Smashing the Glass | Jewish Wedding Blog - Inspired Jewish Weddings

A Gemy Maalouf Bride for a Destinatiom Jewish Wedding at Villa Tiberio, Marbella, Spain

18/01/2019 by Karen Cinnamon Leave a Comment

Okay, can we talk about beautiful bride Olivia’s AMAZING dress for a quick sec? The elegant plunging neckline, the sleek fit, and, above all, the very modern lace – all trademark Gemy Maalouf.

It’s no surprise she’s a Mirror Mirror bride. One of our favorite bridal boutiques, this London institution – and beloved Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor – is renowned for their wonderful selection and top-notch service (do you see how perfectly that dress fits Olivia?!).

Not that anything about Olivia and Paul’s big day was anything short of extraordinary. The couple’s planner, Dyana Dessar Simmons from STG Recommended Vendor Optimum Weddings, made sure every detail was picture-perfect – and Olivia reports, made their planning “really easy,” even with the wedding being abroad! And STG Recommended Vendor Jeremy Standley took the most incredible photos of the day – he really captures the love between these two, not to mention the dreamy setting.

We especially love Olivia and Paul’s chuppah setup: their stunning floral structure was roofless, meaning it didn’t technically fit the bill, so the pair had four of Paul’s ushers hold a tallit over their heads – no poles, just an edge of the fabric for each usher to hold on to! What a very special, personal way to involve loved ones in the ceremony.

Olivia will fill you in on the rest…

A Villa in Spain

Olivia, the bride: I picked Villa Tiberio because I thought it was so stunning. I always wanted to get married abroad and because I’ve frequently visited Spain since I was a child it seemed like the best place.

I loved how simple, understated yet timeless the venue was and thought it represented me and Paul well. I actually went to the venue a year and a half before with Paul and I said to him although we weren’t engaged, when we are, we are getting married here! He didn’t have a choice really!

Your Ketubah, Your Way: Our Top Ketubot for 2019

17/01/2019 by Karen Cinnamon Leave a Comment

Brooklyn Ketubah | Ink With Intent | From $280 | (10% off for members of Smashing The Glass’ Brides Club)

One of my favourite wedding industry developments since I founded Smashing The Glass is the abundance of beautiful, lovingly crafted ketubahs to suit every style you could possibly imagine.

It used to be that your rabbi would set you up with a plain, standard ketubah – or if you really wanted to go all out, you might strike out on your own and find something a bit more ornate, maybe a traditional floral border. Even ten years ago, the range of possibilities was truly nothing like it is today.

Now, there are so many incredible ketubah artists putting their personal stamps on the ancient Jewish marriage contract. Whether you go for contemporary or traditional, whether you’re a minimalist or a maximalist, whether you love bright colours, pastels, or neutrals – there’s a ketubah for you. In fact, there are probably lots of ketubot for you.

And it’s not just design that can be customized to suit your style, either. So many ketubah creators offer a range of text options beyond the traditional, whether you’re looking for something interfaith, same sex, egalitarian, or just a little more modern – or maybe you even want to provide your own text that the two of you have written together! These days, the sky is truly the limit.

I’m privileged to work with some amazing ketubah artists, and I want to draw your attention to some of my very favorite pieces I’ve spotted recently – so here are just a few…

Silver Jewel Ketubah | Danny Azoulay | Price available upon request

This exquisitely elegant paper cut ketubah from Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor Danny Azoulay is truly a work of art. Like museum quality. It’s a true heirloom, with an incredible level of detail.

Geometric Bouquet Ketubah | Ketubata | From $125

If you’re after something with a more playful look, you couldn’t do better than to check out Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor Ketubata. Think gorgeous watercolors, sweet botanicals, and totally modern geometric shapes.

A Pronovias Bride for a Jewish Wedding with a Flashmob at Sefton Park Palm House, Liverpool, UK

16/01/2019 by Karen Cinnamon Leave a Comment

There’s not much we like better than hearing from couples that we’ve helped them plan the wedding of their dreams. So naturally we were thrilled to hear from Hannah and Jude that they booked Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor XS Showband on our founder, Karen’s recommendation!

Hannah, soon to be qualifying as a corporate lawyer, and Jude, a sales account manager, even squeezed in one of XS’s trademark wedding flashmobs – at the start of the ceremony, after the guests took their seats, instead of the groom walking down the aisle they found themselves in the midst of a flashmob performing Marvin Gaye’s ‘How Sweet It Is’! We’re so pleased (but not at all surprised) that the couple thought their band, who kept everyone dancing ALL night long, was “incredible beyond words” – some seriously high praise!

