In addition to breaking a glass under the chuppah, the mother of the bride and the mother of the groom usually break a plate following the signing and reading of the tanaim at the tish. There are no Jewish legal requirements for the look or materials of this plate. One thing to be careful of is that the breaking, which is often done by hand over the back of a chair, can be difficult. You do not want anyone to get hurt by pieces of the broken plate, so be sure the plate is thin and well wrapped. It is best to use ceramic or china and not glass since glass can create sharper pieces.

Many couples opt to have their mothers use a hammer to break the plate, especially if it is thick. Though it is less dramatic and a bit less traditional than smashing it over the back of a chair, it is much safer. Rabbis who have witnessed an embarrassed mother of the bride or groom take several tries to break the plate often recommend using a hammer. Sometimes the hammer is decorated with paint or ribbon. This makes an especially attractive and safe alternative and a nice memento that can be saved for the weddings of the couple's children or for other siblings or relatives.