Nuptial canopy beneath which the wedding ceremony takes place; it consists of a cloth held together by four poles, which in turn are supported by four men.
A Jewish wedding does not necessarily take place in a synagogue; indeed, it is preferable for the canopy to be in the open air, beneath the sky. Once they emerge from beneath the canopy, the bride and groom are joined in marriage.
Source: "Gli ebrei questi sconosciuti" by Elena Loewenthal