And it’s no surprise that a wedding as fabulous as this one was planned to perfection by Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor Qube Events and Productions, who, in addition to sorting the gold-themed décor and sourcing appropriate florals to complement the palm house venue the couple report, “took all the stress off” them on the day. Can’t ask for much more than that!

And speaking of that palm house venue – it’s a seriously stunning backdrop, captured to perfection by photographer Rob Clayton and videographer Stefan of YSD Media.

Hannah, who looked radiant in her mermaid fishtail Pronovias, will walk you through the rest, from picking the perfect exotic venue (without leaving home) to selecting flower girls and pageboys from their collective 31(!) nieces and nephews to smashing two glasses – but probably not for the reason you think…

Pssst want to ensure your wedding is as memorable as Hannah & Jude’s? Then make sure you’re signed up to Smashing The Glass’ FREE online event for Jewish and Jew-ish Brides, happening this Monday 21st January – sign up here!

How we met

Hannah, the bride: I went to Manchester University. I grew really close with the Aish campus family, which was Jude’s brother, Benji, and his wife, Shiffy, and their children. I spent alot of time with them over 4 years and had met Jude in passing but that was it.

I lost touch with Benji and Shiffy and then bumped in to Benji in Manchester 3 years later and he said I had to catch up with them. I went to see them the next week which was when they mentioned Jude to me.

Jude got in touch with me a couple of weeks later and that was it. We got engaged the day after our 1 year anniversary and married 9 days after our 2 year anniversary. Jude’s Auf Ruf was actually on our 2 year anniversary.

2019 Real Jewish Brides: Introducing Nargiz + Ryan: How They Met To The Present Day…

15/01/2019 by Smashing The Glass Leave a Comment

Today on the blog we’re introducing our 6th gorgeous bride from our crop of 2019 Real Jewish Brides! Please give a warm welcome to Nargiz, who will be marrying Ryan on 9th November 2019 at Farmington Hills Manor, in Farmington Hills, Michigan, USA.

THREE FACTS: (1) Nargiz and Ryan were introduced by mutual friends – and their first date was at a Hookah lounge! (2) Nargiz’s mother tragically passed away last summer, so she has been facing wedding planning without her mom by her side. (3) Nargiz was born in Baku, Azerbaijan, and the wedding will combine her family’s traditions – they are Mountain Jews, or Gorski, and their culture is a mix of Persian and Middle Eastern influences – and Ryan’s American Ashkenazi background.

Our love story

Ryan and I met over 5 years ago at a hookah lounge. We were introduced by our mutual friends, who sort of set up our meeting. He was Jewish, I was Jewish, he was single, I was single, etc. I wish I could say “and the rest was history” but it was not.

We started seeing each other but we didn’t fully commit to our relationship until a few months later. Then, the rest was history. We have been officially together for almost 5 years. By “officially,” I mean I made him ask me to be his girlfriend or I told him I will tell people I am still single. So, he asked. We have been together ever since.

Last year, I lost my mother to cancer and it has been tough, to say the least. It has not been easy dealing with grief and going through the emotions. I am lucky to have Ryan by my side. We have been through more than an average couple our age but it has only made us stronger.

I am more outspoken, assertive, and type A personality, while Ryan is more laid back, calm, and most of the time reserved. We love to cook together or for each other, travel, eat delicious different types of food, binge watch shows and movies, and enjoy a good bottle of wine (or two).

An Inbal Dror Bride for a Mega Glam Jewish Wedding at the Ritz Naples, Florida, USA

14/01/2019 by Karen Cinnamon Leave a Comment

Two words: Orchid. Chuppah.

You know we love a good floral chuppah, and Michele and Scott went all out, packing every possible inch of theirs with glorious florals, from the poles to the edges to the gorgeous curtain of orchids hanging down the back.

This modern chic beachside wedding was packed full of luxe details, from the tiny bottles of Champagne they handed out as favors to their colorful ketubah from Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor Ketubah.com to the incredible paper and leather flower wall behind their sweetheart table – truly, it’s unmissable (oh.. and if you want to get lots of creative ideas for your wedding do sign up for this with our founder, Karen! It’s totally free and totally unmissable!)

Michele, who is chief administrative officer for a private equity firm, and Scott, a wealth manager at Merrill Lynch, chose photographer Emily Harris and videographer Senderey Video to capture their big day, and we think you’ll agree they did a totally awesome job of it.

We’ll let Michele, who looked incredible in her stunner of a dress from Inbal Dror, which she found at Mark Ingram Atelier in NYC, fill you in on the rest…