it possible to consummate the marriage. In practice, husband and wife will often use this time to simply decompress, eat food (especially if they have been fasting all day, as is the practice for some), and briefly bask in the moment together, away from guests. The Sephardic custom is to eschew yichud, as it is viewed as immodest.

Reform Ketubah Text (One Model of Many)
On the ___ day of the week, the ___ day of ___, in the year ___, corresponding to the ___ day of ___, in the year ___, ___, son of ___, and ___, daughter of ___, join each other in ___, before family and friends to make a mutual covenant as husband and wife, partners in marriage. The groom, ___, promises ___, the bride: "You are my wife according to the tradition of Moses and Israel. I shall cherish you and honor you as is customary among the sons of Israel who have cherished and honored their wives in faithfulness and in integrity." The bride, ___, promises ___, the groom: "You are my husband according to the tradition of Moses and Israel. I shall cherish you and honor you as is customary among the daughters of Israel who have cherished and honored their husbands in faithfulness and in integrity." "We, as beloveds and friends, promise each other to strive throughout our lives together to achieve an openness which will enable us to share our thoughts, our feelings, and our experiences. We promise to try always to bring out in ourselves and in each other qualities of forgiveness, compassion, and integrity. We, as beloveds and friends, will cherish each other's uniqueness; comfort and challenge each other through life's sorrow and joy; share our intuition and insight with one another; and above all do everything within our power to permit each of us to become the persons we are yet to be. All this we take upon ourselves to uphold to the best of our abilities." All is valid and binding.
Bride ____________ Groom ____________
Witness ____________ Witness ____________
Rabbi ____________

Questions
1. What important distinctions do you see between these two Ketuba texts? What does the Traditional text prioritize and what does the Reform text prioritize?
2. What benefit or strength do you see in the Traditional text? Is it absent or present in the Reform text?
3. What benefit or strength do you see to the Reform text? Is it absent or present in the Traditional text?